A ticketing fee is only part of the cost of selling a concert. Compare the buyer’s total, your net proceeds, any subscription, and the work required to run the box office. Use the same assumptions for each platform so a low headline fee does not hide a different processing charge or a feature you need to pay for separately.
Arts in One publishes this guide and offers ticketing software. The comparison below links to providers’ own fee documentation. It does not rank them or assume one is the best choice for every ensemble. Rates depend on country, payment method, account terms, and the date you book the service.
Published US fee structures to check
| Platform | Ticketing fee | Processing and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket | 2.9% of the total order; check your country and account terms. |
| TicketSpice | $0.99 per paid ticket | Buyer-covered processing uses 3.5% on the ticket subtotal including the platform fee; other payment arrangements differ. |
| TicketLeap | $1 + 2% per ticket, capped at $20 per ticket | 3% online transaction fee per order. The percentage charge is separate from the ticketing-fee cap. |
| Brown Paper Tickets | $1.49 + 6% per ticket | The published service fee includes processing; confirm currency and event terms. |
Sources: Eventbrite fees, TicketSpice buyer-covered fees, TicketLeap fees, and Brown Paper Tickets fees. Confirm the applicable terms before choosing a provider.
Build a comparison for your concert
Start with a ticket price and an expected sales mix. For example, 250 tickets at $20 have a face value of $5,000. Then compare 250 one-ticket orders with a mix of family and individual orders. Include discounts, complimentary tickets, taxes, and the card types you expect. These are scenarios, not a sales forecast.
- Write down the number of paid tickets and the number of orders separately.
- Identify which amount each percentage applies to: ticket price, subtotal including service fees, or the final charge.
- Check who covers each charge and whether that choice is made by the organizer or buyer.
- Include subscriptions and any paid features required for your seating or box-office workflow.
- Compare the resulting checkout total and estimated net proceeds; allow for rounding and account-specific processing rates.
Why order size changes some costs
A fixed per-order charge is shared across the tickets in that order. For illustration, a $0.30 charge adds $0.30 per ticket in a one-ticket order and $0.075 per ticket in a four-ticket order before rounding. A percentage charge behaves differently: 3% of four $20 tickets is $2.40, the same $0.60 per ticket as four separate $20 orders when the calculation base is unchanged.
Processing may also apply to fees collected from the buyer. An estimate calculated only on the ticket subtotal can leave a small difference between the amount collected for processing and the processor’s final charge. Check the calculation rather than assuming that a fee-coverage option guarantees exact proceeds.
Include subscriptions without double-counting
To compare annual costs, add applicable subscription charges to estimated transaction costs. If a platform also replaces software you already pay for, show that saving separately. A ticketing-only purchase and a broader operations platform are different buying decisions; compare the tools your organization will use.
Ask when funds become available
Payment acceptance, availability in a processor balance, and arrival in your bank account are different milestones. Ask about first-payout timing, reserves, verification requirements, and eligible payout schedules. For example, Eventbrite’s payout guidance explains its default timing and the possibility of earlier schedules for eligible organizers. Do not assume every provider holds every sale until after the event.
Read the refund and dispute terms
Before sales open, confirm which service and processing fees are returned, how cancellations are handled, and who pays dispute fees. A processor can charge separately for receiving a dispute and for contesting it; consult the applicable Stripe dispute-fee guidance if Stripe processes your payments. Publish a refund policy your team can carry out using the chosen service.
Evaluating Arts in One
Review the current Arts in One plans and confirm applicable ticketing terms for your organization before budgeting. Include platform charges, payment processing, and the features you need. This guide does not quote a fixed Arts in One rate or guarantee a particular net amount per ticket.
Beyond price, evaluate how ticketing connects with your event records, audience information, and door operations. Ask to see the purchase, check-in, and refund workflow with the type of event you plan to run.
Frequently asked questions
Which ticketing platform is cheapest?
It depends on ticket prices, order sizes, payment methods, subscription costs, and required features. Compare the same scenario and confirm the applicable terms; a headline per-ticket fee cannot answer the question alone.
Does a larger order reduce every fee?
No. A fixed per-order charge is spread across more tickets. A percentage charge keeps the same proportional cost when its calculation base is unchanged.
Do buyer-covered fees guarantee the full ticket price reaches us?
Check the provider’s calculation and your processor’s terms. Estimated fee coverage can differ from the final processing charge, and refunds, taxes, or other adjustments can affect proceeds.
Where should we confirm Arts in One pricing?
Review the current plans page and confirm the ticketing terms applicable to your organization before publishing an event. Use those terms in your budget rather than a rate copied from an article.
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The bottom line
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