Skiddle vs DesignMyNight: Which ticketing platform is right for your event?
Choosing the right ticketing partner isn’t about finding the most convenient option. It’s about getting your event in front of the right people, getting the support you need when you need it, and, most importantly, picking a platform where you know you’ll sell tickets.
While DesignMyNight is a nightlife guide built around hospitality bookings, Skiddle is an all-in-one platform designed to handle any event. Whether you run food tasting events, bottomless brunches, weekly club nights, or huge multi-stage festivals, Skiddle gives you the tools to get attendees quickly through the door whilst packing out your venue.
6.5 Million
UK consumers use Skiddle to discover events
3.6 Million
Users active on the Skiddle app
97%
Promoters who renew their contract with Skiddle every year
Skiddle
Skiddle combines straightforward ticketing tools with powerful promotion to make sure your events are a success. We put your brand front and centre, giving you full access to your sales data and flexible ways to get paid early so you can keep growing your brand on your own terms.
Additionally, our app, push notifications, email alerts, and personalised event recommendations work together to push your listings in front of active ticket buyers looking for their next day or night out.
DesignMyNight
DesignMyNight is predominantly a nightlife guide that helps people discover bars and book tables, using its own built-in ticketing tool called Tonic.
Their platform is fundamentally built for the hospitality trade, not independent event organisers. Because their system treats events like restaurant bookings, it can be hard to handle high-volume ticket releases. Plus, they use an old-school financial setup, meaning they hold onto all your ticket money and fan details until after your event is completely over.
Trusted by organisers across the UK
"The ease of managing events and allocations in the Promotion Centre is fantastic, and the data and reports available provide us with useful insights into our audience demographic, sales patterns and more."
The Blast
3,099 followers
The promoter flexibility gap
The biggest difference between DesignMyNight and Skiddle comes down to what happens when your business starts to grow. DesignMyNight is stuck in the venue-booking mould. If you want to expand from a small cocktail tasting or a quiz night into an outdoor street food market or a weekend festival, their systems simply aren’t built to handle large ticket volumes or long queues.
Skiddle gives you total flexibility from day one. We handle relaxed hospitality events like brunches and masterclasses just as easily as we handle thousands of fans rushing through a festival gate. You don’t have to switch platforms or learn a new system just because your events are getting bigger and more popular.
5 reasons UK promoters choose Skiddle over DesignMyNight
Unlock your ticket money early for larger events
Paying for massive venue hire, big artist deposits, and festival production requires serious cash. While DesignMyNight holds onto all your ticket money until after your event is completely finished, Skiddle offers early payout options for larger shows and festivals. If your event fits the criteria, you can apply to withdraw your funds as tickets sell to keep your plans moving.
Ticket scanning tools that clear queues rapidly
If you have hundreds of people turning up at once for a busy event, the last thing you want is huge queues forming at the doors or gates. Skiddle’s Rapidscan app is built to handle fast-moving crowds, to get attendees through and into your event quicker, preventing potential bad reviews from unhappy customers.
Turn browsers into ticket buyers
We give you practical tools that actually drive ticket sales across the web. From automated alerts that text or email fans the second their favourite artists or event brands announce a show, to our official Spotify integration that matches your event lineup with local listeners, Skiddle makes it easy to capture fan interest instantly.
Access your ticket revenue as you sell
Paying for venue hire, artist deposits, and upfront marketing requires real cash flow. While DesignMyNight typically holds onto all your ticket revenue until after your event is completely over, Skiddle offers flexible payout options. This means you can access your funds as tickets sell to keep your business moving when you need it most.
Own your customer lists for good
We believe your customer data should be yours and yours alone to utilise – not the platform’s. DesignMyNight keeps tight control over fan details, but Skiddle lets you export your customer data and email lists whenever you want. Pair this data with our suite of marketing tools and features, and engage your followers when you add new events.
Skiddle vs DesignMyNight: Feature by Feature
| Feature |
|
DesignMyNight |
| Brand Alerts | Yes | No |
| Push Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Session-Based Ticketing | Yes | Yes |
| Cool Off (72hr Refund) | Yes | No |
| Customer App | Yes | Yes |
| WhatsApp/SMS alerts | Yes | No |
| Remind Me | Yes | No |
| Same-day Remittance Payments | Yes | No |
| Payment Plans | Yes | No |
| Skiddle Reps (Affiliate Marketing) | Yes | No |
Questions about our features or bespoke requirements? Book a call with our team
Switching from DesignMyNight is simple
Most promoters completed the switch within a working day. There’s nothing to lose by trying – it’s free to list your event, and there are no listing fees or contracts to sign.
Register your account
Create your free Promotion Centre account and start listing events in minutes.
Takes 30 seconds
Create an event
Take advantage of free tools to build and promote your events.
Takes 30 seconds
Start selling tickets
Publish your event and begin selling tickets free of charge.
Takes 30 seconds
Register your account
Create your free Promotion Centre account and start listing events in minutes.
Takes 30 seconds
Create an event
Take advantage of free tools to build and promote your events.
Takes 30 seconds
Start selling tickets
Publish your event and begin selling tickets free of charge.
Takes 30 seconds
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell tickets on Skiddle?
When do organisers receive ticket revenue?
Can I customise my event page?
Can I sell tickets on the door with Skiddle?
Is Skiddle only for music events?
Does Skiddle help promote my event?