Guide to the best ticketing software in the UK 

As providers of industry-leading hospitality software, we've had countless conversations with restaurant and bar owners who are excited to host ticketed events, but unsure of the best way to get started with a ticketing platform. That's why we've put together this guide to compare the best event ticketing platforms on the market and share our insider tips on choosing the perfect one to make your hospitality events a hit.

How to choose an event ticketing platforms? 

There are a lot of ticketing platforms on the market, plus many key considerations to keep in mind. When looking at potential ticketing platforms consider the functionality and features, the ease of use for you and those who'll be buying your tickets, as well as pricing, data insights, and the level of support offered.  

We suggest the following:

1. Identify your priorities

Ticketing platforms come with their own unique strengths and drawbacks, so think about what matters most to you. Is it the ease of use, reporting capabilities or top-notch customer support? Knowing your priorities will help you zero in on the perfect fit.

2. Evaluate the functionality

Check if the selected platform accommodates the necessary functionality for your event, like different types of tickets or seats. This adds more options for your guests, making them more likely to book and it enhances the user experience.

3. Prioritise user experience

Select a platform that's easy for you and your staff, especially if you're hiring seasonal employees and you won't have much time to train them before the event. Your selected software should also have an intuitive interface for your clients - tickets should be easy to navigate, select and purchase.  

4. Check the cost  

The cost of ticketing platforms ranges extensively. Gaining a thorough understanding of the pricing structure of your platform is essential. Pay attention to the booking fees, VAT, processing fees, refunds and tiered access, and be aware of any potential additional charges for customer support, data exports, or custom branding. 

5. Find out about the support 

The best ticketing  platforms will provide swift help and support from setting up to managing check-ins on the day of your event. 

What are the key features to look for?  

The ideal event ticketing software should go beyond just selling tickets.  

So, what features should be at the top of your list when choosing the best event ticketing software? 

• Unlimited number of tickets and events - does the software allow you to sell an unlimited number of tickets and set up an unlimited number of events? Some ticketing platforms have tiered thresholds so make sure to check this thoroughly.  

• Event ticketing data - find  ticketing platforms that allow you to access event data like visitors, sales and customer information to leverage communication in the future and monitor the success of your marketing campaigns. 

• Customisation - if brand consistency is your priority, look for a platform that allows you to add your logo, images, colours, and personalised messaging to create a professional look and feel. 

• Guest check-in - a functionality that allows quick and easy check-in of guests with the scanner app and reduces wait times. 

• Reporting - robust reporting is a must, as this way you'll be able to monitor exactly your event performance and make informed adjustments as needed.  

• Promotion - integrated marketing tools are a bonus for boosting ticket sales and if that's your goal, look for features like email marketing campaigns, social media integration or promotion on discovery platforms showcasing your events across the country.

What is the best ticketing software in the UK

Choosing the best event ticketing software for a restaurant or hospitality business can be a challenging task as different types of businesses and their events have different requirements. It’s essential that the system you choose meets the specific needs of your business, for example, in-depth reporting or the ability to customise.

It’s also important to consider integration capabilities. Can the software integrate with your current hospitality software? If you operate a restaurant, can the platform create a seamless experience when connected to your restaurant booking system, or will technical issues arise?

To help you choose the best event ticketing system for your business, we’ve rounded up some of the best ticketing platforms available and listed some of their pros and cons.

Access Tonic Ticketing Software  

Best for: hospitality venues looking to fill seats and boost reservations for recurring events and nightlife experiences 

Cost: operates on a fixed booking fee basis, free for free events

Pros: 

• Strong integration with DesignMyNight's event discovery platform  

• Reaches an audience of 3.9 million monthly users 

• Easy setup and user-friendly interface 

• Streamlined booking and payment process 

• Targeted marketing tools for reaching the right audience 

• No card processing fees/add-ons 

Cons:  

• The commission-based pricing model may be less cost-effective for high-volume venues with frequent events

Whova

Best for: hotels and conference centres hosting large-scale events. 

Cost: custom pricing based on event size and features. 

Pros: 

• Extensive features for attendee engagement (app, networking, agendas) 

• Robust analytics and reporting tools 

• Customisable event websites and registration forms 

• Integration with various event management tools 

Cons: 

• It can be complex for smaller events or those with simple needs 

• Pricing can be higher due to the wide range of features 

• It may not be as user-friendly as other ticketing platforms

TicketLeap 

Best for: restaurants and bars hosting smaller, ticketed events like cooking classes, wine tastings, or themed dinners. 

Cost: £0.78 ($1) + 2% of the ticket price, plus 3% for credit card processing. 

Pros: 

• Affordable pricing, especially for smaller events 

• Easy to use with a straightforward interface 

• Offers reserved seating and custom seating charts 

• Good customer support 

Cons: 

• Limited marketing and promotional features 

• May not be as feature-rich as some competitors 

• Fewer integrations with other event management tools

Eventbrite

Best for: hospitality businesses looking to promote large-scale events. 

Cost: pay-as-you-go model with a percentage of ticket sales + payment processing fees. 

Pros: 

• Massive reach and audience potential 

• Extensive marketing and promotional tools 

• Wide range of features and integrations 

• Strong brand recognition 

Cons: 

• Higher fees compared to other ticketing platforms 

• Costs and fees change relatively frequently 

• Limited customisation for branding 

• Customer support can be slow or difficult to reach

Test drive your top ticketing platforms

As you narrow down your choices for the best ticketing software, consider testing each platform by setting up an account or requesting a personalised demo. The free trial will allow you to explore the interface, experiment with features, and see how the software would work in a real-world scenario. A demo, on the other hand, is an opportunity to ask questions, see specific features in action, and get a sense of the level of customer support provided.

If you have an event coming up and you're looking for a stress-free way of selling your tickets, make sure to invest some time in hands-on testing as the system you chose could either make or break your event. 

Ready to sell out every event?  

In this article, we've explored what makes the best event ticketing system and the key features that help manage your ticketed events. We've looked at a variety of ticketing platforms and how they may benefit your business, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each.  

Access Tonic is a one-stop shop for seamless event ticketing and promotion, which allows you to: 

• Effortlessly sell tickets online - our easy-to-use, free platform allows you to create an account and start listing your events. 

• Boost your reach and visibility of your event - gain free exposure on DesignMyNight to our audience of over 3.9 million monthly users. 

• Streamline event management - simplify check-ins with a free Scanner app, track sales data 24/7 with our cloud-based platform. 

• Integrate with your website - sell tickets directly through your website using widgets or bespoke branded pages. 

• Get powerful insights - access in-depth reporting of tickets/products sold as well as your revenue on a daily and monthly basis from any device. 

• Count on reliable support - from implementing the system on your website to promoting your event and managing check-ins on the day of your event, get full support with your dedicated account manager. 

Best thing yet? Access Tonic integrates with Access Collins, our hospitality booking software, saving you hundreds of hours in manual admin tasks. View all of your bookings in one place, whether they're for dining reservations or ticketed events, and seamlessly apply Access Collins' handy booking management features, like table allocation and pre-ordering, to your ticketed events.  

Get in touch today and discover how Access Tonic can help you sell out every event and create unforgettable experiences for your guests.