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Top 11 event ticketing platforms for your nonprofit
Zeffy - The only 100% free online event ticketing software for nonprofits
Eventbrite - The best online ticket sales platform for monitoring sales
Donorbox - The best software for unlimited ticket types
Classy - The best online ticket sales software for secure ticketing
Ticketstripe - The best for Stripe users
Kindful – The best solution for creating multiple ticket types
Silent Auction Pro - A popular choice for hosting auctions
Givebutter - The best event ticketing platform for ticket customization
Accelevents - Great online ticket sales alternative for integrations
Ticketbud - The best online ticket sales platform for flexible payments
Simpletix -The best event ticketing software for timed entry ticketing
The 11 best online ticket sales software at a glance
1. Zeffy - Best free online event ticketing software for all nonprofits
Zeffy is the only 100% free online ticket sale platform for nonprofits.
With customizable e-tickets, QR for scanning at check in, flexible payment types, discount codes, and virtually unlimited ticket types and groupings, Zeffy does it all.
Unlike other platforms that charge subscription and processing, and often a monthly fee—not to mention other hidden fees—Zeffy doesn't charge nonprofits a cent.
Plus, Zeffy doesn’t just stop at online ticket sales. The platform offers P2P fundraising, raffle management, e-commerce tools, plus robust donor management. This means that nonprofits can centralize all of their fundraising events and efforts in one place—for free.
Key features:
- 100% free model when other platforms charge 5% transaction fees on average + platform fees
- Issuing tax receipts for ticket sales automatically
- Unlimited and free support
- Tap to Pay App for in-person sales on the day of the event
- Scannable e-tickets
- Accept all payment types
- Discounts codes
- Custom ticketing forms
- Custom questions
- Automated reminder emails and follow-ups
- Free fundraising event tickets
- Free donor management
Cons:
- Only available for registered nonprofits in the US and Canada
Best for: All types of nonprofits looking for a simple-to-use and quick online event ticketing solution at an affordable price
Zeffy pricing: 100% free (no platform or transaction fees)
Here’s how it works: When someone makes a donation on your fundraising event or form, they have the option (but are never obliged) to give to Zeffy. Not everyone gives every time and that's okay. Enough donors leave a contribution that overhead costs AND the fees of the thousands of nonprofits that fundraise on Zeffy are covered.
Zeffy’s testimonial:
“Having donors able to set up their own monthly / annual donations has increased our fundraising. Being able to set up events and have people register and buy event tickets through Zeffy is a luxury we never had until now. The ease with which it operates is a huge time-saving benefit for our fundraising committee.” — Karen M.
2. Eventbrite - Best event ticketing software for monitoring ticket sales
Eventbrite is a versatile ticketing platform known for its extensive reach and user-friendly interface. It excels in ticket sales monitoring, offering organizers real-time insights into ticket purchases and attendee engagement. Plus, Eventbrite is a great tool for casting a wide net of attendees, helping to spread the word about your nonprofit's online tickets and events.
Pros:
- Easy checkout process
- Reporting and analytics
- Organizer app
- Attendee discovery
- Marketing tools
- Flexible event payouts
- Social integrations
Cons:
- Fees
- Limited customer support (for premium customers only)
- No receipts
Best for: Nonprofits looking to encourage a wide audience to purchase event tickets online. However, Eventbrite doesn't offer many fundraising event tools outside of online ticket sales and event management. For more robust online ticket sales platforms that offer more tools, in addition to helping you sell more tickets, check out Eventbrite alternatives.
Pricing: 6% (3.5% platform fee + 2.5% processing fee) + $0.79 per transaction
Compare Zeffy (100% free) to Eventbrite →
3. Donorbox - Best online event ticketing software for unlimited ticket types
Donorbox, primarily a fundraising platform, allows for unlimited ticket types, making it a versatile option for events. It streamlines the donation process and provides automated tax receipts for ticket sales, too. Plus, Donorbox events are just the tip of the iceberg. The platform offers a lot of other essential fundraising tools so nonprofits can do more than just run events and sell online event tickets.
Pros:
- Autogenerated tax receipts
- Custom event pages
- Multiple payment options
- Embeddable forms for website
- Unlimited types of event tickets
- Promo codes
- Ticket QR codes
- Receipts
Cons:
- Fees
- Difficult ease of use
Best for: Organizations looking for customizable ticket types.
Pricing: 2.95% platform fee and up to 2.9% + $0.49 per transaction
Check out Zeffy, the 100% free alternative to Donorbox →
4. Classy - Best Event ticketing software for secure ticketing
Classy is an all-in-one fundraising platform that prioritizes secure ticketing through level 1 PCI compliance and SSL security. In addition to a secure environment for online ticket sales, Classy offers easy online event registration and reporting.
Pros:
- Secure ticketing and transaction
- Reporting and analytics
- Social sharing
- Custom ticket price and pages
- Multi ticket forms
Cons:
- Price
Best for: Nonprofits looking for a straightforward way to sell online event tickets with customizable event pages and multi-ticket types.
Pricing: Platform fees start at $299 per license/month + 4% per transaction.
Check out how this nonprofit saved $6,000 when they switched from Classy to Zeffy →
5. Ticketstripe -Best event ticketing software for stripe users
Ticketstripe is designed for Stripe users and offers seamless integration. It excels in providing a smooth check-in process, making it convenient for organizers to sell tickets for fundraising events. Plus, the platform offers discount codes for online ticket sales and fun features like timed event tickets.
Pros:
- Custom event URL
- Ticket bundles
- Timed event tickets
- Customizable event pages
- Discount codes
- Stripe integration
Cons:
- Fees
- Mobile app limitations
- Limited payment methods
Best for: Small nonprofits looking for a quick fix for selling online event tickets for fundraising events using Stripe.
Pricing: 1.50% + $0.50 per ticket sold plus up to 3.49% + $0.49 in processing fees
6. Kindful - Best event ticketing software for multiple ticket types
Kindful (now part of Bloomerang, a CRM platform for nonprofits, integrates with CRM Bloomerang and supports multiple ticket types. It excels in attendee list management within a broader donor management system ensuring a smooth flow of data between systems, reducing manual efforts, and minimizing errors.
Pros:
- Tracking and reporting
- Integrations
- Ticket types
- Donor management
Cons:
- Basic ticketing features only
- Limited customization
- Fees
- Learning curve
- Pay for additional customer support
Best for: Nonprofits that already use Bloomerang and need multiple ticket types for a nonprofit event.
Pricing: $199+/month, plus 1% fundraising platform fee on all online transactions, and up to 2.2% + $0.30 in processing fees
7. Silent Auction Pro - Best event ticketing software for hosting auctions
Silent Auction Pro is an event ticketing platform that specializes in hosting silent and live auctions, providing an intuitive platform for selling tickets online. From admission tickets to online event registration, Silent Auction Pro was designed to make every part of the auction process simple and hassle-free.
Pros:
- Customer service
- Ticket groups
- Mobile online event registration
- QR code
Cons:
- Cost
- Limited features outside of auction management
Best for: Large nonprofits seeking to sell online tickets for an auction.
Pricing & fees: $449-$899/year + 2.0% of event proceeds. Credit card processing fees are a flat 2.9% with no per transaction fees.
8. Givebutter - Best Event ticketing software for ticket customization
Givebutter stands out for ticket customization, allowing organizers to create a personalized ticketing experience. This event ticketing platform excels in peer-to-peer fundraising and social sharing features, and makes the fundraising process—for event management and online ticket sales and beyond—fun and approachable.
Pros:
- Donation upsells/additional donations
- Ticket scanning
- Custom ticketing
- re-send or revoke tickets
- Ticket scanning and virtual check in
Cons:
- Fees
Best for: Small nonprofits looking for an easy-to-use, quick solution to selling customizable online tickets.
Pricing: Up to 2.9% + $0.30 in processing fees
Compare Zeffy (100% free) to Givebutter →
9. Accelevents - Best event ticketing solution for integrations
Accelevents is known for its integration capabilities, making it adaptable to various platforms. This event ticketing platform excels in providing a seamless experience through integrations with other tools, so nonprofits can create a seamless experience across all of their platforms.
Pros:
- Native integrations, Zapier, webhooks, and an API to build custom integrations
- Customizable event pages and tickets
- User-friendly online event registration
- Multiple ticket types
- Invoicing
- Organizer event app
Cons:
- Fees
- Limitations outside of events and ticketing
- Pay for additional add-ons and customer support
Best for: Organizations looking to sell tickets and integrate with their favorite tools.
Pricing: Starts at $5,000 for one event
10. Ticketbud - Best event ticketing solution for flexible payouts
Ticketbud offers flexibility in payment options, accommodating various payment preferences. Unlike other platforms, Ticketbud allows nonprofits the chance to get daily, weekly, and monthly payouts when it comes to their events, too, instead of waiting until after the event ends to get paid.
