How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Ticketmaster is the best ticket app for face-value primary tickets, since it is the official seller for most major venues and tours.
- SeatGeek suits buyers who want deal scores and seat maps, with an all-in pricing toggle.
- StubHub offers the widest resale selection, with the FanProtect guarantee.
- Vivid Seats suits repeat buyers who value loyalty rewards, with a 100 percent buyer guarantee.
- TickPick is the best app for fee-conscious buyers, since it charges no buyer fees and shows all-in prices.
- Gametime suits last-minute buyers, with day-of deals and mobile-first checkout.
- TodayTix suits theater fans, with rush tickets and day-of lotteries, while TicketNetwork suits niche and international events.
- Fees vary by event and are only revealed at checkout on some apps, so always compare the all-in total, not the listed price.
Quick comparison
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The best ticket apps
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Ticketmaster is the official primary seller for most major venues, tours, and sports teams, which makes it the first place to check for any event still on sale at face value. Average fees run near 19 percent, lower than dedicated resale platforms, and all-in pricing is available. Verified Resale lets fans resell tickets bought through Ticketmaster, with mobile transfer built in.
Resale inventory is smaller than StubHub or Vivid Seats, and fees vary widely by event, since service, facility, and processing fees stack. For any event where primary tickets remain, Ticketmaster is the best place to buy at the lowest total cost.
What we like- Official primary seller
- Verified resale
- Excellent mobile tickets
Watch out for- Fees vary by event
- Resale inventory smaller than StubHub
- Support can be slow
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
SeatGeek aggregates primary and resale listings and rates each one with a Deal Score, so you can see whether a seat is a good value for its price and section. The all-in pricing toggle shows the total with fees, and seat maps are among the best in the category. Buyer fees typically run 15 to 35 percent, varying by listing.
The wide fee range makes comparison work necessary, and SeatGeek is strongest for sports, especially NFL team games. For buyers who want to judge value quickly, SeatGeek is the best deal-finding app, and its seat maps help first-time venue visitors avoid poor sightlines.
What we like- Deal Score rates each listing
- All-in pricing toggle
- Strong seat maps
Watch out for- Buyer fees run 15 to 35 percent
- Fees vary by listing
- Resale focus
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
StubHub offers the largest resale inventory, which matters most for sold-out shows where selection is thin elsewhere. The FanProtect guarantee covers valid tickets and refunds for cancelled events, and the app is excellent for mobile transfer and last-minute buys. Buyer fees average near 28 percent, and fees appear late at checkout unless you filter for all-in pricing.
Prices run above face value for in-demand events, since resale is a market. For sold-out shows where maximum selection matters, StubHub is the first place to look, especially when you need several seats together in one section.
What we like- Largest resale inventory
- FanProtect guarantee
- Excellent app
Watch out for- Buyer fees near 25 to 30 percent
- Fees shown late at checkout
- Prices above face value
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Vivid Seats offers a large resale inventory with a 100 percent buyer guarantee, covering valid tickets and refunds for cancelled events. The rewards program gives repeat buyers a free ticket after ten purchases, which suits concert regulars. Promo codes also appear often, cutting the total for buyers who watch for deals.
Buyer fees can reach 25 to 35 percent, and fees appear only at final checkout on some listings. For repeat buyers who value rewards and a strong guarantee, Vivid Seats is a solid choice.
What we like- 100 percent buyer guarantee
- Rewards program
- Large inventory
Watch out for- Buyer fees up to 35 percent
- Fees shown late
- Rewards take time to earn
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TickPick charges no buyer fees, so the price you see is the price you pay, apart from taxes. Sellers pay a 15 percent commission instead, which keeps buyer totals lower than rivals for the same seat. The BuyerTrust guarantee covers valid tickets and refunds, and the app is strong for sports and concerts.
Inventory is medium-high rather than the largest, and niche events are thinner. For fee-conscious buyers who compare all-in totals, TickPick is the best value app, and the savings grow with every ticket in a group order.
What we like- Zero buyer fees
- All-in prices shown
- BuyerTrust guarantee
Watch out for- Smaller inventory than StubHub
- Sellers pay 15 percent
- Fewer niche events
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Gametime is built for last-minute buyers, with day-of deals, mobile alerts, and all-in prices shown upfront. Prices often drop near showtime as sellers cut prices to move unsold tickets, and the mobile app is among the best in the category. The Gametime Guarantee covers valid tickets and refunds.
