Two useful starting points
Publishing and promoting a ticketed event
Eventbrite offers event listings, ticketing and marketing tools, including optional paid advertising and subscriptions. It may fit when those are the centre of your workflow.[1]
Hosting for a social crowd
pre may fit when your event sits alongside friends, campus life and recurring group plans. Create the event, manage the guest list and scan tickets in the app.
Before you pick a platform
| What matters | pre | Eventbrite |
|---|---|---|
| Free events | Basic hosting tools are free, including free events and guest-list tools. | Publishing events is free. There are no ticketing fees for free tickets.[1] |
| Paid tickets | Checkout includes a service fee, with the total shown before payment. See the hosting page for current pricing details. | Ticketing fees apply to paid tickets. Attendees pay them by default; organizers can choose to cover them.[1] |
| Optional extras | Host Pass adds organizer tools. Plan details, eligibility and local prices are shown in the app. | Paid advertising and Eventbrite Premium are optional. Availability and pricing vary by market and account.[1] |
| At the door | Scan QR tickets or check guests in manually. Team permissions control access to organizer tools. | Eventbrite Organizer supports ticket scanning and manual check-in, with role-based access.[2] |
| Guest sign-up | Guests need a pre account to RSVP or buy tickets, using pre on iPhone or the web. | Eventbrite creates an account automatically using the email provided when tickets are ordered.[3] |
Bringing your friends
Will my guests need to join pre?
Yes. Tell guests before sending the invite: they’ll need a pre account to RSVP or buy a ticket. They can use the iPhone app or the web. Start with an event for people who are happy to use that flow. You can try the basic hosting tools before choosing a paid host plan.
A few useful answers
Can every organizer sell paid tickets on pre?
Paid hosting depends on an eligible payout account and provider approval. Current Stripe onboarding supports eligible Canadian and US accounts. App Store availability in other countries does not mean paid hosting is supported there.
Does free hosting mean paid tickets have no fees?
No. Free hosting tools and paid-ticket fees are different things. Review the ticket total and host payout details for your event. Both platforms charge fees on paid tickets.[1]
Does either platform guarantee a crowd?
No platform choice guarantees attendance. Tell people what the event is, who it is for and what they need to do to join. Keep your entry requirements and pricing clear.
Sources
Written by pre. Comparisons use the official sources linked below and may change. Choose the workflow that fits you.
Official documentation in English