Quick Overview
- 1#1: Ticketmaster - Provides comprehensive ticketing solutions for major music concerts, arenas, and live events with advanced inventory management and anti-fraud features.
- 2#2: AXS - Offers modern ticketing and fan engagement tools for music venues and festivals with seamless mobile delivery and dynamic pricing.
- 3#3: Eventbrite - Enables easy creation, promotion, and sales of tickets for music events, gigs, and festivals with integrated marketing and analytics.
- 4#4: Etix - Delivers reliable ticketing for mid-sized music venues and tours with strong customer support and real-time reporting.
- 5#5: Tixr - Provides blockchain-powered ticketing for music events focused on preventing scalping and enhancing fan experiences.
- 6#6: Songkick - Combines concert discovery with direct ticketing for independent music shows and artist tours.
- 7#7: Bandsintown - Facilitates ticketing through fan tracking and live music recommendations for concerts and club performances.
- 8#8: ThunderTix - Offers affordable, feature-rich ticketing for music venues with reserved seating and low fees.
- 9#9: Brown Paper Tickets - Supports low-cost ticketing for independent music events and nonprofits with transparent pricing.
- 10#10: TicketTailor - Provides simple, no-fee ticketing for small music gigs and events with customizable options.
Tools were ranked by evaluating core features (inventory management, anti-fraud, fan engagement), reliability, user-friendliness, and value, ensuring they suit diverse event scales and operational needs.
Comparison Table
Music ticketing software is essential for streamlining event organization and audience engagement. This comparison table examines key tools—such as Ticketmaster, AXS, Eventbrite, Etix, Tixr, and others—to outline features, pricing structures, and usability, empowering readers to identify the best fit for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ticketmaster Provides comprehensive ticketing solutions for major music concerts, arenas, and live events with advanced inventory management and anti-fraud features. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 2 | AXS Offers modern ticketing and fan engagement tools for music venues and festivals with seamless mobile delivery and dynamic pricing. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 3 | Eventbrite Enables easy creation, promotion, and sales of tickets for music events, gigs, and festivals with integrated marketing and analytics. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Etix Delivers reliable ticketing for mid-sized music venues and tours with strong customer support and real-time reporting. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Tixr Provides blockchain-powered ticketing for music events focused on preventing scalping and enhancing fan experiences. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Songkick Combines concert discovery with direct ticketing for independent music shows and artist tours. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Bandsintown Facilitates ticketing through fan tracking and live music recommendations for concerts and club performances. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | ThunderTix Offers affordable, feature-rich ticketing for music venues with reserved seating and low fees. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 9 | Brown Paper Tickets Supports low-cost ticketing for independent music events and nonprofits with transparent pricing. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | TicketTailor Provides simple, no-fee ticketing for small music gigs and events with customizable options. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
Provides comprehensive ticketing solutions for major music concerts, arenas, and live events with advanced inventory management and anti-fraud features.
Offers modern ticketing and fan engagement tools for music venues and festivals with seamless mobile delivery and dynamic pricing.
Enables easy creation, promotion, and sales of tickets for music events, gigs, and festivals with integrated marketing and analytics.
Delivers reliable ticketing for mid-sized music venues and tours with strong customer support and real-time reporting.
Provides blockchain-powered ticketing for music events focused on preventing scalping and enhancing fan experiences.
Combines concert discovery with direct ticketing for independent music shows and artist tours.
Facilitates ticketing through fan tracking and live music recommendations for concerts and club performances.
Offers affordable, feature-rich ticketing for music venues with reserved seating and low fees.
Supports low-cost ticketing for independent music events and nonprofits with transparent pricing.
Provides simple, no-fee ticketing for small music gigs and events with customizable options.
Ticketmaster
enterpriseProvides comprehensive ticketing solutions for major music concerts, arenas, and live events with advanced inventory management and anti-fraud features.
Verified Fan program, which uses registration and queue systems to prioritize genuine fans over bots and scalpers
Ticketmaster is the premier global ticketing platform specializing in music events, offering end-to-end solutions for primary ticket sales, resale marketplaces, and fan access programs. It powers ticketing for major concerts, festivals, and tours with advanced tools like interactive seat maps, dynamic pricing, and secure digital delivery. Venues, promoters, and artists rely on it for scalable inventory management, anti-bot measures, and data-driven insights to maximize revenue and fan engagement.
Pros
- Unmatched scale and inventory for the world's largest music events
- Advanced anti-scalping tech like Verified Fan and SafeTix
- Comprehensive integrations with artist fan clubs and venue systems
Cons
- High service fees that can deter budget-conscious buyers
- Occasional site crashes during peak demand periods
- Complex enterprise setup for smaller venues
Best For
Large-scale music promoters, venues, and artists managing high-demand tours and festivals.
Pricing
Per-ticket service fees (typically 20-30% for consumers); customized enterprise plans for partners starting at thousands per event.
AXS
enterpriseOffers modern ticketing and fan engagement tools for music venues and festivals with seamless mobile delivery and dynamic pricing.
