Best Event Ticketing Plugins for WordPress

Selling tickets directly through your WordPress site keeps more revenue in your pocket while providing complete control over the attendee experience. Instead of redirecting visitors to third-party platforms and losing commissions on every sale, modern ticketing plugins integrate seamlessly into your existing WordPress workflow.

This guide explores the best event ticketing plugins for WordPress, from commission-free solutions to feature-rich platforms handling complex seating arrangements. Find the perfect ticketing system for your events, whether you’re selling tickets for small workshops or major conferences.

Top Event Ticketing Plugins for WordPress

1. The Events Calendar + Event Tickets – Best Commission-Free Ticketing

The Events Calendar’s ticketing solution stands apart by charging zero commissions on ticket sales. While platforms like Eventbrite take a cut of every transaction, The Events Calendar lets you keep 100% of your ticket revenue (minus payment processor fees). For high-volume events, this difference adds up significantly.

The ticketing system integrates directly into event pages with no redirect to external checkout. Attendees purchase tickets on your site, maintaining your brand experience throughout. The drag-and-drop seating map builder enables assigned seating with per-section pricing, while QR code check-in sync streamlines event day operations.

• Zero Commission on all ticket sales
• Native WordPress Checkout with no external redirect
• Drag-and-Drop Seating Maps for assigned seating
• QR Code Check-In with mobile app sync
• Multiple Ticket Types with capacity limits
• Attendee Management with export capabilities

Pricing: Free Event Tickets plugin for RSVP and basic ticketing. Event Tickets Plus from $149/year adds WooCommerce integration, seating maps, and advanced features.

Best For: Event organizers wanting to maximize ticket revenue with commission-free sales and professional seating features.

2. Event Tickets (Free Plugin) – Best Free RSVP Solution

Event Tickets, the free companion to The Events Calendar, provides RSVP management and basic ticketing without premium costs. Perfect for free events, community gatherings, or testing ticket sales before upgrading to paid features.

The plugin works independently or integrates with The Events Calendar for enhanced functionality. Attendee lists, confirmation emails, and capacity management come included at no cost.

• Free RSVP Management for events
• Basic Ticket Sales with PayPal integration
• Attendee Lists with CSV export
• Email Confirmations automatic
• Works Standalone or with Events Calendar

Pricing: Free forever for core RSVP and basic ticketing features.

Best For: Free events, community organizations, and those starting with event ticketing.

3. WooCommerce Box Office – Best for WooCommerce Stores

WooCommerce Box Office turns tickets into WooCommerce products, leveraging the full power of WooCommerce’s checkout, payment gateways, and order management. Ideal for stores already using WooCommerce wanting to add event ticketing to their product catalog.

Tickets inherit WooCommerce’s extensive payment options and integrate with existing cart workflows. Attendee data collection and email ticketing streamline the purchase experience.

• WooCommerce Integration native product type
• All Payment Gateways supported
• PDF Tickets with barcodes
• Attendee Fields customizable
• Coupon Support from WooCommerce

Pricing: $129/year from WooCommerce.com.

Best For: WooCommerce stores adding events to their product offerings.

4. Event Espresso – Best for Complex Registration

Event Espresso handles complex registration scenarios including multi-day events, workshops with prerequisites, and tiered pricing. The plugin excels at educational events, conferences with breakout sessions, and events requiring detailed attendee information.

Registration form customization allows collecting exactly the information you need. Waitlist management and group registration round out enterprise-level capabilities.

• Complex Registration Forms fully customizable
• Multi-Day Event Support with sessions
• Waitlist Management automatic
• Group Registration capabilities
• Promotional Codes and early bird pricing

Pricing: Personal at $99.95/year, Business at $299.95/year.

Best For: Educational institutions, conferences, and events requiring complex registration workflows.

5. Tickera – Best for Check-In Features

Tickera focuses on the complete ticket lifecycle from sale through check-in. The plugin generates print-ready PDF tickets with scannable barcodes and provides dedicated iOS/Android apps for door scanning. Check-in status syncs in real-time across devices.

WooCommerce or standalone operation provides flexibility in payment handling. White-label ticket templates maintain your branding throughout.

• Mobile Check-In Apps for iOS and Android
• PDF Tickets with barcodes
• Real-Time Sync across scanners
• White-Label Templates for branding
• Seating Charts available

Pricing: From $49 one-time for basic, $149 for premium features.

Best For: Events prioritizing smooth check-in operations with mobile scanning.

6. Modern Events Calendar + Tickets – Best Visual Ticket Pages

Modern Events Calendar pairs beautiful event displays with integrated ticketing through its WooCommerce addon. The visually-focused approach creates attractive ticket purchase pages that match sophisticated event designs.

Ticket variations support multiple pricing tiers, while countdown timers and limited availability messaging create urgency that drives conversions.

• Beautiful Ticket Pages matching calendar design
• WooCommerce Checkout integration
• Ticket Variations with pricing tiers
• Urgency Features countdown, limited stock
• 40+ Calendar Skins for display

Pricing: MEC Pro from $79/year, WooCommerce integration addon additional.

Best For: Events prioritizing visual design and attractive ticket purchase experiences.

7. Eventin – Best Gutenberg Integration

Eventin provides a modern block-based approach to event ticketing, fully embracing Gutenberg for creating event and ticket pages. The plugin works well for sites using the block editor exclusively.

Built-in ticketing includes multiple ticket types, early bird pricing, and attendee management. Integration options span WooCommerce, Stripe, and PayPal.

• Gutenberg Blocks for event building
• Multiple Ticket Types per event
• Early Bird Pricing time-based
• Speaker Management for conferences
• Schedule Builder for multi-track events

Pricing: Free version available. Pro from $59/year.

Best For: Block editor users wanting modern event and ticketing workflows.

8. EventPrime – Best for Multi-Organizer Ticketing

EventPrime enables multiple organizers to submit events and sell tickets through your platform. The front-end dashboard lets organizers manage their own events, tickets, and attendees without admin access.

Revenue splitting supports marketplace models where you take a percentage of ticket sales. Perfect for community platforms and event directories.

• Multi-Organizer Support with front-end management
• Revenue Splitting for marketplaces
• Front-End Dashboard for organizers
• Multiple Payment Gateways supported
• Attendee Management per organizer

Pricing: Free version available. Pro from $79/year.

Best For: Event marketplaces and directories with multiple organizers selling tickets.

9. Registrations for The Events Calendar – Best Lightweight Extension

This third-party addon adds registration forms to The Events Calendar without the complexity of full ticketing systems. Simple registration fields, waitlist support, and email notifications cover basic needs effectively.

Ideal for free events requiring registration without payment processing.

• Simple Registration Forms for events
• Waitlist Support when full
• Email Notifications automated
• Attendee Reports exportable
• Events Calendar Integration seamless

Pricing: From $29/year single site.

Best For: Free events requiring registration without payment complexity.

10. Simply Schedule Appointments – Best for Paid Sessions

Simply Schedule Appointments handles paid appointment-style events where attendees book specific time slots. The plugin manages availability, payments, and confirmation for workshops, consultations, and small group sessions.

Stripe and PayPal integration process payments at booking. Google Calendar and Zoom integrations automate scheduling workflows.

• Time Slot Booking with availability
• Payment at Booking Stripe/PayPal
• Zoom Integration for virtual sessions
• Google Calendar Sync automatic
• SMS Reminders available

Pricing: Free version available. Plus at $99/year, Professional at $199/year.

Best For: Workshops, consultations, and time-slot based paid events.

Feature Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best WordPress plugin for selling event tickets?

The Events Calendar with Event Tickets Plus provides the best combination of features and value with zero commission on ticket sales. Unlike Eventbrite or other platforms that take a percentage of every sale, you keep 100% of ticket revenue while getting professional features like seating maps and QR check-in.

Do WordPress ticket plugins charge commissions?

WordPress-based ticketing plugins typically don’t charge commissions – you only pay the plugin cost and payment processor fees. This differs from platforms like Eventbrite that charge per-ticket fees. For high-volume events, WordPress plugins save significant money compared to external ticketing platforms.

Can I sell tickets without The Events Calendar?

Yes, plugins like Event Tickets work standalone without a calendar plugin. WooCommerce Box Office integrates with WooCommerce stores. Event Espresso and Tickera also function independently. However, combining with a calendar plugin provides better event discovery and attendee experience.

How do WordPress ticket plugins handle payment processing?

Most plugins integrate with Stripe, PayPal, or WooCommerce for payment processing. You’ll pay standard processor fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for Stripe/PayPal) but no additional commission to the plugin. Some plugins support additional gateways for specific regions.

Can I create seating maps for assigned seating events?

The Events Calendar’s Event Tickets Plus includes a drag-and-drop seating map builder for assigned seating with per-section pricing. Tickera also offers seating chart functionality. These features let attendees select specific seats during purchase, essential for theaters, conferences, and formal events.

How do check-in features work?

Ticket plugins generate unique barcodes or QR codes on each ticket. Companion mobile apps (The Events Calendar, Tickera) scan codes at doors, verifying validity and preventing duplicate entry. Check-in status syncs in real-time across multiple scanning devices for large events.

Can I offer different ticket types and pricing tiers?

All professional ticketing plugins support multiple ticket types per event with different prices, capacities, and availability windows. This enables early bird pricing, VIP tiers, group discounts, and member pricing. Some plugins add ticket variations like merchandise bundles.

How do I handle refunds and cancellations?

Refund handling depends on your payment processor and plugin combination. Most plugins track ticket status when you issue refunds through Stripe or PayPal. Some plugins include built-in refund management, while others rely on WooCommerce’s order management for refund workflows.

Can attendees receive PDF tickets?

Most premium ticketing plugins generate PDF tickets automatically sent via email after purchase. PDFs include event details, barcodes for scanning, and can be customized with your branding. Attendees can print or display on mobile devices for check-in.

Do ticket plugins work with virtual events?

Many plugins integrate with Zoom, YouTube Live, or other streaming platforms. Ticket holders receive access links or unique join URLs. Some plugins reveal virtual access details only after purchase, while others integrate directly with webinar platforms for registration sync.

How do I collect attendee information during purchase?

Ticket plugins include customizable registration forms collecting information per attendee or per order. Fields can be required or optional. Some plugins support conditional fields, dietary preferences, t-shirt sizes, and other custom data needed for event planning.

Can I sell tickets for free events?

Yes, most plugins support free tickets and RSVP-only events. The free Event Tickets plugin handles this without premium costs. Free ticketing still provides attendee management, capacity limits, and confirmation emails – useful for tracking attendance at no-cost events.

Final Thoughts

WordPress ticketing plugins offer a compelling alternative to external platforms, eliminating commissions and keeping attendees on your site throughout the purchase experience. The Events Calendar with Event Tickets Plus stands out for commission-free sales, professional seating maps, and seamless QR check-in operations.

For WooCommerce stores, Box Office provides native integration. Event Espresso handles complex registration scenarios. Whatever you choose, WordPress-based ticketing keeps more revenue in your pocket while providing professional event experiences.

Related: Best Event Management Plugins | Best WooCommerce Plugins | Best Membership Plugins