Eventbrite vs Meetup
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Eventbrite is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 7.8. Eventbrite wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Meetup on 0, with 1 tied.
Locals looking for things to do and organizers selling tickets to events
Newcomers and hobbyists looking for recurring groups to meet people locally
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Eventbrite | Meetup |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Community & Events | Community & Events |
| Category rank | #4 of 10 | #9 of 10 |
| Developer | Eventbrite, Inc. | Meetup |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Strengths and weaknesses
Eventbrite
- Huge range of local events in one place
- Tickets stored in the app for easy entry
- Simple setup for organizers of any size
- Service fees on many paid tickets
- Promoted listings can crowd the feed
Eventbrite is the default way to find and book local events, from workshops and gigs to festivals and networking nights. Personalized recommendations help with discovery, and your tickets sit in the app ready to scan at the door. Organizers get solid ticketing and check-in tools. The downside is fees: paid tickets usually carry service charges, and promoted listings can clutter the feed.
Full Eventbrite review
Meetup
- Wide range of hobby and professional groups
- Free for members to join and RSVP
- Good for meeting people in a new city
- Organizer fees can push groups to charge dues
- Cluttered app with frequent upsells
Meetup is still the go-to place to find recurring local groups, from hiking clubs and language exchanges to tech talks and book clubs. Joining groups is free, and RSVPs, messages and event updates all live in the app. Organizers pay a subscription, which pushes some groups to charge dues. The app has grown cluttered, and group quality depends entirely on local organizers.
Full Meetup review
