The short answer
TickPick is usually the cheapest ticket site because it charges no buyer fees. The price you see is the price you pay. On platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats, fees added at checkout typically add 15–25% to the listed price.
Why fees matter more than listed price
Ticket sites use different pricing strategies. StubHub and Vivid Seats show a lower “headline” price and reveal fees at checkout. TickPick and Gametime show all-in prices. When you compare the final checkout totals:
| Platform | Fee model | Typical buyer fee |
|---|---|---|
| TickPick | No buyer fees | 0% |
| Gametime | All-in pricing | Included in price |
| Vivid Seats | Fees at checkout | 15–25% |
| StubHub | Fees at checkout | 10–25% |
How to find the actual cheapest price
- Search for your event on each platform.
- Add a ticket to cart (or use the checkout view) to see the all-in total.
- Compare totals — do not compare listed prices.
TickPick’s no-fee model wins most of the time, but occasionally another platform runs a promo or has a uniquely priced listing that undercuts even TickPick’s total.
When cheaper is not available on TickPick
For high-demand or sold-out events, StubHub’s larger inventory may be the only place a listing exists. In that case, the cheaper platform is the one that has the ticket.
Bottom line
Start with TickPick. Check the others for inventory gaps or promotions. Always compare the all-in checkout total before buying.
