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If you’re planning an event, chances are you’ve already heard about Eventbrite, one of the most popular platforms for event ticketing and management. But before you dive in, it’s crucial to understand the Eventbrite pricing model to see how much it will cost you and what features come with each plan.
In this comprehensive blog, we’ll break down how much are Eventbrite fees, explore the Eventbrite pro plan, compare Eventbrite pricing plans, and even answer the common question: is Eventbrite free to use?
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to choose the right plan for your event, no matter the size or complexity.
TL;DR
- Eventbrite offers multiple pricing plans: Essentials, Pro, and Premium. Each with different features and fees to suit various event sizes and needs.
- Free events incur no fees, but paid events come with service and payment processing fees that vary by plan.
- The Eventbrite Pro plan provides advanced features like reserved seating and priority support at a lower fee rate than Essentials plan.
- Alternatives like Ticket Tailor, Brown Paper Tickets, Cvent, and Eventzilla offer different pricing and features worth considering.
- CloudEagle.ai helps you compare Eventbrite plans and optimize your subscription costs with smart negotiation support.
What is Eventbrite?
Eventbrite is an event management and ticketing platform that enables event organizers to create, promote, and sell tickets for events of all kinds, from small meetups and workshops to large concerts and conferences. Founded in 2006, Eventbrite has grown into a global leader in event technology, serving millions of event creators and attendees.
The platform provides tools for event registration, ticket sales, marketing, attendee management, and analytics. Its flexibility and ease of use have made it a favorite among individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, and large enterprises alike.
As part of this Eventbrite pricing guide, it’s important to recognize that Eventbrite offers different pricing models and plans tailored to different needs, which we'll cover in detail shortly.
Is Eventbrite Worth Paying For?
Many people wonder if Eventbrite is free to use or if it’s better to pay for a premium plan. The truth is, Eventbrite does offer a free plan, but it comes with limitations that may affect the experience you can deliver to your attendees and how much control you have as an organizer.
The free version is suitable mainly for free events or small gatherings. However, if you’re hosting paid events, looking for advanced features like reserved seating, or wanting better customization and promotional tools, upgrading to a paid Eventbrite plan is often worth it.
With paid plans, you gain access to benefits such as:
- Priority customer support for faster issue resolution
- Detailed reporting and analytics to track event performance
- Ability to create multiple ticket types and pricing tiers
- Custom branding and design options for event pages
- Reserved seating and assigned seating charts
- Integration with popular marketing and CRM software
What You Need to Know About Eventbrite Fees
Eventbrite’s fee structure includes ticketing fees for paid events, which are usually passed on to attendees unless the event organizers decide to cover them themselves. There are no charges for creating or publishing free events. Additionally, Eventbrite provides paid subscription plans that offer advanced features, such as higher limits on marketing emails.
- Service Fee: Eventbrite charges a percentage of the ticket price plus a fixed fee per ticket. The percentage and fee amount depend on the pricing plan.
- Payment Processing Fee: This fee covers the cost of handling credit card transactions and usually ranges around 2.5% plus a small fixed amount per ticket.
For example, in the United States, the standard Eventbrite fees on the Essentials plan are approximately 3.5% + $1.59 per ticket. However, the Eventbrite Pro plan and higher tiers come with different fee structures, sometimes with reduced fees or bundled features.
If you’re curious about how much Eventbrite fees are in detail, Eventbrite’s official pricing page breaks it down by country and plan: Eventbrite Pricing.
It’s also worth noting that for free events, Eventbrite typically does not charge service fees or payment processing fees, making it a good option for zero-cost gatherings.
How the Eventbrite Pricing Model Works: Understanding Your Options
Eventbrite’s pricing model operates on a "pay-as-you-go" basis for ticket sales, with no upfront fees for organizers. When attendees buy paid tickets, they are charged ticketing fees, comprising a service fee plus a payment processing fee, unless the organizer opts to cover these costs.
For free events, neither organizers nor attendees incur any ticketing fees. Additionally, Eventbrite offers paid subscription plans, such as Flex and Pro, designed for organizers who require more advanced features.
Essentials Plan
The Essentials plan is perfect for organizers running straightforward paid or free events who want an easy-to-use platform without extra bells and whistles. This plan allows you to create multiple ticket types, manage registrations, and promote your event using basic tools.
