Top-Rated Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits in 2025

Eventbrite's been the go-to platform for most non-profits when they need tickets sold, people checked in at the door, and invites that don't loudly announce themselves as being from 1998 social ball. It's clean, it's familiar, it's got the job done for nonprofits hosting anything from galas, fun runs, auctions, to—you name it. But here's the catch—if you scratch beneath the surface—especially if your budget has the demand of your intern's coffee habit—it begins to hurt.

Those ticketing fees! For nonprofit orgs trying to get as much as possible out of each buck, Eventbrite's pricing can cut deep. That $3.7 + $1.79 per ticket may not sound like much, but multiplied across an event with hundreds of tickets—yikes. And then throw in the payment processing fee of 2.9%, and before you know it—you're cutting out funds that could have otherwise directly funded your programming or service work. For some orgs, the features are sort of like taking out a Swiss Army knife to replace a pair of proper scissors—handy—but not quite the optimal choice for the job.

Now the great news is: the nonprofit event space and the tech that manages it—has changed. There are options for you—options that don’t drain your budget or make you compromise on features not specifically designed for your purpose. Nonprofit Eventbrite alternatives have lower costs and features designed with your charitable causes in mind. What does this mean? More dollars going where they should go—your cause.

There are tools out there designed by people who understand what you need. People who’ve attended 5 a.m. volunteer briefs. People who understand what it means to pursue silent auction items or coordinate RSVPs for a donor dinner on zero staff with four spreadsheets—these tools understand the language of people who plan these events.

So, if you feel penned in by the limitations of Eventbrite or frustrated with seeing your ticket revenue trickle out with each enrolment—hang in there. You could be in for an upgraded charity ticketing system—a system that includes some intelligent fundraising solutions that push your event fundraising initiatives into the future. 

What Are Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits?

For nonprofit events, managers tend to look for platforms that suit their specific requirements, primarily in terms of cost-effectiveness as well as capacity for raising funds. Though Eventbrite has been widely used to facilitate these needs, its pricing structure may prove burdensome in the case of organizations with tight budgets. Nonprofit Eventbrite alternatives are event management systems focusing on minimizing costs and capacity for raising much-needed funds, as opposed to the fee-intensive structure of Eventbrite draining cash flow away from these community-first organizations.

Let's consider some significant choices:

Zeffy: An Absolutely Free Solution

Zeffy is a nonprofit-focused platform whose service is 100% free, with no platform or transaction charges. This free service offering allows organizations to channel the funds they raise directly towards causes without service provider deductions. Zeffy features editable e-tickets, QR code check-ins, and multiple payment options, making it an events management tool offering full functionality and excellent capacity. Meanwhile, we have to look at the flipside which is some users commenting that the optional tip structure on the app is confusing to donors during the checkout process, in addition to the call for features such as auction tools integrated into the package for silent and hybrid events.

Ticketstripe: Affordable and Versatile

Ticketstripe has an easy-to-use interface with mobile-first functionality centered on affordability. For non-profit events, it levies a service charge of 1.5% plus $0.50 per ticket, significantly lower than what’s charged on Eventbrite, and that makes a difference when you’re hosting events with thousands of virtual attendees bidding on lots or making donations. But, these fees can be passed on by organizations to attendees and donors—in effect pushing the nonprofit's costs down to zero. Ticketstripe also has features for selling tickets, marketing events, and managing attendees online. Its mobile app allows ticketing on-the-go via ticket scanning and ticket sales, adding to the overall experience of the event.

Wild Apricot: Complete Membership Management

Wild Apricot is an all-in-one, cloud-hosted donor relationship-building system with features extending beyond basic event management, such as membership management, website creation, and payment processing. Its event management features include the ability to create personalized listings for live and hybrid charity events as well as custom forms for donors registering at your events, with automated payment recording within the local database for easy integration into your CRM. You can try it out for free, but unlocking the full features of the platform requires a subscription—with custom pricing for budget-oriented nonprofits, just reach out to the support team for more information on how they can help you get started.

