Eventbrite fees in Canada, and the alternatives
Eventbrite charges Canadian organizers a 3.5% + C$1.29 service fee per ticket plus 2.9% payment processing on the order. Buyers pay both by default, so a C$50 ticket costs C$54.58. Here's what that means at different prices, and how Showpass, Ticket Tailor, Zeffy and Tickify compare.
How much does Eventbrite charge per ticket in Canada?
Eventbrite's two fees stack: the 2.9% processing fee is charged on the whole order, including the service fee. Because C$1.29 of the service fee is fixed, cheap tickets carry the highest fees in percentage terms.
If you've seen 3.7% + $1.79 quoted, that's Eventbrite's US rate. Canadian payouts use the lower rate below.
| Ticket | Service fee | Processing | Buyer pays | If you absorb, you net | Buyer pays on Tickify |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C$10 | C$1.64 | C$0.34 | C$11.98 | C$8.07 | C$10.50 |
| C$25 | C$2.17 | C$0.79 | C$27.96 | C$22.11 | C$26.25 |
| C$50 | C$3.04 | C$1.54 | C$54.58 | C$45.51 | C$52.50 |
| C$100 | C$4.79 | C$3.04 | C$107.83 | C$92.31 | C$105.00 |
One ticket per order, before GST/HST. Eventbrite also charges its processing fee on any tax collected. On Tickify the organizer keeps the full ticket price and payment processing is included in the 5%. Try your own numbers in the Canadian fee calculator.
Who pays Eventbrite's fees?
By default, the buyer. Eventbrite adds the service and processing fees on top of your ticket price, and you receive the full price.
You can choose to absorb the fees so buyers pay only the ticket price. Then the fees come out of each sale: on a C$50 ticket you net about C$45.51, and on a C$10 ticket about C$8.07. You can change the setting any time, but it only applies to future orders.
Eventbrite alternatives in Canada, compared
The same C$50 ticket on each platform's published Canadian rates. Who pays changes the picture: some platforms add the fee for the buyer, others take it from the organizer by default.
| Platform | Fee | Buyer pays | Organizer keeps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tickify | 5% flat, processing included | C$52.50 | C$50.00 | Buyer always pays; organizer keeps the full price |
| Showpass Essential | 1% + C$0.59, plus 2.9% + C$0.30 processing | ~C$52.84 | C$50.00 | If you pass fees on; absorb them and you net ~C$47.16 |
| Showpass Professional | 2.5% + C$1.69, plus 2.9% + C$0.30 processing | ~C$54.69 | C$50.00 | Adds seating maps, packages, waitlists |
| Eventbrite | 3.5% + C$1.29, plus 2.9% processing | C$54.58 | C$50.00 | Buyer pays by default; absorb and you net ~C$45.51 |
| Ticket Tailor | C$1.00 per ticket (from C$0.38 with credits), plus Stripe 2.9% + C$0.30 | C$50.00 | ~C$47.25 | Organizer absorbs by default; can add a booking fee instead |
| Zeffy | No platform or processing fees | C$50.00 | C$50.00 | Nonprofits and charities only; buyers are asked for an optional tip |
One ticket per order, before tax. Showpass doesn't say whether its processing fee is charged on the ticket price or the total, so its figures are approximate.
Showpass
Calgary-based and widely used across Canada, with a free Essential tier, a discovery marketplace and on-site tap payments. Its Essential fee costs buyers less than Tickify's on tickets above about C$80 and more on cheaper tickets. Showpass processes payouts the Monday after your event and deposits them the next business day.
Ticket Tailor
A flat per-ticket fee that's low on expensive tickets, but you pay Stripe, PayPal or Square processing on top, and by default the organizer covers both. Money reaches your payment account as you sell.
Zeffy
Free for registered nonprofits and charities: no platform or card fees, funded by optional tips from buyers. Not available to for-profit organizers.
Tickify
One flat 5% paid by the buyer, with processing included, so you keep 100% of the ticket price and buyers see a single simple fee. Full attendee list export, screenshot-proof QR tickets, and resale that pays you up to 5% (coming soon).
How to pay less in fees
- +Decide who pays. Passing fees on keeps your full ticket price; absorbing them keeps your advertised price clean but cuts your revenue.
- +Check the fixed part of the fee. Per-ticket charges (C$1.29 on Eventbrite, C$1.69 on Showpass Professional) hit cheap tickets hardest.
- +Run free events: none of these platforms charge for free tickets (Ticket Tailor's free allowance is 5,000 tickets a year).
- +Compare on your real ticket price, not a headline percentage.
On 500 tickets at C$50, Eventbrite buyers pay C$2,290 in fees. On Tickify they pay C$1,250, and you still receive the full C$25,000.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Fees checked 26 October 2026on each platform's own website. Prices are in CAD, before GST/HST or other sales tax. Fees change, so check the platform before you sell.
Selling in the US? See Eventbrite fees in the US. In Australia, see Tickify vs Eventbrite. Reselling tickets in Canada? See ticket scalping laws by province.
Keep the full ticket price
Free for organizers. Buyers pay a flat 5%, processing included. Set up your first event in under 10 minutes.