Choosing the right event ticketing plugin for WordPress can be overwhelming. There are dozens of options, and most “best of” articles are written by the plugin developers themselves. This comparison gives you an honest look at what each free plugin actually offers — and where you’ll hit the paywall.
We tested five of the most popular free event ticketing plugins for WordPress in early 2026. For each one, we looked at how easy it is to set up, what features are free versus premium, WooCommerce compatibility, and whether it actually solves the core problem: selling tickets and checking people in at the door.
Best for: WooCommerce store owners who want ticket sales integrated into their existing shop.
This plugin turns any WooCommerce product into a scannable event ticket. Each purchase generates a unique QR code that you can validate at the door using the built-in browser-based scanner — no app needed.
Free features: Unlimited ticket sales, QR code generation, built-in scanner, staff authorization for check-in, ticket number tracking, WooCommerce variant support.
Premium adds: Visual seating plan designer, PDF ticket designer with custom branding, badge designer, multi-entry tickets, additional PDF attachments.
Standout: The free version is remarkably complete. Most competitors lock QR scanning behind a paywall. Here, it’s free. The WooCommerce integration means you can use any payment gateway WooCommerce supports.
View on WordPress.org | Premium Details
Best for: Users who are already running The Events Calendar plugin and want to add basic ticketing.
This is the ticketing add-on from the popular Events Calendar ecosystem. The free version supports RSVPs and basic ticket sales through their own “Tickets Commerce” payment system (Stripe or PayPal only).
Free features: RSVP collection, basic ticket sales via Tickets Commerce, attendee management, email confirmations.
Premium adds: WooCommerce integration requires Event Tickets Plus ($99/year). Apple Wallet passes require Wallet Plus. Custom attendee fields are premium-only.
Limitation: The free version does not support WooCommerce. You’re locked into their Tickets Commerce system with only Stripe and PayPal. If you need other payment gateways, you need the paid version. QR code check-in also requires the paid add-on.
Best for: Developers building custom ticketing solutions who need deep customization.
Tickera is a standalone ticketing system with its own payment processing. It can also work with WooCommerce through a bridge plugin.
Free features: Event creation, basic ticket types, PayPal payments, ticket templates, attendee management.
Premium adds: Seating charts, additional payment gateways, WooCommerce bridge, advanced check-in via their Checkinera app.
Limitation: The free version is quite limited in payment options. The WooCommerce bridge is a separate premium add-on. The plugin is more complex to set up than most alternatives.
Best for: Users who want a WooCommerce-native event manager with calendar features.
This plugin combines event management with ticketing. Events are created as WooCommerce products with extra event-specific fields like date, time, location, and Google Maps integration.
Free features: Event creation with dates and locations, QR code check-in, basic PDF tickets, two user types (e.g., Adult, Child), stock management.
Premium adds: Recurring events, waitlists, multiple locations, event feedback, advanced email notifications, unlimited user types.
Limitation: The free version limits you to two ticket user types. If you need General Admission, VIP, and Student pricing, you’ll need Premium. The interface can feel cluttered with options.
Best for: Users who want AI-powered event creation and a modern interface.
Eventin is a newer entrant with a focus on modern design and AI features. It can generate event descriptions and schedules using AI, which saves time when creating many events.
Free features: Event creation, basic calendar, registration forms, WooCommerce integration, Zoom/Google Meet integration.
Premium adds: AI event generation, ticket template builder, certificate builder, advanced seat maps, custom registration fields.
Limitation: Most of the exciting features (AI, seat maps, certificates) are premium. The free version is more of an event calendar than a ticketing solution.
| Feature | Event Tickets w/ Scanner | Event Tickets (TEC) | Tickera | WP Swings | Eventin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free QR Scanner | Yes | No | Limited | Yes | No |
| WooCommerce (Free) | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| PDF Tickets (Free) | Basic | No | Yes | Basic | No |
| Seating Charts | Premium | No | Premium | No | Premium |
| Badge Designer | Premium | No | No | No | No |
| Price (Premium) | From $59 | $99/yr | $49-149 | $99/yr | $79/yr |
If you’re running WooCommerce and need a ticketing solution that works out of the box, Event Tickets with Ticket Scanner gives you the most value in the free version. You get unlimited ticket sales, QR scanning, and full WooCommerce integration without paying anything.
If you’re already invested in The Events Calendar ecosystem and primarily need RSVPs, their Event Tickets plugin makes sense as an add-on — just be aware that WooCommerce support requires the $99/year upgrade.
For complex, developer-driven setups where you need deep customization, Tickera is worth evaluating, though expect to spend more time on configuration.