Quick Overview
- 1#1: Eventbrite - All-in-one platform for creating, promoting, managing registrations, and selling tickets for small events.
- 2#2: TicketTailor - Affordable ticketing software with zero booking fees, customizable tickets, and easy event management for small organizers.
- 3#3: Lu.ma - Simple event creation tool for hosting free or paid small events with RSVPs, ticketing, and calendar integrations.
- 4#4: Peatix - Event ticketing and discovery platform designed for small workshops, meetups, and community events worldwide.
- 5#5: Purplepass - Secure online ticketing solution with on-site box office tools, marketing, and analytics for small events.
- 6#6: Meetup - Platform for organizing and promoting local small group events, meetups, and recurring gatherings.
- 7#7: Swoogo - Comprehensive event registration, ticketing, and management software tailored for small to mid-sized events.
- 8#8: RegFox - Fast and flexible event registration platform with payment processing and reporting for small events.
- 9#9: Brown Paper Tickets - Fair-trade ticketing service providing low fees and full control for independent small event creators.
- 10#10: TicketSpice - User-friendly ticketing system with mobile scanning and marketing tools for small venues and events.
We ranked these tools based on key factors like robust feature sets, intuitive design, reliable functionality, and strong value, ensuring they deliver exceptional support for small event creators regardless of their scale or focus.
Comparison Table
This comparison table outlines key features, pricing models, and practical use cases for widely used small event management software, including Eventbrite, TicketTailor, Lu.ma, Peatix, Purplepass, and more. It helps readers identify which tool suits their needs best, from ticket sales to attendee management, enabling informed decisions for their upcoming events.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eventbrite All-in-one platform for creating, promoting, managing registrations, and selling tickets for small events. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | TicketTailor Affordable ticketing software with zero booking fees, customizable tickets, and easy event management for small organizers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Lu.ma Simple event creation tool for hosting free or paid small events with RSVPs, ticketing, and calendar integrations. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Peatix Event ticketing and discovery platform designed for small workshops, meetups, and community events worldwide. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Purplepass Secure online ticketing solution with on-site box office tools, marketing, and analytics for small events. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 6 | Meetup Platform for organizing and promoting local small group events, meetups, and recurring gatherings. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Swoogo Comprehensive event registration, ticketing, and management software tailored for small to mid-sized events. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | RegFox Fast and flexible event registration platform with payment processing and reporting for small events. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 9 | Brown Paper Tickets Fair-trade ticketing service providing low fees and full control for independent small event creators. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | TicketSpice User-friendly ticketing system with mobile scanning and marketing tools for small venues and events. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
All-in-one platform for creating, promoting, managing registrations, and selling tickets for small events.
Affordable ticketing software with zero booking fees, customizable tickets, and easy event management for small organizers.
Simple event creation tool for hosting free or paid small events with RSVPs, ticketing, and calendar integrations.
Event ticketing and discovery platform designed for small workshops, meetups, and community events worldwide.
Secure online ticketing solution with on-site box office tools, marketing, and analytics for small events.
Platform for organizing and promoting local small group events, meetups, and recurring gatherings.
Comprehensive event registration, ticketing, and management software tailored for small to mid-sized events.
Fast and flexible event registration platform with payment processing and reporting for small events.
Fair-trade ticketing service providing low fees and full control for independent small event creators.
User-friendly ticketing system with mobile scanning and marketing tools for small venues and events.
Eventbrite
specializedAll-in-one platform for creating, promoting, managing registrations, and selling tickets for small events.
Event discovery marketplace that automatically promotes your event to millions of potential attendees
Eventbrite is a comprehensive event management platform designed for creating, promoting, and selling tickets to events of all sizes, with robust tools tailored for small-scale organizers. It handles everything from event pages and registrations to marketing, payments, and attendee management via an intuitive dashboard and mobile app. For small events like workshops, meetups, or local gatherings, it excels in discoverability through its massive marketplace and integrated analytics.
Pros
- Seamless ticketing and registration with real-time attendee tracking
- Powerful marketing tools including email campaigns and social promotion
- Extensive discoverability via Eventbrite's marketplace reaching millions of users
Cons
- Transaction fees (3.7% + $0.99 per paid ticket in the US) eat into profits
- Limited advanced customization for highly branded or complex events
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
Best For
Small event organizers hosting ticketed events like workshops, classes, networking meetups, or community gatherings who need easy promotion and sales tools.
Pricing
Free for free events; paid events incur 3.7% + $1.79 service fee per ticket (US pricing), plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing; Essentials plan at $19/month for advanced features.
TicketTailor
specializedAffordable ticketing software with zero booking fees, customizable tickets, and easy event management for small organizers.
True pay-as-you-sell model with no monthly subscriptions or ticket caps, making it exceptionally cost-effective for sporadic small events
TicketTailor is a straightforward online ticketing platform tailored for small event organizers, enabling easy creation and sale of tickets for in-person and virtual events without monthly fees. It supports customizable checkout pages, seating charts, memberships, and integrations like Zapier, while handling payments securely via Stripe or PayPal. Ideal for independent promoters, community groups, and small businesses, it emphasizes low costs and simplicity over complex enterprise features.
Pros
- No monthly fees—pay only 1% + £0.65 per paid ticket sold
- Unlimited events, attendees, and ticket types with quick setup
- Customizable pages, seating charts, and strong mobile support
Cons
- Limited built-in marketing and promotion tools
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to full-suite platforms
- Fewer native integrations for advanced CRM or event management
Best For
Independent organizers and small teams hosting community events, workshops, or performances who need affordable, hassle-free ticketing.
Pricing
Free for unlimited free events; pay-per-ticket (1% + £0.65 GBP or local equivalent) for paid events; premium reserved seating at £0.99/ticket; no contracts or setup fees.
Lu.ma
specializedSimple event creation tool for hosting free or paid small events with RSVPs, ticketing, and calendar integrations.
Instant, beautiful event pages with one-click templates and no-code customization
Lu.ma is a lightweight, no-code platform tailored for creating and managing small-scale events like workshops, meetups, and community gatherings. It enables quick event page setup with RSVPs, ticketing, payments, and integrations for calendars and Zoom. Focused on simplicity, it helps solopreneurs and small teams launch professional-looking events without technical expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop event builder for rapid setup
- No platform fees on tickets (only standard payment processing)
- Seamless calendar and video call integrations
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer enterprise-level integrations and customizations
- Basic attendee management for larger events
Best For
Ideal for creators, communities, and small teams hosting casual workshops, meetups, or webinars.
Pricing
Free plan for unlimited events (2.9% + $0.30 per ticket); Pro at $29/month for advanced features like custom domains and priority support.
Peatix
specializedEvent ticketing and discovery platform designed for small workshops, meetups, and community events worldwide.
Event Discovery Marketplace for organic promotion to potential attendees
Peatix is a straightforward event ticketing and management platform tailored for small to medium-sized events like workshops, meetups, classes, and community gatherings. It enables organizers to quickly create customizable event pages, handle registrations and ticket sales, manage attendee lists, and promote events through integrated marketing tools. With a focus on simplicity and discoverability, Peatix helps niche events reach targeted audiences via its marketplace and social sharing features.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface for rapid event setup
- Strong event discovery and promotion via marketplace
- Seamless mobile app for attendees and organizers
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting tools
- Transaction fees reduce net revenue on paid events
- Less robust for complex or recurring event management
Best For
Independent organizers and small communities hosting casual, local events like workshops or meetups who need quick ticketing without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free for free events; paid events charged ~8.5% platform fee + 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing per ticket (Starter plan); premium plans from $19/month for lower fees.
Purplepass
specializedSecure online ticketing solution with on-site box office tools, marketing, and analytics for small events.
Free Purplepass Kiosk mode for unlimited on-site box office sales and check-ins
Purplepass is a cloud-based ticketing and event registration platform tailored for small to mid-sized events, enabling organizers to sell tickets online, manage seating charts, and handle on-site admissions. It offers tools like promo codes, real-time reporting, and mobile scanning for seamless check-ins. With a focus on affordability, it's particularly suited for concerts, festivals, sports, and community events without requiring monthly subscriptions.
Pros
- Affordable pay-per-ticket pricing with no upfront or monthly fees
- Intuitive dashboard for quick event setup and management
- Reliable mobile app for ticket scanning and box office operations
Cons
- Limited advanced marketing and CRM automation features
- Customer support response times can vary
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small event organizers, nonprofits, and community groups needing cost-effective ticketing for low-to-medium volume events.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go model at 2.9% + $1.09 per ticket (lower rates for high volume); premium add-ons and white-label options available.
Meetup
specializedPlatform for organizing and promoting local small group events, meetups, and recurring gatherings.
Organic attendee discovery via interest-matched groups and search
Meetup.com is a platform designed for creating and discovering local interest-based groups and events, enabling organizers to host small, recurring meetups with ease. It handles event scheduling, RSVPs, attendee communication, and group management through an intuitive interface. While strong in community building, it focuses more on social gatherings than professional event ticketing or large-scale logistics.
Pros
- Built-in audience discovery draws interested attendees organically
- Straightforward RSVP and member management tools
- Mobile app supports on-the-go event handling and notifications
Cons
- Limited advanced ticketing, payments, or registration customization
- Organizer subscription fees scale with group size
- Less ideal for one-off professional events or virtual-heavy management
Best For
Community organizers, hobby groups, and clubs hosting regular local interest-based meetups.
