Ticketmaster is an online ticket sales platform that allows people to buy and sell tickets for major events like concerts, movie theater releases, or sports.
The platform is based in the United States but has different versions that work worldwide.
But while the platform has provided a seamless way for people to buy and release tickets, it charges a fee on all transactions, which can account for a large percentage of the overall tickets sold or bought. This can cut profit margins for an event organizer who uses Ticketmaster.
Furthermore, Ticketmaster got into trouble with the law last year over Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, where it failed to produce enough tickets despite assuring stakeholders that it could handle the enormous demand.
Fortunately, Ticketmaster isn’t the only platform you can use to purchase or sell tickets within the United States and beyond. I’ve compiled a list of the best Ticketmaster alternatives that you can try.
Best Ticketmaster Alternatives
Ready to dive in and see how each of these ticket platforms can serve your needs like Ticketmaster?
1. StubHub
First on our list is StubHub. It’s based in the United States and, at some point, was the most popular online ticket platform. Some of the things that make StubHub stand apart from the rest is the ticket variety.
StubHub is like a ticket treasure chest. You can find everything under the roof, from tickets for theater performances, festivals, and even stand-up comedy acts: it’s not just for concerts and sporting events.
It also provides a fan-to-fan resale option that removes the middleman, making the transactions much cheaper and quicker.
But what makes StubHub an excellent Ticketmaster alternative is how transparent the entire operation is set up. On top of constant price alerts, there are no hidden fees. StubHub gives you a clear preview of the cost upfront so you can make an informed decision.
StubHub comes with Android and iOS apps, which means you can buy and sell tickets on the go from anywhere.
Find out the best alternatives to StubHub here.
2. TickPick
TickPick was launched in 2011 in New York.
The barrage of unexpected extra charges that usually pop up at checkout with most ticketing apps is something you don’t have to worry about with TickPick. The price displayed on checkout is precisely what you pay – nothing more, nothing less.
TickPick offers a roster of events similar to Ticketmaster ranging from sports like the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB, on top of concerts and theater.
But the standout TickPick feature that makes this a good Ticketmaster alternative is the 360–Degree Seat View. This gives you a preview of what you’ll see from your designated seat. This makes selecting the right seats easier.
Furthermore, the platform has an Android and iOS app, making it flexible.
3. Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats has been around since 2001, and it offers a unique online platform for people to buy and sell tickets for concerts, sporting events, and movie theaters around the United States.
This platform also has an interactive seating chart that lets you see exactly where you’ll be sitting and what kind of view you’ll get. This enables you to choose the best view possible from the comfort of your home.
Like the Audience Rewards offered by Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats has a beneficial rewards program for repeat ticket buyers to get amazing discounts, ticket upgrades, and other perks. Vivid Seats also offers a 100% buyer guarantee that protects you from scammers.
Vivid Seats has apps for both Android and iOS.
4. Viagogo
Viagogo has been around since 2006, with its main headquarters in Switzerland. Despite its location, the site serves the entire globe, including the United States, with services related to event ticketing.
Viagogo is an international platform offering a vast collection of events on the same scale as Ticketmaster. It offers tickets for theatrical performances, sporting events, and music concerts.
There are no hidden fees either. Viagogo’s pricing is quite transparent, so you always know what everything will cost upfront. There won’t be any nasty surprises when you’re about to make a transaction on checkout.
Viagogo has mobile app support for Android and iOS.
Also Read: Is Viagogo Legit?
5. TicketCity
TicketCity is based in Austin, Texas, and has been active for over 30 years in the industry.
This platform has a vast selection of events to pick from. Whether you’re a sports, music, or theater lover or want to catch the latest Broadway production or the Super Bowl, TicketCity has you covered.
The website is simple with strategically positioned buttons and a reliable search function. Furthermore, there are no hidden charges; the final price you see when selecting a ticket is what you see at checkout. You’re more likely to get a discount than a price hike.
Most TicketCity events are held in the United States, like Ticketmaster. But the great discounts and the transparent payment process make it a worthwhile alternative.
Download it on Android and iOS.
6. SeatGeek
This mobile-focused ticket platform has been around since 2009 and operates from New York. You can find tickets for live events like concerts and major sports from around the United States with the click of a finger.
The straightforward design of SeatGeek’s website and mobile app will catch your eye immediately upon launching it. There are no distracting visuals or challenging menus here. Just enter the event you want and get all the available information.
