Pricing comparison
How much does event software
actually cost?
Platform fees quietly take a cut of every ticket you sell. Here's exactly what per-ticket platforms, Luma, RegFox, and CompleteEvent charge — and how much you keep.
Stripe processing (2.9% + $0.30/ticket) is excluded from the comparisons below — it applies equally to all platforms.
Platform fees by event size
These numbers show what each platform takes from you — before Stripe processing, which is the same regardless of platform.
100 tickets × $25 · $2,500 gross
| Platform | Plan / fee structure | Platform fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-ticket platform | Typical per-ticket model · 3.7% + $1.79/ticket | −$272 | $2,126 |
| Luma | $39/mo + 3% platform fee | −$114 | $2,284 |
| RegFox | $0.99/registrant · no monthly fee | −$99 | $2,299 |
| CompleteEvent Starter | $99/mo + 1% · no per-ticket fee | −$124 | $2,274 |
| CompleteEvent Pro | $249/mo + 0.5% · no per-ticket fee | −$262 | $2,136 |
300 tickets × $50 · $15,000 gross
| Platform | Plan / fee structure | Platform fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-ticket platform | Typical per-ticket model · 3.7% + $1.79/ticket | −$1,092 | $13,383 |
| Luma | $39/mo + 3% platform fee | −$489 | $13,986 |
| RegFox | $0.99/registrant · no monthly fee | −$297 | $14,178 |
| CompleteEvent Starter | $99/mo + 1% · no per-ticket fee | −$249 | $14,226 |
| CompleteEvent Pro | $249/mo + 0.5% · no per-ticket fee | −$324 | $14,151 |
500 tickets × $100 · $50,000 gross
| Platform | Plan / fee structure | Platform fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-ticket platform | Typical per-ticket model · 3.7% + $1.79/ticket | −$2,745 | $45,655 |
| Luma | $39/mo + 3% platform fee | −$1,539 | $46,861 |
| RegFox | $0.99/registrant · no monthly fee | −$495 | $47,905 |
| CompleteEvent Starter | $99/mo + 1% · no per-ticket fee | −$599 | $47,801 |
| CompleteEvent Pro | $249/mo + 0.5% · no per-ticket fee | −$499 | $47,901 |
The math behind per-ticket fees
A typical per-ticket platform charges 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket. On a 300-person event at $50 per ticket:
- Gross revenue:$15,000
- 3.7% platform fee:−$555
- $1.79 × 300 per-ticket fee:−$537
- Total platform fee:−$1,092
That's before Stripe. You'd keep $13,043 after both.
On CompleteEvent Starter ($99/mo + 1%):
- 1% platform fee:−$150
- Monthly subscription:−$99
- Total platform fee:−$249
You'd keep $13,886 — $843 more on a single event.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Per-ticket platform | Luma | RegFox | CompleteEventStarter | CompleteEventPro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | |||||
| No per-ticket fee | |||||
| Unlimited events | |||||
| QR check-in app | |||||
| Offline check-in | |||||
| Session scheduling | |||||
| Session waitlist | |||||
| Room Optimizer | |||||
| Silent auction | |||||
| Seating charts | |||||
| iOS & Android app | |||||
| Sponsor lead capture | |||||
| Abstract / CFP review | |||||
| SMS/RCS notifications |
Based on publicly available information as of June 2026. Cvent not shown — enterprise pricing only, not publicly listed.
When per-ticket platforms make sense
- •One-off event, no monthly commitment needed
- •Free events (most per-ticket platforms charge nothing on $0 tickets)
- •Very small events (under $500 gross — fee difference is under $20)
- •You're passing fees to attendees and they're willing to pay them
- •You need built-in event discovery to find a new audience
When CompleteEvent makes sense
- •Recurring events — $99/mo is fixed, not per-event
- •Higher ticket prices — 1% beats 3.7% fast
- •Nonprofits with tight margins (20% discount available)
- •Need check-in, sessions, or fundraising tools included
- •Want revenue going directly to your Stripe account instantly
Frequently asked questions
Does CompleteEvent charge a fee on free events?↓
No. If your ticket price is $0, there is no platform fee. You only pay the monthly subscription.
Can I pass Stripe fees to attendees?↓
Yes. You can configure your event to add a processing fee to the checkout total so attendees cover Stripe's cost.
What's the nonprofit discount?↓
Verified nonprofits and associations receive 20% off any paid plan. Contact us with your 501(c)(3) or equivalent documentation.
Is there a contract or annual commitment?↓
No contracts. Cancel anytime. If you cancel, your account moves to the Free plan and all your data is preserved.
Start free — no credit card needed
Free plan for up to 25 attendees. Upgrade when you're ready and keep more of every ticket.