ThunderTix vs VBO Tickets
Know your price before the first sales call.
ThunderTix and VBO Tickets are both performing arts ticketing platforms. The biggest difference starts before you sign anything: ThunderTix publishes its pricing and lets you try the full platform free. VBO prices every venue by custom quote, after a demo.
No credit card required for the trial.
ThunderTix Pass Through plan
79¢ per ticket + 4.85% per transaction
- All credit card processing fees covered
- Tickets under $10 are only 65¢
- No fees on cash, comps, or free tickets
- Fees pass to the patron, so you keep full face value
Published on our pricing page. Per-ticket plans also available.
VBO Tickets
Custom quote
VBO's pricing page lists no rates. It offers flat-fee, per-ticket, and hybrid models, priced after a demo.
Being straight with you
When VBO Tickets is the right choice
If your procurement process requires a current SOC 2 Type II report, VBO has one and ThunderTix does not yet. We are PCI DSS v4.0 compliant, and SOC 2 is on our roadmap. You can review everything on our Trust & Security page.
If that isn't a hard requirement for you, keep reading.
Setting the record straight
What VBO's comparison page gets wrong about ThunderTix
VBO published its own VBO Tickets vs ThunderTix page, last reviewed in August 2026. A lot has changed since then. Here is where ThunderTix stands today.
VBO saysThunderTix only offers "standardized per-ticket plans."
TodayWe offer our Pass Through plan (79¢ per ticket plus 4.85%, with card fees included and paid by the patron) as well as per-ticket plans. Every rate is published, so you can compare before you talk to anyone.
VBO saysThunderTix fundraising has "lighter depth."
TodayEvery donation lives on the same patron record as every ticket. Round-up donations at checkout, fundraising campaigns, automatic donor levels, automated thank you letters, GL code reporting, and RFM scoring that shows who is ready to give again.
VBO saysThunderTix fits theaters with "straightforward requirements."
TodayTheaters, performing arts centers, and symphonies run season packages, memberships, classes, volunteer management, patron lifecycle stages, and automated email workflows with ROI tracking on ThunderTix.
VBO saysThunderTix offers "White Glove available" implementation.
TodayTrue, and it goes further. We import your patron, order, and donation history from your current system and build your seating charts to match your room.
Side by side
ThunderTix vs VBO Tickets feature comparison
| Feature | ThunderTix | VBO Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing | ThunderTixYes, on our pricing page | VBO TicketsCustom quote after a demo |
| Free trial, no credit card | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsGuided demo |
| Percentage plan with card fees included | ThunderTix79¢ + 4.85%, paid by the patron | VBO TicketsRates not published |
| Per-ticket plans | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsYes |
| Unlimited admin users | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsYes |
| Reserved seating charts built for your venue | ThunderTixYes, free on Pass Through | VBO TicketsYes |
| Season subscriptions and memberships | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsYes |
| One patron record for tickets and donations | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsYes |
| RFM scoring and patron lifecycle stages | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsNot listed on vbotickets.com |
| Automated email workflows with ROI tracking | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsNot listed on vbotickets.com |
| GL code reporting | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsNot listed on vbotickets.com |
| Volunteer management | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsNot listed on vbotickets.com |
| Apple Wallet and Google Wallet tickets | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsNot listed on vbotickets.com |
| AI assistant access (Claude, ChatGPT) | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsNot listed on vbotickets.com |
| Data migration from your current system | ThunderTixYes | VBO TicketsYes |
| PCI DSS v4 | ThunderTixYes (v4.0) | VBO TicketsYes (v4.0.1) |
| SOC 2 Type II | ThunderTixOn our roadmap | VBO TicketsYes |
VBO Tickets details come from vbotickets.com as of October 2026. If something has changed, let us know and we will update this page.
Built in, not bolted on
Performing arts tools you won't find on VBO's feature list
RFM scoring and lifecycle stages
Every patron is scored on how recently, how often, and how much they buy and give, so you know who is a rising donor and who is slipping away.
Email workflows that prove their worth
Automated emails go out on their own and track the ticket and donation revenue they bring back.
Tickets in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet
Every ticket can be added to the patron's phone wallet, so it's right there on event day.
Ask your data anything
Connect Claude or ChatGPT to your account and ask about sales, donors, and attendance in plain English. See AI integration.
Switching from VBO
We move your history with you
We import your patrons, past orders, and donation history, so your relationships and reports pick up where they left off. Our team builds your reserved seating charts to match your venue.
Getting paid
Ready to sell within a day
Pass Through runs on your own Stripe account. Whether you already have one or apply as part of the switch, it is usually ready to go within 24 hours, and ticket revenue is deposited straight to your bank.
Questions
ThunderTix vs VBO Tickets FAQ
Is ThunderTix cheaper than VBO Tickets?
VBO does not publish its rates, so the only way to know is to get a VBO quote and compare it with ThunderTix pricing, which is public. On our Pass Through plan, fees are 79 cents per ticket plus 4.85% per transaction with all credit card processing included, tickets under $10 are 65 cents, and there are no fees on cash, comps, or free tickets.
Does ThunderTix have a free trial?
Yes. You can start a free trial with no credit card and explore the full platform on your own. VBO Tickets offers a guided demo instead of a self-service trial.
Is ThunderTix SOC 2 compliant?
Not yet. ThunderTix is PCI DSS v4.0 compliant, and SOC 2 is on our roadmap. VBO Tickets has a SOC 2 Type II attestation, so if your procurement process requires one today, VBO meets that requirement and we do not.
Can I move my data from VBO Tickets to ThunderTix?
Yes. We import your patrons, past orders, and donation history from your current system, and our team builds your reserved seating charts to match your venue.
Does ThunderTix handle fundraising as well as ticketing?
Yes. Donations and tickets share one patron record. ThunderTix includes round-up donations at checkout, fundraising campaigns, automatic donor levels, automated thank you letters, GL code reporting, and RFM scoring.
Which is better for a performing arts organization, ThunderTix or VBO Tickets?
Both are built for performing arts. If you need a SOC 2 Type II report today, VBO is the safer pick. If you want published pricing, a free trial, card fees covered for patrons on our Pass Through plan, and tools like RFM scoring, automated workflows with ROI tracking, and Apple Wallet and Google Wallet tickets, ThunderTix is the better fit.
See it for yourself
Compare real numbers, not sales pitches.
Get a quote from VBO, then hold it up against our published pricing. Or skip the wait and try ThunderTix free today.