Since 2019, a Canadian alternative to Eventbrite has been making its mark on the online ticketing market: Activity Messenger.
In this article, we’ll compare Eventbrite and Activity Messenger, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Activity Messenger is also an alternative to Tututix and can replace your class management such as JackRabbit, IClassPro and DanceStudioPro.
Activity Messenger sets itself apart by offering Canadian customer service to all event organizers. The platform is 100% bilingual (designed in Montreal), making it easy to communicate with both French- and English-speaking attendees.
Eventbrite stores your information in the United States. Their confidentiality is therefore governed by the U.S. government, whose standards are different from those in Canada.
All your data is stored in Quebec with Activity Messenger. Hosting your data in Canada ensures that Canadian data privacy laws are respected. This allows you to comply with Canada Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PEPIDA) and regulations, including Bill 25 in Quebec
EventBrite offers very little customer support except for organizers of larger events. Activity Messenger offers unlimited support, whatever your plan. Customer service is both in English or Frenchs and located in Canada so you’ll be talking to local experts that work daily with event organizer in Canada
Activity Messenger is bilingual. All Activity Messenger features are available in both English and French. You don’t have to translate anything.
Both platforms simplify online ticket sales. Attendees can purchase tickets and receive electronic tickets with a QR code. This QR code can be scanned at the event entrance to facilitate access control. Both platforms also allow tickets to be purchased at the door or online.
Activity Messenger and Eventbrite both offer the option of processing credit card payments. This allows attendees to easily pay for their purchases online, offering a convenient and secure payment experience. A major difference is the much lower transaction fee with Activity Messenger (see below).
Event organizers can easily customize tickets by adding their logo, images or other relevant information. Activity Messenger even integrates with Canva. This allows you to create professional tickets that represent your logo, brand or event well.
Both platforms have been designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all, and offer a simple interface for creating, managing and selling tickets online. Whether this is your first event with online ticketing or you’re an expert, you’ll find it easy to navigate both options.
Note: Activity Messenger also automates ticket purchases via Interac e-transfer for organizers looking to save even more on transaction fees.
The biggest difference between the different online ticketing platforms is the service fees. Here are the rates for each platform for each ticket sold. Activity Messenger offers a less expensive option for online ticketing.
| Activity Messenger (Interac) |
Activity Messenger (Credit Card) |
EventBrite (Credit Card) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing fees* | 1% | 3.9% + 0,30$ | 6,4% + 1,29$ |
| Payout | Instant | 1-3 days | 5 days |
| Settlement | Automated** | Automated | Automated |
Another unique feature of Activity Messenger is the ability to send SMS messages and newsletters to your customers. Communications are customizable for each participant, allowing you to send reminders, updates and even a survey following your events. The platform can also replace Mailchimp or CyberImpact to promote your events to your subscribers.
Unlike Eventbrite, Activity Messenger also lets you include a digital signature when purchasing tickets. Simply add a block with your conditions, disclaimers and refund policy, with the option of including the digital signature.
Right from the start of ticket sales, it’s essential to keep your customers informed. With Activity Messenger, you can create and schedule a newsletter at the perfect time to boost your ticket sales. The newsletter is interconnected with ticket sales, creating an optimal experience for your customers (unlike having to connect Mailchimp and Eventbrite, for example).
To minimize no-shows (especially at free events) and optimize participation in your events, send automated reminders 24 hours before the event. Activity Messenger lets you schedule these messages to be sent automatically (SMS or email), reminding your customers of important details (date, time, location, etc.) of the upcoming event.
The customer experience shouldn’t stop at the end of the event. A few days later, use Activity Messenger to send a personalized follow-up with a survey and information about your upcoming events. Gathering customer feedback following an event allows you to improve your events. Our integrated surveys (SurveyMonkey alternative) are easy to create and analyze.
| Activity Messenger | Eventbrite | |||
| Simple to use | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Payment by credit card | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customizable tickets | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Bilingual platform | ✓ | |||
| SMS/Newsletter | ✓ | |||
| Canva et ChatGPT Integration | ✓ | |||
| Canadian based | ✓ | |||
| Ticket fees | 3,9% + 0,30$ | 6,4% + 1,29$ |
More and more small businesses and organisations are migrating their online ticketing software to a Canadian-based alternative.
By choosing Activity Messenger, you benefit from a platform that:
