Ticketing Software Comparison: Pricing, Fees & Features
A detailed comparison of leading ticketing platforms for festivals and mid-size events
Choosing the right ticketing software requires careful evaluation of pricing structures, fees, customization options, and feature sets. Use our interactive fee calculator to compare total costs, and see our essential features guide for a checklist of what to look for. This comparison helps festival organizers make informed decisions by evaluating leading platforms side-by-side.
Pricing & Fee Comparison
Note: All pricing information is based on 2025 US rates for standard plans. Many platforms use quote-based or negotiated pricing that varies by deal, venue, and contract—contact vendors for current fee schedules.
Example assumption: The "$50 ticket" column assumes 1 ticket per order/transaction. Fees paid by buyer vs. absorbed by organizer vary by platform; Dionysus supports both.
| Platform | Platform Fee | Processing Fee | Monthly Cost | Example: $50 Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dionysus | 3.5% | 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe) | Free (paid mobile apps available) | $3.50 total fees |
| Eventbrite | 3.7% + $1.79/ticket | 2.9% per order | Free (paid plans available) | $5.09 total fees |
| DICE | 10% + 3% | Included | Free | $6.50 total fees |
| eTix | 10-15% | 3% + surcharges | Varies | $7.50+ total fees |
| Ticketmaster | 20-30% of face value | Included + facility fees | Contract-based | $12.50+ total fees |
| lu.ma | 5% (0% with Luma Plus) | 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe) | Free | $4.25 total fees |
| Tixr | 10% | 3% | Free | $6.50 total fees |
| See Tickets | 10% | 2.9% + $0.30 | Varies | $6.75 total fees |
Pricing Insight
For a festival selling 5,000 tickets at $50 each (assuming 1 ticket per order): Dionysus would charge approximately $17,500 in total fees, compared to about $25,450 for Eventbrite, $21,250 for lu.ma, $32,500 for DICE, or $62,500+ for Ticketmaster (at 25% of face value). The difference becomes even more significant at higher volumes.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Dionysus | Eventbrite | DICE | Ticketmaster | lu.ma |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Branding | ✓ | Limited | ✗ | Enterprise | Limited |
| White-Label Mobile Apps | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Enterprise (Ignite) | ✗ |
| Host Checkout on Your Domain | ✓ | Embed only | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-Time Analytics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic |
| Music Integration | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Festival-Grade Schedule Builder + Publish to App/Embeds | ✓ | Basic listing | Basic | Enterprise | Basic listing |
| QR Code Check-In | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payment Plans | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-Venue Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Basic |
| Webhook Support | ✓ | ✓ | Partner API | APIs (webhooks not publicly documented) | ✓ |
| Transparent Pricing | ✓ | Complex | Terms vary by contract | Negotiated | ✓ |
| Artist/Performer Submissions + Approval Workflow | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| App Content Updates Without Resubmission | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Enterprise | ✗ |
| Real-Time Sync: Website Embeds ↔ Admin Panel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Enterprise | ✗ |
Customization Options
| Customization Feature | Dionysus | Eventbrite | DICE | Ticketmaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Brand Control | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Enterprise only |
| Custom Checkout Pages | ✓ | Templates only | ✗ | Enterprise |
| Custom Email Templates | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ |
| Branded Mobile Apps | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Enterprise (Ignite) |
| Custom Registration Fields | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ |
Best For Different Use Cases
Music Festivals
Best: Dionysus, DICE
Why: Music integrations, schedule management, mobile apps, and white-label branding are essential for festival identity.
Conferences
Best: Dionysus, Eventbrite
Why: Custom registration fields, session management, and professional branding matter most.
Large Venues
Best: Ticketmaster (Ignite for branded apps)
Why: Enterprise infrastructure and white-label solutions; fees are quote-based.
Key Decision Factors
Choose Dionysus if: You need a unified operating system—ticketing, scheduling, forms/submissions, native mobile apps, analytics, check-in, and website embeds—all in sync from one admin panel. You get white-label branding, transparent pricing (3.5% platform fee), artist submission workflows that publish to app and embeds, and content updates without app store resubmission.
Choose Eventbrite if: You prioritize marketplace discovery, need quick setup, and can accept limited branding (embed checkout on your site, no white-labeled event page on your domain).
Choose DICE if: You're focused on music events and can accept their platform branding in exchange for their established user base. Contact for current fee schedules.
Choose Ticketmaster if: You're a large venue or stadium and need enterprise-scale infrastructure. Branded apps (Ignite) and white-label solutions are available under contract.
Ready to Compare Pricing?
Use our interactive pricing calculator to see exactly how much you'll pay with different platforms based on your ticket volume and prices.
Try Pricing Calculator Schedule DemoConclusion
When comparing ticketing software, consider your total cost of ownership (platform fees + processing + monthly costs), customization needs, and feature requirements. For festivals and mid-size events, the strongest differentiator is often a unified system: one platform for ticketing, scheduling, submissions, mobile apps, analytics, and embeds—with real-time sync across all surfaces. Dionysus offers this unified approach with transparent pricing, festival-grade schedule management, and white-label mobile apps that update content without store resubmission.
Remember: The cheapest platform isn't always the best value. Factor in hidden fees, customization limitations, and the long-term cost of switching platforms if your needs outgrow your initial choice.
Related Resources
More guides and product pages: