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SOLDOUT.COM is a leading resale marketplace. Ticket prices may be above or below face value. No hidden fees — just a flat $9.95 per order on all digital tickets.
Ticket Fees Explained: Why You Pay More at Checkout and How to Avoid It
A real-world breakdown of hidden ticket fees across 5 major platforms -- with actual checkout data for Monster Jam, Cubs tickets, and Lady Gaga -- so you know exactly how much you are really paying before you buy.
Quick Answer
Most major ticket platforms add between 20% and 37% in service fees on top of the listed ticket price -- fees that only appear at the final checkout screen. On a $200 ticket that can mean $40 to $75 in fees added per ticket.
SOLDOUT.COM charges a single flat fee of $9.95 per order for digital tickets and $19.95 per order for physical tickets -- regardless of how many tickets are in your order or what the ticket price is. That is the lowest fee structure in the industry.
In This Guide
What Are Ticket Service Fees?
When you buy tickets online, the price you see in search results or on a listing page is almost never the price you actually pay. Most platforms add one or more fees on top of the listed ticket price that only become visible at the final checkout screen -- after you have already selected your seats, entered your payment information, and committed to the purchase in your mind.
These fees go by different names depending on the platform -- service fees, convenience fees, facility fees, fulfillment fees, order fees, delivery fees -- but they all do the same thing: increase the total amount you pay beyond the advertised ticket price.
The practice of revealing fees only at the final checkout step is sometimes called drip pricing, and it is one of the most common and most criticized practices in the ticketing industry. Fans who comparison shop based on the listed ticket price routinely end up paying significantly more than they expected once fees are added -- and often more than they would have paid on a platform with a lower fee structure.
The number one mistake ticket buyers make: Comparing platforms based on the listed ticket price rather than the final checkout total. A lower listed price with high fees will almost always cost more than a higher listed price with low fees. Always compare totals -- not ticket prices.
Types of Fees You Will See at Checkout
Different platforms use different fee names and structures. Here are the most common types you will encounter:
Service Fee
The largest fee on most platforms. Charged per ticket as a percentage of the ticket price. This is where most of the hidden cost comes from -- on a $150 ticket a 30% service fee adds $45 per ticket before any other charges.
Order / Processing Fee
A flat or percentage fee charged once per order in addition to per-ticket fees. Some platforms charge both a per-ticket service fee and a separate per-order processing fee on top of it.
Delivery / Fulfillment Fee
Charged for the method of ticket delivery. Digital delivery fees are typically lower than physical shipping fees. On SOLDOUT.COM this is the only fee charged -- $9.95 for digital orders, $19.95 for physical.
Facility Fee
A fee passed through from the venue on primary market tickets. Less common on resale platforms but still appears on some listings. Usually a fixed amount per ticket rather than a percentage.
How SOLDOUT.COM is different: There is only one fee. A flat $9.95 per digital order or $19.95 per physical order. No service fees, no processing fees, no facility fees. The fee is the same whether you are buying 1 ticket or 10 tickets in a single order.
The Checkout Trap: How Drip Pricing Works Against You
Here is exactly how the checkout trap plays out on most major ticket platforms:
A Typical Checkout on a High-Fee Platform
Ticket listing price (per ticket)$150.00
You select 2 tickets$300.00
Service fee added at checkout (27% per ticket)+$81.00
Order processing fee added at checkout+$5.95
Delivery fee added at checkout+$2.95
Final total -- what you actually pay$389.90
The Same Order on SOLDOUT.COM
Ticket listing price (per ticket)$150.00
You select 2 tickets$300.00
Flat digital delivery fee -- entire order+$9.95
You save vs the high-fee platform$79.95
Final total$309.95
The key insight is that the fee gap grows with the ticket price and the number of tickets. Percentage-based fees compound. A platform charging 27% on a $300 order charges $81 in fees. On a $600 order it charges $162. On SOLDOUT.COM both orders cost $9.95 in fees. The more expensive the ticket and the more tickets you buy, the more you save.
2025 Fee Survey: How Every Major Platform Compares
According to a 2025 fee survey across major ticket resale platforms, here is how average service fees compare as a percentage of ticket value. These are buyer-facing fees added on top of the listed ticket price at checkout.
| Platform | Fee Structure | Avg. Fee Rate | On a $100 Ticket | On a $200 Ticket | On a $500 Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOLDOUT.COM | Flat per order | $9.95 total | $9.95 | $9.95 | $9.95 |
| Ticketmaster | Per ticket percentage | ~20.69% | ~$20.69 | ~$41.38 | ~$103.45 |
| StubHub | Per ticket percentage | ~27.76% | ~$27.76 | ~$55.52 | ~$138.80 |
| Vivid Seats | Per ticket percentage | ~31.29% | ~$31.29 | ~$62.58 | ~$156.45 |
| SeatGeek | Per ticket percentage | ~37.66% | ~$37.66 | ~$75.32 | ~$188.30 |
Notice what happens at higher ticket prices. On a $500 ticket SeatGeek adds approximately $188 in fees. SOLDOUT.COM adds $9.95. That is a difference of more than $178 on a single ticket purchase. For two tickets at that price the gap is over $366 -- all for the exact same seat at the exact same event.
