Two popular tools, two very different purposes. Eventbrite is a ticketing and discovery platform. ScanQueue is built from the ground up for queue management and check-in. Here is how they compare.
Eventbrite is best for ticket sales and event discovery. ScanQueue is best for on-site queue management and check-in flow. Many organizers use both—selling tickets on Eventbrite and managing day-of operations with ScanQueue.
Here is how the two platforms compare across the features that matter most for event day operations.
| Feature | Eventbrite | ScanQueue |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Ticketing & discovery | Queue management & check-in |
| Check-in flow | Basic scan via app ✓ | QR scan + name search + queue ✓ |
| Queue management | Not available ✗ | Full queue system ✓ |
| SMS/WhatsApp notifications | Not available ✗ | Built-in ✓ |
| Multi-counter support | Limited | Unlimited counters ✓ |
| Ticket sales | Full payment processing ✓ | Not available ✗ |
| Event discovery | Large marketplace ✓ | Not available ✗ |
| App requirement | Organizer app required | No app needed (browser-based) ✓ |
| Setup time | 15-30 min (full event page) | Under 5 min ✓ |
| Analytics | Sales-focused dashboards | Check-in & queue analytics ✓ |
| TV display mode | Not available ✗ | Built-in display board ✓ |
| Pricing | Free (free events), % fee on paid | Free tier, flat monthly plans |
Eventbrite offers a dedicated Organizer app for scanning tickets at the door. It works well for straightforward admission: scan the barcode, confirm the name, let them through. For simple ticketed events, it gets the job done.
Where ScanQueue excels is in managing what happens after the scan. Need to queue attendees for different sessions? Route them to specific counters? Notify them via SMS when their turn comes? ScanQueue was built for exactly these workflows. It also runs entirely in the browser—no app download required for staff.
This is the fundamental difference. Eventbrite does not have queue management capabilities. Once a ticket is scanned, Eventbrite's job is done. There is no system for managing lines, wait times, or service order.
ScanQueue's core feature is the queue itself. Attendees join a digital queue, receive real-time position updates via SMS or WhatsApp, and get notified when it is their turn. For events with registration desks, food stations, demo booths, or any situation where people wait in line, this is the gap Eventbrite cannot fill.
Eventbrite sends pre-event emails (confirmations, reminders) but has no real-time on-site messaging capability. If you need to tell attendees their session is about to start or their table is ready, you are on your own.
ScanQueue sends SMS and WhatsApp messages in real time. Attendees get notified when they are added to a queue, when their position changes, and when it is their turn. This eliminates the need for attendees to physically stand in line.
Eventbrite is free for free events. For paid events, it charges a service fee (typically around 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket, though rates vary by region and plan). This percentage model means costs scale directly with ticket price and volume.
ScanQueue offers a free plan for up to 10 check-ins per month. Paid plans use flat monthly pricing regardless of event size or ticket price. For organizers running frequent events or events with expensive tickets, the flat-rate model can be significantly more economical.
Eventbrite genuinely wins in several important scenarios:
Many successful event organizers combine both platforms, using each for what it does best:
This combination gives you the best of both worlds: Eventbrite's ticketing power and ScanQueue's on-site management capabilities.
Yes. Many organizers sell tickets through Eventbrite and then use ScanQueue for on-site queue management and check-in. Export your Eventbrite attendee list as a CSV and import it into ScanQueue in minutes.
No. Eventbrite's check-in feature is limited to scanning tickets at the door. It does not offer queue management, wait-time tracking, SMS notifications for queue position, or multi-counter routing. For these features, you need a dedicated tool like ScanQueue.
For free events, both platforms are free to use. For paid events, Eventbrite charges a percentage of each ticket sale, while ScanQueue uses flat monthly pricing. For small free events, ScanQueue's free tier (10 check-ins/month) may be all you need.
No. ScanQueue focuses entirely on queue management and check-in operations. If you need to sell tickets, use Eventbrite or another ticketing platform for sales, then use ScanQueue for on-site management.
Whether you use Eventbrite for ticketing or not, ScanQueue gives you the queue management tools your event needs. Set up in under 5 minutes.
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