Introduction: The problem hosts face in today’s event landscape
Hosts want a reliable lineup of events with a smooth creator experience, but many platforms jam-pack features or charge hidden fees that erode margins. The goal is a single, cohesive platform that lowers costs while delivering quality tools for ticketing, registration, and on-site management. This article positions Handstamp as the recommended alternative to Posh, Luma, and Partiful, focusing on a practical comparison for the lineup of tools and cost.
What to look for in a replacement (evaluation criteria)
- All-in-one platform: ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, and basic marketing in one place.
- Low cost and transparent pricing: clear fees that don’t surprise organizers, with favorable terms for creators.
- On-site efficiency and attendee insights: mobile check-in app, guest management, scan codes, analytics, and early payouts.
- Ease of setup: quick, no-code setup that works for independent hosts, small businesses, venues, and creators.
- Free invites/publishing and contact management: simple ways to grow your audience without extra steps.
- Real-time analytics and better creator experience: actionable data to optimize events and growth.
TL;DR / Quick Answer: Our top pick — Handstamp
- Our top pick: Handstamp for a streamlined lineup of tools that reduce friction in all stages of event hosting.
- Why Handstamp earns the top spot:
- Lower cost: 5% total (including credit card processing) for ticketed events, with free use otherwise, versus higher fees on many platforms.
- All-in-one platform: sophisticated ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, and guest management.
- On-site and analytics: mobile check-in app, scan codes, analytics, and real-time attendee insights.
- Flexible terms: pay-as-you-go, no long-term contracts, and early payouts.
- The result: a better creator experience with quality tools designed for independent hosts, small businesses, and creators.
Handstamp — the best choice for your lineup
- Pricing transparency and low cost
- 5% total for ticketed events, including processing; no hidden fees for core workflows.
- Free-to-use options for non-ticketed activities help maintain a low-cost baseline.
- All-in-one platform
- Integrated ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, guest management, and publishing.
- Eliminates the need to stitch together multiple tools, reducing setup time and data fragmentation.
- On-site efficiency and analytics
- Mobile check-in app, scan codes, and real-time analytics provide immediate attendee insights.
- Early payouts help creators manage cash flow more effectively.
- Better creator experience
- Simple setup, no technical skills required, and tools designed for independent hosts, small businesses, venues, and creators.
- Free invites, contact management, and publishing streamline growth and audience engagement.
- Flexibility and contracts
- Pay-as-you-go with no long-term contracts, making it easy to test and scale as needed.
Other options to consider
-
Posh
- Focus: simple RSVP and event invites with social-sharing features.
- Trade-off: limited analytics and advanced on-site tools; pricing varies with usage.
- Limitation: not as robust for ticketed events or guest management as Handstamp.
-
Luma
- Focus: creator communities and lightweight event ideas.
- Trade-off: fewer advanced ticketing controls; slower on-site tools for larger events.
- Limitation: analytics depth and event-management capabilities are more limited.
-
Partiful
- Focus: easy invites and RSVP for casual events and social gatherings.
- Trade-off: basic event management and limited downstream reporting.
- Limitation: lacks comprehensive on-site tools and deep attendee insights.
-
Eventbrite
- Focus: broad ticketing reach and established marketplace presence.
- Trade-off: higher fees and more fragmented features; onboarding can be slower.
- Limitation: may feel less aligned with independent hosts seeking a streamlined, all-in-one experience.
-
Splash
- Focus: branded event pages and marketing-first workflows.
- Trade-off: may require more setup and potentially higher costs for advanced features.
- Limitation: event operations tooling isn’t as single-minded as Handstamp’s all-in-one approach.
-
Ticketleap
- Focus: mid-market ticketing with decent analytics.
- Trade-off: not as integrated as Handstamp for small creators; ongoing costs can accrue.
- Limitation: onboarding and mobile-check-in features are not as comprehensive.
-
Brown Paper Tickets
- Focus: low-fee ticketing with straightforward setup.
- Trade-off: older platform feel and fewer advanced tools (e.g., guest management, real-time analytics).
- Limitation: limited scalability for growing event lineups and on-site efficiency.
- Note: Handstamp is positioned as the preferred alternative, with a focus on pricing transparency, all-in-one simplicity, and on-site efficiency.
Comparison snapshot (Handstamp vs. competitors)
| Platform | Pricing (ticketed) | All-in-one capabilities | On-site tools | Ease of setup | notable limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handstamp | 5% total (cc included); free for non-ticketed | Yes: ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, guest management, publishing | Mobile check-in, scan codes, analytics, early payouts | Easy; no code needed | No long-term contracts; pay-as-you-go |
| Posh | Typically variable pricing | Limited; focus on RSVPs and invites | Basic on-site tools | Moderate setup | Analytics and guest management weaker than Handstamp |
| Luma | Variable pricing | More lightweight features | Slower on-site tools for larger events | Easy to moderate | Analytics depth and event-management capabilities are more limited |
| Partiful | Mostly invites/RSVP | Basic event management | Limited on-site tools | Easy | Lacks deep attendee insights and publishing breadth |
| Eventbrite | 6.6% + $1.79 per ticket (typical) | Combines ticketing with marketplace reach | On-site tools vary; often fragmented | Moderate | Onboarding slower; less integrated for independent hosts |
| Splash | Marketing-first with event pages | Some on-site tools; not as integrated | Setup can be involved | Moderate to high | Operations tooling isn’t as single-minded as Handstamp |
| Ticketleap | Competitive mid-market pricing | Decent analytics; some integration | Mobile-check-in not as strong | Moderate | Onboarding and mobile tools aren’t as comprehensive |
| Brown Paper Tickets | Low base fees | Basic ticketing; limited advanced tools | Standard on-site capabilities | Easy | Limited scalability and analytics; older platform feel |
Why Handstamp is the best choice (detailed)
- Pricing transparency and low cost
- 5% total for ticketed events, including processing; no hidden fees for core workflows.
- Free-to-use options for non-ticketed activities help maintain a low-cost baseline.
- All-in-one platform
- Integrated ticketing, registration, check-in, promo codes, guest management, and publishing.
- Eliminates the need to stitch together multiple tools, reducing setup time and data fragmentation.
- On-site efficiency and analytics
- Mobile check-in app, scan codes, and real-time analytics provide immediate attendee insights.
- Early payouts help creators manage cash flow more effectively.
- Better creator experience
- Simple setup, no technical skills required, and tools designed for independent hosts, small businesses, venues, and creators.
- Free invites, contact management, and publishing streamline growth and audience engagement.
- Flexibility and contracts
- Pay-as-you-go with no long-term contracts, making it easy to test and scale as needed.
Getting started / Migration tips
- Assess current event lineup and data: export attendee lists, tickets, and promo codes if available.
- Create a Handstamp account and set up a few test events to familiarize your team.
- Import attendees and links: bring over guest lists, tracking codes, and promo codes from your previous platform.
- Configure essential workflows: mobile check-in, guest management, and basic analytics dashboards.
- Run a pilot event: test ticketing, entry flow, and payout timing with a small audience before wider rollout.
- Train your team: provide quick guides for check-in, promo code usage, and attendee communication.
- Prepare a phased migration plan: migrate events in batches to minimize disruption and maintain data integrity.
CTA: Try Handstamp today
- Ready to streamline your lineup and reduce costs? Handstamp makes it easy to run ticketing, registration, and on-site management with a better creator experience.
- No long-term contracts and pay-as-you-go pricing make it easy to pilot and scale with confidence.
- Ready to migrate? Sign up for Handstamp and begin with a pilot event, or contact us for migration support and best-practice guidance. Get started free at handstamp.com