7 Best Event Ticketing Platforms for Music, Concerts & Shows in 2026

Last updated: January 29, 2026

The live music industry is thriving in 2026, but ticketing fees remain one of the biggest challenges for artists, venues, and promoters. When a fan buys a $40 concert ticket and pays $8 in fees, that's money not going to the artist, venue staff, or better production—it's pure platform profit.

Whether you're an independent artist booking club shows, a venue manager filling a 500-capacity room, a music promoter organizing festival stages, or a band selling tickets directly to fans, the right ticketing platform can mean the difference between breaking even and making real money from live performances.

Traditional platforms like Ticketmaster and AXS dominate arenas and stadiums, but for independent music, clubs, theaters, and mid-size venues, better options exist. Platforms charging 3-10% fees can cost hundreds or thousands per show—money that belongs in artists' pockets.

This comprehensive guide reviews the 7 best ticketing platforms for music, concerts, and live shows in 2026, comparing fees, features, artist tools, and real-world costs to help you sell more tickets while keeping more money.

Quick Comparison: Best Music Ticketing Platforms

---

Understanding Music Ticketing Needs

What Makes Music Events Different

Artist Revenue Matters Musicians make most income from live shows, especially independent and emerging artists. Every dollar saved on ticketing fees directly impacts artist payment, tour sustainability, and career viability.

Fast Turnaround Music shows happen frequently. Weekly club nights, monthly concert series, and tours require quick setup and instant payouts for next week's expenses.

Fan Experience Music fans buy tickets on mobile while browsing Instagram or artist pages. The checkout needs to be fast, mobile-optimized, and frictionless.

Add-On Sales Merch, VIP upgrades, meet-and-greets, and drink packages are crucial revenue streams. Platforms should support these seamlessly.

Door Sales Many music shows sell tickets at the venue. Box office mode for day-of sales is essential.

Common Music Event Types

Club Shows - Small venues (50-200 capacity) with 1-3 acts
Theater Concerts - Mid-size venues (300-1,000 capacity) with seated or standing
Music Festivals - Multi-day, multi-stage events (1,000-50,000 attendees)
House Concerts - Intimate living room performances (20-50 guests)
Bar Gigs - Local venues with emerging artists (30-150 capacity)
Outdoor Shows - Parks, rooftops, backyards (100-500 people)
Tour Stops - Bands touring multiple cities

---

#1: TixFox — Best Overall for Artists & Independent Venues

TixFox delivers the lowest fees in the music industry with a transparent $0.39 flat fee per ticket—no percentages, no surprise charges, no artist verification needed. For musicians and venues watching every dollar, TixFox keeps more money in the music community.

Why TixFox Dominates Music Ticketing

The Economics Work for Live Music:

For a $30 club show ticket:

• TixFox: $0.39 (1.3%)
• Universe: $2.55 (8.5%)
• Eventbrite: $2.90 (9.7%)
• Savings: $2.16-2.51 per ticket

For a 150-capacity show = $324-377 more going to artist/venue instead of platform fees.

Real Music Event Savings

Scenario 1: Weekly Club Night (80 tickets at $25)

Revenue per show: $2,000

• TixFox fees: $31.20 per show
• Universe fees: $212 per show
• Eventbrite fees: $232 per show
• Monthly savings (4 shows): $723-803 with TixFox

That's an extra $8,676-9,636 per year for the venue/artist.

Scenario 2: Theater Concert (400 tickets at $45)

Revenue: $18,000

• TixFox fees: $156
• Universe fees: $1,260
• Eventbrite fees: $1,288
• Savings: $1,104-1,132 (87-88% less)

Enough to cover a tour van rental or better sound system.

Scenario 3: Multi-Day Music Festival (2,000 tickets at $85)

Revenue: $170,000

• TixFox fees: $780
• Universe fees: $10,650
• Eventbrite fees: $12,580
• Savings: $9,870-11,800 (92-94% less)

That's a headliner's fee saved on ticketing.

