TickPick and StubHub are the two resale marketplaces most fans end up comparing at checkout. Both sell verified resale tickets to concerts, sports, and theater — but they make their money differently, and that difference decides which one is cheaper for you.
The quick version: TickPick usually wins on price because it charges zero buyer service fees, while StubHub usually wins on selection because it’s the biggest resale marketplace in the US. Here’s the full side-by-side so you can decide based on what matters for your event.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| TickPick | StubHub | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | All-in pricing — no buyer service fees; sellers pay ~15% commission built into the list price | All-in pricing since 2025 (FTC rule) — buyer service fees are baked into the displayed total, not added at checkout |
| Typical buyer fees | $0 buyer fees on every order | Varies by listing; StubHub’s own older docs cite ~10% buyer fee, but recent listings show totals ranging well above that on some events |
| Price display | What you see on the listing is what you pay | Total shown upfront now; “include estimated fees” filter shows the full price while browsing |
| Inventory size | Smaller — a real limitation for rare or sold-out events | Largest resale marketplace in the US — more listings for most events |
| Buyer guarantee | BuyerTrust Guarantee: covers valid tickets, on-time delivery, event cancellation | FanProtect Guarantee: valid tickets, on-time delivery, event cancellation — up to 120% credit on replacements per recent reports |
| Rescheduled events | Not covered — tickets stay valid for the new date | Not covered — same policy |
| Best-price guarantee | Yes — 110% of the price difference if you find the same ticket cheaper on a competitor | No equivalent buyer-side guarantee |
| Customer support | No phone support — email/live help only | Live customer service 7 days a week by phone and email |
| Founded | 2011 | 2000 |
| Seller commission | ~15% (credited back via FanLink for friend-to-friend sales) | ~15% deducted from seller payout |
Which Actually Costs Less? The Fee Breakdown
This is the part that matters most. TickPick’s entire pitch is no buyer service fees — the price on the listing is the price you pay, and the platform earns its money from the seller’s side (about 15% commission, which sellers typically bake into their asking price).
StubHub historically added buyer service fees at checkout — its own buyer Q&A pages have cited a 10% buyer service fee plus delivery charges, and third-party reviews from late 2026 report all-in totals running significantly above list prices on some listings (one review found a $70 ticket reaching $101 after fees — roughly a 44% add-on).
Two things changed the landscape:
- The FTC’s all-in pricing rule took effect in May 2025. Ticket sellers must now show the total price — fees included — upfront. You still pay the fees on StubHub; they’re just disclosed earlier instead of appearing at the final checkout step.
- StubHub paid $10 million to settle an FTC pricing case in April 2026. The FTC alleged StubHub slow-walked compliance during a three-day window in May 2025 so the all-in rule wouldn’t apply to the NFL 2025 season onsale. The point for you: fee transparency is now the law, but enforcement exists because companies have historically found ways around it.
The practical result in 2026: on identical listings, TickPick usually lands cheaper at the final total — reviews consistently find $20–$60 savings on a ~$300 ticket, with the gap widening on premium seats (pit, courtside, club level). But that savings assumes both marketplaces have the same listing. Sometimes StubHub has the ticket and TickPick doesn’t.
Buyer Protection: BuyerTrust vs FanProtect
Both platforms will back you if something goes genuinely wrong — both guarantee authentic tickets, delivery in time for the event, and refunds when an event is canceled. Both also share the same big limitation: neither covers rescheduled or postponed events. If your concert moves to a new date, your tickets roll over; don’t expect a refund either way.
The differences are in the margins:
- StubHub’s FanProtect has a deeper track record and, per recent reports, offers up to 120% credit if your tickets fall through and need replacing. StubHub also staffs a live phone line seven days a week — which matters when something breaks the night before a show.
- TickPick’s BuyerTrust covers the same core scenarios, and TickPick adds a 110% best-price guarantee: find the same ticket cheaper on a competitor site and they’ll refund 110% of the difference. The downside is support — no phone line, so urgent issues move at email speed.
The 2026 Cheat Sheet: Which Should You Use?
- Cheapest final price on a popular event? Start with TickPick. No buyer fees usually means the lowest checkout total when both have the listing.
- Hard-to-find or sold-out tickets? StubHub first — its inventory is simply bigger, and selection matters more than a fee margin when the alternative is no ticket at all.
- Buying for an event that might get postponed? Neither guarantees a refund on reschedules, so treat them equally here — and factor the risk into whether you buy at all.
- Buying last-minute, event tonight? StubHub’s phone support is the tiebreaker. If delivery goes sideways hours before showtime, a live human beats a support ticket.
- Selling spare tickets to friends? TickPick’s FanLink lets you sell commission-free through a shareable link (the 15% seller commission comes back to you as credit), with the buyer still getting BuyerTrust protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TickPick cheaper than StubHub?
Usually, yes — TickPick charges no buyer service fees, so identical listings typically total less on TickPick than on StubHub (often $20–$60 less on a ~$300 ticket). The gap is biggest on premium seats. But StubHub sometimes has listings TickPick doesn’t, so always compare the all-in total on both.
Does TickPick really have no fees?
TickPick adds no buyer-facing fees — the price you see is what you pay. The platform takes ~15% commission from the seller, which sellers usually build into their asking price. So “no fees” means no surprise charges for you, not necessarily that the marketplace cost vanished entirely.
Does StubHub still charge hidden fees in 2026?
Not “hidden” anymore — since the FTC’s all-in pricing rule (May 2025), StubHub must show the total price including fees upfront. But the fees still exist and vary by listing; recent buyer reviews show all-in totals running well above list prices on some events. The price is now transparent, not lower.
Is StubHub’s FanProtect better than TickPick’s BuyerTrust?
They cover the same core risks (fake tickets, late delivery, canceled events), and both exclude rescheduled events. FanProtect’s edge is live phone support and reports of up to 120% replacement credit; BuyerTrust’s edge is the 110% best-price guarantee. Neither covers buyer’s remorse or date changes.
Should I buy from both sites or stick to one?
Check both. Use TickPick’s Best Deal filter to find value within its inventory, then open the same event on StubHub with estimated fees included. Buy wherever the all-in total is lower — and if the event looks likely to be postponed, remember neither site refunds reschedules.
Want the deeper dive on TickPick specifically? Our full TickPick legitimacy review covers its reviews, complaint patterns, and how to buy safely.
By Vincent Cruz. Updated October 2026.
Founder & Editor at Durofy
