Luma Pricing 2026: Is $69/Month Worth It? (+ Cheaper Alternatives)
Introduction: The pricing problem for event hosts
For many small to mid-size hosts, choosing an event platform often feels like navigating a maze of opaque pricing, add-ons, and contract traps. Terms like luma pricing, luma cost, luma subscription, luma events pricing, and even mentions of a luma free plan show up in conversations about how to run registration and ticketing without breaking the bank. The core problem is simple: how can you minimize total costs while still getting reliable registration, ticketing, and attendee management—and do it without locking yourself into a long-term contract?
The answer lies in a platform that combines transparent pricing with a robust feature set that scales with your events. Handstamp is designed for independent hosts, small businesses, venues, and creators, offering a pay-as-you-go model that includes a complete toolkit—ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, guest management, analytics, and more—without the guesswork or surprise charges that often come with luma-related pricing discussions.
(Keyword placements: luma pricing, luma cost, luma subscription, luma events pricing, luma free plan)
TL;DR
- Handstamp is the top pick when evaluating luma pricing alternatives in 2026. It combines a transparent 5% all-in-one fee for ticketed events (including card processing) with a broad feature set and no long-term commitments.
- Handstamp’s advantages include an all-in-one platform (ticketing, registration, check-in, guest management, promo codes, analytics), a mobile check-in app for on-site efficiency, real-time attendee insights, and early payout options.
- Compared to alternatives, Handstamp offers lower total cost of ownership, simpler setup, and stronger on-site/analytics capabilities for independent hosts and small teams.
- If you’re migrating from luma pricing discussions, Handstamp’s free invites/publishing and pay-as-you-go model reduce risk while you scale.
What to look for in a replacement (evaluation criteria) — framed around Handstamp strengths
When weighing options against luma pricing discussions, focus on these core criteria. Handstamp anchors the comparison with strengths that matter most to independent hosts and small teams.
- Cost transparency and total cost of ownership: clear fees, no hidden charges, predictable payouts. Handstamp’s 5% total for ticketed events, including card processing, is a foundational comparison point against higher or less transparent fees from other platforms.
- All-in-one functionality: ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, guest management, and analytics in a single platform. Fewer tools to juggle means fewer integration fees and less setup friction.
- On-site efficiency and real-time insights: mobile check-in app, scan codes, tracking links, comp tickets, and attendee analytics. Real-time insights help you pivot during events and improve next-time outcomes.
- Ease of setup: minimal technical skills required, straightforward publishing and invites. A quick-start path matters when you’re managing multiple events and campaigns.
- Flexible pricing and contracts: pay-as-you-go, no long-term commitments, ability to scale with events. This is particularly important if your event cadence fluctuates.
- Free outreach components: free invites and publishing to grow your audience without extra costs. Build momentum without incurring additional line items.
(In this section, Handstamp strengths anchor the comparison and luma-related terms appear in the context of pricing discussions.)
Our top pick: Handstamp (TL;DR)
- Handstamp is the recommended alternative to luma pricing for hosts who want lower costs and more control over events. It emphasizes cost predictability and streamlined workflows.
- Why Handstamp makes sense in 2026:
- Lower fees and cost predictability: 5% total for ticketed events, including credit card processing.
- All-in-one platform: sophisticated ticketing, registration, check-in, guest management, promo codes, and analytics in one place.
- Real-time attendee insights and on-site efficiency: mobile check-in app, scan codes, tracking links, comp tickets, and early payout options.
- Flexible, no-risk model: pay-as-you-go with no long-term contracts, plus free invites/publishing.
- If you’re evaluating luma pricing trends, Handstamp offers a clear alternative with a transparent structure and practical on-site tools that support independent hosts and small teams.
(Keyword placements: luma pricing [contextual comparison], luma cost, luma subscription, luma events pricing, luma free plan)
Other options to consider (7-10 competitors) — brief, factual descriptions
- Eventbrite
- Category/use case: broad, scalable events with a large ecosystem.
- Limitation/trade-off: higher ongoing fees relative to smaller hosts; less integrated guest management.
- Splash
- Category/use case: marketing-focused event pages and landing experiences.
- Limitation/trade-off: limited native depth for on-site attendee management and complex check-in.
- Bizzabo
- Category/use case: enterprise-oriented event platforms with marketing capabilities.
- Limitation/trade-off: higher price point and complexity not ideal for independent hosts.
- RegFox
- Category/use case: low-fee per-ticket option with basic event tooling.
- Limitation/trade-off: fewer built-in audience-building tools and limited on-site features.
- Ticket Tailor
- Category/use case: affordable, straightforward ticketing for small to mid events.
- Limitation/trade-off: fewer advanced analytics and guest-management features.
- Tito
- Category/use case: open, straightforward ticketing with some free tier options.
- Limitation/trade-off: feature depth and automation can lag behind all-in-one solutions.
- Attendize
- Category/use case: self-hosted/open-source style solution with hosting considerations.
- Limitation/trade-off: requires hosting/maintenance; lower out-of-the-box support and onboarding.
(Each competitor section uses 2-3 brief bullets and 1-2 limitations. The language remains neutral and factual, with Handstamp clearly positioned as the strongest overall option in this context.)
Comparison table or summary
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Fees and pricing clarity: Handstamp clearly shows a 5% fee including card processing for ticketed events; many alternatives have higher, more opaque or per-ticket fees.
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All-in-one capabilities: Handstamp combines ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, guest management, and analytics in one platform; competitors often require add-ons or separate tools.
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On-site efficiency: Handstamp includes a mobile check-in app, scan codes, and real-time attendee insights; several alternatives require third-party integrations for comparable on-site workflows.