Scenario 4: Monthly Concert Series (12 shows × 120 tickets at $35)

Annual volume: 1,440 tickets = $50,400

• TixFox annual fees: $561.60
• Universe annual fees: $4,536
• Eventbrite annual fees: $4,176
• Annual savings: $3,614-3,974 (86-88% less)

TixFox Music Features

✅ $0.39 flat fee - Lowest in the music industry
✅ Instant payouts - Cash flow for tour expenses
✅ No monthly fees - Pay only when selling tickets
✅ Add-ons - Merch, VIP upgrades, meet-and-greets
✅ Multiple ticket types - GA, VIP, early bird, doors
✅ Custom branding - Match artist/venue aesthetic
✅ QR code check-in - Fast door entry with mobile app
✅ Pay-what-you-can - Sliding scale for inclusive shows
✅ Discount codes - Fan club, presale, promo codes
✅ Capacity limits - Control venue maximums
✅ Real-time analytics - Track sales live
✅ Email notifications - Automated confirmations
✅ Free for free events - All-ages shows, fundraisers
✅ Mobile-optimized - Fans book from social media
✅ 135+ currencies - International touring artists

Music-Specific Use Cases

Tour Example: Band plays 15 cities, averaging 200 tickets at $30 per show:

• Total revenue: $90,000
• TixFox fees: $1,170 for entire tour
• Eventbrite fees: $8,700 for tour
• Tour savings: $7,530 (pays for gas, hotels, food)

Merch Bundle Example:

• Ticket: $35
• Add-on: T-shirt (+$25)
• Add-on: Vinyl record (+$30)
• Total package: $90
• TixFox fee: Still just $0.39 (0.4%)
• vs Eventbrite: Would charge $6.63 (7.4%)

VIP Package Example:

• GA ticket: $40
• VIP upgrade: $75 (soundcheck, meet-and-greet, poster)
• TixFox handles both tiers: Same $0.39 fee
• Profit maximized: No percentage eating VIP sales

Direct Cost Comparison: 250-Capacity Show at $40

Event Revenue: $10,000

$627-717 more with TixFox = better artist guarantee or venue profit.

What TixFox Doesn't Have

❌ Built-in tour date discovery (like Bandsintown)
❌ Anti-scalping features (like Dice)
❌ Ticketmaster venue integration (like Universe Pro)

Who Should Choose TixFox?

Perfect for:

• Independent artists and bands
• Small to mid-size music venues (50-800 capacity)
• Music promoters watching margins
• Touring musicians needing instant payouts
• DIY concert organizers
• House concert hosts
• Festival organizers (any size)
• Anyone tired of percentage-based fees

Not ideal for:

• Massive stadiums with Ticketmaster contracts
• Artists needing built-in tour discovery

TixFox Pricing

Every paid ticket: $0.39 flat
Tickets under $5: $0.30
Free events: $0.00
Monthly fees: None
Setup fees: None
Stripe processing: 2.9% + $0.30 (standard)

Start Selling Music Tickets with TixFox →

---

#2: Universe — Best for Nightlife & EDM Events

Universe (owned by Ticketmaster) specializes in nightlife, electronic music, and club events. With social-first design and Ticketmaster venue integration, it's built for the party and dance music scene.

Why Choose Universe for Music

Key Advantages:

1. Music Scene Credibility - Known in EDM/nightlife communities
2. Ticketmaster Integration - Sell through Ticketmaster on Pro plan
3. Social Sharing - Instagram-friendly event pages
4. Timed Entry - For venues with capacity waves
5. Mobile-First - Fans browse and buy on phones

Universe vs TixFox for Music

Universe Music Cost Example

Monthly Club Night (4 events × 100 tickets at $28):

• Monthly revenue: $11,200
• Universe monthly fees: $952
• TixFox monthly fees: $156
• Monthly savings with TixFox: $796 (84% less)

Universe Features

✅ Nightlife-focused marketing
✅ Social media integration
✅ Unlimited ticket types
✅ Unlimited add-ons
✅ Mobile scan and sell
✅ Timed entry support
✅ Payment plans (Pro)
✅ Ticketmaster integration (Pro)

Who Should Choose Universe?

