The short answer
Often yes, but read the small print. Many ticketing sites let you list a free event at no cost, then charge in other ways: a fee per registration, a cap on free tickets per month, or features that only come with a paid plan. A free event is only free if nobody pays anything, the organiser or the guest.
On One Ticket a free ticket costs nothing to anyone, and you do not need to connect Stripe to give them out.
Where the cost can hide
When a site says free events are free, check these:
- A fee per free ticket. Some platforms charge a small amount for each registration, even when the guest pays nothing.
- A limit on the free plan. A cap on how many free tickets, events or emails you get before you are asked to upgrade.
- Locked features. Questions at checkout, check-in at the door or exporting your list can sit behind a paid plan.
- Donations or add-ons at checkout. Not a fee to you, but your guest may be asked for money on the way through, which can feel odd on a free event.
None of these are bad on their own. You just want to know before you share the link.
What a free event still needs
Free events still need a number. The venue wants to know how many chairs, the caterer wants a headcount, and you want to know whether to book a bigger room. A good free registration gives you:
- a cap, so you do not take more people than the room holds
- a ticket or confirmation each guest can find again
- a reminder before the day, which helps people actually turn up
- a list you can check people off at the door
If a free tool does not do these, you may end up doing them by hand in a spreadsheet.
A small price is a choice, not a fee
Some organisers charge a few dollars for a free-to-run event to cut no-shows, then refund it or put it toward drinks. That is a decision about your event, not a platform cost. If you go that way, say clearly what the money is for. Our post on no-shows at free events covers the trade-off.
On One Ticket
Free tickets carry no booking fee and no organiser fee, on every plan. You can give them out without connecting Stripe. Each guest gets a ticket by email with a QR code, and the reminders the day before and the morning of go out for free events too.
There is one limit to know about. The Free plan sells up to 500 tickets and sends up to 500 emails a day. That is plenty for most community events, but if you expect a big rush of free bookings in one day, contact support first. Pro and Team raise the limits. Pro and Team are open now: upgrade any time in Settings › Plan. Limited-time offer: A$1 for your first year (first 100 organisers), then A$29/month for Pro or A$79/month for Team. Cancel anytime.
Related: Best free event booking websites in Australia, How to take free registrations for an event and How to stop no-shows at a free event.
Answers to your questions
Is One Ticket free to use?
Yes. The Free plan has everything you need to sell tickets, with no monthly cost, no setup fee, no payout fee and no card needed. Pro and Team are open now: upgrade any time in Settings › Plan. Limited-time offer: A$1 for your first year (first 100 organisers), then A$29/month for Pro or A$79/month for Team. Cancel anytime.
Who pays the booking fee?
The buyer, on a paid ticket, on top of the price you set, so you receive 100% of your ticket price. Free tickets carry no fee.
When do I get paid?
Ticket money goes to your own Stripe account, with no payout fee from One Ticket. Until your first paid event has gone cleanly, it is paid out two days after each event; after that, it is paid out as it sells.
Can I run a free event?
Yes. A free ticket costs nobody anything, and you don’t need Stripe connected to run a free event.
Do people need an account to book?
No. They book on their phone or computer without an account, and their tickets arrive by email with a QR code to show at the door.