# Ticketing platform fees on a 200-ticket event, compared

> Source: Box Office Fees — https://boxofficefees.com/blog/choosing-a-ticketing-platform-for-a-small-event/ (sourced research)
> By Box Office Fees Editorial · Published 2026-10-28

_Fees on 200 tickets at $25 on five ticketing platforms, card processing included: from about $335 to $703.75, who pays, and when the money arrives._

On a 200-ticket event at $25, [Ticket Tailor](/ticket-tailor) costs least at about $335 in fees, card processing included, and [Eventbrite](/eventbrite) costs most at $703.75 [1]. Between them sit [TicketSpice](/ticketspice) at $373.00, [TicketLeap](/ticketleap) at $450.00 and [Humanitix](/humanitix) at $508.00 [1].

## The standard event and the platforms we priced

The standard event is 200 paid tickets at $25, sold two to an order (100 orders of $50), on a domestic online card [1].

On 28 October 2026 we listed 26 ticketing platforms, 8 of them in our ticketing platforms category [2]. Those 8 are [Etix](/etix), Eventbrite, Humanitix, [Tickeri](/tickeri), Ticket Tailor, TicketLeap, [Ticketmaster](/ticketmaster) and TicketSpice [1]. Five publish a rate we could price; Etix, Tickeri and Ticketmaster publish none [1].

## The fees on one event, platform by platform

Buyers pay on top by default on 3 of the 5 priced platforms (Eventbrite, Humanitix, TicketLeap), and on Ticket Tailor and TicketSpice the fee comes out of the payout by default [1].

| Platform | Fee rule | Total fees | Paid by buyers on top | Out of the payout | Buyer's price for one $25 ticket | Money arrives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket Tailor | £0.60 (about $0.80) per ticket (+ VAT), your own card processor on top (Stripe US example 2.9% + $0.30) [3] | about $335 (£120 (about $161) + $175) [3] | $0 [3] | about $335 [3] | $25.00 [3] | As tickets sell, into your own Stripe, PayPal or Square account [3] |
| TicketSpice | 99¢ per ticket plus 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction [4] | $373.00 [4] | $0 [4] | $373.00 [4] | $25.00 [4] | To your bank on a chosen schedule as tickets sell [4] |
| TicketLeap | $1 + 2% per ticket plus 3% per order [5] | $450.00 [5] | $450.00 [5] | $0 [5] | $27.25 [5] | 4-6 business days after the event [6] |
| Humanitix | 5% + $1.29 per ticket, card processing included [7] | $508.00 [7] | $508.00 [7] | $0 [7] | $27.54 [7] | Within 5 business days after the event [8] |
| Eventbrite | 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket plus 2.9% per order [9] | $703.75 [9] | $703.75 [9] | $0 [9] | $28.52 [9] | Three days after the event ends [10] |

Fees on the standard event: 200 paid tickets at $25, 100 orders of $50, domestic online card, card processing included, each platform on its default setting. Rates from each vendor's pricing page, checked 28 October 2026 [1].

Tax on the fee is outside the Ticket Tailor figure [3].

## How each figure is made

Each total prices the standard event: 200 paid tickets at $25, sold in 100 orders of $50 [1].

**Eventbrite, $703.75.** The service fee is 200 × (3.7% of $25 + $1.79) = $543.00, and processing is 2.9% of each $55.43 order (tickets plus service fee) × 100 = $160.75 [9]. Eventbrite calculates processing on the total order, including service fees and tax [11].

**Humanitix, $508.00.** The fee is 200 × (5% of $25 + $1.29) = $508.00, with no separate card fee on the default gateway [7]. Humanitix says its booking fee includes all payment processing fees and taxes [12].

**Ticket Tailor, about $335.** Ticket Tailor's part is 200 × £0.60 (about $0.80) = £120 (about $161), about $160, and Stripe's part is 2.9% of $50 + $0.30 = $1.75 × 100 orders = $175, billed by Stripe, not Ticket Tailor [3]. The latest ECB reference rates on 28 October, dated 27 October 2026, were 1 EUR (about $1.12) = 1.1150 USD and 1 EUR (about $1.12) = 0.83658 GBP (about $112,092) [13]. Ticket Tailor's US-English pricing page shows £0.60 (about $0.80) per ticket plus VAT, and still showed £0.60 (about $0.80) with no USD figure when loaded with ?currency=USD [3]. A third-party fee guide says Ticket Tailor charges US organizers $0.85 per paid ticket on pay as you go [14]. That is not a vendor source; we use the vendor's £0.60 (about $0.80) [14][3]. Ticket Tailor labels the 2.9% + $0.30 Stripe rate as an illustrative example, not its own [3].

**TicketLeap, $450.00.** The ticketing fee is 200 × ($1 + 2% of $25) = $300, and the transaction fee is 3% of each $50 order × 100 = $150 [5]. The pricing page does not say whether the 3% also falls on the ticketing fee; if it does, the total is $459.00 [5]. TicketLeap's comparison page says the 3% is always charged on "the ticket buyer's total order" [15]. A third-party review from a competing ticketing company reports that TicketLeap's calculator charges the 3% on the ticket price plus its own fee [16]. We use $450.00 from the pricing page wording and show $459.00 as the other reading [5].

**TicketSpice, $373.00.** The per-ticket fee is 200 × $0.99 = $198, and processing is 2.9% of $50 + $0.30 = $1.75 × 100 orders = $175 [4].

## Who pays: buyers on top, or out of your payout

All 5 priced platforms let the organizer choose who pays; the default differs [1].

- **Eventbrite:** buyers pay on top by default, and you can switch per ticket type to include the fees in your price [11].
- **Humanitix:** buyers pay on top by default; you can pay it yourself, split it or let buyers choose [7].
- **TicketLeap:** buyers pay on top by default, and you can switch an event to "Paid by Me" [17].
- **Ticket Tailor:** you pay out of the ticket price unless you add a booking fee per ticket or a transaction fee per order [3].
- **TicketSpice:** you choose to absorb the fees or pass them on, and a setting passes every TicketSpice and card fee to buyers [4][18]. TicketSpice warns that its separate line-item fee often breaks the FTC all-in rule [19].

## Card processing: inside the fee or on top

Of the five priced platforms, Humanitix folds card processing into its ticket fee, at 5% + $1.29 on its default US gateway [12]. The other four add it:

- **Eventbrite:** 2.9% of the total order, including its service fee and tax [11].
- **TicketLeap:** a 3% transaction fee per order, with cards processed through Stripe [5].
- **TicketSpice:** 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction through its in-house Webconnex Payments [4].
- **Ticket Tailor:** your own Stripe, PayPal or Square bills you, on top of Ticket Tailor's fee [3].

Connecting Stripe to Humanitix instead of its gateway means Stripe bills you separately [12].

## When the money arrives

On Ticket Tailor and TicketSpice the money comes in as tickets sell [3][4]. On Ticket Tailor it goes straight to your own processor account, whose schedule then governs the bank transfer [3]. TicketSpice pays to your bank on a schedule you choose [4].

The others hold it until the event is over:

- **Eventbrite:** three days after the event ends by default; weekly or twice-monthly payouts before the event need a previous paid event and payout, and hold back 20% of net sales [10].
- **TicketLeap:** 4-6 business days after the event, 5-7 for Canadian sellers [6].
- **Humanitix:** within 5 business days after the event, with no transfer fee; connecting Stripe pays you as tickets sell [8].
- **Tickeri:** 3-5 business days after the event date [20].

## Flat fee or percentage at your ticket price

Ticket Tailor and TicketSpice charge a flat amount per ticket with no percentage [21][4]. Eventbrite, Humanitix and TicketLeap add a percentage to a fixed amount [11][7][22].

TicketLeap caps its ticketing fee at $20 [22]. Its 3% transaction fee has no cap [5]. TicketLeap drops to 49¢ per ticket on tickets of $5 or less, with the 3% per order still on top [22]. TicketSpice drops to 49¢ on tickets under $5 [4].

## Selling at the door

The five priced platforms charge these rates at the door:

- **TicketSpice:** 49¢ per card ticket in the box office app, and no fee on cash [4].
- **TicketLeap:** a flat $1 per ticket, or $0.49 on tickets of $5 or less; card payments carry the 3% transaction fee, cash and check do not [5]. The organizer must pay that 3% on site [22].
- **Humanitix:** 3% + $1 per paid ticket on cards, and no fee on cash sales through the box office [7][12].
- **Eventbrite:** $1 per paid US ticket plus 2.9% processing, and the processing fee cannot be passed to the buyer [23].
- **Ticket Tailor:** the normal per-ticket fee on every door sale, card or cash recorded as an operator payment [24].

Etix, Tickeri and Ticketmaster each describe door-sale tools but publish no door-sale fee [25][26][27].

## What happens to fees on a refund

On Eventbrite, Humanitix and Ticket Tailor the fee is kept when you refund, by default [28][29][21]. Eventbrite makes exceptions for cancellations, duplicate orders and refunds inside about 24 hours [28]. TicketSpice returns its fee and processing only on a full refund through Webconnex Payments [30].

TicketLeap's own pages disagree. Its features page says refunds come "with no fees for anyone" [31]; its ticketing services agreement reserves an additional refund processing fee [31].

On a canceled event, Etix returns the ticket price and the per-ticket convenience charge but keeps the per-order delivery handling charge [32]. Tickeri refunds the order including ticketing fees [33].

## Etix, Tickeri and Ticketmaster: no rate to price

These three publish no organizer rate, so the standard event cannot be priced on them [1].

- **Ticketmaster:** "Service fees are generally negotiated and shared between various parties involved in organizing the event" [34]. No percentage, fixed amount or cap is published [34]. The first price a fan sees includes every required fee [35].
- **Etix:** a per-ticket convenience fee plus possible delivery fees, with no amount, minimum or cap stated on its own sites [32]. Buyers pay it at purchase [32].
- **Tickeri:** buyers see an all-in price at listing, seat selection and checkout [36]. The card rate is never published, only called a service charge [37]. Its terms let it deduct service charges from the money it passes on [37].

## Help on the night of the event

TicketLeap publishes emergency support on nights and weekends, and Etix and Tickeri publish weekend phone hours [31][38][39].

- **TicketSpice:** 8am-5pm Pacific, Monday to Friday, with limited weekend support [40].
- **TicketLeap:** 9am-5pm Eastern on weekdays by phone and email, with emergency support nights and weekends [31].
- **Humanitix:** live chat and an inquiry form; no phone line or hours published [41].
- **Ticket Tailor:** advertises 24/7 human support; the pages we read name no phone number or hours [42].
- **Etix:** phones Monday to Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday noon-8pm Eastern [38].
- **Tickeri:** phone support Monday to Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm EST [39].

## Which platform for which organizer

**You want the lowest fee and the money as tickets sell:** Ticket Tailor (about $335) or TicketSpice ($373.00), the two lowest totals on the standard event, with the fee out of your payout unless you pass it on [1][3][4].

**You want buyers to carry the fee and card processing in one rate:** Humanitix, $508.00 on the standard event [7]. Registered not-for-profits and charities pay 3.9% + $1.29 per paid ticket on USD events [7]. The money arrives within 5 business days after the event [8].

**You sell a lot at the door:** TicketSpice charges 49¢ a card ticket there and nothing on cash [4].

## Questions organizers ask

**What do the fees come to on a small event of a couple hundred tickets?**
On 200 tickets at $25 in 100 orders, Ticket Tailor costs about $335 in fees, card processing included, then TicketSpice at $373.00 [1]. Ticket Tailor's figure is £120 (about $161) to Ticket Tailor plus $175 to Stripe [3].