Best for:

• Electronic music promoters
• Nightclub events
• Dance music festivals
• Events needing Ticketmaster venue access
• Promoters comfortable with 7-9% fees

Consider TixFox if:

• Budget is tight (save 84%+)
• You don't need Ticketmaster integration
• You want instant payouts

Universe Pricing

Independent plan: 3.5% + $1.50 per ticket
Pro plan: Contact for pricing
Enterprise plan: Contact for pricing
Nonprofit pricing: Available

Learn More About Universe →

---

#3: Dice — Best for Anti-Scalping & Fan Protection

Dice has built a reputation as the anti-scalping ticketing platform. With transparent pricing (no hidden fees at checkout), no resale capability, and waitlist features, Dice prioritizes fan experience over profit maximization.

Why Choose Dice for Music

Key Advantages:

1. No Scalping - Tickets can't be resold at markup
2. Transparent Pricing - See total cost upfront
3. Waitlist Feature - Fans join if sold out
4. Fan-First Philosophy - Protects concert-goers
5. Curated Discovery - Music fans browse shows in-app

Dice Features

✅ No ticket resale (prevents scalping)
✅ Transparent all-in pricing
✅ Waitlist for sold-out shows
✅ Mobile-first experience
✅ Social sharing tools
✅ Artist presales
✅ Multiple ticket types

Dice Considerations

Pricing: Not publicly listed (contact for rates)
Audience: Best for artists with existing fanbases
Discovery: Strong app-based fan discovery

Who Should Choose Dice?

Best for:

• Artists wanting to prevent scalping
• Shows prone to resale issues
• Fans-first event philosophy
• Building loyal fanbase

Consider TixFox if:

• You need guaranteed low fees ($0.39)
• You want instant payouts
• Setup simplicity matters

Learn More About Dice →

---

#4: Bandsintown — Best for Tour Promotion & Discovery

Bandsintown is the world's leading live music discovery platform with 95 million fans tracking 645,000 artists. While not primarily a ticketing platform, it integrates with ticketing systems and offers powerful tour promotion tools.

Why Choose Bandsintown

Key Advantages:

1. 95M Music Fans - Massive built-in audience
2. Tour Date Tracking - Fans get alerts when you announce shows
3. Venue Integration - Works with your ticketing platform
4. Artist Presales - Run presales through any ticketing system
5. Fan Analytics - See where your fans are located

How Bandsintown Works

Bandsintown integrates with ticketing platforms:

• You use TixFox (or others) for actual ticket sales
• You list tour dates on Bandsintown
• 95M fans discover your shows
• Bandsintown links to your TixFox ticket page
• Fans buy tickets through your chosen platform

Bandsintown + TixFox Strategy

Best of both worlds:

1. Create tickets on TixFox ($0.39/ticket)
2. List tour dates on Bandsintown (free)
3. Bandsintown fans click through to TixFox
4. You get discovery + lowest fees

Bandsintown Features

✅ 95M+ music fans discovering shows
✅ Tour date tracking and alerts
✅ Venue and city analytics
✅ Artist presale management
✅ Integration with major ticketing platforms
✅ Email marketing to followers
✅ Widget for artist website

Who Should Choose Bandsintown?

Best for:

• Touring artists needing discovery
• Bands building fanbases
• Artists with Spotify/Apple Music following
• Combined with low-fee ticketing (TixFox)

Not a replacement for:

• Actual ticketing platform (use TixFox for tickets)

Bandsintown Pricing

Basic features: Free for artists
Premium features: Subscription plans available
Ticketing integration: Works with any platform

Pro tip: Use Bandsintown for discovery + TixFox for ticketing = best combo

Learn More About Bandsintown →

---

#5: Eventbrite — Best for Mainstream Discovery

Eventbrite offers the largest event marketplace with 30M+ users, making it valuable for artists and venues needing organic ticket discovery beyond their existing fanbase.

Why Choose Eventbrite for Music

Key Advantages:

1. 30M User Marketplace - Fans search "concerts near me"
2. SEO-Optimized - Rank in Google for concert searches
3. Brand Recognition - Most recognized platform
4. Social Integration - Facebook Events syncing
5. Email Marketing - Built-in fan communication

Eventbrite vs TixFox for Music

Eventbrite Music Cost Example

Theater Concert Series (10 shows × 250 tickets at $48):

• Annual volume: 2,500 tickets = $120,000
• Eventbrite annual fees: $8,175
• TixFox annual fees: $975
• Annual savings with TixFox: $7,200 (88% less)

That's multiple headliner guarantees saved annually.