The pricing is also very transparent, with no hidden fees. You get the complete pricing information when you tap on an event maintained at the checkout point.
SeatGeek also covers some of the most popular events in the United States but excels in small events, especially for indie artists.
And similar to the Interactive Seat Map offered by Ticketmaster, this platform also offers its own version of interactive seat maps that give you a sneak peek of the view you’ll get from the seats you choose. This helps you make an informed choice.
You can book your SeatGeek tickets through the Android and iOS apps.
7. TicketNetwork
Founded in 2002, ticket buyers and sellers can promptly get and dispose of their tickets on TicketNetwork within minutes.
The interface is straight to the point, with all the latest events displayed chronologically for easy access.
But what makes TicketNetwork a worthy Ticketmaster alternative is its huge event inventory. You can find tickets for practically any event thanks to solid partnerships with an extensive network of dealers from around the United States.
This reach ranges from well-known performances by your favorite singers to intimate Indie shows that will rock your body.
TicketNetwork also tries to be as transparent as possible. If you run into extra charges, the platform is gracious enough to relay that information before you reach the checkout page.
TicketNetwork has apps for iOS and Android devices.
Also Read: Why is StubHub Cheaper Than Ticketmaster?
8. TicketSwap
Next up is TicketSwap, another platform with a simple user interface that lists all the latest events you can attend.
But the most significant selling point of this ticketing platform is security. It has a feature similar to SafeTix by Ticketmaster that validates every seller and ticket, guaranteeing that you receive legitimate access to your tickets without any unpleasant surprises. This should give you the peace of mind of knowing your seat is reserved.
You don’t have to worry about price gouging either. TicketSwap has a strict policy that protects consumers from unscrupulous resellers. For example, ticket resellers cannot sell anything for more than 20% above the original ticket price.
TicketSwap is also suitable for last-minute tickets, and you can access its vast resources through its Android and iOS apps.
9. Ticket Liquidator
Ticket Liquidator is based in South Windsor, Connecticut, and has served the United States market since 2003.
Most of the events sold on this platform are related to music concerts, but a handful of events cater to sports and theater fans.
One thing that makes Ticket Liquidator a worthy Ticketmaster substitute is the 100% ticket guarantee that minimizes the chances of being scammed even when dealing with resellers. You receive your tickets on time, and that’s the kind of peace of mind all consumers look for.
Ticket Liquidator is also a perfect venue for last-minute deals, and the best part of it all is that they also come with discount deals, something that’s rare in the ticketing industry.
There are no hidden charges on this platform either, and that helps you plan better because what you see is what you get.
Ticket Liquidator is currently only available on Android, but you can also book your event tickets through the main website.
Also Read: Is StubHub Legit?
10. See Tickets
See Tickets is a global ticketing platform that operates from the United Kingdom and caters to the needs of concertgoers worldwide, including the United States.
The See Tickets website is slick and straightforward, so finding tickets is a breeze even for someone visiting it for the first time. You can easily find the events you’re interested in without getting lost in a maze of confusing menus.
The platform also has a very amiable customer support system that handles all issues on the spot and offers many solutions for the more complicated ones. Like Ticketmaster, See Tickets offers different payment options, including PayPal.
See Tickets works on iOS and Android.
11. Twickets
Twickets is the best fan-to-fan ticket reselling website on this list, and in that regard, it offers some of the best consumer protections that target industry vices like ticket price gouging.
Based in the United Kingdom (the US version was launched in 2017), the platform has provided a secure avenue since 2011 for fans to resell their tickets if they can no longer attend events.
There is a 100% guarantee on all sales, with the buyer getting a full refund if they get the wrong tickets. Furthermore, Twickets has a reliable search function, like Ticketmaster, that you can use to search for a specific event.
As I mentioned, Twickets has placed a cap on how much profit resellers can make to protect unsuspecting consumers from being ripped off by ticket scalpers. And you can buy, sell, or swap tickets on the website or through the Android and iOS apps.
12. TicketSmarter
TicketSmarter is a newly created alternative to Ticketmaster on this list, founded in 2019. Despite being a relatively new entrant into this highly competitive industry, TicketSmarter has already established itself as a reliable ticket platform.
First, there are no hidden charges, so whatever value you see when you choose an event will show up when you check out. This is the level of transparency that most concert attendees value the most.
Second, there are ticket guarantees if you’re dealing with third-party resellers, just like on Ticketmaster. Every ticket made available through this platform is 100% authentic, and on the rare occasion that something goes wrong, you’re given a full refund.
