Pretix: the event ticketing system without monthly fees

Search for an event ticketing system and you quickly land on platforms with a monthly subscription or a hefty service fee per ticket. For organizations that only run a few events a year, that’s money down the drain. Pretix works differently: you only pay for the tickets you actually issue. This guide covers what Pretix is, what it costs and when it fits.

What is Pretix?

Pretix is a German ticketing platform for events, from free receptions to paid conferences. It is hosted entirely within Europe and GDPR-compliant by default. The platform is open source and used by universities, conferences and companies across Europe.

The key functionality:

• multiple ticket types and quotas per event;
• free and paid tickets, including payment providers;
• invitations and vouchers, including unique links per guest;
• seating plans for events with assigned seats;
• QR tickets and a free scan app for check-in at the venue;
• an extensive API for connecting your own systems.

What does Pretix cost?

This is where Pretix stands out. On the hosted version you pay per issued ticket, a small amount each. No monthly subscription, no service contract, no costs in the months you don’t organize anything.

For an organization with a few events a year, that means a ticket shop without monthly fees in practice. You manage the platform yourself, and that’s realistic: creating events, configuring ticket types and managing guest lists is not development work.

Not sure whether Pretix fits your event? Send us a message, we’ve set up and integrated the platform ourselves and are happy to think along, no strings attached.

Is Pretix an alternative to Eventbrite or Eventix?

Yes, and often a cheaper one. Platforms like Eventbrite and Eventix charge a service fee per sold ticket, which adds up fast for paid events and often lands partly on your visitor. Pretix charges a fixed, low amount per ticket and leaves the rest of the price with you.

There is a difference in expectations, though: Eventbrite and Eventix are ready-made consumer platforms with their own marketplace. Pretix is a toolbox you configure yourself. In return you keep full control over your data and your guest list, and you’re not tied to the look of an external platform. For a broader comparison of the options, read Selling tickets for your business event: which software fits?.

Private events and RSVP

For invitation-only business events, Pretix is remarkably strong. With vouchers and unique links you invite guests personally, let them bring a +1 or +2, and automatically collect up-to-date contact details at registration. Per guest, you see who confirmed, who showed up and who didn’t.

The limitation: the default ticket shop

Let’s be honest: the default Pretix interface is functional, not pretty. For a festival that hardly matters. For a premium business event it does, because there the experience starts at the invitation.

The answer is the Pretix API. It lets you build a fully custom frontend in your own branding, while Pretix handles all ticket logic, registration and administration behind the scenes. That’s how we built a premium ticket platform on Pretix for a client, with a custom React portal, live in two weeks.

When does Pretix fit?

Pretix is a good fit if you:

• run a few events a year and don’t want a subscription;
• want control over your guest data, inside a European GDPR-compliant platform;
• organize private, invitation-only events;
• want free check-in with a scan app on your staff’s own phones.

Pretix is a poor fit if you need the marketplace and reach of a platform like Eventbrite to sell tickets to a broad audience.

Set it up yourself, or have it done?

Setting up Pretix yourself is perfectly doable. Want a branded ticket environment on top of Pretix, or help with the setup and integrations? Get in touch, we’re happy to show you how we’ve done this before.