Eventbrite Features

✅ Massive marketplace exposure
✅ Mobile app discovery
✅ Social media integration
✅ Email marketing tools
✅ Multiple ticket types
✅ Reserved seating (basic)
✅ Check-in app
✅ Analytics dashboard

Who Should Choose Eventbrite?

Best for:

• First-time events needing discovery
• Artists without existing fanbase
• Venues wanting organic ticket sales
• Willing to pay premium (8-12%) for exposure

Consider TixFox if:

• You have existing fanbase/email list
• You promote through social media
• You want to save 88% on fees

Eventbrite Pricing

Eventbrite Payment Processing:
3.7% + $1.79 per ticket
Plus 2.9% payment processing

Essentials (own processor):
2% + $0.79 per ticket
Plus your processor fees

Learn More About Eventbrite →

---

#6: Ticket Tailor — Best for Simple, Clean Ticketing

Ticket Tailor offers straightforward ticketing with a clean interface—perfect for venues and artists wanting simplicity without complexity.

Why Choose Ticket Tailor

Key Advantages:

1. Clean Design - Professional, uncluttered look
2. Simple Setup - Easy for non-technical users
3. Flat Fee - $0.85 per ticket (no percentages)
4. White-Label - Remove platform branding
5. B Corp Certified - Ethical business practices

Ticket Tailor for Music

Ticket Tailor Music Example

Bar Concert Series (6 shows × 90 tickets at $22):

• Total revenue: $11,880
• Ticket Tailor fees: $459
• TixFox fees: $210.60
• TixFox saves: $248.40 (54% less)

Ticket Tailor Features

✅ Clean, professional interface
✅ $0.85 flat fee per ticket
✅ White-label option
✅ Multiple ticket types
✅ Discount codes
✅ Box office mode
✅ Mobile check-in
✅ 5,000 free tickets/year

Who Should Choose Ticket Tailor?

Best for:

• Venues prioritizing clean design
• Simple ticketing needs
• UK-based music events

Consider TixFox if:

• You want lowest fees ($0.39 vs $0.85)
• Instant payouts matter
• Budget is critical

Ticket Tailor Pricing

Standard: $0.85 per ticket
Charities: 50% off ($0.43)
Free events: 5,000/year free

Learn More About Ticket Tailor →

---

#7: See Tickets — Best for Established Venues

See Tickets serves mid-to-large music venues and established promoters with full-service ticketing, including box office systems and venue partnerships.

Why Choose See Tickets

Key Advantages:

1. Venue Relationships - Established with music venues
2. Full Box Office - Complete venue systems
3. Account Management - Dedicated support
4. Reporting Tools - Comprehensive analytics
5. Venue Network - Cross-promotion opportunities

See Tickets Considerations

Pricing: Contact-based (not publicly listed)
Best for: Established venues with consistent bookings
Setup: More complex than DIY platforms

Who Should Choose See Tickets?

Best for:

• Established music venues (500+ capacity)
• Multi-venue promoters
• Organizations needing dedicated support
• Venues with complex box office needs

Consider TixFox if:

• You're independent artist/small venue
• You want transparent pricing ($0.39)
• Simple setup matters

Learn More About See Tickets →

---

Feature Comparison: What Matters for Music

1. Cost Per Ticket

Lowest Fees:

• TixFox: $0.39 flat = 1-2% depending on ticket price ✅
• Ticket Tailor: $0.85 flat = 2-4%

Moderate Fees:

• Universe: 3.5% + $1.50 = 7-9%
• Dice: Contact for pricing

Highest Fees:

• Eventbrite: 3.7% + $1.79 + 2.9% = 8-14%

Winner: TixFox (54-91% cheaper than competitors)

2. Payout Speed

Instant:

• TixFox: Immediate access ✅

Fast:

• Universe: 2-3 days
• Ticket Tailor: Per processor

Slow:

• Eventbrite: 5-7 days
• Others: Varies

Winner: TixFox (critical for touring artists needing quick cash)