TicketSmarter also offers sports, concerts, theater, and even hotel and travel tickets. Furthermore, you can access the platform through its apps on Android and iOS.
13. SuperStar.com
This event ticketing platform is one of the simplest on this list. It has an intuitive, user-friendly design that is easy to navigate, and you don’t have to click through countless options in search of the event you want.
But the feature that makes SuperStar stand out is how it shows events based on location. You can look up events on SuperStar the same way you can search for an event on Ticketmaster, using the Zip Code or the City name. This makes it easy to plan.
On top of this, SuperStar also provides a wide range of events, from sports and concerts to theaters, catering to the needs of a diverse group of consumers.
Users can also get a visual mockup of what their seats look like and the kind of view they’ll get. And for people who love doing things last minute, SuperStar provides late tickets without marking up the prices too much.
This platform doesn’t have mobile apps, but the web version has everything you need.
14. Coast to Coast Tickets
Popularly known as CTC Tickets, this ticket broker site has been around since 2000 and is based in Chicago, with the United States making up most of its clientele.
The tickets on CTC range from music concerts to live sporting events like the Super Bowl, NBA, and World Series, among others.
The user interface is also among the best, with excellent graphics and clearly labeled buttons for easy navigation.
CTC is also one of the few platforms on this list whose catalog of events is as extensive as Ticketmaster’s. And it goes further by offering a trustworthy ticketing process that minimizes scamming. Even their payment systems are secured with proper authentication frameworks that hide sensitive information.
At the moment, you can only use the Coast to Coast Tickets platform on the web as it doesn’t have apps for Android or iOS. But that shouldn’t impact your overall experience.
15. Ticket Squeeze
Ticket Squeeze shares one prominent thing with Ticketmaster, flexible payment options.
You can buy and get paid through VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Discover, Diners Club International, Apple Pay, and PayPal. There’s even an option to pay in installments.
When one payment option fails on TicketSqueeze, you have a few more to try out. Very convenient for event enthusiasts.
The user interface on TicketSqueeze is also well thought out. The fantastic use of different artsy fonts makes the site feel like an excellent place to find the best entertainment spots.
Some events you can book on this platform include concerts, theater, comedy, and sports, complete with 100% buyer protection. There are no mobile apps for Ticket Squeeze, but the excellent website makes up for that with its easy layout.
16. Gametime
Gametime was established in 2012 for one specific niche: last-minute tickets.
It’s a known fact that there will always be people who never buy their tickets on time, only to panic and buy them at exorbitant prices right before the event.
Gametime saw this opportunity and filled that void to provide a safe platform where last-minute ticket buyers don’t get exploited. It comes with a 100% guarantee, like Ticketmaster, that protects consumers and makes it hard for ticket hoarders to make illegal profits.
The prices are also very fair considering there are late tickets involved. This platform is also optimized for mobile devices, which makes it more flexible and easy to use on Android and iOS devices.
17. ScoreBig
This is another niche-focused ticket site that was created in 2009. ScoreBig specifically deals with undersold ticket inventory for sports, theater, and concerts, among many other live events.
It has some of the best discounts on this list, all without hidden charges. And while ScoreBig covers the same high-profile events as Ticketmaster, it goes a step further by occasionally offering insider deals for tickets that can’t be found anywhere else, giving it a slight edge.
But due to these insider deals, tickets tend to sell out quickly for popular events. Therefore, you must always be ready to get the early bird tickets to score good seats.
ScoreBig is only available for iOS currently.
18. TicketIQ
Finally, TicketIQ wraps up our best Ticketmaster alternatives. I’ve put it last because it differs slightly from the rest. It’s an aggregator site for other ticket sites. So you can find some of the ticket sale sites we’ve covered here listed on TicketIQ, including Ticketmaster.
The platform has been around since 2010, adding new ticket sites yearly. Having everything under one roof gives users choices and makes comparing prices easy.
But while it’s good to have every site within reach, it can be a little overwhelming to sift through everything when you’re in a last-minute rush. But don’t let that discourage you; TicketIQ has a fantastic search function that you can take advantage of to zero down on a specific event within seconds.
TicketIQ is available for Android and iOS.
Wrapping Up
That brings us to the end of our exciting review. As you can see, these online ticket platforms have made getting event tickets easy and accessible to all.
You can go ahead and pick the alternative that works best for you. All are great platforms.
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