Best Ticketing Software of 2026

Here's what we'll cover:

• What you need to know about ticketing software

• What is ticketing software?

• Essential features of ticketing software

• Benefits and competitive advantages of using ticketing software

• How to choose the best ticketing software

• Software related to ticketing

• Additional resource for your ticketing journey

What you need to know about ticketing software

Ticketing software is designed to optimize the creation and sale of tickets for various events. Key features include point of sale (POS) capabilities, ticket reservations, and comprehensive reporting analytics. By leveraging these tools, event organizers can effectively promote their events, sell tickets, and maintain a thorough understanding of sales performance.

Who uses it? It’s primarily used by industries that manage events, customer support, or service requests, such as entertainment, non-profit organization management, and education management. 

To give you an idea of the market, our website showcases a selection of over 200 ticketing software vendors. In the past year alone, we’ve published over 2,400 reviews on various ticketing products, creating a rich repository of information for to help buyers. [1]

For businesses looking to enhance their event promotion and reach the right audience for ticket sales, the decision lies not in whether to adopt a ticketing tool, but in determining which system aligns best with their specific requirements.

As you navigate the ticketing product landscape, it's important to be aware that most options are typically structured on a ‘per user, per month’ pricing model. Entry-level plans generally range from $1.05 to $248 or more. Higher-priced enterprise-level event ticketing platforms often come equipped with additional features such as advanced analytics, service management, event marketing capabilities, custom branding options, dedicated account support, and priority customer service. [2]

Selection prep: Have a clear understanding of user requirements, anticipated ticket sales, and necessary integrations. Engaging with key stakeholders to develop a list of critical questions, such as:

• Does the software offer workflow automations to streamline our processes?

• Are the ticket templates easily customizable to suit our needs?

• Can the platform effectively manage the required data migrations?

• Does the system integrate smoothly with the tools we currently use?

Given the multitude of vendors available, selecting the ideal ticketing solution can feel overwhelming. This guide lists the features, advantages, and step-by-step assistance to find the perfect fit for your organization.

What is ticketing software?

Ticketing software streamlines the ticketing process for event organizers, from creation to completion. It enables efficient ticket sales and offers features for tracking sales and analyzing data. Organizers can design various ticket types, like general admissions and VIP, with tailored pricing strategies. The software also collects attendee information for targeted marketing and attendance monitoring. Equipped with reporting and analytics, it provides insights into demographics and event success, aiding future planning and optimization.

Ticket set up on Eventbrite Source

Essential features of ticketing software

When evaluating ticketing software, it's important to understand the core features typically offered with each platform, such as ticket reservations, point of sale (POS) and reporting/analytics. Common features that may or may not be included with every product are registration management, barcode/ticket scanning, website management, and customer data management, among others. By analyzing thousands of user reviews, we've identified essential features of effective ticketing software. [2] Familiarizing yourself with these will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your needs.

Core ticketing features

Common ticketing features

Benefits and competitive advantages of using ticketing software

Our analysis of over 2,400 user reviews from the past year shows that team support, user feedback and improvements, staff management, ticket scanning, booking management, and event reminders are the top-rated benefits of ticketing software. Here’s a fuller picture:

• Boosts team coordination and collaboration: Offers centralized platforms for communication and task tracking, enabling better coordination among event teams.

• Helps incorporate user feedback for improvements: Such tools often come with feedback collection features to gather insights and implement necessary improvements.

• Improved staff management: Provides features for scheduling, role assignment, and real-time updates to ensure efficient staff deployment and management.

• Streamlined ticket scanning: Includes barcode and QR code scanning capabilities that facilitate fast and accurate ticket verification at event entry points.

• Optimized booking management: Automates the reservation process, managing seat selection and availability to optimize booking efficiency.

• Timely event reminders: Helps automate the scheduling and delivery of reminders via email or SMS, ensuring attendees are informed and engaged leading up to the event.

How to choose the best ticketing software

Step 1: Define your requirements

Take into account the ticketing methodologies currently in use, the number of events you plan to launch simultaneously, and the desired quantity of tickets for each event. These requirements will act as a roadmap leading you to a system that not only aligns with your existing ticketing processes but also supports your long-term objectives.

Your requirements should encompass not just the essential functionalities of the software, but also critical factors such as your budget, the level of training assistance available, data migration needs, and necessary integrations.

A frequently overlooked aspect of implementation costs is the migration of data from your existing systems, such as your customer relationship management (CRM) platform. Typically, vendors can assist with data migration and integrations, but often charge an additional fee, so make sure you discuss this well in advance.

What is the cost of ticketing software?

Our analysis indicates that entry-level plans generally range from $1.05 to $248 or more.

However, determining the price of ticketing software can be a complex endeavor, as costs can vary significantly based on individual buyer needs. Factors such as the number of events, the volume of tickets, and required features all influence pricing.