Benefits of Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits

When you look at the transaction costs of some sites, it can feel like they’re charging you for breathing.  That's how some nonprofits think about the cost of using Eventbrite—particularly after the fifth ticket fee report in one month. You're selling 200 tickets, and after taking out fees, your total is the final slender slice of the pie—not the whole enchilada as expected.

This is where Eventbrite nonprofit alternatives save dollars and streamline events—bringing maximum fundraising efficiency to your cause. Zeffy waives the platform fee entirely, giving you unlimited access for free—just because you're a nonprofit trying to make a difference in the world. Other platforms such as Ticketstripe, Whova, or Swoogo allow you to pass on the costs of fees incurred in your events and activities to the attendee. When you're hosting raffles, table sponsors, or admitting people to your event without charging admission fees, avoiding the frustration of being nickel-and-dimed by your platform provider at every step of the transaction—lets your operating expenses and your team—breathe a bit easier.

Improved Tools for Asking And Receiving

Designing donation buttons three clicks into your organizer interface doesn’t do your fundraising strategy any good. Eventbrite can handle ticketing—fine—but mix in the need for silent auctions, sponsorship benefits, and text-giving campaigns—and it begins to fall short of your expectations. New-school systems are all-in on bringing non-profits these sorely sought-after features like ticketing platforms, webinar host facilities, jotform integrations—and more. They include donation functionalities integrated in each level of the donor experience for enhanced conversion. Want an optional donation tip feature at checkout? Easy. Need a form that matches your brand and doesn’t confuse your donors in the middle of navigating it? Simple. These features work harder, so your donor experience doesn’t plateau in the middle of finishing the form. Your want people to give—and feel great doing it. Making good, intuitive options allows you to lead people from interest to impact without friction, distraction, or uncertainty about where your gift is going.

Simplified Dashboards That Don’t Feel Like NASA 

Teams can't take days off managing your operations to learn another system, especially if there are volunteers to be trained, vendors to be managed, and newsletters to be sent out. Eventbrite's administrative tools function well in basic admin situations and task-management, but some nonprofits cite clunky integrations with third-party tools and fewer options for recurring events or multi-step registrations for event participants. Tools like Wild Apricot and Zeffy are for nonprofit teams who wear ten different organizational hats but don’t have the luxury of spending valuable hours decoding spreadsheets at midnight. The tools available through these platforms enable you to get things done quickly—click-click-done. It doesn't have to be flashy—It just has to function without taking you the entire afternoon to set things up or require you to open a support ticket on Monday morning after battling to get things done all weekend.

Attributes That Encourage Repeat Donations 

Retention is everything—but putting retention strategies into organizational practice is another thing all together. That's where alternatives to Eventbrite offer your nonprofit more value, with built-in features that make your donors feel like they have a voice—issuing automated thank-yous, custom follow-up sequences, and personalized ticket reminders for your campaigns. It's those little things that create repeat visits and long-term donation partners—making a real difference to your results. When you're able to segment your donorbase based on donor history or level of engagement in your events or fundraising campaigns—without having to export a CSV and pray to Excel—you begin treating each event attendee like royalty. These intuitive, integrated features aren’t “bells and whistles,” but reminders that your mission is important—that people care, and that each donor connection begins with a considerate digital moment.

Strategies for Choosing Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits

Fees rack up like unexpected extras on your phone bill that you didn’t plan for. If you’re running a fundraiser and seeing $6 out of every transaction dwindle away to costs—it hurts. So, before you leap at the prospect of demos and free trials, examine the T&Cs of the arrangement closely. You’re not conducting nonprofit event planning here—you're guarding your margins with proper due diligence on prospective partners for your organization. Pricing tiers are tricky to unpack and get your head around, so take a look at the fine print before settling on your provider. Hidden fees lurk behind upgrade offers, payment processing charges are often not clearly explained, and even small things like email usage caps can hamper your budget if you’re not prepared for them. If it requires five mouse clicks and a spreadsheet just to be clear on the platform's costing model—it's not worth it.

How Effective Is It at Fundraising?