Key features of the Essentials Plan:
- Create and sell tickets for paid or free events
- Multiple ticket types and pricing options
- Basic event management and reporting dashboard
- Mobile ticket scanning at the event
- Integration with social media platforms for promotion
- Email support for organizers
Professional Plan (Eventbrite Pro Plan)
The Eventbrite pro plan is tailored for organizers who require more sophisticated features to manage larger or more complex events. This plan includes everything in Essentials plus valuable upgrades like reserved seating, custom branding options, advanced reporting, and priority customer support.
What the Eventbrite Pro Plan offers:
- All Essentials plan features
- Reserved and assigned seating charts
- Customizable event pages with your branding
- Detailed sales and attendee analytics
- Priority phone and chat customer support
- Integration with CRM and marketing automation tools
Premium Plan
For enterprises and high-volume event organizers, the Premium plan offers a fully customizable experience with dedicated account management, API access, and premium integrations. Pricing for this tier is customized based on your event’s specific needs and scale.
Premium Plan highlights include:
- Everything in the Pro plan, plus advanced features
- Dedicated account management and onboarding
- Customized training and support for your team
- Access to advanced API and integrations
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance features
Additional Payment Processing Fees
Regardless of which Eventbrite pricing plan you choose, you will incur payment processing fees on top of service fees. These typically cover credit card transaction costs and average around 2.5% plus a small fixed fee per ticket, depending on your location.
What Features Are Included in Eventbrite Plans?
Eventbrite provides a range of features across its various pricing plans, centered on event creation, ticketing, marketing, and attendee management. Core functionalities include event registration, online booking, mobile access, automated email reminders, and detailed reporting and analytics.
Moreover, Eventbrite offers marketing tools such as social media integration, email campaign management, and ad placement. It also supports contact management, customizable forms, and seamless integrations with other platforms.
Essentials Plan Features
- Create and sell tickets for free and paid events
- Multiple ticket types and pricing options
- Basic event management dashboard
- Mobile ticket scanning app
- Email customer support
- Social media integration
Eventbrite Pro Plan Features
- All Essentials features included
- Reserved and assigned seating charts
- Customizable event pages and branding
- Detailed sales and attendee reports
- Priority phone and chat support
- CRM and marketing tool integrations
Premium Plan Features
- All Pro plan features included
- Dedicated account management
- Customized onboarding and training
- Advanced API and integrations
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
Which Eventbrite Plan Is Right for You?
Choosing the right plan from the Eventbrite pricing guide depends largely on your event’s size, budget, and specific requirements. To help you decide, here’s a breakdown of which Eventbrite pricing plans work best for different event types:
- Small or Free Events
- Ideal if you’re hosting meetups, workshops, or community gatherings with no ticket fees
- Since Eventbrite is free to use for free events, you won’t incur any service or processing fees
- Limited need for advanced features or customization
- Medium-Sized Paid Events
- Suitable for organizers selling tickets who want reliable tools for promotion and attendee management
- The Essentials plan provides core features with manageable fees
- Useful if you want basic analytics and easy ticketing without extra complexity
- Professional or Large Events
- Perfect for events requiring reserved seating, custom branding, and detailed reporting
- The Eventbrite Pro plan offers enhanced features and typically lower service fees compared to the Essentials
- Priority support and integrations with marketing tools help boost event reach and attendee engagement
- Enterprise-Level Events
- Best for organizations running multiple large-scale or recurring events
- The Premium plan delivers advanced customization, dedicated account management, and enterprise-grade security
- Pricing is customized, so contact Eventbrite for exact fees and features
Eventbrite Pricing Guide: How to Streamline Purchase with CloudEagle.ai
Here are some proven negotiation strategies to help ensure you’re securing the most value-driven cost for Eventbrite:
Proven Strategies to Optimize Eventbrite Pricing
- Focus on ROI, not just cost – Instead of simply cutting subscription fees, aim for greater value through better feature utilization, improved event promotion, and tailored support.
- Ask for high-impact add-ons – Negotiate extras like premium support, access to advanced plan features, or marketing integrations at no extra charge.
- Build a strong business case – Show how upgrading your Eventbrite plan drives efficiency across ticket sales, attendee engagement, and reporting, strengthening your position for discounts.