3. Merch & Add-Ons

Excellent:

• TixFox: Native add-on support ✅
• Universe: Unlimited add-ons

Basic:

• Eventbrite: Limited
• Others: Varies

Winner: TixFox & Universe

4. Mobile Experience

All platforms offer mobile-optimized checkout ✅

Winner: Tie (all modern platforms mobile-friendly)

5. Music Industry Credibility

Strong Music Reputation:

• Dice: Anti-scalping ethos ✅
• Universe: Nightlife scene
• Bandsintown: Artist discovery

General Platforms:

• TixFox: All event types (but lowest fees)
• Eventbrite: General events
• Ticket Tailor: General events

Winner: Depends on genre/scene

6. Discovery & Promotion

Best Discovery:

• Bandsintown: 95M music fans ✅
• Eventbrite: 30M users
• Dice: Curated app discovery

Self-Promoted:

• TixFox: You promote (but save 90% on fees)
• Ticket Tailor: You promote

Winner: Bandsintown (but combine with TixFox ticketing)

---

Real-World Music Scenarios

Scenario 1: Emerging Band's Club Tour (10 Cities)

Event Details:

• 10 shows
• Average 120 tickets per show
• $28 per ticket
• Total revenue: $33,600

Platform Comparison:

Winner: TixFox saves $2,628-3,012 for tour expenses

---

Scenario 2: Weekly Venue Night (52 Shows/Year)

Event Details:

• 52 weekly shows
• 85 tickets per show
• $22 per ticket
• Annual revenue: $97,240

Annual Cost Comparison:

| Platform | Annual Fees | Venue Profit Impact | |---|---|---|---| | TixFox | $1,716.60 | Highest | | Ticket Tailor | $3,757 | Good | | Universe | $9,295.60 | Moderate | | Eventbrite | $9,754.40 | Lowest |

Winner: TixFox saves $8,037.80/year vs Eventbrite

---

Scenario 3: Three-Day Music Festival

Event Details:

• 3 days
• 2,500 attendees
• $125 per ticket
• Revenue: $312,500

Platform Comparison:

Winner: TixFox saves $24,650 (96% less than Eventbrite)

That's multiple artist guarantees or better production.

---

Scenario 4: Theater Concert with VIP Packages

Event Details:

• 300 GA tickets at $42
• 50 VIP tickets at $95
• Merch add-ons: Average $18 per buyer
• Total ticket revenue: $17,350

Platform Comparison:

Winner: TixFox saves $1,302.25 (91% less)

---

Scenario 5: House Concert Series (Monthly)

Event Details:

• 12 shows per year
• 35 tickets per show
• $38 per ticket
• Annual revenue: $15,960

Annual Comparison:

| Platform | Annual Fees | Artist/Host Gets | |---|---|---|---| | TixFox | $163.80 | $15,796.20 | | Ticket Tailor | $357 | $15,603 | | Universe | $1,428 | $14,532 | | Eventbrite | $1,437.60 | $14,522.40 |

Winner: TixFox saves $1,273.80/year (88% less than Eventbrite)

---

How to Choose Your Music Ticketing Platform

Choose TixFox if you want:

✅ Lowest fees - $0.39 vs $3-8 elsewhere
✅ Instant payouts - Tour cash flow
✅ Merch add-ons - T-shirts, vinyl, posters
✅ VIP upgrades - Soundcheck, meet-and-greet
✅ Artist-friendly - Keep money in music
✅ 85-96% savings - More for artists/venues
✅ Simple setup - 2 minutes to launch
✅ No monthly fees - Pay only per show

Best for: Independent artists, small-to-mid venues, DIY promoters, touring bands, festival organizers, anyone prioritizing low fees

---

Choose Universe if you want:

✅ Nightlife credibility - EDM/club scene
✅ Ticketmaster integration - Pro plan access
✅ Social features - Instagram-friendly

Best for: Electronic music, nightclub events, promoters comfortable with 7-9% fees

---

Choose Dice if you want:

✅ Anti-scalping - Fan protection
✅ Transparent pricing - No hidden fees
✅ Waitlist features - Sold-out management

