An honest, organizer-first comparison on pricing, payouts, and the features you actually need.
Quick verdict
Choose Luma if you need its specific ecosystem and its pricing model suits you. Choose SwarmTix if you want a published per-ticket fee, instant payouts via Stripe Connect, and a platform built for tech events.
Want a detailed breakdown? Scroll for head-to-head features and a cost example.
Pick the platform that matches your event type, budget, and payout needs.
Best for: Tech community events and modern social gatherings
Best for: tech events that want low fees + instant payouts
Best for: general events with standard needs
If you're deciding between these two, this is the quickest way to see the differences.
| Feature | Luma | SwarmTix |
|---|---|---|
|
Pricing
Per paid ticket
|
5% on the Free plan (0% on Luma Plus, $59/month)
|
$0.99 + 1.5%
Free events are always free
|
|
Free events
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Instant payouts
|
No
Weekly payouts
|
Yes
|
|
Reserved seating
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Custom branding
|
Yes
Limited options
|
Yes
|
|
Zoom integration
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Multi-currency support
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Calendar subscriptions
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Discount codes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Custom registration fields
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Attendee messaging
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
A simple way to decide in under 60 seconds.
Create an event, set up tickets in minutes, and start selling with low fees and instant payouts.