Best Event Booking Software UK: Platforms and Fees Compared

The platforms and what they charge

The UK market splits into three fee models. Percentage platforms such as Eventbrite (6.95 per cent plus 59p), Skiddle (10 per cent plus 25p) and Fatsoma (5 per cent plus 49p) take a cut of each ticket. Flat per ticket platforms, chiefly Ticket Tailor and EventBookings, charge a fixed amount regardless of ticket price. Free for free events platforms such as TicketSource and Billetto charge nothing on free tickets and a buyer fee on paid ones. TryBooking sits in between, at 5 per cent plus 15p or a flat 75p if you connect your own Stripe account.

Percentage versus flat fee

The fee model matters more than the headline rate. A percentage fee rises with ticket price: Eventbrite's 6.95 per cent is £0.35 on a £5 ticket but £3.48 on a £50 ticket, before the fixed 59p. A flat per ticket fee stays the same whatever the price, so Ticket Tailor's roughly 60p is cheaper than any percentage model once ticket prices climb above around £10. For a run of 100 tickets at £10, Eventbrite fees total roughly £128, where a flat fee model is a fraction of that. Always compute the total on your own price and volume.

Discovery versus infrastructure

Eventbrite and Skiddle are worth their higher fees only if you need their built in audience: your event appears in their search and recommendation emails, which can sell tickets to people who did not already know about you. If you drive your own audience through email and social, you are paying for discovery you do not use, and a low cost infrastructure platform such as Ticket Tailor or TicketSource keeps far more of your revenue. Nightlife organisers lean to Skiddle or Fatsoma for the same reason, and cultural events to Billetto's marketplace.

Payouts, data and compliance

Two operational points decide many switches. Payout timing: most modern platforms pay out through Stripe within 2 to 7 working days of a sale, while some legacy platforms hold funds until after the event, a cash flow problem worth checking before signing up. Attendee data: under UK GDPR the organiser is the data controller, and platforms differ on whether they reuse attendee data for their own marketing. TryBooking, for example, stores UK data in the UK and does not share attendee data, a genuine differentiator in a market where several platforms treat that data as a second revenue stream. Confirm data ownership and residency in the terms before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest event booking platform in the UK

For free events, TicketSource, Ticket Tailor and Billetto charge nothing. For paid events at volume, flat per ticket models such as Ticket Tailor (around 60p) or EventBookings (1 per cent plus 20p) are usually cheapest.

How much does Eventbrite charge in the UK

Eventbrite charges 6.95 per cent plus 59p per paid ticket, with free events free to list. There is also a 2 per cent organiser fee if you use Eventbrite's own payment processing.

Is a percentage or flat fee better

Flat per ticket fees are cheaper once ticket prices rise, because a percentage fee grows with the price. On a £50 ticket, Eventbrite's 6.95 per cent is £3.48, where a flat fee stays around 60p.

Which platform helps sell tickets to new people

Eventbrite and Skiddle have built in discovery through their own search and recommendations, useful if you do not have your own audience. Ticket Tailor and TicketSource are cheaper but do not bring an audience.

How quickly do I get paid

Most platforms pay out via Stripe within 2 to 7 working days of a sale. Some legacy platforms hold funds until after the event, so check payout timing before choosing.