Inventory is moderate rather than the widest, and fees are bundled into the listed price, so the fee split is less clear. For buyers who decide on the day of the event, Gametime is the best app, since its day-of deals and mobile checkout suit last-minute plans.
What we like- All-in prices shown upfront
- Day-of discounts
- Best-in-class mobile app
Watch out for- Moderate inventory
- Fees bundled into price
- Weaker for advance planning
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TodayTix focuses on theater and curated events, with rush tickets, day-of lotteries, and last-minute deals that suit theater fans. Pricing is transparent, and the mobile app is excellent for day-of purchases. Cities with strong theater scenes have the deepest inventory.
Sports and concert coverage is thin, and inventory varies sharply by city. For theater fans who buy last-minute, TodayTix is clearly the best app for rush tickets and day-of lotteries.
What we like- Rush tickets and day-of lotteries
- Curated theater events
- Transparent pricing
Watch out for- Theater-focused, thin for sports
- Inventory varies by city
- Fees vary by event
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TicketNetwork aggregates broker listings, which gives it broad coverage of niche and international events that larger apps may miss. The buyer guarantee covers valid tickets, and the catalog spans concerts, touring shows, and sports. Fees vary by broker, so check the total at checkout.
The app is moderate rather than excellent, and prices run above face value for in-demand events. For events that are hard to find elsewhere, TicketNetwork is definitely worth checking before you give up on finding tickets.
What we like- Broad broker network
- Niche and international events
- Buyer guarantee
Watch out for- Fees vary by broker
- Moderate app
- Prices above face value
How we chose
We compared fee transparency, inventory depth, buyer guarantees, deal-finding tools, app quality, and last-minute strength. We also weighed seller fees, since a high seller commission pushes listing prices up even when buyer fees look low, and a low seller fee can make the same seat cheaper for buyers. Apps that serve both buyers and sellers fairly scored higher than apps that hide one side of the cost. Apps that hide fees until checkout scored lower than apps with all-in pricing. We did not buy tickets hands-on, and fees vary by event, so treat fee figures as typical ranges.
Buying guide: what to check before you buy
Start with Ticketmaster if the event is still on sale at face value, since primary tickets cost less than resale, and check the venue box office too, since some venues sell direct with lower fees. Set price alerts on SeatGeek and StubHub for sold-out shows, since prices move daily and a good seat can appear when a seller drops the price. For sports, check the team app as well, since some teams sell official resale through their own platform at lower fees than marketplaces. If it is sold out, compare TickPick first for no buyer fees, then StubHub and Vivid Seats with all-in pricing enabled. For day-of buys, check Gametime for price drops. Always compare the all-in total, not the listed price, since fees vary by platform and event. Check the buyer guarantee, delivery method, and refund policy for cancelled events before you pay. Finally, buy only from the app or its official site, since tickets from social media sellers carry a high risk of fraud. Check the delivery method before you pay, since mobile transfer tickets arrive differently from mailed tickets, and mailed tickets can arrive too late for a same-day event. Keep the order confirmation and the guarantee terms saved until you are inside the venue, in case entry fails and you need a refund.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ticket app with no hidden fees?
TickPick charges no buyer fees and shows all-in prices, which makes it the most transparent app. SeatGeek and Gametime also show all-in totals with a toggle or upfront display.
Is Ticketmaster or StubHub better?
Ticketmaster is better for face-value primary tickets, while StubHub is better for sold-out events with the widest resale selection. Check Ticketmaster first, then StubHub if it is sold out.
How much are ticket app fees?
Buyer fees typically run 15 to 35 percent of the ticket price on resale apps, with Ticketmaster averaging near 19 percent for primary tickets. Fees vary by event and platform.
Are resale tickets safe to buy?
Tickets from major apps with buyer guarantees, such as StubHub FanProtect, Vivid Seats 100 percent guarantee, and TickPick BuyerTrust, are covered for valid tickets and refunds. Avoid social media sellers.
When is the best time to buy tickets?
Primary tickets are cheapest at on-sale, while resale prices often drop near showtime as sellers cut prices. Last-minute buyers should check Gametime and StubHub on the day of the event.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Ticketmaster
SeatGeek
StubHub
Vivid Seats
TickPick
Gametime
TodayTix
TicketNetwork