Some sites are ticket-focused. Others? Fundraiser-oriented from the very first time you login. Donation popups, peer-to-peer features, embedded forms—tools that don’t make donating an afterthought—but a priority. Less technology puzzles—more one-click magic. If your event is fundraiser-focused, the system must keep up with your teams needs and not leave your donors searching for the “Give Now” button. The built-in CRM features are wonderful, but if they’re cumbersome or too techie, they'll collect dust. Opt for intelligent ticket selection features such as built-in donation tiers or nudge features for donors after they RSVP. Efficient donations equal fewer drop-offs and more money collected before doors even open.

Check If It is Simple for Non-Tech Users

You know who’s going to be working on the platform? Volunteers, admin assistants—the board member who likes to email everyone in “Comic Sans.” If it takes ten minutes for you to publish an event, then you’ve already lost. Don’t rely on the interface—test it out. Play in the support chat and check the response time. Try uploading a logo and tweaking the registration settings. If you have to call an actual meeting on Zoom to comprehend basic features—that’s a really bad sign. Look for live chat support that doesn’t lead you in circles through bot responses. If they just provide assistance via community forums and a dash of hopium—skip it. Simple design, easy access, and a dashboard that doesn’t resemble the airplane controls of a 747 cruiseliner—that’s what you’re looking for in a compatible platform.

Match the Platform with the Size of Your Events

Handing out invitations at your virtual annual gala is a different animal to scheduling 30 meetups in a five city live fundraising tour. Platforms scale differently; you need to understand how flexible they are—can it scale with your needs as they evolve? If you're starting out small but hoping to grow your reach into your donor market, be cautious of platforms that limit contacts or events and whack you with an upgrade fee in mid-operations when hosting your first event. Wild Apricot is wonderful for a one-size-fits-all platform for events, memberships, and email campaigns. Other providers are dedicated to nonprofit event planning but have awesome volume-driven features or unlimited events features worth looking into. The key is to map out where you're headed, not where you're at today.

Get Discounts without Having to Beg

Certain platforms just get it. They don’t require you to jump through a 14-step form or offer up five years of tax documents to get started. Look for sites that mention nonprofit discounts upfront. Free options are even better—especially if they don’t cripple the key features to free accounts and hide them behind a paywall. If the free option caps your emails, tickets, and data access—what’s the value in that system? You’re not seeking a trial solution here—You require something that’s a little more sustainable. Platforms such as Zeffy and Ticket Tailor promote nonprofit pricing deals upfront. That openness and transparency in how they handle your money allows you to spend less time figuring out how to unlock the platform's features and more time building events that matter.

Get a Trial 

Reading marketing sites is not the same due diligence as real-time platform testing. Live within it for a few days to see how it works. Create a phony event and go through the full registration experience as your own attendee. Break it on purpose—Try it on your phone—Send yourself an auction receipt. Can you get a report on the metrics driving your fundraiser without going through a video tutorial? If you can't answer those questions offhand, it's likely not worth gambling your next fundraiser on the platform, right? To find the right Eventbrite competitor for nonprofit events, consider low-cost alternatives offering a good balance of features for raising funds, with different options catering to what you hope to accomplish by implementing the tool. Once you've found the platform that acts as a partner in your fundraising efforts, don't switch things up unless you have to—when you find a great technology partner, they should be invisible, seamless, efficient, indispensable—and out of your way.

Top Trends in Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits in 2025

Non-profits are sick of ticketing fees chipping away at each RSVP. What's changed in recent times is the clear shift toward zero-fee sites that don't shortchange the donation experience of each guest's generosity. Zeffy's been at the forefront of this movement to give back. It's not just gimmick marketing—every cent raised and captured through the platform goes directly to the org. You don't have to take the hit for transaction fees or pass them on to your supporters. That level of transparent pricing is making heads turn in the nonprofit market—especially for smaller orgs who need to make every dollar count. It's not about control so much as it is about receiving full value for the funds you raise. Why share 5% or more with a middleman when you can use the entire amount for your nonprofit programs?