Pricing
Free to create groups and basic events; paid organizer plans start at $23.99/month for unlimited events, promotion, and advanced features.
Swoogo
specializedComprehensive event registration, ticketing, and management software tailored for small to mid-sized events.
Integrated event CRM and marketing automation for seamless lead nurturing and attendee management
Swoogo is an all-in-one event management platform tailored for small to medium events, handling registration, ticketing, payments, agendas, speakers, and virtual/hybrid experiences. It includes built-in marketing tools like email automation and landing pages to drive attendance. The software provides analytics and reporting to optimize future events, making it suitable for organizers managing multiple small-scale gatherings.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one toolkit reduces need for multiple tools
- Strong virtual and hybrid event support with streaming integration
- Built-in email marketing and automation for attendee engagement
Cons
- Pricing can feel steep for very small or infrequent events
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Limited free tier or trial depth compared to competitors
Best For
Small event organizers or teams hosting frequent in-person, virtual, or hybrid events who need integrated marketing and registration without complex setups.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Basic), $199/month (Pro), $399/month (Business), with Enterprise custom; volume discounts for high event loads.
RegFox
specializedFast and flexible event registration platform with payment processing and reporting for small events.
Advanced conditional logic in registration forms for personalized attendee experiences
RegFox is a flexible, user-friendly event registration platform designed for managing online ticketing, attendee data, and promotions for small-scale events like workshops, conferences, and community gatherings. It features customizable forms, integrated payments, email marketing tools, and mobile-optimized pages to streamline the entire event lifecycle. Organizers can set up events quickly without coding, making it accessible for non-technical users.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick setup
- Pay-per-registration pricing avoids upfront costs
- Strong mobile responsiveness and attendee self-service
Cons
- Reporting tools lack depth for complex analytics
- Customer support response times can vary
- Limited native integrations compared to larger platforms
Best For
Small event organizers such as non-profits, associations, or local businesses hosting workshops, webinars, or community events who prioritize ease and affordability.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go at $0.99-$1.99 per ticket plus 2.9% processing; subscriptions from $99/month for unlimited events.
Brown Paper Tickets
specializedFair-trade ticketing service providing low fees and full control for independent small event creators.
Fair fee structure where organizers keep 99% of net proceeds, one of the lowest in the industry for small events
Brown Paper Tickets is an online ticketing platform tailored for small-scale events like community gatherings, arts performances, and fundraisers, enabling organizers to create events, sell tickets, and manage sales without monthly fees. It provides essential tools for ticket issuance, basic attendee tracking, and mobile delivery, with a focus on affordability for independent producers. While not a full event management suite, it excels in straightforward ticketing for low-volume events.
Pros
- Extremely low per-ticket fees with no upfront or subscription costs
- Simple event setup and intuitive dashboard for beginners
- Strong support for reserved seating and donation add-ons
Cons
- Limited advanced features like CRM integration or marketing automation
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to competitors
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Ideal for small non-profits, community groups, schools, and independent event organizers hosting low-to-medium volume events who prioritize cost savings over comprehensive management tools.
Pricing
Free account setup; $0.99 + 3.5% of ticket price per ticket sold (99¢ + percentage of net proceeds to organizer).
TicketSpice
specializedUser-friendly ticketing system with mobile scanning and marketing tools for small venues and events.
Free, unlimited seating charts for reserved events with drag-and-drop customization
TicketSpice is an online ticketing and event registration platform tailored for small to medium-sized events, enabling organizers to sell tickets, manage registrations, and handle payments effortlessly. It offers tools like customizable seating charts, discount codes, real-time reporting, and a mobile check-in app for on-site management. The software focuses on simplicity and affordability, making it suitable for community events, workshops, classes, and performances without requiring technical expertise.
Pros
- Low transaction fees with no monthly or setup costs
- Intuitive interface for quick event setup
- Reliable mobile app for check-in and box office
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Fewer integrations with marketing tools
- Basic customization options compared to enterprise solutions
Best For
Small event organizers hosting local gatherings, classes, or performances who prioritize affordability and ease over advanced features.
Pricing
Pay-per-ticket model at 2.9% + $0.99 per ticket (volume discounts to 1.9% + $0.49); no setup or monthly fees.
Conclusion
Each tool in the top 10 simplifies event management, but Eventbrite stands out as the top choice for its all-in-one capabilities. TicketTailor and Lu.ma follow closely—affordable, user-friendly, and tailored to different needs—ensuring there’s a strong option for nearly every small event organizer. Together, they prove that effective event planning doesn’t require complex tools, just the right fit for your goals.
Ready to streamline your next event? Try Eventbrite’s intuitive platform to handle planning, registration, and ticketing with ease, and turn your vision into a seamless, successful experience.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison