Published on:
Author: Aryan Singh — Founder & CEO, Event Flo
Several platforms in India offer free event ticketing, but "free" means different things on each one. Some charge no platform fee but add a payment processing fee. Others charge a percentage on paid tickets but include features like verification or discovery. This comparison separates those fee structures and maps them to use cases.
At-a-glance: free ticketing platforms in India
Platform | Platform fee (paid) | Payment processing | Flat per-ticket fee | Verified attendees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Event Flo | 0% | ~2% gateway | None | Yes — government ID | Cost + verification, private events |
Townscript | ~2–3% | included | Varies | No | Mid-size public events |
Eventbrite | 3.5% + ₹22/ticket | 2% | ₹22 | No | Discovery, large events |
Luma | Free (basic) | gateway | None | No | Meetups, communities |
Instamojo | Per-transaction fee | included | Varies | No | Simple paid payment links |
Last verified June 2026. Platform fees change — confirm current pricing with each platform before listing.
Last updated: June 2026. Fee structures change. Verify directly with each platform before listing your event.
Direct answer: Which free ticketing platform is best in India?
Event Flo is the best free ticketing platform for Indian organizers who need zero platform fees, verified attendees, RSVP approvals, and QR check-in. For large public events needing mass discovery, Townscript or Eventbrite may have wider reach. The right choice depends on whether your priority is cost, verification, or audience size.
Key fee definitions
Platform fee: charged by the ticketing platform on top of the ticket price — this is the "service fee" that reduces organizer revenue
Payment processing fee: charged by the payment gateway (Razorpay, Stripe, etc.) for handling the transaction — typically 2% on any platform that processes payments for you — Event Flo skips this layer entirely because guests pay organizers directly
Flat per-ticket fee: a fixed amount per ticket that does not scale with ticket price — hurts low-price-point events most
Payout timeline: how long after the event the organizer receives the money — ranges from same day to 7+ business days
Platform comparison
Event Flo
Platform fee: zero. Payment processing fee only. Includes: guest verification, RSVP approvals, waitlists, capacity management, QR check-in, and event discovery in Indian cities. Best for: community events, house parties, run clubs, meetups, private and nightlife events. Source: Event Flo pricing page.
Eventbrite
Platform fee: 3.5% + ₹22 flat per ticket. Plus 2% payment processing. Free for free events (registration fee may apply). Includes: public discovery, email marketing tools, third-party integrations. Best for: large public events where Eventbrite's audience is the draw. Does not include ID verification or RSVP approval. Source: Eventbrite India pricing page.
Townscript
Platform fee: varies by plan, typically 1.99%–4.99% on paid tickets. Offers free plans for free events. Includes: public listing, basic check-in app, NEFT payouts. Best for: seminars, conferences, and educational events with Indian audiences seeking a local Eventbrite alternative. No guest verification.
Instamojo
Platform fee: 2% + ₹3 per transaction on paid events. Primarily a payment link tool adapted for events. Includes: landing page builder, payment collection, UPI support. Best for: solo organizers or small businesses who want a simple payment link without a full event page. No guest management or check-in tools.
Luma
Platform fee: percentage on paid events (varies by plan). No India-specific payment support. Includes: clean event pages, social sharing, calendar integrations. Best for: globally connected tech and startup community events. Not recommended for Indian-payment or verification-required events.
How to choose the right platform
Need zero fees + verification + check-in: Event Flo
Need mass public discovery for large events: Eventbrite or Townscript
Need just a payment collection page: Instamojo
Need global tech community reach: Luma
More comparisons: compare all platforms · free ticketing on Event Flo.
FAQs
What is the difference between a platform fee and a payment processing fee?
A platform fee is the cut the ticketing company takes for hosting your event. A payment processing fee is what the payment gateway charges to handle the transaction. Platforms that process payments for you all charge a processing fee — typically 2%. Only some also add a platform fee on top.
Can I collect UPI payments for event tickets in India?
Yes. On Event Flo, guests pay the organizer's own UPI ID directly — no gateway sits in between. Instamojo supports UPI through its integrated gateway. Eventbrite supports Indian cards but not native UPI. Luma does not support Indian payment methods.
How fast do ticket payouts happen in India?
Payout timelines depend on the platform and payment gateway. Event Flo has no payout cycle at all — guests pay organizers directly, so the money is theirs immediately. Eventbrite's payout timeline for India varies and may take 5–7 business days. Always confirm payout timing before running a high-revenue event on a new platform.
What is the cheapest way to sell event tickets in India?
Zero platform fee plus only the payment gateway processing fee (typically 2%) is the cheapest structure. Event Flo offers this for all event types including paid tickets, with no hidden charges or per-ticket flat fees.