Hybrid is No Longer Optional

People demand options—Some like the atmosphere of in-person events where they can shake hands—Others would rather tune in to processions over the convenience of their iPad. Simplified alternatives to complex platforms with limited functionality are gaining traction in the nonprofit fundraising space—and quickly. They’re not merely providing hybrid tools for donor and event management, but incorporating them directly into the experience in both areas. Livestreaming integration? Check. Virtual breakout rooms? Consider it done. This flexibility is not only desirable—it’s necessary. The greatest charity event tools bring the best of both worlds together rather than adding them as an afterthought. From ticketing options to engagement tools for audience engagement, it’s all blended into one functional system—and that’s precisely what nonprofits demand from Eventbrite alternatives today.

Mobile First for All

Your patrons are reading their emails on their smartphones, responding with an RSVP while riding the subway, and giving at the intermission of your events. Mobile interfaces into everyday experiences have swept the nation. Event sites are trending in that direction too. Simple interfaces, fast payment options, QR code scans that function. Eventbrite competitors are going big on this tech revolution, and nonprofits are benefiting—speedier check-ins, greater impulse giving,and  easier follow-up. If the platform is designed for mobile first, you don’t have volunteers trying to troubleshoot things on the day of the event. That confidence in your operations drops nerves on the big day and conserves administration time.

Native CRM Integrations for Better Donor Insights 

What was once a headache—importing event lists into your donor database—has disappeared with modern ticketing and event management tools. Today’s leading event platform advancements are fully compatible with nonprofit CRM integrations. That means you’re following up on ticket purchases with supporters, and moving the relationship along with email subscribers—all within the same platform. You no longer need the hassle of worrying about additional plugins or spreadsheet gymnastics to see who attended your gala in the past year or who contributed recently. This is one of those under-the-radar nonprofit trends quietly reshaping how events and fundraising intersect. The more your data has conversations with itself, the less difficult it is to keep people connected once the event is over. In 2025, nonprofit options for Eventbrite alternatives move toward implementing free models with hybrid event capabilities that add real strategic value.

Challenges of Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits

Switching tools is not a click-the-button—and everybody-lives-happily-ever-after situation. It’s accompanied by friction. If you've been relying on Eventbrite to host events for a long time, there's muscle memory there. Everyone knows where things are, volunteers are trained on it, donation links are already hardwired in. Then you bring in a new interface and your workflows get clunky. Not because the new platform is terrible, but because now you're competing with the established habits of volunteers and admin teams, and the challenge of them reforming to these new systems. Sure, some tools do provide import capabilities, but it's never totally plug-and-play. There's cleanup on old data andd there's formatting quirks. There's that one report you used to get in seconds that now takes hunting down—These are true ticketing problems that are too small to dismiss, but frustrating enough to throw off your integration and transition to new systems.

For Newcomers, It's a Steep Learning Curve

You're coming into the world of management software cold—you're not using Eventbrite or any other systems. This is your first foray into digital ticketing or event management. Sounds great until the options are coming at you left and right—free tier or pro tier? Does it interface with your donor system? Guest check-in vs. registration: what's the difference, anyway? The learning curve kicks in quickly. These tools are not difficult to master, but they aren’t exactly intuitive either. Too many buttons, too few instructions, and before you know it, you're stumbling through Google help articles two days before your event is scheduled. For small staff who wear multiple hats in the organization, these nonprofit event obstacles stack up in no time.

Customization Is Not Always an Option

Eventbrite alternatives are typically cheaper or free because they are cut down, simple, lightweight. That’s at the expense of customizability, however. You run into issues like being unable to brand the ticketing page  in terms of colors and logo. Need to customize the guest registration flow?—Not happening. Need to include a bespoke donor VIP upgrade in the platform?—Only if it’s a built-in feature that comes out of the box. These platform limitations are not dealbreakers for everybody, but they sure are frustrating if you’re looking for a more customized donor and event guest experience.

Third-party Tools Are Required

Even if the platform's just right and looks like everything you need to get things going—there's often a catch. You don’t have access to the tools you need to fill in the gaps of the platforms base functionality. Perhaps the ticketing platform doesn't support silent auctions. Perhaps it doesn't keep donor history. That's where third-party integrations creep into the picture—and not all of them get along. Sync problems, Zapier fees, and hand-exporting data. It's like that patchwork puzzle that comes together—but breaks in the middle of the campaign—and then that’s when the panicking starts. Some Eventbrite alternatives for non-profits might have fewer features, but choosing scalable tools can mitigate the issues involved with overcoming this hurdle.

