The short answer
Set two limits: how many tickets fit in one order, and how many one buyer can hold in total. Together they stop most bulk buying. For a popular release, add a clear on-sale time so everyone has the same chance.
No limit is perfect. Someone determined can use a second email address. But limits stop the common case, which is one keen person buying for a whole group, or a reseller hoping to flip tickets.
Per order and per buyer are different
- A cap per order limits one checkout. Someone can still come back and buy again.
- A cap per buyer limits the total one person can hold, across all their orders, usually by email address.
For most events, a per-order cap of 4 to 6 and a per-buyer cap of the same number is plenty. If your event is for couples or families, set it to fit them, not below.
Decide what is fair for your event
Think about who you want in the room:
- A small class or workshop. One or two each, so regulars do not crowd out new people.
- A social night. Four to six, so friends can book together.
- A school or club event. Higher, because one parent often books for the whole family.
- A high-demand show. Lower, and say so before tickets go on sale.
Write the limit on your event page. People take it better when they know in advance.
Make the release fair
If you expect a rush, announce an exact time tickets go on sale and stick to it. Hide the ticket until then rather than letting a few early visitors find it. Post the link at the on-sale time, not before.
For members-first or loyal-regulars releases, a hidden ticket type with an access code lets the right people in first, then open general sales later.
What limits will not do
A limit is not identity checking. If you are worried about resale at a big markup, the honest answer is that a small event cannot stop it entirely. What helps is making names matter: ask for each attendee’s name at checkout, and check names at the door if you need to.
On One Ticket
Each event can set a maximum number of tickets per order, up to 25. Each ticket type can also set a maximum per person, counted by email address across every order, and a Gmail dot or a +tag does not make a new address. A ticket that admits several people, like a table of eight, counts as one ticket against both, and one order holds up to 25 people: three tables of eight. A secret ticket type is only shown to people with its access code, so you can run a members-first release. And a ticket type can be hidden until its sales start time, so nobody finds it early.
You can also ask a question for each ticket holder, like their name, so you know who is coming, not just who paid. Tickets you add yourself at the box office are not held to the per-order limits, so you can still book a big group on purpose. And if one buyer keeps causing trouble, you can block their email address from one ticket type or from all of them; they are turned away at checkout.
Related: Member and non-member pricing for events, How do I set a capacity for my event? and When should I put tickets on sale?
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.