Why Platform Fees Are a Problem for Non-Profits
If you’ve ever run a ticketed event, you know the pain of platform fees. Let’s take Eventbrite as an example. They charge 3.7% plus $1.79 per ticket, not including payment processing fees (Eventbrite Pricing). For a $20 ticket, you’re giving up around $2.54 per sale. Multiply that by 200 tickets, and you’ve lost over $500.
For larger events or higher-priced tickets, the costs balloon quickly. If your organisation relies on fundraising events to stay afloat, these fees are eating into your most critical revenue source.
The Alternative: Zero Platform Fee Ticketing
What if you didn’t have to give up a chunk of your earnings to the platform? That’s where CommunityTix comes in. Unlike platforms like Eventbrite or Ticketmaster, CommunityTix charges zero platform fees. You keep 100% of the ticket revenue. The only cost is the standard PayPal processing fee (2.9% + $0.30).
Here’s an example:
- Event with 200 tickets at $20 each
- On Eventbrite: You’d pay $508 in platform + processing fees (assuming 3.7% + $1.79 for Eventbrite, plus 2.9% + $0.30 for payment processing).
- On CommunityTix: You’d pay just $148 in processing fees (PayPal only). That’s $360 saved.
For many small community organisations, $360 can fund another event, buy supplies, or pay for volunteer stipends.
But What’s the Catch?
You’re probably wondering: “If it’s free, is it any good?” Fair question. Zero platform fees might sound too good to be true, but CommunityTix isn’t cutting corners. It’s an open-source platform built specifically for non-profits, cultural associations, and community groups.
Here’s what you get:
- Custom Branding: Your own subdomain (e.g., myclub.communitytix.org) with your logo and colours.
- Flexible Pricing: Choose fixed prices, free RSVPs, or even “Pay What You Can” models.
- Centralised Tools: Manage your events, members, and even a blog from one dashboard.
And because it’s open source, you’re not locked into a vendor. You own your data.
Real-Life Example: Small Community Theatre
A small community theatre group switched to CommunityTix after using a more traditional ticketing platform. They run about 10 events yearly, with an average of 150 attendees per show and tickets priced at $15.
Previously, they paid over $2,000 annually in platform fees. With CommunityTix, they’ve brought that cost down to under $500 (just payment processing fees). That extra $1,500 now goes toward set design and costumes—things that directly impact their audience’s experience.
Let’s Talk Transparency
Some platforms advertise “low fees” but hide additional costs (e.g., per-ticket service charges or mandatory add-ons). With zero platform fees, CommunityTix keeps things simple. You only pay what PayPal charges, and that’s it. No hidden surprises.
Is It Right for You?
CommunityTix isn’t the flashiest platform, but it’s practical and budget-friendly. If your organisation runs regular events and needs every dollar to count, it’s worth a try. Start with their free trial—it’s 30 days, no credit card required (CommunityTix Trial). You can set up an event in under 30 minutes and see the savings for yourself.
Affordable event ticketing doesn’t have to mean cutting corners. It just means cutting out the middleman.
