The short answer
They should not have to. A buyer needs to give a name, an email address and, for a paid ticket, a card. Asking them to make an account and choose a password before they can pay adds a step, and every extra step loses some people, especially on a phone.
The ticket arrives by email. If they need it again, a good platform lets them find it with just their email address.
Why accounts put people off
Think about the last time you bought something once from a site you might never use again. Being asked to create a password is the moment many people close the tab. For an event, where someone might be booking on the bus after seeing your post, that moment matters.
There are also people who simply do not want another account: older guests, busy parents, someone booking for their whole family.
What buyers do need
- A name, so you know who is coming.
- An email address, so the ticket can be sent and they can be reminded.
- Payment details for a paid ticket.
- Answers to your questions, if you added any.
That is enough to run a great event.
Finding tickets later
The usual worry is: “What if they lose the email?” The answer is a way to look up tickets without a password, typically a one-time code sent to the email they booked with. They get in, see their tickets, and they are done.
When an account does help
For people who come every week, being able to see all their tickets and manage a subscription in one place is useful. That works best when it is optional, and when it does not need yet another password.
On One Ticket
Attendees do not need an account to buy a ticket. They give their name and email, answer any questions you set, and pay by card for a paid ticket. Each ticket arrives by email with a QR code and a calendar file.
Every ticket someone holds is on one page, their tickets. Sign-in is passwordless: they enter the email they booked with and get a code. From there they can see their tickets, ask for or make a refund where your policy allows, and manage a subscription.
Related: How do I know a ticket confirmation email is real?, What if someone loses their ticket at the door? and How to make event tickets with QR codes.
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.