Best for: Artists preventing scalping, fan-first philosophy

---

Choose Bandsintown if you want:

✅ 95M fan discovery - Tour promotion
✅ Fan analytics - Location data
✅ Combined with ticketing - Use TixFox for actual sales

Best for: Touring artists, fan discovery (not primary ticketing)

---

Choose Eventbrite if you want:

✅ Marketplace discovery - 30M users
✅ First-time events - No existing fanbase

Best for: New artists needing discovery, willing to pay premium

---

Choose Ticket Tailor if you want:

✅ Clean interface - Simple, professional
✅ Flat fees - No percentages (but $0.85 vs $0.39)

Best for: UK venues, clean design priority

---

Choose See Tickets if you want:

✅ Full venue service - Established venues
✅ Dedicated support - Account management

Best for: Large venues (500+ capacity), multi-venue operators

---

Music Industry Best Practices

Maximizing Ticket Sales

Presale Strategy:

• Fan club presale (48 hours early)
• Email list presale (24 hours early)
• General sale

Builds excitement and rewards loyal fans.

Pricing Tiers:

• Early bird: $25 (first 50)
• General: $30 (bulk of sales)
• Door: $35 (day-of premium)

Encourages advance purchases, improves cash flow.

VIP Experiences:

• Soundcheck access
• Meet-and-greet
• Exclusive merch
• Premium viewing area

VIP packages often generate 30-40% of total revenue despite being 10-15% of tickets.

Artist Payment Models

Guarantee: Fixed payment ($500-5,000+)
Door Deal: % of ticket sales (typically 70-85% to artist)
Guarantee + Percentage: Hybrid approach

With TixFox's low $0.39 fee, venues can offer better artist guarantees or higher door percentages—everyone wins.

Marketing Your Shows

Best Channels for Music:

1. Social Media (Primary)

• Instagram: Visual content, stories, reels
• TikTok: Behind-the-scenes, performance clips
• Facebook: Events, groups, communities

2. Bandsintown Integration

• List shows on Bandsintown
• Alert 95M music fans
• Link to TixFox ticket page

3. Email Marketing

• Build fan email list
• Announce shows first to list
• Offer presale codes

4. Cross-Promotion

• Partner with local venues
• Collaborate with similar artists
• Share each other's shows

5. Poster/Flyer (Still Works!)

• Coffee shops, record stores
• Music venues, colleges
• QR codes linking to tickets

Day-of-Show Operations

Box Office Setup:

• Sell tickets at door using TixFox on phone/tablet
• Cash and card payments accepted
• Instant confirmation

Check-In Process:

• Download TixFox mobile app
• Scan QR codes (2 seconds per guest)
• Backup guest list printed

Merch Sales:

• Set up merch table near entrance
• Accept cash and Venmo/CashApp
• Track inventory manually

Sound Check:

• VIP ticket holders arrive early
• Photos allowed during soundcheck
• Creates premium experience justifying VIP price

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Which platform has the lowest fees for concert tickets?

TixFox at $0.39 flat per ticket. For a $35 concert ticket:

• TixFox: $0.39 (1.1%)
• Ticket Tailor: $2.46 (7.0%)
• Universe: $2.73 (7.8%)
• Eventbrite: $2.90 (8.3%)

TixFox saves 84-88% on fees across all ticket prices.

Can I sell merchandise through ticketing platforms?

Yes! TixFox offers native add-on support for:

• T-shirts and merch
• Vinyl records and CDs
• Posters and artwork
• VIP upgrades

Universe also supports merchandise add-ons. Eventbrite has limited support.

Which platform pays out fastest?

Only TixFox offers instant payouts—money in your account immediately after ticket sales. This is critical for touring artists who need funds for gas, hotels, and next-week expenses.

Other platforms: 2-7 days wait time.

How do I prevent ticket scalping?

Dice specializes in anti-scalping with no resale capability and transparent pricing. However, you'll pay higher fees.

Alternative: Use TixFox with:

• Name-based tickets
• ID check at door
• Limited ticket quantities per order

Saves fees while providing basic scalping protection.

Can I use multiple platforms simultaneously?

