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How Non-Profits Can Save on Event Ticketing Fees in 2026

Raising money through events is a core activity for many non-profits, but ticketing fees can quietly eat into the funds you work so hard to collect. In 2026, a growing number of platforms offer fee structures that are more friendly to charitable organisations. Understanding those structures and knowing which platforms to compare can make a real difference to your bottom line. For the broader low-fee landscape (community events generally, not just non-profits), see low fee ticketing options for community events in Australia.

Understand common fee structures for non-profit ticketing

Before you choose a platform, it helps to know the typical ways fees are charged. Each approach affects how much of each ticket price ends up in your organisation's bank account.

Flat percentage plus per-ticket fee

Many platforms charge a percentage of the ticket price plus a fixed amount per ticket sold. For example, SimpleTix charges $0.79 plus 2% per ticket, and that fee applies to paid events. The percentage part means higher-priced tickets generate higher fees, while the per-ticket fee adds up quickly if you sell a large volume of low-cost tickets. Ticketted uses the same all-in structure with 1.8% + A$0.30 (Stripe-inclusive) per ticket, with the platform's slice and Stripe's slice already accounted for in the single number.

Buyer-paid fees

Some platforms let you pass the service fee directly to the ticket buyer. Ticketstripe offers a discounted service fee of 1.50% plus 50 cents per ticket for non-profits when fees are passed to the buyer. Ticketor also uses a buyer-paid model with rates as low as 2.5% plus no flat fee per transaction. Ticketted defaults to the same buyer-covers model for every event (the underlying decision is documented in who pays the processing fee), and the buyer sees the headline ticket price plus a small fee at checkout. This approach keeps your organisation's net revenue at 100% of the listed ticket price.

Platform fee plus payment processing

Other platforms split the cost into a platform fee and a separate payment processing fee. Donorbox charges a 3.95% platform fee on all event ticket transactions, plus Stripe's credit card processing fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents. This dual-fee model can make the total cost higher than a single all-in percentage, especially on lower-priced tickets. Be careful here: a quoted "1.5% platform fee" can land closer to 4-5% all-in once Stripe is added.

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Platforms that offer lower fees for non-profits

The following table compares the key fee structures of several platforms that either cater to non-profits or offer competitive pricing. Keep in mind that exact fees can change, so always verify the latest details on each platform's website. Most platforms in this comparison quote in USD; Ticketted quotes in AUD because it is Australian-built.

Before you pick, plug your expected ticket price and quantity into the event fee calculator or simple savings calculator so the comparison is grounded in your actual fundraiser maths.

Ticketted: AU-built, free for free events, buyer-covers by default

Ticketted's pricing is 1.8% + A$0.30 per ticket, Stripe-inclusive. Free events are truly free, with no cap on the number of tickets issued, which matters for community-funded events where a ticketing cost would erode the fundraising target. The reasoning behind the free-for-free policy is in free to publish: our take. For paid fundraisers, the default fee-pass policy is buyer-covers, meaning your organisation receives the full ticket price and the buyer pays a small surcharge at checkout. Per-event policy can be flipped to organiser-absorb or split if your supporter base prefers an all-in headline price.

Because Ticketted is built in Australia, it handles AU-specific defaults (AUD, GST on the platform fee, AU domestic Stripe rate) without configuration. Payouts go via Stripe Connect direct to your charity's AU bank account.

Ticketstripe: a discounted buyer-paid option

Ticketstripe stands out by offering a discounted service fee of 1.50% plus 50 cents per ticket for non-profits when that fee is passed to buyers. This means your organisation does not pay the fee directly, and the percentage is lower than many general-purpose platforms. If your attendees are comfortable covering the fee, this model can preserve almost the full ticket price for your cause.

Ticketor: no per-ticket flat fee

Ticketor claims no fee to the organiser when fees are transferred to buyers. Rates can be as low as 2.5% plus no flat fee per ticket. The absence of a per-ticket charge is helpful if you sell many low-priced tickets, because the cost grows only with the ticket value, not the number of transactions.

Zeffy: the truly free option

Zeffy offers 100% free event ticketing for non-profits with zero fees, even covering credit card costs. The platform is funded by optional donor contributions, so there is no charge to your organisation or to ticket buyers unless they choose to leave a tip. This can be a powerful option for events where every dollar of the ticket price needs to go directly to the cause. The trade-off is the optional donation prompt at checkout, which some supporters find friction-y on a fundraiser they're already paying to attend.

Donorbox: platform fee plus processing

Donorbox charges a 3.95% platform fee on top of Stripe's standard 2.9% plus 30 cents processing fee. The combined total is higher than many other options, so it may be best suited for organisations that already use Donorbox for donations and want a single system, even if event ticketing carries a premium.

SimpleTix: transparent per-ticket pricing

SimpleTix uses a straightforward model of $0.79 plus 2% per ticket with no contracts or subscriptions. For free events, no fees are charged at all. This transparency makes it easy to calculate exactly how much you will pay for each paid ticket. If you run both paid and free events, SimpleTix can simplify your cost planning.

