StubHub vs Vivid Seats: Which Site Wins on Fees, Inventory, and Safety in 2026?

StubHub vs Vivid Seats at a Glance

StubHub is run by StubHub Holdings, Inc., which has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: STUB) since September 2025 and also runs viagogo, its international brand. StubHub says in its annual report that it believes it operates the largest global secondary ticketing marketplace for live events. This guide covers StubHub in the U.S.; in the U.K. and most other countries outside the U.S. and Canada, the StubHub brand is licensed to a separate company.

Vivid Seats is run by Vivid Seats Inc., which trades on Nasdaq under the ticker SEAT. Its annual report describes it as an online ticket marketplace.

The big takeaways: neither site publishes its buyer fee rates, so the cheaper site depends on the listing. The guarantees cover similar ground, but they pay out differently when an event is canceled. If you also want to weigh either site against Ticketmaster directly, see our StubHub vs Ticketmaster comparison and our Vivid Seats vs Ticketmaster comparison.

Fees, Pricing, and What You Actually Pay at Checkout

StubHub charges buyers a service fee and a fulfillment fee. Its help center says these fees have no fixed rate: they depend on the ticket price, how close the event is, updates to event information, and supply and demand. In a September 2026 newsroom post, StubHub said its service fee is a percentage of the listing price, chosen from a set of fee levels for each browser session, so two people looking at the same tickets at the same time can see different fees.

In its newsroom, StubHub says the price it displays includes all mandatory fees, but its help center still tells buyers to turn on "Include estimated fees" to see the total price, so confirm the total on the checkout page before you pay.

Vivid Seats charges buyers a service fee and a delivery fee, and it doesn't publish its rates. Its help center says it uses All-In Pricing, showing fee-inclusive prices from the start of shopping (per ticket, before tax), with tax shown in the order summary at checkout.

Who Has Lower Fees, StubHub or Vivid Seats?

It depends on the listing. Neither company publishes its rates, so no fixed percentage tells you which site costs less. If you have two listings open for the same section and a similar row, compare the final price, including tax, on each site before you decide.

If you are comparing prices for a game or concert, add TicketX to the comparison. TicketX lists tickets with no hidden fees.

One more change applies across U.S. ticket sites. Since May 12, 2025, an FTC rule has required sellers of live-event tickets, including resale marketplaces, to show the total price, including required fees, whenever they show a price. Taxes, the cost of shipping physical tickets and optional extras can still be added later. The rule does not ban or cap fees. In April 2026, the FTC announced a $10 million settlement with StubHub, set aside to refund fees to people who bought tickets to U.S. live events on StubHub from May 12 through 14, 2025. The FTC alleged that in numerous instances through at least May 14, 2025, StubHub's first three price screens did not show the total price; StubHub neither admitted nor denied the allegations.

Inventory and Search Experience

Inventory changes from event to event, so the practical check is to open both sites for the event you want and compare the same section and row.

For events outside the U.S., keep in mind that in the U.K. and most other countries outside the U.S. and Canada, StubHub-branded sites are run by a separate company. Check who runs the site before you buy.

The two also differ in their price tools. Vivid Seats' Lowest Price Guarantee covers only tickets bought in its app for events in the U.S. and Canada. If you find the same event, date, venue, section, row and quantity for a lower total (excluding tax) on SeatGeek (Verified Resale), StubHub or Ticketmaster (Verified Resale) and email a claim within 1 hour of your order confirmation email, you get 115% of the difference as Vivid Seats credit, not cash, up to $200 per claim and twice a year. The credit expires after 24 months, and web orders, orders placed less than 24 hours before the event and Seat Saver orders don't qualify.

For most buyers, the practical takeaway is this: open both platforms on the same event, sort by price, and check the top three to five listings on each side.

TicketX lists tickets with no hidden fees, and first-time buyers can save an extra 10% with a promo code at checkout.

Buyer Protection and Safety

Both companies offer a named buyer guarantee, and the main areas they cover are similar.

StubHub's FanProtect Guarantee covers tickets that arrive in time for the event, tickets that are valid for entry, the seats you ordered or comparable ones, and a refund or credit when an event is canceled and not rescheduled. It is included by default at no extra cost and funded by StubHub's fees, but listings explicitly marked as not covered are excluded, and resale-restricted tickets are covered only if you are denied entry at the venue and can show proof. If tickets don't arrive in time, StubHub, at its discretion, provides comparable or better replacement tickets at no extra cost, a full refund including fees and delivery, or a credit. If you can't get in with your tickets, StubHub, at its discretion, looks for replacement tickets or gives a full refund including fees and delivery. You need to report it within 7 days after the event, or by the deadline StubHub gives, and provide the documents it asks for. For canceled events, StubHub's help center says you receive a credit worth 120% of what you paid in your StubHub Wallet by default (valid for one year), and you can instead request a cash refund to your original payment method. StubHub's terms let it choose a full refund or a credit, unless the law requires a refund. Rescheduled events are not refunded while your tickets stay valid for the new date; StubHub arranges replacement tickets or a full refund only if you need new tickets to get in.

