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7 Top-Rated Free Ticketing Software
Tracking bookings and ticket sales is a key indicator of an event’s success. However, managing attendee check-ins, seating arrangements, and payment processing can be complex for event organizers. This is where event ticketing software proves essential. It automates the entire process, offering real-time updates on sales, handling online payments, and facilitating easy check-ins.
If you have never tried an event ticketing system before, we suggest you try the tool leveraging the free plans or free trial versions. To simplify your software search, this article highlights, in alphabetical order, seven top-rated ticketing software based on verified user reviews.
All featured products offer a free trial, a forever free version, or both. They can be categorized as event planning software or dedicated ticketing software. Nonetheless, they offer point of sale, reporting, and ticket reservations as the core features.
What is free software vs. free trial software?
Free software is software that users can access without incurring any costs. To meet this criterion, a software solution must grant users free lifetime access to either all or some of its features. On the other hand, a free trial allows users to try out the software with complete or partial feature access for a limited period. Unlike free software, which is free forever, a free trial requires payment after a specific timeframe.
We selected products for this article based on their average ratings between September 2022 and September 2024, which may differ from their current overall average ratings.
1. EventCreate
Free trial period: Not available
Free version: Available
EventCreate is an event planning tool that helps you create a single-page website for your events in the free plan. The tool provides customizable templates to give you a head start in the designing process. You can adjust the layout, add images and text, and change colors to match the website to your brand. You can use this website to sell tickets, collect registrations, and manage RSVPs. The free plan supports up to 50 attendees per event.
Free features:*
Website building blocks: Design event websites using pre-built content blocks, such as speaker profiles, event schedules, and countdown timers. This feature helps you customize layouts and add relevant information easily, without needing advanced web design skills.
Offline payments: Accept payments outside of the platform, such as by check, bank transfer, or cash. This option provides flexibility for those who may not want to use online credit card processing for ticket sales or donations. It gives attendees the choice to pay in a way that suits them.
Seating charts: Create and manage seating arrangements for your events. This tool helps assign seats, organize tables, and create structured layouts to suit various event formats. It’s particularly useful for weddings, banquets, and conferences, offering a visual way to arrange attendees.
Cost to upgrade: $29 per month
Billing cycle: Annual
Customer support options: Chat, email, and knowledge base
2. Eventix
Free trial period: Not available
Free version: Available
Eventix is an event ticketing platform that lets you create customized online storefronts, known as ticket shops, to sell tickets. You can personalize these shops with your branding, ticket types, and pricing options. Attendees select their preferred tickets, choose payment methods, and complete the purchase through a simple checkout process. Eventix is free for free or guestlist tickets, and it offers the first 5,000 tickets sold without any charge.
Free features:*
Multi-event shop: Sell tickets for multiple events through a single shop. Instead of creating separate shops for each event, you can list all events in a single shop, making it easier for attendees to browse and buy tickets for different events in one place.
Multi-product event: Sell various products alongside event tickets, such as merchandise, food vouchers, or parking passes. These additional items can be integrated into the same checkout process as ticket sales, making it easier for attendees to purchase everything they need in one transaction.
Scan app: Scan and validate tickets at the event entrance using a mobile device. It ensures fast and secure check-ins by scanning QR codes on attendees' tickets. The app provides real-time data, helping you track how many people have entered and manage the flow of attendees efficiently.
Cost to upgrade: $0.61** per ticket
**Converted from EUR to USD on Sept. 19, 2024, using xe.com
Customer support options: Chat, call, email, and knowledge base
Pro tip
Check the number of tickets supported in the free plan to ensure the tool meets your event needs and doesn’t impact sales. Otherwise, you may have to go for a software upgrade which can affect your budget.
3. KonfHub
Free trial period: Not available
Free version: Available
KonfHub is an event management solution that allows you to create events with up to 100 attendees for free, but only for events that don't charge for tickets. This tool supports flexible ticketing, allowing you to create multiple ticket types, such as waitlist tickets, approval tickets, and hidden tickets. This tool also helps keep the attendees engaged by allowing you to send them emails to market upcoming events.
Free features:*
Participant list download: Download the details of all registered participants in a convenient format, such as CSV or Excel. This feature helps you manage your attendees efficiently, providing quick access to important data such as names, email addresses, and ticket information.
Default email template: Get access to predefined email templates include standard formats for common communications such as registration confirmations, event reminders, or updates. The templates are not customizable, meaning they follow a fixed design and content structure.
Ticket PDF with QR code: Generate a PDF ticket for attendees upon registration. Each ticket includes a unique QR code that can be scanned at the event for quick check-ins. This feature helps you simplify entry processes, making it easy to validate tickets on-site and track attendees efficiently.
Cost to upgrade: $499 per event
Customer support options: Email and knowledge base
4. Purplepass Ticketing
Free trial period: Not available
Free version: Available
PurplePass is an event management and ticketing platform that helps you sell tickets and manage events online. This tool lets you create an unlimited number of events and tickets as long as they are complimentary tickets and for free events and box office. You can create a custom event page to showcase your event’s activities. You also have the ability to add a custom message on the final receipt and confirmation email to thank attendees for registering to your event or to share additional information.
Free features:*
Color-coded seating: Assign different colors to seating sections or individual seats based on availability or categories, such as VIP and general admission. This visual tool helps attendees easily identify and choose their preferred seats during the ticket purchasing process.
Guest list: Manage complimentary tickets for staff, media, or VIP guests. You can upload guest lists in bulk, email printable tickets, or assign guests to will-call for check-in. It helps simplify entry for non-paying guests while tracking attendance efficiently.
Live stream widget: Integrate live streaming directly into your event page, enabling attendees to watch the event virtually. This widget is easy to embed and provides real-time access to the event, making it convenient for users who can’t attend in person.
Cost to upgrade: Transaction charges apply
Customer support options: Email and knowledge base
Pro tip
Look for the discount management capability in the free plan of the ticketing tool, especially if you aim to offer promotions or discount codes to your customers to boost ticket sales.
5. RSVPify
Free trial period: Not available
Free version: Available
RSVPify is an event management solution that allows you to collect up to 100 online RSVPs for free. These RSVPs can be free or paid, meaning you can process payments and accept RSVPs or accept RSVPs for free events. They can also be open or private where anyone with your website link can RSVP or only listed invitees and their guests can. If you’re selling tickets, the tool provides a free upgrade, giving you access to advanced event management tools, such as a seating chart maker, custom QR codes, and email blasts. A part of the ticket amount goes to RSVPify which you can pass along to your customers so that you don’t have to pay anything.
Free features:*
Meal and menu options: Collect dietary preferences or meal choices from attendees during the registration process. This helps manage catering more efficiently by providing clear data on the specific meal requests of participants.
Custom questions: Collect specific information from attendees during registration. You can add tailored questions to the registration form, such as dietary preferences, t-shirt sizes, or special accommodations. This feature is flexible and can be used to gather any details necessary for the event.
Email invitations: Send customized email invites that include built-in tracking to guests. It allows you to monitor who has opened, responded to, or ignored the invitation. This feature integrates with RSVPify’s event management system, making it easy to invite guests, track RSVPs, and communicate with attendees.
Cost to upgrade: $19 per month
Billing cycle: Monthly
Customer support options: Chat, email, and knowledge base
6. Ticket Tailor
Free trial: Available
Free version: Available
Ticket Tailor is a ticketing platform that’s free to use for up to 2,000 free tickets per year. It lets you create mobile-optimized, customizable event pages, ensuring attendees can easily access them on their devices. You can optimize these pages for SEO, helping your event rank better on Google. The platform also supports private events, enabling you to hide them from search engines by using password protection. Its free trial allows you to sell up to five tickets without any charges.
Free features:*
Time slot events: schedule multiple time slots for events with limited capacity or multiple sessions, such as museum tours or workshops. Attendees can select their preferred time slot during the ticket purchasing process, helping to manage crowd flow and event organization efficiently.
Recurring events: Create events that repeat on a regular schedule, such as weekly classes or monthly gatherings. You can set the frequency and duration of the events, making it easy to manage multiple occurrences under one event listing.
Broadcast emails: Send customized, automated emails to ticket buyers, including event details, updates, and reminders. You can target specific groups based on ticket type or event information and schedule emails to be sent immediately or at a later time.
Free trial features:*
Gifts cards: Sell customizable gift cards that can be redeemed for tickets to future events. This feature helps increase revenue by offering an additional product that attendees can purchase as gifts or for later use.
Virtual and hybrid events: Integrate the tool with online event platforms to support both fully virtual events and hybrid formats, where a mix of in-person and online participation is possible. You can send unique joining links to ticket buyers attending virtually, while managing both physical and virtual attendees from one system.
Waitlist management: Capture additional demand when an event sells out by allowing attendees to sign up for the waitlist. You can track interest and notify waitlisted guests if more tickets become available or there are cancellations.
Cost to upgrade: $0.28 per ticket
Customer support options: Chat and knowledge base
Pro tip
Opt for a tool that comes with a ticketing mobile app that ensures easy event management on the go. Mobile apps enable quick access to ticket sales, attendee lists, and check-in features, improving efficiency and flexibility.
7. TicketSource
Free trial period: Not available
Free version: Available
TicketSource is also a ticketing platform that is free to use for box office and free events. It offers telephone booking service wherein TicketSource’s team handles the calls from your customers wanting to make bookings for your event over the phone. This tool allows you to promote your event by letting you add a unique event URL to your social media feeds and sending promotional emails to customers.
Free features:*
Thermal tickets: Print tickets using thermal printers that use heat to create images and text on specially coated paper, producing professional-looking tickets without ink. Thermal tickets are often used for large events as they print quickly, reduce costs, and can be customized with barcodes or QR codes for easy scanning.
Ticket scanning: Verify and manage attendee entry by scanning tickets with barcodes or QR codes. Using mobile devices or dedicated scanners, the software instantly validates whether a ticket is valid, previously scanned, or invalid.
Post-event analysis: Detailed insights and reports after an event has concluded. This feature tracks metrics such as total attendance, booking, and demographic data. It may also analyze attendee engagement, no-shows, and marketing campaign effectiveness.
Cost to upgrade: Transaction charges apply
Customer support options: Chat, email, and phone
What is the cost to upgrade from free event ticketing software to paid software?
Ticketing software upgrades can be as low as $15 per month or up to $1295+ per month, depending on various factors—number of events, number of tickets, types of events, event size, integration capabilities, customization options, and more. Most ticketing software typically include the following subscription plans.
Free trials: Range from 14 to 30 days and give users temporary access to either complete or limited software features. These no-cost trial plans are ideal for event businesses that wish to try out a tool before purchasing it.
Free versions: Offer perpetual access to limited software features. These free plans are ideal for small event businesses or individuals on a budget.
Entry-level plans: Start at $15 per month and offer access to standard features. They are recommended for small event businesses or teams with basic feature requirements, such as event creation, ticket sales, and standard reporting.
Mid-tier plans: Range from $29 to $495 per month and offer advanced features such as custom branding, seating charts, and guest list management. They are suitable for event businesses that have outgrown basic solutions but don’t require the full range of functionality offered by enterprise-level tools.
High-end plans: Cost over $1295 per month and offer a range of advanced capabilities, including unlimited access to entry-level and mid-tier features, multi-event management, advanced reporting, mobile app, and priority customer support. They are suitable for large event businesses that need a customized solution.
Hidden costs associated with a free ticketing tool
Besides the software license, additional costs in free ticketing software may include:
Transaction fees: A percentage charged on every ticket sold, which might not be clear upfront.
Payment processing fees: Costs associated with handling payments via credit cards or online services.
Add-on features: Fees for extra tools such as marketing integrations, advanced reporting, or promotional features.
Frequently asked questions when selecting free event ticketing software
Here are some questions to ask software providers to find the best free ticketing software.
Does the free plan support onsite ticketing?
Onsite ticketing capabilities allow you to handle last-minute sales and registrations directly at the event venue. It is essential for accommodating walk-ins and providing flexibility for attendees who prefer purchasing tickets in person. Having this feature in the ticketing tool you choose simplifies the check-in process, reduces entry delays, and boosts overall attendance by capturing last-minute attendees.
What type of reports does the free plan generate?
Detailed reporting helps you track revenue, identify sales trends, and make data-driven decisions for future events. They also give you insights into ticket sales, attendee demographics, and event performance. If the free plan of the ticketing solution has limited reporting capabilities, you may miss critical information that could improve marketing strategies or event logistics.
Can the tool be integrated to third-party applications?
Integration with third party applications, such as payment gateways, email marketing platforms, and CRM systems, automate tasks, including attendee communication, payment processing, and data synchronization. Ensuring integration capabilities allows for smoother event management and better coordination across different business tools.
Methodology
To be considered for this list, products had to:
Have at least 20 unique product reviews published on Software Advice within the past two years, with an average rating of 4.0 or higher (as of Sept. 17, 2024). We selected the seven products with the highest ratings to feature in this article.
Offer either a free stand-alone version of the software or a free trial that needs to be purchased after the trial period.
Meet our definition of ticketing software: “Ticketing software automates online, kiosk, and box office ticketing processing for events across theaters, parks, festivals, fairs, travel, and other activities.”
*Our research team identified these free features from vendor websites (as of Sept. 17, 2024) based on their analysis of what users find valuable in or expect from ticketing software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional free features, refer to the vendor's website.
Editorial independence: We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.
Note: Products evaluated for the pricing calculation were taken from Software Advices’s ticketing software directory. The pricing ranges exclude freemium versions of the products. The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in the Software Advice directory that offer them. Only products with publicly available pricing information, as of Sept. 17, 2024, were considered for pricing calculation.