Gathrd: The Eventbrite Alternative Built for Churches
Gathrd by MRVL is a Christian event discovery and booking platform designed specifically for UK churches and faith communities, charging just 3% on ticket sales versus Eventbrite's 6.95% plus per-ticket fees.
Why Churches Choose Gathrd Over Eventbrite
Eventbrite works for most events, but it was not built with churches in mind. Gathrd charges 3% on paid tickets, compared to Eventbrite's 6.95% platform fee plus £0.59 per transaction. For a £10 ticket sold via Eventbrite, you lose £1.44 in fees. On Gathrd, you lose only £0.30. More importantly, Gathrd automates Gift Aid splits at checkout for UK churches, so your Gift Aid reclaim happens without manual data entry. The directory is faith-only: worship nights, conferences, prayer meetings, and retreats sit alongside other church events, never alongside nightclubs or secular concerts. If denomination matters to your community, Gathrd filters by Church of England, Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational events. Eventbrite has no such lens.
Pricing: Transparent and Cheaper Than Eventbrite
Gathrd community use is free. You pay only 3% on paid tickets, nothing upfront. If you want unlimited event listings, a branded church profile, and priority support, the Church Plan costs £19.99 per month or £199.99 per year. The Ministry Plan (£49.99/mo) adds advanced analytics and team collaboration. The Conference Plan (£149.99/mo) covers large-scale events. All plans keep the 3% ticket fee. Eventbrite's equivalent costs more: their basic plan is £34 per month in the UK, and their per-ticket fees are higher. For churches with steady event revenue, Gathrd saves hundreds of pounds per year.
QR Check-In and NFC Integration
Gathrd includes QR code door check-in built into the platform, with offline support so you can scan tickets even if your venue WiFi fails. If you want contactless NFC check-in using physical cards or wristbands, Gathrd integrates with TapTrust review cards, which can double as check-in tokens. This is a feature Eventbrite does not offer natively. Your event staff simply scan at the door, and attendees are marked present in real time.
Faith-Only Directory and Discovery
Gathrd is not a generic events platform. The discovery directory lists only faith events: worship nights, prayer meetings, community groups, conferences, retreats, and spiritual learning. Attendees search by location, denomination, and event type without seeing unrelated listings. This keeps the platform intentional and trustworthy for church communities. You retain full control over your event privacy; private events stay private. Public events appear in the faith-only directory so your target audience finds you.
Simple Payouts and International Support
Gathrd uses Stripe Connect for payouts, which means money from ticket sales goes directly to your church bank account within 2 to 3 days. Stripe Connect is available in 37 countries and offers Pay-Per-Person (PPP) discounts for nonprofits. Your church is eligible for reduced processing fees if you are a registered charity. Eventbrite offers similar payout speed, but Gathrd's fee structure and Gift Aid automation make the net cost lower for UK churches.
Available on Web, iOS, and Android
Attendees discover and book events via the Gathrd web site (getgathrd.app), iOS app, or Android app. Church staff and event organisers manage listings, check-ins, and Gift Aid splits from the web dashboard. There is no friction between platforms; a ticket sold on mobile syncs instantly to your door check-in system. Eventbrite offers similar multi-platform access, but Gathrd's interface is simplified for church staff without deep event-management experience.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Gathrd cost compared to Eventbrite?
Gathrd charges 3% on ticket sales with no upfront fee for community use. Eventbrite charges 6.95% platform fee plus £0.59 per transaction. For UK churches, Gathrd also automates Gift Aid at checkout, saving you admin time and money. Optional paid plans (Church, Ministry, Conference) cost £19.99 to £149.99 per month but keep the 3% ticket fee.
Does Gathrd support Gift Aid for UK churches?
Yes. Gathrd automates Gift Aid collection and split-checkout for registered UK charities. Attendees opt in at checkout, and Gathrd provides the data needed for your Gift Aid claim. Eventbrite does not offer this feature.
Can I check attendees in at the door with Gathrd?
Yes. Gathrd includes QR code check-in with offline support. For NFC check-in using cards or wristbands, Gathrd integrates with TapTrust review cards.
Is Gathrd only for Church of England events?
No. Gathrd lists events from all denominations: Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, non-denominational, and others. Attendees can filter by denomination when searching for events near them.
Will my church event be listed alongside nightclubs and secular concerts on Gathrd?
No. Gathrd is a faith-only directory. Your event will appear only among other worship events, conferences, prayer meetings, and spiritual community activities. Secular and nightlife events are not listed.
How quickly do I get paid after ticket sales on Gathrd?
Gathrd uses Stripe Connect, which deposits money into your church bank account within 2 to 3 business days. Registered charities receive reduced processing fees through Stripe's Pay-Per-Person program.