Conclusion: Maximizing Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits

Those days of having to spend a fortune just to throw together a fundraiser or charitable gala are in the past. Non-profits are catching on to changes in the industry—there’s a movement of intelligent, less complicated platforms built for tight budgets. It's not just about cutting costs—It's about making room to do what matters most: increase connection, purpose, and impact

Artificial intelligence is already gearing up the capabilities of whats possible for nonprofit event management. Post-event reports help nonprofits with identifying trends your team may not have had the time to explore. It’s pushing insights forward—uncovering the specifics of which donors are giving more often, what events drive impact, and how to craft your outreach for optimal action. As these systems get smarter based on your data inputs, you’ll be spending less time speculating on what you can achieve and more time taking action on tactics that drive movement. AI can’t replace intention, but it will add vlue with sharper, unbiased decision-making.

If you’re using legacy systems like Eventbrite—don’t get stuck there. Try out a few different platforms and get experience with two or three systems before committing to a final choice. An initial trial run can provide an idea of how each platform works and feels in terms of quirks and strengths. Your nonprofit’s requirements aren’t in any way a one-size-fits-all—and neither are these platforms.

The long-term payoff?— Far greater than just dollars saved. You're establishing event processes that scale with your purpose. You're future-proofing your fundraisers, your outreach, and your internal workflows. Small adjustments here result in major dividends later on. Nonprofit Eventbrite alternatives enable charities to optimize their events at less cost to the organization.

If your goal is nonprofit success, you’re looking to deploy smarter charity tools, or your fundraisers have lofty ambitions, this is your cue—start exploring new platforms today. Search, trial, adjust, refine.

Eventbrite Alternatives for Nonprofits—FAQs

How do I select the most suitable Eventbrite alternative for my nonprofit organization?

Begin with your nonprofit's particular requirements. Do you need basic event registration or enhanced features for fundraising? Better integrations with donor management systems are found on some sites, while other sites emphasize easy-to-create events. Don't overlook searching for competitively priced models or nonprofit discounts. Trying out a few sites with mock events is the intelligent way to discover the ideal solution for you.

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What’s the cheapest Eventbrite alternative for nonprofits?

Zeffy is frequently used as a nonprofit go-to, providing fully free event management with no platform chargesl. Other sites such as Ticket Tailor and RSVPify offer low-cost or for-free options, especially for smaller nonprofit events. Knowing precisely how costs are built-into the service offering helps you separate your options and make proper decisions on the right platform for your organization. Other platform providers charge for premium features, so you don't end up paying for functions and features you won’t use.

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Do Eventbrite alternatives support virtual events?

Definitely! Most Eventbrite competitors such as Virtual Event Platform, Hopin, and Eventzilla focus on either hybrid or virtual events exclusively. These include features such as live streaming, interactive sessions, and virtual networking elements that can be easily used in remote attendance. Opt for those that can seamlessly integrate with streaming providers or social media sites for unhampered functionality between in-person sessions and virtual ones.

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How do you migrate donor information to a new platform?

Transferring donor data can be cumbersome, but most sites have tools or tutorials that can assist with it. Begin exporting data into CSV files or some other easily readable format. Verify whether the new site has import capabilities or an interface with your current CRM. There are support staff at some sites to guide you through the transfer. Don't forget to give it a trial run before committing to it to see if the platform integrates seamlessly with your other tools and workflows.

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Are there Eventbrite alternatives with no transaction fees?

Yes, sites such as Zeffy and Splash don’t charge transaction fees on ticket sales or donations, so you get to keep all of the funds raised. Keep in mind—you should investigate their pricing structure as some charge hidden fees for premium features or upgrades for other tools. Make certain you check that the service provider and tool offer what you need to add value to your operations and fundraising activities, such as custom ticketing or donation tracking.

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