The short answer
Most ticketing platforms have a setting that hides the “only X left” count on the event page. Turn it on when a low count would put people off, like an event that is selling slowly, and leave it off when scarcity would help, like the last few places of a popular night.
The cap still works either way. Hiding the number only changes what buyers see.
When showing the count helps
A visible count can nudge people to book:
- the last few places of an event that always fills
- an early-bird allocation running out
- a small class where people know places are limited
“Only 4 left” is a real reason to book now, and it is true.
When it hurts
A count can also work against you:
- Early days. “92 of 100 left” a month out tells people there is no rush.
- A slow seller. A big number left can make an event look unpopular, even when it is fine.
- A small room. “3 left” on a class of 8 is normal, but it can scare off a beginner who thinks it is nearly full of experts.
If the number does not help someone decide, hide it.
Think about each ticket type
You do not have to treat every ticket the same. The count can be useful on a small early-bird allocation, where “6 left” is a real nudge, and unhelpful on a big general admission type with plenty to go. If your platform only hides the count for the whole event, decide which matters more for this one.
Do not fake scarcity
Never set a lower cap than you have just to make the count look urgent, then quietly raise it. People notice when “2 left” stays “2 left” for a week, and it costs you trust for every event after.
Other ways to show demand
If you hide the count, you can still show momentum honestly:
- post when you pass a milestone, like half sold
- say when an early-bird price is ending
- mention when a previous event sold out
On One Ticket
Each event has a setting to hide how many tickets are remaining. With it on, buyers do not see the “Only 3 left” count on a ticket type that has a limit. The capacity still applies, and the ticket type still shows as sold out when it is full.
The count you see as the organiser does not change: your events list and the attendee list still show how many have sold of each ticket type.
Related: How do I set a capacity for my event?, Silent disco tickets and How do I set up early-bird tickets?
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.