The short version
- Eventbrite wins on discovery and brand recognition, and costs the most per ticket.
- Showpass is Canadian with a cheap Essential plan, but many features sit on Professional, which costs about as much as Eventbrite.
- If you need neither marketplace discovery nor seating, a flat-fee platform like Bloom costs less than both.
Fees
| Eventbrite | Showpass Essential | Showpass Professional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 3.5% + C$1.29 per ticket | 1% + $0.59 per item | 2.5% + $1.69 per item |
| Processing | 2.9% of the total order | 2.9% + $0.30 per item | 2.9% + $0.30 per item |
| One $50 ticket | $4.49 | $2.84 | $4.69 |
| Four $50 tickets (one order) | $17.96 | $11.36 | $18.76 |
| Monthly fee | None | None | None |
From each platform's published Canadian pricing, October 2026, with fees absorbed by the organizer. Tax on fees is extra. For comparison, the same orders on Bloom cost $2.50 and $9.10 including Stripe processing.
Both platforms let buyers pay the fees instead, but that raises the price your guests see at checkout. On Eventbrite, the fee climbs with ticket price, so expensive tickets carry the biggest markup.
Features
| Feature | Eventbrite | Showpass |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace discovery | Large marketplace and app | Smaller discovery page |
| Reserved seating | Available | Professional |
| Tracking links, add-ons | Available | Professional |
| Waitlists | Available | Professional |
| Memberships, buy-now-pay-later | Not a focus | Custom plan |
| Door sales | Organizer app, C$1 per ticket + 2.9% | Box office; hardware on custom plans |
| Canadian company | No | Yes |
Based on each platform's public pages, October 2026.
Choose Eventbrite if...
- Your buyers find you by browsing Eventbrite, not through your own audience.
- You run events in several countries.
- Brand recognition at checkout matters for a first-time audience.
Choose Showpass if...
- You want a Canadian platform and only need Essential features.
- You're a venue that needs seating, memberships or on-site hardware.
Consider a third option if...
Most organizers sell to their own audience: Instagram followers, mailing lists, regulars and word of mouth. If that's you, you're paying Eventbrite for discovery you don't use, and Showpass Essential leaves out tools like add-ons and tracking links.
Bloom Tickets is a Canadian platform that charges a flat $0.75 per ticket with every feature included: up to 15 tiers, add-ons, tracking links, followers who get emailed when you publish, and Tap to Pay at the door. See Bloom vs Eventbrite and Bloom vs Showpass for detailed breakdowns.
Frequently asked questions
Is Showpass cheaper than Eventbrite?
Usually. On a $50 ticket with fees absorbed, Eventbrite costs about $4.49 including processing, Showpass Essential about $2.84 and Showpass Professional about $4.69. So Showpass Essential is clearly cheaper, while Professional costs about the same as Eventbrite.
Is Showpass Canadian?
Yes. Showpass is a Canadian company based in Calgary and prices in Canadian dollars. Eventbrite is an American company with Canadian pricing.
Which has better event discovery?
Eventbrite. Its marketplace and app are the largest in the category, which can help events reach new people. Showpass has a discovery page but a much smaller audience.
When does Eventbrite pay out?
Eligible Eventbrite organizers can get payouts before the event; otherwise funds are released after it. Check each platform's current payout terms for your account. On Bloom, sales go to your own Stripe account and pay out as you sell, typically in 2 to 7 business days.
Is there a cheaper option than both?
Bloom Tickets is a Canadian platform that charges a flat $0.75 per paid ticket with every feature included. On a $50 ticket that's $2.50 including card processing, less than either Eventbrite or Showpass Essential.
Sell your next event on Bloom
$0.75 per ticket, no monthly fees, and every feature included. Free events are free.
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