Pros:
- Social media integrations
- Reporting and analytics
- Flexible payment terms
- White label solution
Cons:
- Fees
- Limited features outside of ability to sell tickets
Best for: Small nonprofits that need funds immediately.
Pricing: Up to 2.0% + 0.99c in processing fees (discount available for nonprofits upon request)
11. SimpleTix - Best event ticketing software for timed entry ticketing
SimpleTix offers timed entry ticketing, making it suitable for events with specific entry requirements. Plus, the platform offers ease of use and straightforward event management, early bird pricing, and a few other essential features.
Pros:
- Timed entry ticketing
- Smartwaiver integrations
- Reporting
- Early bird pricing
- Promo codes
Cons:
- Fees
- Limited features outside of the ability to sell tickets
Best for: Nonprofits or organizations like museums or galleries that depend on timed entry and monitoring capacity.
Pricing: Flat fee of $0.25 for all tickets priced $5 or below, $0.79 + 2% for all tickets purchased online (capped at $9.99), $0.25 for all tickets sold on-site. SimpleTix also offers 10% off fees for nonprofit organizations
11 Key features to consider when choosing an online event ticketing software for your nonprofit
There are a few essential features sot consider when choosing the best online event ticketing software for your organization:
1. User-friendly interface
Ensure the platform has an intuitive and user-friendly interface for both organizers and attendees. A straightforward design can simplify the ticketing process and enhance the overall user experience.
2. Customization options
Look for platforms that allow you to customize an event page, event tickets, ticket price, and registration forms. This ensures your branding is consistent and that you can tailor the ticketing process to match the aesthetics of your nonprofit.
3. Multi-ticket types
Choose a platform that supports more than one ticket type (like general admission or VIP tickets) to accommodate various attendee preferences and event structures.
4. Secure and flexible payment processing
Prioritize platforms with secure and flexible payment processing like Google and Apple Pay.
5. Integration capabilities
Ensure the software integrates seamlessly with other tools your nonprofit uses, such as CRM systems, email marketing platforms, or fundraising software. Or, choose a software—like Zeffy (100% free) that offers a host of fundraising features all in one place.
6. Reporting and analytics
Select a platform that provides robust reporting and analytics features. This includes real-time data on ticket sales, attendee demographics, and other relevant metrics to help you assess event success and make informed decisions.
7. Promotion and marketing tools
Look for built-in tools that facilitate event promotion, such as reminder email campaigns, social media integration, and promotional discount codes.
8. Mobile responsiveness
Ensure the platform is mobile-responsive, allowing attendees to easily purchase tickets and access event information from their smartphones. Mobile responsiveness is crucial for modern, on-the-go attendees.
9. Check-in and entry management
Choose a platform that offers efficient check-in and entry management tools. This includes features like QR code scanning, mobile check-in, and the ability to track attendance in real-time.
10. Customer support
Evaluate the level of customer support provided by the platform. Responsive customer support is essential for addressing any issues or concerns that may arise during the ticketing process.
11. Cost structure and fees
Understand the platform's pricing structure, including any service fees or transaction costs. Choose a platform that aligns with your budget, offers nonprofit discounts, or is 100% free—like Zeffy.
How YWCA switched from Eventbrite to Zeffy and saved $1,000+ in fees
Before Zeffy, YWCA Lethbridge used Eventbrite and PayPal. The fees associated with other platforms like these are a big hit for small to medium-sized nonprofits like YWCA Lethbridge (almost 10%).
Tired of spending meaningful donations on fees, they decide to find a free software for nonprofits that works.
YWCA Lethbridge started small with a bands and brunch event and used Zeffy’s free ticketing to sell tickets to their event. Today, they use Zeffy to accept donations on their website, manage their volunteers, and organize and sell tickets to their annual Royal Gala.
The result?
YWCA has already saved over $1000 in platform and transaction fees—and they’re just getting warmed up.
Which online ticket sales software should you use?
Some online ticket sales platforms for nonprofits serve different purposes or are more niche than others. As we discovered, some are best for encouraging a broader audience to buy tickets, while others are best at promoting attendance and boosting sales. But when assessing each of these platforms, only one offers a true, completely free all-in-one solution.
Zeffy is the only completely free online event registration platform and online donation platform for nonprofits. Unlike other software solutions that charge subscription fees, processing fees, and even per-ticket fees, Zeffy doesn’t charge nonprofits a cent.
With over 10,000 nonprofits fundraising on the platform, Zeffy believes nonprofits shouldn’t be limited by costly solutions and hidden fees. That’s why Zeffy is doing its part by offering equal access to the best fundraising technology—for free.
