What is the best online ticket selling site?

With the rise of the internet and e-commerce, buying tickets online has become increasingly popular. Consumers now have a myriad of options when it comes to purchasing tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows, and more. But with so many ticket selling platforms available, how do you know which site is the best option? In this comprehensive guide, we will compare and contrast the top online ticket sellers to help you find the right platform for your ticketing needs.

What to Look for in an Online Ticket Seller

When evaluating online ticket selling platforms, there are several key factors to consider:

• Inventory – The site should have a robust selection of tickets available for a wide variety of events in different cities.
• Pricing – Ticket prices and fees should be clearly displayed upfront so there are no surprises at checkout.
• Buyer Protection – Legitimate sites offer guarantees so you are protected in case the event is canceled or your tickets don’t work.
• Mobile Accessibility – Having a mobile site or app allows you to conveniently purchase tickets on the go.
• Customer Service – Look for sites with strong customer support in case any issues come up before or during the event.
• Verified Tickets – Opt for sites that guarantee your tickets are 100% legitimate and valid.

Keeping these aspects in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the leading options for buying tickets online.

StubHub

StubHub is one of the largest secondary ticket marketplaces, allowing fans to buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater, and other live entertainment events. The site provides access to tickets being resold by other fans who can no longer attend an event. Here are some key things to know about StubHub:

• Huge inventory – Over 10 million tickets are available at any given time from fans and professional ticket brokers.
• Last minute tickets – Great place to get tickets even on short notice for sold out events.
• FanProtect Guarantee – Refunds are provided if tickets are invalid or the event is canceled.
• StubHub mobile app – Makes it easy to manage and sell tickets on the go.
• Cheap prices – Savings can be significant compared to box office prices.
• High fees – Broker, service, and delivery fees can add up to over 25% extra.

StubHub is ideal for buyers willing to pay higher fees in exchange for an enormous selection and buyer protection. The wide range of inventory makes it easy to find tickets, even for hard-to-get and sold out events.

Ticketmaster

As one of the largest primary ticket outlets, Ticketmaster sells tickets directly on behalf of the event organizers. Here is an overview of Ticketmaster’s pros and cons:

• Official source – Get directly from the venue/promoter instead of resellers.
• Large selection – Tickets for many major concerts, shows, and sporting events.
• Verified tickets – All tickets are 100% valid and directly from the source.
• Loyalty programs – Special perks like pre-sales for fan club members.
• High fees – Expect to pay around 25% in fees on every order.
• Lack of discounts – Full price tickets only, no bargains.

Ticketmaster is the go-to option for buying peace of mind along with your tickets. While you pay more, you can be sure your tickets are legitimate. The site works directly with major event organizers.

Vivid Seats

Vivid Seats is another large secondary ticket marketplace where fans resell event tickets they can no longer use. Here is a rundown of their service:

• 125% guarantee – Refund of 125% of order if tickets are invalid.
• Large inventory – Over 12 million tickets for 100,000+ events.
• Rewards program – Earn points towards future discounts.
• Fan safety – Full refunds if event is canceled or delayed due to COVID-19.
• High service fees – Around 25% in total fees.
• Mostly digital tickets – Require mobile entry in most cases.

Vivid Seats is a solid option for reseller marketplaces thanks to strong buyer protection policies. The huge selection also makes it easy to comparison shop for the best deals on in-demand tickets.

SeatGeek

SeatGeek stands out as an aggregator that compiles ticket inventory from many major primary and secondary sellers. Here is what it offers:

• Aggregator model – Pulls and compares listings from 50+ ticket sites.
• Interactive maps – Easily view ticket listings filtered by seating location.
• Deal Score – Grades each listing on a 0-100 scale based on value.
• SeatGeek Guarantee – 150% refund if tickets are invalid.
• Some hidden fees – Lower prices offset by service and shipping fees.
• Limited inventory – Does not sell its own pool of tickets.

SeatGeek’s price rating system and interactive maps make it easy to find good deals. The aggregator model gives you an efficient way to evaluate listings across multiple providers.

TicketCity

TicketCity focuses specifically on the resale secondary ticket market. Here’s an overview of their service:

• Resale marketplace – Sells tickets from season ticket holders and brokers.
• Low Price Guarantee – Refund of 110% if you find a cheaper verified ticket.
• Large NFL inventory – Known for wide selection of football tickets.
• Rewards program – 10 points earned per $1 spent.
• High service fees – Around 25% fees added to all orders.
• Limited inventory – Smaller selection for events outside NFL.

TicketCity is a decent option specifically for NFL tickets thanks to their extensive inventory and price guarantee. Their more limited supply for other sports and events is a downside.

Gametime

The Gametime app sets itself apart by exclusively selling last minute tickets. Here are the details:

• Last minute only – Tickets for sale up to 90 minutes before start.
• Discounted prices – Cheaper than buying in advance from other sites.
• All digital – Tickets delivered instantly to app.
• Minimal fees – Lower fees compared to most competitors.
• Limited events – Smaller overall event selection outside major cities.
• No listings – Cannot see available ticket info until purchase.

Gametime is ideal for people who don’t mind spontaneity and saving money by buying tickets at the last minute. The lack of listings visibility and limited event selection make it riskier.

Other Notable Sites

In addition to the major players above, there are several other reputable sites that offer unique benefits for ticket buyers:

• AXS – Primary ticket seller owned by AEG venues and live event promoters.
• TickPick – Resale marketplace with no service fees.
• Songkick – Concert-focused ticket aggregator and discovery platform.
• ScoreBig – “Name your price” style bidding on tickets.
• Tixr – Specializes in last minute unsold inventory.
• BandTix – Sells tickets directly for smaller local concerts.

Key Differences Between Major Online Ticket Sellers

To summarize the distinctions between the top online ticket platforms, here is a comparison table:

Tips for Buying Tickets Online

Follow these tips when purchasing tickets from an online ticket seller to ensure a smooth ordering process:

• Compare prices across multiple sites to find the best deals.
• Read the fine print so you understand all policies, fees, and guarantees.
• Only buy from reputable sites with secure checkout processes.
• Avoid unofficial sellers like Craigslist to ensure validity.
• Compare digital vs. hard ticket delivery to pick the most convenient method.
• For very popular events, buy early before limited tickets sell out.
• Sign up for fan club or promoter presales to get first pick of seats.

Final Recommendation

When weighing all the factors – buyer protection, fees, ticket availability, and customer experience – StubHub emerges as the best overall ticket selling platform. Their FanProtect Guarantee provides peace of mind, and the enormous selection gives you the highest chance of finding the perfect seats. While StubHub does charge higher fees, frequent buyers can offset costs through their rewards program. Ultimately you want a site that makes purchasing tickets convenient while giving you recourse if any issues arise. For the widest selection and added security, StubHub hits the mark as the best online ticket seller.