Based on our list of the best ticketing software for 2025, entry-level platforms like SimpleTix and TicketSpice charge low per-ticket fees, typically ranging from $0.25 to $0.99 plus a small percentage of the ticket price. PromoTix and Brushfire follow a similar model, with fees around 1% and 3% plus a fixed amount per ticket. 

Eventbrite offers free use for free events and charges attendees for paid events, with optional monthly plans for added features. Oveit, on the other hand, uses a subscription model with plans starting at $199 per month and going up to $2,000 per month for enterprise-level features. Most platforms support free events at no cost and offer custom pricing for large-scale or complex needs.

Integration considerations for ticketing software

Ticketing tools frequently integrate with email marketing, payment processing, and CRM platforms. These integrations provide substantial advantages for businesses by streamlining workflows, enhancing data consistency, and improving overall customer engagement.

By linking ticketing with email marketing software, organizers can automate personalized communication, ensuring timely updates and targeted promotions reach attendees, ultimately boosting engagement and ticket sales. Integration with payment processing software streamlines transactions, offering a secure and efficient payment experience that reduces friction and enhances customer satisfaction. Additionally, connecting ticketing software with CRM systems facilitates the consolidation of attendee data, enabling event organizers to gain valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. 

Be aware of potential drawbacks

While ticketing software offers numerous benefits, there can be potential drawbacks for event organizers, including:

• High cost: Implementing ticketing software often involves upfront costs, subscription fees, or transaction charges that can add up, especially for smaller events. 

• Complexity: Some ticketing platforms are feature-rich but may require significant time and effort to master, which can be daunting for teams without technical expertise.

• Technical issues: Dependence on technology means that any software glitches, bugs, or server outages can disrupt ticket sales and negatively impact the attendee experience. Event organizers must be prepared with contingency plans to address such issues promptly.

• Customization limitations: Many ticketing solutions offer standard features that might not fully align with the specific needs or branding of an event, leading to potential compromises. Customizing these platforms to fit unique requirements can be costly or technically challenging.

• Data security concerns: Handling sensitive information such as personal and payment details requires robust security protocols to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Event organizers should ensure compliance with data protection regulations, which can be resource-intensive.

• Dependency on internet connectivity: Cloud-based ticketing systems require reliable internet access, which can be problematic in venues with poor connectivity or during network outages. 

• Integration challenges: Integrating ticketing software with existing systems like CRM or email marketing tools can be complex and may require additional technical expertise or support. Incompatible systems can lead to data silos and inefficiencies, complicating event management processes.

By being aware of these drawbacks, event organizers can take steps to mitigate them and maximize the effectiveness of their ticketing efforts.

Step 2: Make a shortlist of software

With a plethora of ticketing software options available, selecting the perfect solution for your business can be daunting. However, with the right resources and expert support, the process can be significantly simplified.

Explore our list of ticketing FrontRunners

You can begin crafting your shortlist of ticketing software by exploring our FrontRunners report for ticketing software. This report features only those products that have received top user ratings, ensuring you have access to the best solutions available. For a deeper understanding of the criteria and methodology used to compile this report, be sure to check out our detailed explanation.

Step 3: Pick your best option

After meticulously narrowing down your choices, the next step is to participate in vendor demos. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity to dive deeper into the features of each product, allowing you to ask essential questions that will aid in making a well-informed investment decision. 

How to prepare for vendor demos

Once you’ve created a shortlist of potential ticketing systems, it’s time to schedule demo sessions with each vendor to gain a clearer understanding of their offerings. This is your time to inquire about various aspects of their products, including features, pricing, technical support, training, and any other factors that are critical for selecting the right ticketing system tailored to your needs.

Here are some key questions to consider asking vendors during the demos:

• How customizable is your software to fit our specific ticketing needs?

Asking about the customizability of the ticketing software during a vendor demo is essential. This aspect determines how well the tool can adapt to your organization’s unique requirements and objectives. Moreover, it influences how seamlessly the software can integrate with existing systems and workflows, ensuring a smooth user experience for both event organizers and attendees. 

• What integrations does your software support?

Gaining insight into the available integrations helps ensure that the ticketing software can effectively connect with your existing tools. This question allows you to evaluate whether the software will boost productivity by eliminating manual data entry and centralizing information across various systems. Additionally, clarify whether the integrations you require are readily available out-of-the-box or if they necessitate custom solutions. Also, inquire about the vendor's role in performing and maintaining these integrations.

• How is ongoing support and training provided?

