Complete Price Comparison
See exactly what you'll pay with each platform based on your ticket price and sales volume.
| Platform | Buyer Fee Structure | Fee on $15 Ticket | Fee on $25 Ticket | Studio Cost | Setup Fees | Best For Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StageStubs | 3.5% + $0.50 | $1.03 | $1.38 | Free | $0 | BEST OVERALL |
| CUR8 | $1 + 3.5% | $1.53 | $1.88 | Free | $0 | HYBRID EVENTS |
| BookTix | 3.75% + $0.90 | $1.46 | $1.84 | Free | $0 | SCHOOLS |
| TutuTix | $1 + 5% | $1.75 | $2.25 | Free | $0 | FULL SERVICE |
| DRTix | ~$1.60-2.10 flat | $1.60 | $2.10 | Free | $0 | BALANCE LOCK |
| DSP Ticketing | 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.74 | $1.03 | $25-75/mo* | Included | DSP CLIENTS |
Lowest Fee Dance Ticketing Platforms
Detailed breakdown of the most affordable dance recital ticketing options.
StageStubs
Fee structure: 3.5% + $0.50 per ticket
StageStubs consistently offers the lowest buyer fees for most ticket price points. For a typical $15-25 recital ticket, patrons will pay just $1.03-1.38 in fees.
Best for: Studios selling tickets in the $10-30 range who want the absolute lowest fees while maintaining professional features.
Cost-saving highlights:
- ✓ No monthly subscription required
- ✓ Self-setup in 15 minutes (no setup fees)
- ✓ Works internationally (UK/EU/US)
- ✓ Weekly payouts (cash flow friendly)
DSP Ticketing
Fee structure: 2.9% + $0.30 per ticket (Stripe direct)
While DSP Ticketing offers the lowest percentage fee, it's only available to studios already paying for DanceStudio-Pro software ($25-75/month).
Best for: Current DanceStudio-Pro subscribers who want integrated ticketing with tuition balance enforcement.
Cost-saving highlights:
- ✓ Lowest percentage fee (if already paying for DSP)
- ✓ Integrated with parent portal login
- ✓ Instant payouts via Stripe
- ✓ Auto-blocks families with unpaid tuition
BookTix
Fee: 3.75% + $0.90
School-friendly, good for fundraising with flex-fee options.
CUR8
Fee: $1 + 3.5%
Good value if you need streaming + in-person ticketing.
TutuTix
Fee: $1 + 5%
Higher fee but includes call center and printed tickets.
Real-World Cost Examples
See how fees compare in common recital scenarios
Small Studio: 100 Seats @ $20
Large Studio: 500 Seats @ $25
Money-Saving Ticketing Tips
Smart strategies to reduce costs while maintaining a professional ticketing experience
Bundle Show Packages
Create multi-show bundles to reduce per-ticket fees. A 3-show package means 1 fee instead of 3 separate ticket fees.
Higher Base Price
Percentage-based fees are less impactful at higher price points. Consider $25 tickets instead of multiple $15 tickets for families.
Early-Bird Pricing
Offer early-bird discounts to drive advance sales, improving your cash flow and reducing last-minute support costs.
Self-Setup Options
Choose platforms with DIY options like StageStubs or BookTix, where you can create and manage your event without paying for staff assistance.
Skip Unnecessary Features
Only pay for what you need. If you don't need mailed tickets (TutuTix) or livestreaming (CUR8), choose a more basic solution.
Pass Fees to Buyers
Set your ticket price to cover your costs, then let the platform add their fee on top. All platforms support this approach.
Budget Ticketing FAQ
Common questions about finding affordable dance recital ticketing
Can I avoid ticketing fees entirely?
Not entirely, but you can minimize them. You could use a DIY solution like Square or PayPal for payments (2.9% + $0.30 fee), but you'd lose reserved seating, automatic ticket delivery, and reporting features. For most studios, the convenience and professionalism of a dedicated ticketing platform is worth the modest fee.
Who pays the credit card processing fee?
In all major platforms, the credit card processing fee is included in the buyer fee. This is why StageStubs (3.5% + $0.50) and similar fee structures exist - the percentage roughly covers the card processing costs. Studios don't pay additional processing fees on top of the advertised structure.
Do I need reserved seating for a small recital?
For recitals under 100 seats, general admission usually works fine and can simplify your ticketing. However, for multiple shows or when parents want guaranteed seats together, reserved seating reduces day-of stress and family complaints. Most budget-friendly platforms (StageStubs, BookTix) include reserved seating at no extra cost.
Bottom Line
For most studios seeking budget-friendly ticketing, StageStubs offers the best combination of low fees, professional features, and ease of use. For studios already using DanceStudio-Pro, their integrated ticketing provides the lowest percentage fees.
Remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best value — consider customer support quality, reliability, and feature set alongside the fee structure.