**Do my buyers pay the fees, or do they come out of my payout?**
Your choice on all five priced platforms [1]. Buyers pay by default on Eventbrite, Humanitix and TicketLeap; on Ticket Tailor and TicketSpice the fee comes out of your payout unless you pass it on [1].

**What will one $25 ticket cost my buyer at checkout?**
On default settings: $25.00 on Ticket Tailor and TicketSpice, $27.25 on TicketLeap, $27.54 on Humanitix, and $28.52 on Eventbrite [3][4][5][7][9].

**Is card processing included in the platform fee or charged on top?**
Included on Humanitix's default gateway, on top on the other four priced platforms [12][11][5][4][3].

**When do I get my money: as tickets sell or after the event?**
As tickets sell on Ticket Tailor and TicketSpice [3][4]. After the event on Eventbrite, TicketLeap, Humanitix and Tickeri [10][6][8][20].

**Are "free" ticketing platforms really free?**
Free to the organizer when buyers pay the fee [9][12][5][18]. Ticket Tailor issues up to 5,000 free tickets a year at no fee [3]. Tickeri is free to list, but its terms let it deduct unspecified service charges [37].

**Do I get fees back if I refund tickets or the event is canceled?**
Not by default on Eventbrite, Humanitix or Ticket Tailor [28][29][21]. TicketSpice returns them on a full refund through its own processor [30]. On a canceled event, Etix returns the per-ticket convenience charge but keeps the per-order delivery handling charge, and Tickeri refunds the order including ticketing fees [32][33].

**Is Eventbrite worth its higher fees for a small local event?**
On the standard event its buyers pay $703.75 in fees, $28.52 for a $25 ticket, and you are paid three days after the event ends [9][10]. If buyer price matters to you, price TicketSpice and Ticket Tailor first.

**Why can't I find Ticketmaster's or Etix's organizer fees?**
Ticketmaster says its service fees are generally negotiated and publishes no rate [34]. Etix names a per-ticket convenience fee but states no amount on its own sites [32].

## Sources

1. Calculated by Box Office Fees from the sources listed here, as of 28 October 2026
2. [boxofficefees.com](https://boxofficefees.com), read on 28 October 2026
3. [tickettailor.com/en-us/pricing](https://www.tickettailor.com/en-us/pricing), read on 28 October 2026
4. [ticketspice.com/pricing](https://www.ticketspice.com/pricing), read on 28 October 2026
5. [ticketleap.com/info/pricing](https://www.ticketleap.com/info/pricing/), read on 28 October 2026
6. [support.ticketleap.com/en_US/fees-payments/when-do-i-get-paid](https://support.ticketleap.com/en_US/fees-payments/when-do-i-get-paid), read on 27 October 2026
7. [help.humanitix.com](https://help.humanitix.com/en/articles/12292391-what-are-the-humanitix-booking-fees), read on 28 October 2026
8. [help.humanitix.com](https://help.humanitix.com/en/articles/8889219-when-will-my-event-be-paid-out), read on 27 October 2026
9. [eventbrite.com/organizer/pricing](https://www.eventbrite.com/organizer/pricing/), read on 28 October 2026
10. [eventbrite.com](https://www.eventbrite.com/help/en-us/articles/115913/set-up-a-payout-schedule/), read on 27 October 2026
11. [eventbrite.com](https://www.eventbrite.com/help/en-us/articles/755615/how-much-does-it-cost-for-organizers-to-use-eventbrite/), read on 27 October 2026
12. [help.humanitix.com](https://help.humanitix.com/en/articles/9760527-how-much-does-humanitix-cost), read on 27 October 2026
13. [ecb.europa.eu](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html), read on 28 October 2026
14. [tixfox.co/blog/ticket-tailor-fees](https://tixfox.co/blog/ticket-tailor-fees), read on 28 October 2026
15. [ticketleap.com/compare/ticket-tailor-alternative](https://www.ticketleap.com/compare/ticket-tailor-alternative/), read on 28 October 2026
16. [tixfox.co/blog/ticketleap-fees](https://tixfox.co/blog/ticketleap-fees), read on 28 October 2026
17. [support.ticketleap.com](https://support.ticketleap.com/en_US/fees-payments/how-do-i-change-who-pays-the-fees), read on 27 October 2026
18. [help.ticketspice.com/en/articles/9006400](https://help.ticketspice.com/en/articles/9006400), read on 27 October 2026
19. [help.ticketspice.com/en/articles/9299044](https://help.ticketspice.com/en/articles/9299044), read on 27 October 2026
20. [docs.tickeri.com](https://docs.tickeri.com/en/articles/6753154-what-s-the-payout-process-when-do-i-receive-payment-for-my-event-sales), read on 27 October 2026
21. [help.tickettailor.com](https://help.tickettailor.com/en/articles/6731528-how-much-does-ticket-tailor-cost-and-how-will-i-be-charged), read on 27 October 2026
22. [support.ticketleap.com](https://support.ticketleap.com/en_US/getting-started-with-ticketleap/what-are-the-fees-associated-with-using-ticketleap), read on 28 October 2026
23. [eventbrite.com](https://www.eventbrite.com/help/en-us/articles/742680/how-to-sell-tickets-at-your-event-with-eventbrite-organizer/), read on 27 October 2026
24. [help.tickettailor.com](https://help.tickettailor.com/en/articles/10058234-how-to-sell-tickets-in-person-using-the-check-in-app), read on 27 October 2026
25. [hello.etix.com/clients/mobile](https://hello.etix.com/clients/mobile), read on 27 October 2026
26. [docs.tickeri.com](https://docs.tickeri.com/en/articles/9232419-how-to-send-an-offline-ticket-digitally), read on 27 October 2026
27. [business.ticketmaster.com/solutions/event-day](https://business.ticketmaster.com/solutions/event-day/), read on 27 October 2026
28. [eventbrite.com](https://www.eventbrite.com/help/en-us/articles/158301/how-to-refund-an-order/), read on 27 October 2026
29. [help.humanitix.com](https://help.humanitix.com/en/articles/13454109-my-refund-was-smaller-than-expected), read on 27 October 2026
30. [help.ticketspice.com/en/articles/5539462](https://help.ticketspice.com/en/articles/5539462), read on 27 October 2026
31. [ticketleap.com/info/features](https://www.ticketleap.com/info/features/), read on 27 October 2026
32. [etix.com/ticket/online3/purchase-policy.jsp](https://etix.com/ticket/online3/purchase-policy.jsp), read on 27 October 2026
33. [tickeri.com/help](https://www.tickeri.com/help), read on 27 October 2026
34. [help.ticketmaster.com](https://help.ticketmaster.com/hc/en-us/articles/9663528775313-How-are-ticket-prices-and-fees-determined), read on 27 October 2026
35. [help.ticketmaster.com](https://help.ticketmaster.com/hc/en-us/articles/35127799858193-What-is-the-All-In-Price), read on 27 October 2026
36. [docs.tickeri.com](https://docs.tickeri.com/en/articles/11380843-transparency-first-tickeri-launches-all-in-pricing-to-improve-the-ticket-buying-experience), read on 27 October 2026
37. [tickeri.com/terms](https://www.tickeri.com/terms), read on 27 October 2026
38. [support.etix.com](https://support.etix.com/general-info/what-are-your-hours-of-operation), read on 27 October 2026
39. [tickeri.com/contact](https://www.tickeri.com/contact), read on 27 October 2026
40. [ticketspice.com/support](https://www.ticketspice.com/support), read on 27 October 2026
41. [humanitix.com/us/pricing](https://humanitix.com/us/pricing), read on 27 October 2026
42. [tickettailor.com/free-events](https://www.tickettailor.com/free-events), read on 27 October 2026

---

Tags: buyer-guide