Yes! Smart strategy:

1. Bandsintown for tour date discovery (free)
2. TixFox for actual ticket sales ($0.39)
3. Bandsintown links to TixFox ticket page

You get 95M fan discovery + lowest ticketing fees.

What about selling tickets on social media?

Most platforms provide embeddable links and widgets. TixFox works great for:

• Instagram bio link
• Instagram/Facebook stories
• Twitter/TikTok links
• Email campaigns

Fans click link, buy tickets, receive confirmation—simple and mobile-optimized.

Do I need different platforms for different venues?

No. TixFox works for:

• Small clubs (50 capacity)
• Mid-size theaters (500 capacity)
• Large venues (2,000+ capacity)
• House concerts (20-50 people)
• Outdoor festivals (10,000+ people)

Same $0.39 fee regardless of venue size or event type.

Can I offer payment plans for expensive tickets?

Universe Pro offers payment plans for higher-priced tickets. Most platforms (including TixFox) require full payment at purchase.

For expensive festival tickets ($200+), consider:

• Early bird pricing (discounted, encourages advance purchase)
• Payment plan through Universe if needed
• Layaway services (external)

How do artist presales work?

Bandsintown and Dice offer presale management. With TixFox:

• Create event
• Generate discount code (e.g., "FANCLUB")
• Share code with email list before public sale
• Fans enter code at checkout for early access

Same result, lowest fees.

What if I need to refund tickets?

All platforms support refunds. With TixFox:

• Process refunds through dashboard
• Funds returned to buyer
• Your TixFox fee ($0.39) refunded too

Stripe processing fees (2.9% + $0.30) are not refundable on any platform.

---

Final Recommendation: Best Platform for Music

For 90% of music events—from club shows to festivals, TixFox is the clear winner:

Why TixFox Dominates Music Ticketing

✅ Lowest fees in the industry - $0.39 vs $3-8 elsewhere
✅ 85-96% cost savings - More money for artists
✅ Instant payouts - Tour cash flow
✅ Merch add-ons - Maximize revenue per fan
✅ VIP packages - Soundcheck, meet-and-greet
✅ No monthly fees - Pay only when selling
✅ 2-minute setup - Launch show today
✅ Mobile-optimized - Fans buy from social media

Real Impact for Music Community

For an artist playing 30 shows per year (average 110 tickets at $32):

• Total annual revenue: $105,600
• TixFox annual fees: $1,287
• Eventbrite annual fees: $9,048
• Annual savings: $7,761 (86% less)

That $7,761 funds:

• Van rental for tour
• Better backline equipment
• Studio recording time
• Music video production
• Or just sustainable artist income

When to Consider Alternatives

• Need Ticketmaster integration? → Universe Pro (pay 7-9%)
• Preventing scalping critical? → Dice (contact for pricing)
• Need tour discovery? → Bandsintown + TixFox combo
• First show, zero fanbase? → Eventbrite (pay premium for discovery)

The Bottom Line

The music industry struggles with fair artist compensation. Streaming pays fractions of a cent. Live music is where artists actually make money—but only if ticketing fees don't eat the profit.

TixFox's $0.39 flat fee changes the economics of independent music. A 150-capacity club show saves $300-400 in fees compared to traditional platforms—enough to pay the opener fairly, upgrade sound, or make the event financially viable.

For touring artists, festival organizers, venue managers, and music promoters, keeping 99% of ticket revenue instead of 90-92% makes the difference between sustainable music careers and burning out.

The music belongs to the artists and fans. The money should too.

Start Selling Concert Tickets with TixFox →

---

Related Resources

• Best Eventbrite Alternatives 2026
• House Party Ticketing Platforms
• Nonprofit Event Ticketing
• Valentine's Day Event Ticketing

---

Keep Money in Music: Every dollar saved on ticketing fees is a dollar that supports artists, venues, sound engineers, and the entire live music ecosystem. Traditional platforms charging 8-14% siphon thousands from the music community annually. TixFox's $0.39 flat fee returns that money to where it belongs: paying artists fairly, improving production quality, making shows financially sustainable, and keeping live music alive and thriving. Set up your next show in 2 minutes and keep 99% of ticket revenue. 🎸🎤🎵