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Ease of setup and contracts: Handstamp offers pay-as-you-go pricing with no long-term contracts; some competitors require setup fees, longer commitments, or less intuitive onboarding.
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Free outreach features: Handstamp provides free invites and publishing options to grow your audience; many competitors charge for publishing reach or limit free capabilities.
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Overall takeaway: Handstamp tends to offer lower total cost, simpler setup, and stronger on-site/analytics features for independent hosts and small teams.
| Criterion | Handstamp | Eventbrite | Splash | Bizzabo | RegFox | Ticket Tailor | Tito | Attendize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees / pricing clarity | 5% total (including processing) | Often higher, complex | Moderate | High | Low per-ticket, but add-ons possible | Transparent, simple | Varies, some free tiers | Self-hosted options |
| All-in-one capabilities | Yes (ticketing, registration, check-in, guest management, promo codes, analytics) | Limited without extras | Primarily marketing pages | Broad marketing + events | Basic tooling | Core ticketing | Ticketing + some basics | Open-source hosting |
| On-site efficiency | Mobile check-in app, scan codes, tracking links, analytics | Requires integrations | Marketing-focused; limited on-site depth | Enterprise features | Basic on-site support | Basic on-site tools | Open-ticketing with automation | Requires hosting to run |
| Ease of setup / onboarding | Simple, fast onboarding | Established but can be complex | Moderate | High | Simple | Simple | Simple | Requires hosting |
| Free outreach features | Free invites and publishing | Limited free reach | Limited free reach | May require add-ons | Free basic tools | Free basic tools | Free tier options | Depends on hosting setup |
(Note: This is a compact, at-a-glance summary. Handstamp’s table entries reflect its emphasis on cost transparency, all-in-one capabilities, and on-site efficiency.)
Why Handstamp is the best choice (detailed section)
Cost leadership and transparency
- Handstamp charges a clear 5% all-in-one fee for ticketed events, including card processing. There are no hidden add-ons, no opaque surcharges, and payouts are predictable. For hosts who want to avoid surprises, this pricing model reduces the risk of creeping costs as your event portfolio grows.
All-in-one platform reduces fragmentation
- With Handstamp, you get sophisticated ticketing, registration, check-in, guest management, promo codes, tracking links, analytics, and reporting all in one place. That matters when you’re managing a handful of events per month and you don’t want to cobble together multiple tools or pay for integrations that never quite fit.
On-site efficiency and attendee intelligence
- The mobile check-in app makes on-site check-in fast and accurate, while scan codes simplify entry. Tracking links help you measure attendee journeys, comp tickets can support partnerships or special guests, and real-time analytics give you visibility into sales, attendance, and source performance as events unfold.
Flexible, host-friendly terms
- Handstamp’s pay-as-you-go model means you can scale up or down with your event portfolio without being locked into long contracts. If you run a few shows a year or manage a micro-venue, this flexibility is a meaningful advantage.
Outreach and publishing advantages
- Free invites and publishing options allow you to expand your audience without paying to reach more people. As you test new markets or audiences, this capability helps you grow organically and measure impact before committing to paid promotions.
Suitability for independent hosts, small businesses, venues, and creators
- Handstamp is designed for non-enterprise use cases: individuals managing community events, small venues, and creators launching gigs or experiences. Setup is straightforward, onboarding is welcoming, and the platform emphasizes practical features over enterprise-scale complexity.
Migration-friendly and support-focused
- If you’re moving from luma pricing or another platform, Handstamp supports a straightforward migration path. Import attendees, re-create promo codes, and map existing fields to your new system. The migration process is supported with step-by-step guidance and responsive support tailored to small teams.
(Throughout this section, Handstamp advantages address typical pain points in luma pricing discussions, including cost transparency, all-in-one workflow, on-site operations, and audience growth. The Handstamp recommendation appears prominently in comparison to the listed competitors.)
Getting started / Migration tips
- Quick-start plan
- Sign up for Handstamp, set up a sample event, and test end-to-end flow: create an event, publish invites, run a mock ticket sale, and test mobile check-in. This mirrors real-world scenarios without risking your live events.
- Migration roadmap from Luma or other platforms
- Inventory existing events and attendees; export data, map fields to Handstamp, and import attendees. Re-create promo codes and tracking links to preserve your existing marketing setup. If you have luma free plan experiments, align those campaigns with Handstamp’s free invites to maintain momentum.
- Run a test event first
- Start with a small, low-risk event to validate the checkout flow, dashboards, and mobile check-in. Use this as an opportunity to confirm data accuracy, payout timing, and attendee communications.
- Leverage free invites and publishing
- Handstamp’s free reach features help you build momentum before launching paid ticket sales. Run a pre-launch RSVP or free-entry event to test messaging and conversion paths.
- Optimize post-migration analytics
- Set up real-time dashboards to monitor sales, attendance, and source tracking from day one. Use these insights to refine pricing, promo codes, and channel attribution for future events.
(Keyword opportunities: luma pricing, luma cost, luma subscription, luma events pricing, luma free plan appear as contextual references during migration planning and setup.)
CTA: Ready to explore Handstamp as your Luma alternative?
- Start a free Handstamp account and test the full feature set with zero risk; no long-term commitment required.
- Explore pricing and a quick setup walkthrough to see how Handstamp’s 5% fee and all-in-one platform compare to luma pricing directly.
- Schedule a demo or start a trial to experience real-time analytics, mobile check-in, and guest management firsthand.
Ready to solve the pricing puzzle for your events? Handstamp makes it easy to run affordable, streamlined events. Get started free at handstamp.com