If you've bought tickets online in Canada recently, you've probably noticed the same event listed on multiple platforms at different prices. StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats are the three biggest ticket resale marketplaces available to Canadian buyers — and the difference between them can mean paying $30 or more extra per ticket.
We broke down each platform across the factors that matter most to Canadian buyers: fees, inventory depth, buyer protection, currency handling, and customer service. Here's what we found.
No single platform is always cheapest. The same seat can vary by 15–30% between platforms on the same day. The only reliable way to pay the lowest price is to compare all three before buying — which is exactly what SeatCompare does automatically.
The most important thing to understand about ticket resale in Canada is that the listed price is almost never what you pay. Every platform adds service fees, delivery fees, and sometimes order processing fees at checkout. These fees typically add 20–35% to the base ticket price.
The critical mistake most buyers make is comparing base prices across platforms without accounting for fees. A ticket listed at $80 on Platform A with 30% fees costs $104 — while a $90 ticket on Platform B with 15% fees costs only $103.50. The "cheaper" listing was actually more expensive.
Always compare the total price including all fees — not just the listed ticket price. SeatCompare shows you the all-in total for every listing so you never get surprised at checkout.
StubHub is the largest ticket resale marketplace in the world and has a strong presence in Canada. It was acquired by Viagogo in 2020 and operates as a separate brand in North America.
StubHub generally has the deepest inventory of the three platforms, particularly for major concerts and professional sports. For high-demand events in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, you'll typically find more listings on StubHub than anywhere else.
StubHub's fees are among the highest in the industry. Buyers typically pay a service fee of 20–30% on top of the listed price. StubHub introduced "all-in pricing" in some markets where the fee is included in the displayed price — but this isn't consistently applied across all Canadian listings, which can make price comparisons confusing.
StubHub offers its FanProtect Guarantee — if your tickets are invalid or the event is cancelled, you're entitled to a refund or comparable replacement tickets. This is one of the stronger buyer protection policies in the market.
StubHub operates in both CAD and USD for Canadian buyers. Make sure you're on the Canadian site (stubhub.ca) to see prices in Canadian dollars — otherwise you may be charged in USD without realizing it.
SeatGeek is the most technologically sophisticated of the three platforms. It pioneered the "Deal Score" concept — rating ticket listings to help buyers identify fair prices — and is known for its clean, easy-to-use interface.
SeatGeek's Canadian inventory has grown significantly in recent years. It's particularly strong for concerts and tends to aggregate listings from multiple sources, giving you more options in one place. For niche events or smaller Canadian venues, inventory can be thinner than StubHub.
SeatGeek's fees are generally competitive — typically 20–25% combined buyer and service fees. They display fees transparently during the checkout process, which makes it easier to understand what you're actually paying.
SeatGeek's proprietary Deal Score (0–100) rates listings based on historical pricing data for that section and event. A score above 70 generally indicates a fair or good price. This feature is genuinely useful — it's the inspiration behind SeatCompare's own deal scoring system.
SeatGeek's buyer guarantee covers invalid tickets and cancelled events with a full refund policy. Their customer service is generally well-rated among Canadian buyers.
Vivid Seats is a Chicago-based marketplace that has been expanding its Canadian presence. It's smaller than StubHub but has carved out a loyal user base with its rewards program.
Vivid Seats has solid inventory for major events but can be thinner than StubHub and SeatGeek for smaller Canadian markets or regional events. It performs best for major arenas and stadiums in large Canadian cities.
Vivid Seats fees are in line with the industry — typically 25–30% over the listed price. One distinguishing factor is their Vivid Seats Rewards program, which gives buyers credits toward future purchases. If you buy tickets frequently, this can meaningfully reduce your effective cost over time.
Vivid Seats offers a buyer guarantee covering invalid tickets and cancelled events. Their 100% buyer guarantee is comparable to the other two platforms.
| Factor | StubHub | SeatGeek | Vivid Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian inventory | Largest | Strong | Good in major cities |
| Typical buyer fees | 20–30% | 20–25% | 25–30% |
| Price transparency | Variable | Good | Moderate |
| Deal scoring | No | Yes | No |
| Rewards program | No | No | Yes |
| Buyer guarantee | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| CAD pricing | Yes (check site) | Yes | Yes |
There is no single "best" platform for Canadian ticket buyers. The platform with the cheapest tickets for your specific event depends on which sellers listed there, what section you want, and how fees are calculated that day.
What we consistently see when comparing the same event across all three platforms:
On a $150 ticket, that difference is $22–37 per ticket. For two tickets, you could be leaving $44–74 on the table by not comparing.
The smartest move: Never buy from the first platform you check. Always compare at least two or three before purchasing. The few minutes it takes can save you more than the cost of dinner.
SeatCompare searches StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats and more simultaneously — showing you the lowest total price for every listing including all fees.
Search tickets now →Yes — all three platforms are legitimate, established marketplaces with buyer protection policies. They guarantee your tickets will be valid for entry or provide a refund. Millions of Canadians buy through these platforms every year without issues.
Fees vary by event and listing, but SeatGeek generally has slightly lower combined fees than StubHub. However, the base ticket price matters more than the fee percentage — a lower-fee platform with higher base prices can still cost more overall.
All three platforms have policies covering cancelled events. You are generally entitled to a full refund if an event is cancelled outright. For postponed events, policies vary — check each platform's terms before purchasing.
StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats all offer CAD pricing for Canadian buyers. Always verify the currency shown before completing your purchase, as some URLs may default to USD.