How to Sell Event Tickets Online for Free (No Platform Fees)

Most event ticketing platforms take a percentage of every ticket sale — on top of payment processing. Eventbrite takes 3.7%. Luma takes 5%. TicketLeap takes 2.5%.

On 200 tickets at $30 each ($6,000 gross), that's $222–$600 in platform fees before you've even accounted for payment processing.

Here's how to sell tickets without paying those fees.

The fee landscape in 2026

Before comparing platforms, it's worth understanding what you're actually paying:

Payment processing is unavoidable — whoever handles the credit card transaction (Stripe, PayPal, Square) takes a fee. Standard Stripe rate: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. This is a cost of accepting online payments, not a platform fee.

Platform fees are what event platforms add on top. This is the fee you can eliminate by choosing the right platform.

Eventreels is the only major full-featured event platform that charges zero platform fee.

How to set up free ticket sales on Eventreels

Step 1: Create your event

Go to eventreels.com/create. Add event name, date, location, and a cover image. Events with a cover image convert 3x better than those without.

Step 2: Set your ticket price

Under the ticketing section, set your ticket price. You can create multiple ticket tiers (Early Bird, General Admission, VIP) — each at a different price point.

Step 3: Connect your bank account (one-time setup)

Eventreels uses Stripe Connect to process payments. The first time you add a paid ticket, you'll be guided through a 2-minute Stripe setup to link your bank account. After setup, ticket revenue flows directly to your account — Eventreels never holds your money.

Step 4: Set capacity and waitlist

Set your capacity limit and enable the waitlist. For paid events, waitlists capture people who want to buy if someone cancels — much more valuable than losing that interest.

Step 5: Add optional extras

• Discount codes: create promo codes for press, sponsors, or early supporters
• Ticket tiers: multiple price levels (Early Bird ends a specific date, then General Admission opens)
• Questions: collect t-shirt sizes, meal preferences, or any other info at checkout

Step 6: Publish and share

Copy your event link and share it everywhere: Instagram bio, group chats, email list, flyers with QR codes. Your event page is live immediately.

What about Eventbrite?

Eventbrite has one advantage that Eventreels doesn't: built-in discovery. If you're running a large public event (festival, conference, concert) and want to reach people who've never heard of you, Eventbrite's audience can drive ticket sales.

But for most organizers — campus events, cultural events, community gatherings, private events — the discovery benefit is minimal. Your tickets sell through your own promotion: social media, group chats, email lists, word of mouth. In that case, paying Eventbrite 3.7% is paying for a benefit you're not receiving.

Rule of thumb: if you're driving your own traffic to the ticket page, use Eventreels (zero fee). If you genuinely need Eventbrite's discovery audience to find buyers, use Eventbrite (and price your tickets to absorb the fees).

Maximizing ticket sales

Regardless of platform, these practices consistently improve ticket conversion:

Add a cover image. Events without images see dramatically lower conversion. Use a high-quality photo from a past event, a graphic with your event name, or a relevant stock photo.

Write a specific description. "Join us for an unforgettable evening" tells buyers nothing. "DJ set from 9pm–2am, open bar included, dress code is cocktail attire" tells them exactly what they're getting.

Create an Early Bird tier. A lower-priced early tier creates urgency and gets initial sales moving — social proof that the event is real and selling.

Use discount codes strategically. Give press, sponsors, and influencers a 100% discount code. Their attendance and posts drive organic ticket sales.

Send reminders as the event approaches. Email your RSVP list (or ticket buyers) at 1 week, 3 days, and the morning of. Include directions, parking, what to bring, and a reminder link to the event page.

Enable the waitlist. Even when you're sold out, a waitlist captures overflow interest and gives you people to notify if spots open.

When you sell out

A sold-out event is a signal — use it.

• Post "SOLD OUT" on Instagram and in group chats (social proof drives interest in your next event)
• Keep the waitlist open; notify waitlisted guests of cancellations
• Collect contact info from waitlisted attendees — they're your warmest audience for the next event
• Consider a second date or expanded capacity if venue allows

Start selling tickets for free →

Related guides

• Free Eventbrite alternatives with no fees
• Eventbrite fees in 2026: what organizers actually pay
• Best free event ticketing platforms in 2026