Vivid Seats' 100% Buyer Guarantee covers secure payment, delivery in time for the event, valid and authentic tickets, the tickets you ordered or comparable or better ones, and compensation if an event is canceled. It takes effect once the seller confirms your order. If tickets don't arrive before the event, Vivid Seats refunds you; its terms ask you to report missing tickets "within 48 hours of the actual start time." If you're denied entry, call from the venue and send proof; if you weren't at fault, you get a full refund including fees and delivery, minus any restocking fee. If an event is canceled with no new date, its terms let Vivid Seats decide between refunding the purchase price (including delivery; a restocking fee may be deducted) and a credit for a future purchase, and you need to return the tickets within two weeks of the cancellation notice. Rules differ in some places, such as California. If an event is rescheduled and your tickets are valid for the new date, there is no refund unless the law requires one.

When to Use StubHub, When to Use Vivid Seats

Use StubHub when:

• The StubHub listing has the lowest final price for the seats you want.

• You would rather receive a credit worth more than what you paid if an event is canceled: StubHub's help center says canceled events default to a 120% credit (valid for one year), with a cash refund available on request, though its terms let StubHub choose a full refund or a credit.

Use Vivid Seats when:

• The Vivid Seats listing has the lowest final price for the seats you want.

• You buy tickets often. Vivid Seats Rewards gives you one stamp per ticket, up to 50 stamps (five credits) a calendar year, and new members opt in through its app. Ten stamps earn a credit worth the average price of those 10 tickets, excluding taxes and fees and after a 25% processing deduction. You can use the credit only in the Vivid Seats app, and stamps and credits can expire.

• You buy in the app and want a price check after you buy: the Lowest Price Guarantee gives 115% of the difference in Vivid Seats credit, with the conditions above.

For a Sunday Bills game, compare the same seats on both sites, along with TicketX.

Use TicketX when:

• You want verified tickets with no hidden fees.

• You are a first-time buyer and want to take 10% off with a TicketX promo code.

• You want a Buyer Guarantee that covers tickets that are fake or invalid or don't arrive in time, and events that are canceled and not rescheduled. Depending on the case, TicketX sends replacement tickets or refunds you.

A quick decision guide for buyers who do not want to read the full table:

• First-time resale buyer: Compare the final price, including tax, for the same section, row and quantity on StubHub, Vivid Seats and TicketX. If you have a promo code for a first order, apply it before you compare.

• Repeat buyer (3+ events per year): Check both sites every time, and consider Vivid Seats Rewards if you buy often enough to earn credits (stamps are capped at 50 a year).

• International event buyer: In the U.K. and most other countries outside the U.S. and Canada, StubHub-branded sites are run by a separate company, so the fees and guarantee in this guide may not apply. Check who runs the site before you buy.

• Premium-ticket buyer ($500+ per seat): Price differences add up in dollars on expensive seats, so compare the final price on each site and check how each guarantee handles cancellations.

• Last-minute buyer: Check both sites at once, and confirm how and when the tickets will be delivered before you pay.

The Bottom Line — StubHub vs Vivid Seats in 2026

StubHub and Vivid Seats both offer a named buyer guarantee. The differences come down to how they show fees, what they do when an event is canceled and whether you will use Vivid Seats Rewards.

If we had to sum it up for the average U.S. concert or sports buyer in 2026: neither site publishes its rates, so neither wins on price every time. StubHub fits better if you prefer a credit: its help center says canceled events default to a 120% credit, though its terms let it choose a full refund or a credit. Vivid Seats fits better if you buy often enough to earn rewards credits and are happy to spend them in its app.

Don't let a small price gap drive the entire decision. The seat you want, in the section you want, on the date you want, matters more. Just compare the final price on each site before you pay.

You can also add TicketX to the comparison. It lists tickets with no hidden fees, and first-time buyers can take 10% off with a promo code.

Ready to buy? Use the latest promo code for 10% off your first purchase — no hidden fees, verified tickets, and the TicketX Buyer Guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Has Lower Fees, StubHub or Vivid Seats?

It depends on the listing. StubHub's help center says its buyer fees have no fixed rate, and Vivid Seats doesn't publish its rates. Compare the final price, including tax, for the same section, row and quantity on both sites before you decide.

Is Vivid Seats Legit and Safe to Use?

Vivid Seats Inc. trades on Nasdaq under the ticker SEAT, and it backs orders with its 100% Buyer Guarantee once the seller confirms your order. The remedy depends on the case, so read the guarantee before you buy.

Are StubHub Tickets Guaranteed if They Do Not Arrive?

Yes, within the limits of the FanProtect Guarantee. If tickets don't arrive in time, StubHub, at its discretion, provides comparable or better replacement tickets at no extra cost, a full refund including fees and delivery, or a credit. Listings explicitly marked as not covered are excluded.

Should I Buy from Ticketmaster or Vivid Seats?

Ticketmaster sells official tickets for many venues and also runs its own resale marketplace, while Vivid Seats is a resale marketplace. For first-release seats, start with the official seller. For sold-out events, compare resale listings on several sites. See our Vivid Seats vs Ticketmaster comparison for the full breakdown.

What Is Better Than StubHub for Cheaper Fees?

If fees are your top concern, compare the final price for the same seats on several sites. TicketX lists tickets with no hidden fees, and TickPick charges buyers no service fees and charges sellers a commission instead. No single site is cheapest on every listing.