Why percentage-based fees are more expensive than they look: A 27% fee sounds like a reasonable number until you apply it to a $400 concert ticket. At that point it adds $108 per ticket -- $216 on a two-ticket order -- before any other fees are added. Always convert the percentage to a dollar amount before comparing platforms.
Real Comparison 1: Monster Jam at Moody Center, Austin TX
Section 108, Row D -- 2 tickets -- Saturday June 6 -- same seats, same event, 5 platforms
| Platform | Ticket Price (2 tickets) | Fees | Order Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLDOUT.COM | $271.50 | $9.95 flat | $281.45 LOWEST |
| Gametime | $273.62 | $36.38 | $310.00 |
| StubHub | $261.00 | $86.00 | $347.00 |
| Vivid Seats | $276.95 | $76.72 | $353.67 |
| Event Ticket Center | $340.69 | $62.00 | $402.69 |
SOLDOUT.COM saves you vs StubHub: $65.55
vs Vivid Seats: $72.22
vs Event Ticket Center: $121.24
Browse Monster Jam tickets and Moody Center events
Real Comparison 2: Chicago Cubs vs Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field
Section 411L, Row 6 (Infield Upper Deck Reserved) -- 2 tickets -- Tuesday July 21 -- same seats, same game, 5 platforms
| Platform | Ticket Price (2 tickets) | Fees | Order Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLDOUT.COM | $78.00 | $9.95 flat | $87.95 LOWEST |
| StubHub | $74.00 | $30.00 | $104.00 |
| SeatGeek | $72.00 | $24.62 | $96.62 |
| Vivid Seats | $64.00 | $34.98 | $98.98 |
| Event Ticket Center | $100.00 | $20.00 | $120.00 |
SOLDOUT.COM saves you vs StubHub: $16.05
vs SeatGeek: $8.67
vs Event Ticket Center: $32.05
Browse Chicago Cubs tickets and Wrigley Field events
Real Comparison 3: Lady Gaga at TD Garden, Boston MA
2 tickets -- same seats, same show, 5 platforms
| Platform | Ticket Price (2 tickets) | Fees | Order Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLDOUT.COM | $922.00 | $9.95 flat | $931.95 LOWEST |
| Ticketmaster | $836.00 | $125.40 | $961.40 |
| StubHub | $742.00 | $222.00 | $964.00 |
| Vivid Seats | $728.00 | $258.10 | $986.10 |
| Event Ticket Center | $994.00 | $198.80 | $1,192.80 |
SOLDOUT.COM saves you vs Ticketmaster: $29.45
vs StubHub: $32.05
vs Vivid Seats: $54.15
vs Event Ticket Center: $260.85
The Per-Order Flat Fee Advantage: Why It Gets Better the More You Buy
Most people understand that a flat fee is better than a percentage fee. What fewer people realize is how much better it gets as your order size grows. Because SOLDOUT.COM charges $9.95 per order -- not per ticket -- the advantage compounds with every ticket you add.
| Order Size | Ticket Price Each | SOLDOUT.COM Fee | StubHub Fee (27.76%) | SeatGeek Fee (37.66%) | You Save vs SeatGeek |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ticket | $100 | $9.95 | $27.76 | $37.66 | $27.71 |
| 2 tickets | $100 each | $9.95 | $55.52 | $75.32 | $65.37 |
| 4 tickets | $100 each | $9.95 | $111.04 | $150.64 | $140.69 |
| 2 tickets | $250 each | $9.95 | $138.80 | $188.30 | $178.35 |
| 4 tickets | $250 each | $9.95 | $277.60 | $376.60 | $366.65 |
Buying 4 tickets at $250 each on SeatGeek adds $376.60 in fees on top of your $1,000 ticket cost. The same order on SOLDOUT.COM adds $9.95. That is a saving of $366.65 -- more than the cost of an additional ticket -- simply by choosing the right platform.
The flat fee works in your favor at every price point. Whether you are buying $40 upper level seats or $500 floor tickets, whether you are buying 1 ticket or 10, the fee is the same $9.95. No other major resale platform offers this.
Beyond Fees: The Protection That Comes With Every Order
Paying less in fees matters. But so does knowing your purchase is protected. Choosing the platform with the lowest fees and the strongest buyer protection is not a tradeoff -- on SOLDOUT.COM you get both.
100% Fan Guarantee
Every order on SOLDOUT.COM is backed by our Fan Guarantee. If your tickets are invalid, not delivered on time, or the event is permanently canceled, you are entitled to replacement tickets of equal or better value or a complete 100% refund. Read the full policy at soldout.com/money-back-guarantee.
