When it comes to buying tickets for concerts, sports events, and other live entertainment, Ticketmaster is one of the biggest and most widely used ticket providers. With both an app and a website available, customers have options when it comes to how they purchase tickets. But is one platform better than the other? There are pros and cons to each that are worth examining.
Ease of Use
One of the most important factors for many customers is how easy and intuitive a platform is to use. Both the Ticketmaster app and website offer search functions to find events, seating charts to select seats, and checkout processes to complete purchases. However, there are some differences.
The Ticketmaster app offers the simplicity and convenience of a mobile experience. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can find events near you, view available seats, and quickly checkout. For customers on the go, this can be far easier than trying to navigate a complex website.
However, the Ticketmaster website offers more detailed listings with fuller event descriptions, venue information, and seating charts. For customers looking to research events and venue layouts more thoroughly before purchasing, the website may provide an easier user experience. The website also allows customers to view events across a longer timeframe rather than being limited to upcoming events.
For quick ticket purchases on the go, the app may provide better ease of use. But for more research ahead of time, the website offers a fuller browsing and shopping experience.
Key Differences:
- App offers quicker, simpler mobile experience
- Website provides more detailed listings and broader event search
- App better for on-the-go purchases
- Website allows more thorough research
Availability of Tickets
Will you have better luck securing tickets you want on the app or the website? In general, Ticketmaster’s inventory is the same across platforms. When new tickets go on sale or get released for resale, they appear simultaneously on both platforms. However, there are some nuances.
The Ticketmaster app tends to focus on highlighting upcoming and popular events near you. So for big concerts or games coming soon, the app makes it easy to find those. But for events further out or smaller shows, you may have to hunt more on the app.
The website offers much broader search parameters with the ability to search across longer timeframes. So if you want tickets to events months out or are willing to travel farther, you may have better luck scoring tickets on the full website. Of course, for huge high-demand events, tickets may sell out quickly across platforms.
While inventory differences are unlikely, another factor is reliability during high traffic periods. Some users report the app having fewer technical issues than the website during big on-sales when traffic spikes.
Key Differences:
- App focuses on upcoming, popular events nearby
- Website allows expanded event search parameters
- App may handle traffic spikes better during on-sales
Seat Selection and Views
Choosing your seats for an event is an important part of the ticket buying experience. Do the app and website differ when it comes to browsing seat views and selecting your seats?
The Ticketmaster app provides interactive seat maps that allow you to scroll through sections, click specific seats for details, and zoom in for closer views. 3D views are also available for some venues. This makes hunting for the perfect seats smooth and intuitive right from your phone.
The website offers similar interactive seating charts with detailed views. One advantage the website has is it’s easier to pull up two separate browser windows side-by-side – one with the seating chart and one with the checkout screen. This can make coordinating your selections easier.
Both platforms offer comparable seating interfaces and views. Ultimately it comes down to user preference. Some may find the hands-on mobile experience more seamless while others may like the dual window capabilities on desktop.
Key Differences:
- App provides intuitive mobile seat browsing
- Website allows viewing seating chart and checkout screen side-by-side
- Seat selection and views very similar on both
Comparing Ticket Prices
One of the most important factors for ticket buyers is getting the best value price. Does one platform offer better ticket prices or discounts than the other?
For primary market tickets, pricing is consistent across both the Ticketmaster app and website. The starting ticket price, plus any additional fees, will be the same whether you purchase through the app or desktop site.
There is also no pricing difference on resale tickets offered through Ticketmaster’s fan-to-fan exchange. The prices are set by sellers, and remain consistent across platforms.
The one pricing difference may come from promo codes and special mobile offers. Occasionally Ticketmaster offers app-exclusive discounts, like $10 or $20 off your purchase. These limited time promos provide the only real pricing advantage on the app side.
Key Differences:
- Primary and resale ticket prices consistent on both
- Occasional mobile app-only discounts
| Ticket Type | App Price | Website Price |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Market | Face value + fees | Face value + fees |
| Resale | Seller set price | Seller set price |
Order Tracking
Being able to track the status of your ticket order can provide peace of mind. Does one platform make tracking easier?
On both the app and the website, you can view and track past orders under My Tickets. You can check order status, view ticket details, and access tickets for entry.
On the app, you also have the option to enable push notifications. This means you’ll get alerts sent to your phone as your order is processed, avoiding the need to manually check.
Overall, order tracking is straightforward on both platforms. The app provides the extra convenience of push notifications for those wanting regular updates.
Key Differences:
- Order history available on both
- App can provide push notification updates
Support Options
Despite best efforts, issues can occasionally come up that require customer support. How do the app and website compare when you need help?
On both platforms, you can access Help Centers with FAQs, guides, and support articles. The website offers a few more in-depth resources and how-to articles.
For direct support, both also provide customer service phone numbers and contact forms. Wait times may vary depending on volume. On the app, you can initiate a call directly from the platform.
Overall, support options are very similar across both platforms. The website provides slightly more self-service resources, while the app makes accessing live phone support more convenient.
Key Differences:
- Help Centers available on both
- Website offers more support articles
- App provides direct calling from platform
Security and Privacy
When purchasing tickets and entering personal information, security and privacy are top priorities. How do the platforms compare in protecting customers?
Ticketmaster utilizes industry standard encryption on both the app and website to protect customer data in transit and sensitive information like financial data at rest. Customers can feel safe entering payment information on either platform.
User logins are required across both platforms as well, adding a layer of security. Passwords and login credentials are protected using cryptography algorithms.
For privacy, Ticketmaster does not sell personal data or browsing data to third parties on either platform. Customers have full control over communication preferences as well.
When it comes to security and privacy protections, Ticketmaster maintains consistent high standards across both mobile and web platforms.
Key Differences:
- Encryption used equally across both
- Equal user login security enforced
- No differences in data privacy policies
Conclusion
When deciding between using the Ticketmaster app vs website to purchase tickets, there are good reasons to consider either platform:
- The app offers the best on-the-go convenience with quick event discovery and purchasing.
- The website provides the most thorough event listings and seating research capabilities.
- Both platforms offer similar seat viewing interfaces and equal security protections.
- Primary market pricing is the same across platforms, while the app sometimes offers exclusive promo codes.
In many cases, customer preference or habits may dictate which platform they use. Fans who like the hands-on nature of mobile apps may gravitate towards the app. Customers who like having two windows open or take time researching may prefer their desktop.
Ultimately both platforms make it easy to find and purchase the events you want. As long as you purchase official Ticketmaster tickets, you can buy with confidence using either the app or website.