AXS Mobile ID for secure, contactless digital ticket validation and entry
AXS is a leading ticketing platform specializing in live events, with a strong emphasis on music concerts, festivals, and tours through partnerships with major venues like the O2 Arena and artists worldwide. It provides end-to-end solutions including ticket sales, dynamic pricing, inventory management, and fan engagement tools via its mobile app and web interface. AXS excels in secure, scalable ticketing with anti-fraud measures, making it ideal for high-demand music events.
Pros
- Advanced anti-bot and fraud prevention like AXS Shield
- Seamless mobile-first purchasing and entry with AXS Mobile ID
- Extensive integrations and partnerships with top music venues
Cons
- Service fees can feel high for fans during peak events
- Customer support response times vary during high-volume sales
- Less optimized for very small or independent music venues
Best For
Mid-to-large music venues, promoters, and festivals needing scalable, secure ticketing for high-demand concerts.
Pricing
Custom venue agreements typically include 10-15% of gross ticket sales plus per-ticket fees; fans pay additional service fees of ~$5-10 per ticket.
Eventbrite
enterpriseEnables easy creation, promotion, and sales of tickets for music events, gigs, and festivals with integrated marketing and analytics.
Event discovery network exposing music events to millions of users via search and recommendations
Eventbrite is a versatile event management and ticketing platform that allows organizers to create, promote, and manage ticket sales for music events ranging from local gigs to large festivals. It provides customizable event pages, various ticketing options like general admission and reserved seating, attendee check-in tools, and integrations with marketing channels. The platform excels in discoverability through its vast marketplace, helping music events reach wide audiences effortlessly.
Pros
- Massive event discovery marketplace for broad audience reach
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for organizers and attendees
- Flexible ticketing options including refunds and transfers
Cons
- High transaction fees eat into profits on low-ticket events
- Limited advanced customization for complex seating charts
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Small to mid-sized music promoters and venues needing easy setup and built-in promotion to attract attendees.
Pricing
Free Essentials plan (3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket); Professional ($29/mo, 3.7% + $1.59/ticket); Premium (custom quote).
Etix
specializedDelivers reliable ticketing for mid-sized music venues and tours with strong customer support and real-time reporting.
Industry-leading Accelevents bot detection and anti-scalping technology
Etix is a robust ticketing platform tailored for live events, with a strong focus on music concerts, festivals, and venues. It offers end-to-end solutions including online ticket sales, mobile entry, box office management, and advanced analytics for promoters and organizers. Etix stands out for its emphasis on security and scalability, serving everyone from small clubs to large arenas.
Pros
- Advanced anti-bot and fraud prevention measures
- Seamless mobile ticketing and fan experience
- Comprehensive data analytics and reporting tools
Cons
- Higher per-ticket fees compared to some competitors
- Limited customization for smaller venues
- Occasional reports of customer support delays
Best For
Mid-to-large music venues, promoters, and festivals needing reliable, secure ticketing at scale.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing with per-ticket fees typically 2.5-3.5% + $0.99-$1.50 fixed fee; volume discounts available.
Tixr
specializedProvides blockchain-powered ticketing for music events focused on preventing scalping and enhancing fan experiences.
Blockchain-powered dynamic NFT tickets for verifiable authenticity and controlled resale
Tixr is a robust ticketing platform designed for live events, with a strong focus on music festivals, concerts, and large-scale productions. It offers end-to-end solutions including primary ticketing, fan engagement via FanHub, data analytics, and marketing automation. Leveraging blockchain technology for NFT-based tickets, Tixr emphasizes security, authenticity, and dynamic pricing to optimize revenue for organizers.
Pros
- Advanced blockchain/NFT ticketing for fraud prevention and secondary market control
- Comprehensive fan engagement and CRM tools tailored for music events
- Scalable analytics and dynamic pricing for large festivals and tours
Cons
- Custom pricing lacks transparency and can be costly for smaller venues
- Steeper learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Limited integrations compared to broader platforms like Eventbrite
Best For
Mid-to-large music festival organizers and concert promoters seeking secure, data-driven ticketing with fan loyalty features.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically 2.5-5% per ticket + service fees; no public tiers, requires demo for quotes.
Songkick
specializedCombines concert discovery with direct ticketing for independent music shows and artist tours.
Advanced artist tracking system that sends tailored concert alerts across thousands of events and venues globally
Songkick is a consumer-facing platform primarily focused on music discovery, allowing users to track favorite artists, venues, and receive personalized alerts for upcoming concerts worldwide. It integrates ticket purchasing options by linking to partner sellers like Ticketmaster or local promoters, streamlining the path from discovery to buy without handling ticketing backend itself. While excellent for fans seeking live music events, it functions more as a discovery aggregator than a full-service ticketing software for organizers or venues.
Pros
- Extensive global concert database with real-time updates
- Intuitive artist and venue tracking with push notifications
- Seamless mobile app for on-the-go discovery and buying
Cons
- No direct ticket sales or inventory management; redirects to third-party sites
- Limited advanced ticketing features like seat selection or resale options
- Occasional inaccuracies in event listings or partner availability
Best For
Music enthusiasts and casual concert-goers who prioritize discovering personalized live events over complex ticketing management.