Optional Ticket Protection
For larger purchases, optional ticket protection is available at checkout on select orders. If you are unable to attend due to a covered reason -- including a covered illness, a travel delay, or a weather emergency -- ticket protection can reimburse the full cost of your order. Because life happens and large ticket purchases deserve to be covered.
Seats Guaranteed Together
All tickets purchased in the same order are guaranteed to be side by side unless the listing clearly states otherwise. No surprises when you arrive and find your group split across different sections.
Secure Checkout
Every transaction is protected by 256-bit Starfield SSL encryption with daily Trust Guard and McAfee security scans. Your payment information and personal data are secured by bank-level encryption on every order.
Why SOLDOUT.COM Has the Lowest Fees in the Industry
Most ticket platforms charge percentage-based service fees because higher ticket prices mean higher fees -- and higher revenue for the platform. SOLDOUT.COM charges a flat fee because we believe the price you see should be close to the price you pay.
- $9.95 flat fee on all digital orders -- 1 ticket or 10 tickets, the fee is always $9.95. The industry lowest fee structure confirmed by a 2025 survey across 5 major platforms.
- $19.95 flat fee on physical ticket orders -- same flat-fee model for physical delivery, regardless of order size or ticket price.
- No hidden charges -- no service fees, no processing fees, no facility fees. The total you see before you confirm is the total you pay.
- 100% Fan Guarantee -- every order protected. Invalid ticket? Not delivered? Event canceled? Replacement tickets of equal or better value or a complete 100% refund.
- BBB A+ rated, 4.9 stars on Google, INTIX member -- verified credentials, real reviews, industry membership.
- Buy Now Pay Later -- flexible installment plans available through Affirm on select orders at checkout.
Browse verified tickets with the industry's lowest fees -- $9.95 flat on every digital order.
Browse Tickets on SOLDOUT.COMFrequently Asked Questions
Why are ticket fees so high?
Most ticket platforms charge percentage-based service fees that increase with ticket price. Because higher-priced tickets generate more fee revenue, platforms have little financial incentive to reduce fees. A platform charging 27% on a $300 ticket earns $81 in fees on a single transaction. This model is standard across the industry -- but SOLDOUT.COM operates differently with a flat $9.95 fee per digital order regardless of ticket price.
What ticket site has the lowest fees?
SOLDOUT.COM has the lowest fees of any major ticket resale platform. According to a 2025 fee survey, SOLDOUT.COM charges a flat $9.95 per digital order -- compared to approximately 20.69% at Ticketmaster, 27.76% at StubHub, 31.29% at Vivid Seats, and 37.66% at SeatGeek. On any order of more than one ticket or any ticket priced above roughly $27, SOLDOUT.COM is cheaper than every competitor.
Does SOLDOUT.COM charge a fee per ticket or per order?
Per order. SOLDOUT.COM charges a single flat fee of $9.95 for digital ticket orders and $19.95 for physical ticket orders -- regardless of how many tickets are in the order. Whether you are buying 1 ticket or 10 tickets, the fee is the same. This is fundamentally different from percentage-based per-ticket fee models used by most other platforms.
Why does the ticket price sometimes look lower on other platforms?
Because many platforms show a lower base ticket price to appear competitive in search results, then add large percentage-based fees at checkout that bring the final total significantly higher. This is called drip pricing. Our real-world comparisons showed that even when a competitor's listed ticket price was lower than SOLDOUT.COM, the final checkout total on SOLDOUT.COM was consistently lower once fees were included. Always compare final totals, not listed prices.
Are there any other fees beyond the $9.95 on SOLDOUT.COM?
No. The only charge beyond the listed ticket price is the flat $9.95 digital delivery fee or $19.95 physical delivery fee per order. There are no service fees, no processing fees, no per-ticket fees, and no charges added at the final checkout screen beyond what you see before you confirm.
How much do ticket fees add to the average order?
On platforms with percentage-based fees, the addition depends on ticket price and quantity. Based on the 2025 survey averages, fees on a two-ticket order at $150 per ticket would range from approximately $62 on Ticketmaster to $113 on SeatGeek. The same order on SOLDOUT.COM adds $9.95 in fees total.
Do ticket fees include taxes?
Applicable taxes are separate from platform service fees and vary by state and event. Taxes are disclosed at checkout and apply on most platforms including SOLDOUT.COM. The fee comparisons in this guide cover platform service fees and delivery fees -- not applicable taxes, which are consistent across platforms for the same event.
Is a lower fee platform less safe to buy from?
No. Lower fees have no relationship to platform safety or buyer protection quality. SOLDOUT.COM has the lowest fees in the industry and also carries a BBB A+ rating, a 4.9-star Google rating, INTIX membership, and a 100% Fan Guarantee on every order. Safety and fees are entirely separate -- what matters for safety is the platform's buyer guarantee, encryption, and credentials.
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