Effective onboarding and continuous support are key to ensuring smooth adoption and troubleshooting. Team adoption can pose a common challenge when implementing a new ticketing tool, and comprehensive training is one of the most effective strategies for supporting a successful implementation. Be sure to ask about the types of training offered, such as live sessions or self-paced tutorials, as well as the availability of customer support. Understanding the resources and assistance available will instill confidence in your team’s ability to fully leverage the software over the long term.

For more help and additional questions to ask during the demos, check out How To Cut Through the Sales Pitch During Software Demos. This guide is intended to help you prepare for the personalized, real-time software demonstration the vendor is going to show you–not the very initial discussions or video walkthroughs found online.

Step 4: Make the most of your ticketing software

Once you’ve made your selection and finalized your ticketing software purchase, the next critical step is to plan the implementation process. Here are some key considerations:

• Data migration: This process includes transferring historical data from your existing ticketing tool to the new system. Effective migration minimizes operational disruptions and errors, ultimately saving time and resources. It’s important to ensure that the new system is compatible with existing data formats for a seamless transition. Maintaining open communication with both your previous and new ticketing providers will help ensure that no critical information is lost during this process.

• Training: Once your new system is operational, equip your staff with the necessary skills to utilize it effectively. Whenever possible, leverage the expertise of your new ticketing provider to conduct comprehensive training sessions and provide relevant training materials. Keep in mind that this training process will require a significant time investment; therefore, be prepared to hold multiple sessions and refresher courses until every team member feels competent and confident in using the new software.

• Pilot ticket sale: Initiate a pilot ticket sale when adopting new ticketing software, as this approach allows you to test the software in a controlled environment, helping to identify any potential issues or areas for improvement before a full-scale rollout. This will also provide valuable insights into the software's functionality, user interface, and integration capabilities, all while ensuring that staff are adequately trained and comfortable with the system. Additionally, feedback from the pilot can inform the necessary adjustments to optimize the ticketing process.

For more details on how to ensure a smooth transition, check out our guide, 5 Critical Steps to a Successful Software Implementation Plan.

Software related to ticketing

When selecting ticketing software, it's essential to recognize that you may need additional software systems to enhance the quality of your events. Here are a few types of software that are frequently associated with ticketing systems, yet may or may not be included in your chosen platform:

• Android kiosk software: Enables Android devices to be used as public access terminals for browsing, feedback submission, online ordering, and more.

• Event management software: Automates marketing, registration, coordination, and scheduling of events. Planners use event management applications to manage the planning and process of meetings and events, including marketing, attendee registration, badge creation, calendar generation and venue space management. They also offer a variety of self-service functions for event attendees such as online registration, content delivery, and fee payment.

• Registration software: Streamlines the process of registering for conferences, meetings, classes, and events. It offers a customizable solution for attendance tracking and event or meeting registration tasks. In addition, it helps with processing payments either in advance or onsite, as well as donation collection and volunteer coordination. Registration solutions also offer a variety of self-service functions like online registration, content delivery, and fee payment.

• Venue management software: Helps event planners market and schedule their facilities, ensuring that appropriate services and resources are provided for each event and that the facility's capacity is optimally utilized.

• iPad kiosk software: Enables users to lock iPads into Kiosk mode. This is used to restrict access to certain applications so that a single application can run in the foreground.

Additional resource for your ticketing journey

• 7 Top-Rated Free Ticketing Software

About our contributors

Author

Sabrina Khoulalène is a content analyst with over a decade of experience in marketing and sales. Her mission? To empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by keeping them informed about the latest technology trends and guiding them in finding the right software, tailored to their unique needs. Indeed, her valuable insights and practical tips significantly impact the journey of thousands of business owners who come to Capterra to make informed business decisions. By offering relevant guidance, she aims to enable SMBs to navigate their challenges effectively and achieve their goals.

Editor

Mehar Luthra is a team lead at Software Advice and specializes in editing reports that cover the latest trends affecting small businesses. With nearly a decade of experience, she has edited a multitude of research articles, top-rated software reports, and thought leadership articles for diverse markets such as Brazil, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, and India. She finds it particularly rewarding to produce content that provides small-business owners with practical tips and helpful advice on topics such as the digitalisation of small businesses, eCommerce trends, and HR developments.

Armed with a double bachelor’s in law (LL.B.) and business economics from Delhi University, she won a full scholarship to study for a master’s in creative writing at the National University of Ireland, Galway. In addition, she has written blog articles spanning a variety of topics such as fiction and non-fiction books, mental health and anxiety, the latest restaurants, and more. Her articles have been featured in Ireland’s national magazine The Village, among other publications. A die-hard journaling fan, she enjoys watching psychological thrillers, reading fiction books, and drinking iced coffee (even in the winter).

Sources

1. Software Advice reviews data: Software Advice reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from the past year as of the production date. Read the complete methodology.

2. Software Advice software pricing data: Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category, as of December 2023, are included in the pricing analysis. Read the complete methodology.