Best Alternatives to Eventbrite - 2026

Affordable Eventbrite Alternatives in 2026: TixFox.co vs SimpleTix vs Ticketleap vs eTix

Last updated: June 2026 · Fee data verified against each platform's official pricing page. Review every 6 months.

On a 200-ticket event at $30 a ticket, Eventbrite's service fee alone runs about $580. The platforms below charge anywhere from $78 to $320 for the exact same event. That difference isn't a rounding error. It's your marketing budget, your headliner's deposit, or simply money you keep.

This post ranks four Eventbrite alternatives from cheapest to most expensive, with verified fee math so you can see exactly what each one costs on a real event. If you run markets, concerts, fundraisers, or community shows and every dollar matters, this comparison was written for you.

Quick Fee Comparison: 200 Tickets at $30 Each

| Platform | Fee structure | Fee per $30 ticket | Total on 200 tickets |

| TixFox.co | $0.39 flat per ticket | $0.39 | $78 |

| SimpleTix | $0.79 + 2% (capped at $9.99) | $1.39 | $278 |

| Ticketleap | $1.00 + 2% + 3% processing | $2.50 | $500 |

| eTix | Custom quotes, est. 10–15% | $3.00–$4.50 (est.) | $600–$900 (est.) |

Payment processing is excluded for TixFox and SimpleTix since both run roughly the standard 2.9% + $0.30. Ticketleap bundles its own 3% processing, so it's included there. Full math below.

1. TixFox: $0.39 Flat, No Percentage, No Surprises

TixFox charges one fee: $0.39 per paid ticket, plus standard card processing. That's it. There's no percentage component, which is the detail that matters most. A $10 ticket costs you 39 cents to sell. So does a $150 VIP ticket.

Every other platform on this list takes a bigger cut as your ticket price climbs. TixFox doesn't, which makes it the cheapest option here for almost any paid event, and the gap widens the more your tickets cost.

What you actually get for that fee: mobile check-in apps for iOS and Android, e-tickets with QR codes, discount codes, add-ons for merch and upgrades, and payouts to your bank within about two business days. Free events are free. You can see the full breakdown on the TixFox pricing page.

Where it's honest to say TixFox isn't the fit: if you need complex reserved seating charts for a large theater or arena-scale operations, a platform built for that (like SimpleTix or eTix) may serve you better. For independent organizers running general admission events, the math is hard to argue with.

Run your own numbers: start your first event free, no credit card required.

2. SimpleTix: $0.79 + 2%, Strong for Attractions

SimpleTix charges $0.79 + 2% per ticket sold, capped at $9.99 per ticket, with fees confirmed on their official pricing page (simpletix.com/pricing.php). Nonprofits get 10% off. You connect your own payment processor, with Square, Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net all supported, and money lands in your account as tickets sell.

That last part is a genuine advantage. Because payments flow through your own processor, there's no waiting on the platform for payouts. SimpleTix has also built deep timed-entry and reserved seating tools, which is why museums, zoos, and seasonal attractions like it.

The tradeoff is cost. On a $30 ticket, SimpleTix runs $1.39 versus TixFox's $0.39, and the 2% component means pricier tickets cost more to sell until you hit the $9.99 cap. The $9.99 cap does help if you sell very expensive tickets. Tickets under $5 get a reduced $0.25 rate.

3. Ticketleap: $1 + 2% Plus 3% Processing

Ticketleap's pricing (ticketleap.com/info/pricing) is $1.00 + 2% of the ticket price, plus a 3% online transaction fee per order, with ticketing fees capped at $20 per ticket. Tickets $5 and under get a flat $0.49 fee. Free events cost nothing, and you can pass all fees to buyers, which makes the platform free for you to use.

On our $30 example, that's $1.60 in service fees plus $0.90 in processing: $2.50 per ticket, or $500 across a 200-ticket event. That's more than six times the TixFox cost for the same show.

Ticketleap's strengths are a clean interface, a free box office app for door sales (where the platform fee drops away entirely), and full feature access with no tiers. One thing to know before you commit: organizers have reported that payouts now arrive after the event ends, which can squeeze cash flow if you need ticket revenue to pay vendors up front. If pre-event cash flow matters to you, check how TixFox's fast payout handles it instead.

4. eTix: Custom Pricing for Venues, Not Indie Organizers

Here's the honest take: eTix isn't really competing for your event if you're an independent organizer. It's an enterprise platform serving clubs, arenas, performing arts centers, and fairs, and it doesn't publish pricing at all. Getting a number requires a sales demo and a negotiated contract.

Industry estimates put eTix fees around 10–15% of the ticket price, and one public county contract shows a 15% online convenience fee with a $1.00 per-ticket minimum. Some organizers who've switched away report total costs climbing higher once service, convenience, and delivery fees stack up, though those figures come from competitor comparisons and can't be independently verified.

For a mid-size venue that needs season passes, dynamic pricing, and an integrated POS system, eTix's feature set may justify the contract. For a 200-ticket market or comedy night, you'd be paying enterprise prices for tools you'll never touch.

The Bottom Line

If your priority is keeping more of your ticket revenue, the ranking is straightforward. TixFox costs $78 on a 200-ticket, $30 event. SimpleTix costs $278 and earns its premium if you need serious timed-entry features. Ticketleap lands around $500 once processing is counted, with post-event payouts as the catch. And eTix belongs in a different conversation entirely, built for venues with negotiated contracts rather than independent organizers comparing per-ticket fees.

Pricing on every platform changes, so verify against official pricing pages before you commit. The numbers above were checked in June 2026.

Ready to see the difference on your own event? Create a free TixFox account and have tickets on sale today. There are no setup fees and no contracts, just $0.39 when a ticket sells.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest alternative to Eventbrite in 2026?
TixFox, at $0.39 flat per paid ticket plus standard card processing. It's the only platform in this comparison with no percentage-based fee, so the cost stays the same whether your ticket is $10 or $100.

Does SimpleTix or Ticketleap charge for free events?
No. Both platforms, along with TixFox, charge nothing for free events. Fees only apply when attendees pay for tickets.

Can I pass ticketing fees to my buyers instead of absorbing them?
Yes, all three self-serve platforms (TixFox, SimpleTix, Ticketleap) let you choose whether buyers or you cover the fees. TixFox calls this ticketing fee control.

Why doesn't eTix publish its pricing?
eTix is an enterprise platform that negotiates custom contracts with venues and large organizers. Estimates put typical fees at 10–15% of the ticket price, but your actual rate depends on your contract.

How fast do I get paid on each platform?
SimpleTix pays out through your own processor as sales happen. TixFox deposits funds within about two business days. Ticketleap organizers have reported post-event payouts, so confirm timing before relying on ticket revenue for upfront costs.