{"question": "best event management software for small businesses", "category": "event-management-software", "category_name": "event management software", "audience": "small-businesses", "audience_name": "small businesses", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-09-07T00:25:25Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/event-management-software-small-businesses-2026-09-07", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/event-management-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Eventbrite", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Luma", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Luma Plus", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Ticket Tailor", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "RSVPify", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Whova", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "HeySummit", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Skip Cvent", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Cvent", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "HoneyBook", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Dubsado", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Airtable", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.simpletix.com/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026/", "domain": "simpletix.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.eventcloud.io/blog/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026", "domain": "eventcloud.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://eventbritealternatives.com/blog/lowest-fee-ticketing-platform", "domain": "eventbritealternatives.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/176614/RSVPify/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.stackscored.com/pricing/event-management/", "domain": "stackscored.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://whova.com/blog/cvent-alternatives-competitors/", "domain": "whova.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://heysummit.com/blog/event-management-software-for-small-businesses", "domain": "heysummit.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://dryfta.com/top-10-cost-effective-event-management-platforms-in-2026/", "domain": "dryfta.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "Here's what I'd actually recommend, in the order I'd try them:\n\n**1. Eventbrite** - the default for public, paid, in-person events. Zero upfront cost, an event page live in minutes, and its own discovery marketplace that brings some traffic. The catch is fees: in the US it's **3.7% + $1.79 per ticket plus 2.9% payment processing**, which is ~13.8% on a $25 ticket and ~10% on a $50 one. Great for low-volume or first events, expensive once you're selling hundreds of tickets. ([SimpleTix breakdown](https://www.simpletix.com/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026/), [Eventcloud](https://www.eventcloud.io/blog/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026))\n\n**2. Luma (lu.ma)** - best for free/RSVP events, meetups, workshops, and recurring community stuff. RSVP-only events are free, paid ticketing is 5% on the free plan, and **Luma Plus (~$59/mo billed annually)** drops the platform fee entirely. Cleanest UX of the bunch and the fastest to set up. ([EventbriteAlternatives fee comparison](https://eventbritealternatives.com/blog/lowest-fee-ticketing-platform))\n\n**3. Ticket Tailor** - the one to switch to when Eventbrite's percentage starts hurting. It charges a **flat per-ticket fee (~$0.28-$0.65 depending on v", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}