- Leverage contract timing – Use renewal periods and quarter-end sales pushes to secure better rates on your Eventbrite subscription.
What Businesses Actually Pay for Eventbrite
While Eventbrite publishes base prices, actual costs vary significantly depending on event size, plan chosen, and location. With CloudEagle.ai’s SaaS price benchmarking, you can see what companies similar to yours pay for various Eventbrite plans.
This gives you the leverage to negotiate from a position of knowledge, knowing whether your rates are above or below industry averages.
Data-Driven Cost Optimization
CloudEagle.ai provides full visibility into:
- How many Eventbrite licenses are you paying for versus how many are actually in use?
- Which features or add-ons in your Eventbrite subscription are underutilized and could be removed?
- Renewal timelines, so you can renegotiate before auto-renewals lock you in.
Why Benchmarking Matters
Negotiating without market data is like sailing without a map. CloudEagle.ai aggregates billions in SaaS spend data to show whether your Eventbrite license costs and fees are competitive.
If you’re overpaying, you have clear leverage to push for discounts.
If you’re within range, focus on optimizing adoption and ROI rather than chasing lower fees.
Premium Negotiation Insights
Beyond raw price data, CloudEagle.ai offers actionable tactics from companies that have secured better deals, such as adding more features without raising costs, bundling Eventbrite with other SaaS tools, or locking in multi-year pricing protections.
What Are the Alternatives to Eventbrite?
While Eventbrite remains a top choice for event organizers, exploring alternatives can help you find a platform that fits your specific needs and budget better. When evaluating options, keep in mind the Eventbrite pricing guide and consider how each competitor’s fees and features compare to Eventbrite’s.
Ticket Tailor
Ticket Tailor offers low-cost, transparent pricing with no per-ticket fees on certain plans, making it an attractive choice for small to medium-sized events. Its affordability appeals to organizers looking to reduce spend while still accessing essential ticketing features, making it a viable alternative for those closely watching their Eventbrite fees.
Brown Paper Tickets
Brown Paper Tickets is known for its straightforward interface and competitive fees, which are especially favorable for nonprofits and community events. If you’re comparing Eventbrite pricing plans, Brown Paper Tickets stands out as a budget-friendly solution without compromising basic event management capabilities.
Cvent
Cvent is a robust, enterprise-level event management platform geared toward large conferences and corporate events. Though its pricing tends to be higher than Eventbrite’s, Cvent offers comprehensive tools that justify the investment for organizations needing advanced customization and extensive attendee management features.
Eventzilla
Eventzilla provides an affordable alternative with a flexible pricing structure suitable for a variety of event types, including virtual events. When considering Eventbrite pricing plans, Eventzilla’s transparent fees and user-friendly platform make it a solid choice for organizers seeking cost-effective solutions without sacrificing functionality.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the Eventbrite pricing guide is essential to choosing the right plan for your event’s needs. Whether you’re hosting a small free meetup or a large paid conference, knowing the features and fees helps you avoid surprises and manage your budget wisely.
Comparing Eventbrite pricing plans with alternatives allows you to find the best value and tools for your event. Careful consideration of features, support, and costs ensures you maximize attendee engagement and streamline event management.
CloudEagle.ai makes it easy to optimize your Eventbrite spend by providing real-time insights into license usage, renewal timelines, and cost-saving opportunities. Ready to take control of your Eventbrite costs?
Book a free demo with CloudEagle.ai today and start saving smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to avoid Eventbrite fees?
You can avoid Eventbrite fees by hosting free events, as Eventbrite doesn’t charge service fees on free events. For paid events, consider passing fees to attendees or using alternative platforms with lower fees. - How much is Eventbrite Pro?
Eventbrite Pro plan pricing varies based on event size and location, typically including lower service fees than Essentials. Contact Eventbrite for exact pricing tailored to your event’s needs - Is Eventbrite free for free events?
Yes, Eventbrite is free to use for free events. There are no service fees or payment processing charges when you create and manage free events on the platform. - Is Eventbrite free for nonprofits?
Eventbrite offers discounted pricing and fee waivers for qualifying nonprofits. Reach out to Eventbrite support to check eligibility and get nonprofit-friendly pricing options.