Pricing
Free for users; revenue from affiliate partnerships with ticket sellers—no subscription required.
Bandsintown
specializedFacilitates ticketing through fan tracking and live music recommendations for concerts and club performances.
Hyper-personalized concert recommendations and real-time notifications based on users' followed artists and listening habits
Bandsintown is a popular live music discovery and ticketing platform that enables fans to track artists, receive personalized concert recommendations, and buy tickets through integrated partners like Ticketmaster and AXS. For artists and promoters, it offers promotion tools, event listings, and fan analytics via Bandsintown for Artists/Pro. While excelling in event discovery and marketing, it functions more as a front-end aggregator than a comprehensive backend ticketing system for inventory management or sales processing.
Pros
- Massive global database of live music events
- Personalized notifications and artist tracking for high fan engagement
- Seamless mobile app and integrations with major ticketing vendors
Cons
- Lacks native ticketing sales and inventory management tools
- Limited advanced features for large-scale promoters or venues
- Relies heavily on third-party ticket fulfillment, reducing control
Best For
Music fans discovering shows and independent artists/promoters focused on fan outreach and attendance growth.
Pricing
Free for fans and basic artist tools; Bandsintown Pro subscriptions start at $9.99/month for advanced analytics and promotion features.
ThunderTix
specializedOffers affordable, feature-rich ticketing for music venues with reserved seating and low fees.
Drag-and-drop seating chart creator for quick, custom venue layouts
ThunderTix is a cloud-based ticketing platform designed for music venues, festivals, and performing arts events, enabling easy online ticket sales, reserved seating, and general admission management. It offers customizable seating charts, mobile check-in, and box office tools to streamline operations for smaller to mid-sized organizers. With a focus on affordability and simplicity, it supports real-time reporting and integrations for payments and marketing.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop seating chart builder
- Low transaction fees and flexible pricing
- Responsive customer support with quick setup
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Scalability challenges for very large music events
Best For
Small to mid-sized music venues, independent promoters, and festivals needing a cost-effective, user-friendly ticketing solution without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Essentials) plus 2.9% + $0.99 per ticket; Pro ($149/month) and Premium ($299/month) tiers reduce fees; custom enterprise options available.
Brown Paper Tickets
otherSupports low-cost ticketing for independent music events and nonprofits with transparent pricing.
Transparent low-fee model with no upfront costs, making it exceptionally accessible for budget-conscious music organizers.
Brown Paper Tickets is an online ticketing platform designed for independent event organizers, specializing in music concerts, festivals, and community events. It offers easy event creation, ticket sales, mobile scanning, and basic reporting tools without upfront costs. Ideal for small to mid-sized music events, it emphasizes low fees and simplicity over enterprise-level features.
Pros
- Ultra-low transaction fees (around $0.99 + 3%)
- Quick and intuitive event setup for beginners
- Reliable mobile app for box office scanning
- Strong focus on supporting nonprofits and indie promoters
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics or CRM integrations
- Not optimized for large-scale stadium events
- Basic customization options for branding
- Fewer marketing tools compared to competitors
Best For
Small independent music venues, local promoters, and community festivals seeking affordable, straightforward ticketing.
Pricing
Free to set up events; pay-per-sale model with $0.99-$1.49 base fee per ticket + 2.9%-3.5% processing fee (split between buyer and organizer).
TicketTailor
otherProvides simple, no-fee ticketing for small music gigs and events with customizable options.
Fair pricing structure that allows organizers to avoid passing booking fees to customers, combined with unlimited free events
TicketTailor is an affordable online ticketing platform tailored for event organizers, including music events like gigs, concerts, and festivals, allowing unlimited ticket sales without monthly fees. It offers customizable ticket forms, reserved seating options, real-time inventory tracking, and integrations with payment gateways like Stripe. The platform emphasizes transparency with low per-ticket fees, making it accessible for independent promoters and small venues.
Pros
- Extremely low transaction fees (typically 2% + fixed small amount per ticket) with no monthly subscriptions
- User-friendly interface for quick event setup and customization
- Strong support for reserved seating and mobile-optimized ticketing
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to enterprise solutions
- Fewer music-specific integrations (e.g., no direct streaming service links)
- Less scalable for very large-scale music festivals or stadium events
Best For
Independent music promoters, small venues, and DIY event organizers hosting gigs and mid-sized concerts who prioritize cost savings and simplicity.
Pricing
Pay-per-ticket model starting at 2% + £0.20/€0.25 per ticket (varies by region); free setup with no monthly fees or contracts.
Conclusion
The top 10 music ticketing software tools serve varied needs, but Ticketmaster leads as the most comprehensive choice, with strong inventory management and anti-fraud features. AXS and Eventbrite follow, offering modern fan engagement and easy setup respectively, making them standout alternatives for different priorities. Together, they highlight the versatility of tools available to music events, ensuring smooth experiences for both organizers and attendees.
Explore Ticketmaster's solutions today to optimize your event's ticketing process and ensure a seamless experience for your audience.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison