As an event organizer, your ticketing platform is more than just a tool to sell tickets—it’s the central engine for your event’s growth. It shapes your marketing reach, your attendees’ experience, and ultimately, your bottom line.
In the Philippines, organizers face a unique mix of options: modern SaaS platforms designed for creators and professionals, and legacy ticketing giants with massive distribution. Choosing the right partner is a strategic decision that can define your growth path.
This guide breaks down the key players and highlights what to look for in 2025.
The Two Kinds of Platforms: SaaS vs. Distribution
Before diving into the comparison, it’s critical to understand the two dominant models:
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) PlatformsThese are self-service tools that put you, the organizer, in control. You create your event page, manage branding, engage your audience, and track analytics.
Ticketnation and Luma belong here.
Distribution ChannelsThese are massive networks where you plug into their ecosystem. They focus on selling tickets through established websites and outlets.
SM Tickets and Ticketnet dominate this space.
Key trade-off: Distribution platforms give reach, but at the cost of control, data, and brand ownership. SaaS platforms empower you to build a sustainable, long-term organizer business.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Feature | Ticketnation | Luma | SM Tickets | Ticketnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Self-Service Platform | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Customizable Event Pages | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Integrated Marketing Tools (Email) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Real-time Analytics | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Team Management & Roles | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Attendee Management | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Attendee Ticket Transfer | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Sell Products/Merchandise | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Season Tickets / Event Groups | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Manual Order Creation | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Platform Fee | 7% No subscription. Inclusive of payment gateway fees. | 5% + Stripe Fee On free plan, or $59/mo for 0% fee. | Quote-based | Quote-based |
Local Payment Methods | ✅ GCash, Maya, Banks, QRPH, Paylater | ❌ Limited regional support via Stripe. | ✅ | ✅ |
Flexible Payout Options | ✅ Streamlined payouts via PayMongo sub-merchant account. | ❌ Stripe direct payouts only. | ❌ | ❌ |
Physical Outlet Distribution | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Key Takeaways for Organizers
When to Choose Ticketnation
Ticketnation is designed as the growth engine for Filipino organizers. It blends the flexibility of SaaS with deep local market integration.
Choose Ticketnation if:
You want full control of branding, audience data, and analytics.
You need local payments like GCash, Maya, QRPH, and PayLater to maximize sales.
You require flexible payouts that adapt to your cash flow.
You’re building a brand — with tools for merchandise, season passes, and community retention.
Luma
Great for creators, coaches, and intimate events. But in the Philippines, its lack of local payment support and limited professional features makes scaling difficult.
SM Tickets & Ticketnet
Perfect for arena-scale shows that prioritize sheer distribution. But if you want data, direct audience engagement, or branding control, these platforms fall short.
Conclusion
The future of event management in the Philippines isn’t just about selling tickets — it’s about building a repeatable growth system.
Distribution channels = reach, but limited control.
Modern SaaS platforms = empowerment, data, and brand ownership.
Ticketnation combines the best of both worlds: a modern SaaS platform tailored for Filipino organizers, with local payments, growth tools, and marketplace exposure built-in.
👉 Don’t just sell tickets. Build your event’s future. Discover why organizers choose Ticketnation.