Eventbrite: reduced fees on donation tickets

Eventbrite lowers ticketing fees on donation tickets for non-profits, though specific fee percentages are not provided in publicly available snippets. If you are already using Eventbrite and rely on donation-based entry, it is worth contacting them directly to confirm the reduced rates and see if it compares favourably to other platforms in this list.

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Strategies to reduce ticketing costs

Beyond choosing a specific platform, there are practical steps your non-profit can take to lower the overall cost of selling tickets.

Pass fees to ticket buyers

Platforms such as Ticketstripe, Ticketor, SimpleTix, and Ticketted allow you to shift the service fee to the attendee. This keeps the full ticket price in your organisation's hands. Be transparent about the fee at checkout, and many supporters will accept it as a small convenience charge that supports the cause. Ticketted's per-event toggle (buyer-covers, organiser-absorbs, or split) is documented in who pays the processing fee along with the cases where each option performs best.

Use free events when possible

If your event is free to attend, some platforms waive fees entirely. SimpleTix charges no fees on free events, Zeffy is free for all events regardless of price, and Ticketted is free for free events with no cap. Running a free event with a separate donation ask, rather than a paid ticket, can eliminate ticketing costs while still allowing you to collect registrations and attendee data. The case for this approach for community fundraisers is laid out in free to publish: our take.

Avoid platforms with monthly subscriptions or contracts

Some ticketing services require a monthly subscription or long-term contract, which adds a fixed cost even if your event sells few tickets. Platforms like SimpleTix, Ticketor, and Ticketted do not require contracts or subscriptions, and their per-ticket fees are clearly stated. Choosing a pay-per-event model keeps your costs proportional to your revenue.

Pick a platform that pays out direct

Holding period matters for non-profits with tight cash flow between event date and supplier payment dates. Look for platforms that pay out direct to your bank account rather than holding funds in a platform balance. Ticketted's Stripe Connect integration pays out on the connected account's standard schedule (typically T+3 business days for AU accounts), with instant payouts available for an additional Stripe fee. This keeps fundraising funds moving rather than sitting on the platform.

Reduce the rest of the stack

The platform fee is rarely the only cost. Email marketing tools, design software for posters, separate AI writers for event copy, and door-check-in apps all add line items. Ticketted's features overview bundles the AI event writer (free), in-dashboard image generation for posters and social tiles, email campaigns to your past supporter list, and a browser-based QR scanner for the door. For a non-profit, that consolidation often saves more than the difference between two ticketing-fee structures.

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Frequently asked questions

Are there truly free ticketing platforms for non-profits?

Yes. Zeffy offers 100% free event ticketing with zero fees, even covering credit card costs (funded by optional donor contributions). Ticketted is free for free events with no cap on ticket count, and pays out via Stripe Connect direct to your AU bank account. SimpleTix is also free on free events. For paid fundraisers, none of the platforms is strictly free; the question is whether the fee is paid by your organisation or passed to the buyer.

What is the cheapest platform for non-profit events?

There is no single cheapest option because total cost depends on ticket price, volume, currency, and whether fees are passed to buyers. Among buyer-paid models, Ticketstripe's 1.50% plus 50 cents is low, Ticketor offers rates as low as 2.5% with no per-ticket fee, and Ticketted's 1.8% plus A$0.30 (Stripe-inclusive) is the lowest Australian-built option. For free events, SimpleTix, Zeffy, and Ticketted all charge nothing. Compare multiple platforms based on your specific event using the event fee calculator.

Can non-profits pass ticketing fees to attendees?

Yes. Several platforms allow organisers to pass the service fee to the ticket buyer: Ticketstripe, Ticketor, SimpleTix, and Ticketted all offer this option. When you pass fees, the attendee sees a slightly higher total at checkout, and your organisation receives the full ticket price. Many supporters understand that this practice helps the charity keep more funds. Ticketted's per-event fee toggle lets you set this policy event by event rather than as a global account-level setting.

Does Ticketted require a separate charity tier?

No. Ticketted's free-events-are-free policy already covers most non-profit use cases (donation-based and free-RSVP fundraisers pay nothing). For paid fundraising events, the standard 1.8% + A$0.30 with buyer-covers by default keeps your organisation's net revenue at 100% of the listed ticket price. If your model is unusual (very high ticket prices, recurring weekly events, or grant-funded ticketing), contact us and we can discuss per-event fee structures.

How quickly will the non-profit receive event proceeds?

Ticketted uses Stripe Connect, which pays out on the connected account's standard schedule (typically T+3 business days for AU accounts on the standard schedule, with instant payouts available for an additional Stripe fee). Other platforms vary: Zeffy and Donorbox hold funds and disburse periodically; SimpleTix offers same-day payouts. Always check the platform's payout cadence before your event date so the funds arrive in time for supplier payments.

Choosing the right ticketing platform for your non-profit can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. Review the fee structures, consider whether you can pass costs to buyers, avoid platforms with monthly subscriptions, and account for the rest of the marketing stack. For a step-by-step setup walkthrough, see getting started with Ticketted, and for the broader software decision, choosing event management software covers the trade-offs. With careful comparison, you can make every ticket sold work harder for your cause.

Run the fee calculator → · Create your event → · Read the features overview →