You want to run paid masterclasses. You have two options:
Option 1: Cobble together Eventbrite, Zoom, and Stripe (the DIY stack) Option 2: Use an all-in-one platform like Talkspresso
Both work. But which one is right for you?
I'll break down the real costs, setup complexity, and attendee experience of each. No fluff, just facts.
The DIY Stack: Eventbrite + Zoom + Stripe
This is the default setup for most creators starting out.
How it works:
- Use Eventbrite to create event registration
- Connect Stripe to collect payments
- Send Zoom webinar links manually or via automation
- Manage everything separately
Monthly costs:
- Eventbrite: Free (2% fee per ticket) or $79/month (no fees)
- Zoom Webinar: $79/month (up to 500 attendees)
- Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- Zapier (optional automation): $20/month
Total: $178/month + payment fees (or $20/month + 2% Eventbrite fee + Stripe fees)
Setup time: 3-5 hours (connecting accounts, configuring workflows, testing)
Pros:
- Full control over each tool
- Familiar platforms
- Can customize heavily
- No platform commission beyond payment processor
Cons:
- Three separate logins
- Manual workflows (send links, confirm registrations, track payments)
- Attendees bounce between tools (register on Eventbrite, pay on Stripe, join on Zoom)
- No built-in attendee management
- You handle all tech support
Talkspresso: The All-in-One Alternative
Talkspresso was built specifically for creators running paid masterclasses.
How it works:
- Create your masterclass and set capacity
- Share your registration link
- Attendees book, pay, and join (all in one place)
- Everything runs automatically
Monthly costs:
- No subscription
- 10% platform fee on bookings
- Stripe processing fees (2.9% + 30¢)
Total: 10% + payment fees per masterclass
Setup time: 10-15 minutes
Pros:
- One login, one dashboard
- Attendees have a seamless experience (book, pay, join in one flow)
- Built-in video (no Zoom required)
- Automatic email reminders
- Attendee list and analytics
- Mobile-friendly for attendees
- No monthly commitment (pay only when you earn)
Cons:
- 10% platform fee (worth it if you value your time)
- Less customization than DIY stack
- Video platform is proprietary (not Zoom)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DIY Stack (Eventbrite + Zoom + Stripe) | Talkspresso | |---------|----------------------------------------|-------------| | Registration | Eventbrite | Built-in | | Payments | Stripe | Stripe (integrated) | | Video | Zoom Webinar | Built-in | | Setup time | 3-5 hours | 10-15 minutes | | Monthly cost | $178 (or $20 + 2% fee) | $0 (10% per booking) | | Attendee experience | Fragmented (3 tools) | Seamless (1 link) | | Automated reminders | Eventbrite only | Yes | | Recording | Zoom ($79/month) | Built-in | | Attendee notes | No | Yes | | Mobile-friendly | Zoom yes, Eventbrite okay | Fully optimized | | Max capacity | Zoom: 500 | Up to 500 | | Recurring masterclasses | Manual setup | One-click duplicate | | Custom branding | Limited | Profile customization | | Support | 3 separate support teams | Single support team |
Cost Breakdown: Which Is Cheaper?
Let's compare real numbers.
Scenario 1: You run 1 masterclass/month with 100 attendees at $15 each
| Cost | DIY Stack | Talkspresso | |------|-----------|-------------| | Monthly subscription | $178 | $0 | | Platform fees | $0 (or $30 if using free Eventbrite) | $150 (10% of $1,500) | | Stripe fees | $48 | $48 | | Total | $226 (or $78 with free Eventbrite) | $198 |
Winner: Talkspresso (saves $28-298/month)
Scenario 2: You run 2 masterclasses/month with 200 attendees at $15 each
| Cost | DIY Stack | Talkspresso | |------|-----------|-------------| | Monthly subscription | $178 | $0 | | Platform fees | $0 (or $120 if using free Eventbrite) | $600 (10% of $6,000) | | Stripe fees | $192 | $192 | | Total | $370 (or $312 with free Eventbrite) | $792 |
Winner: DIY (saves $422-480/month)
Bottom line: If you're running 1 masterclass/month with under 150 attendees, Talkspresso is cheaper or competitive. If you're running 2+ masterclasses/month with 200+ attendees each, DIY is cheaper.
But the real question is: what's your time worth?
Time Costs (The Hidden Expense)
Cost isn't just about money. It's about time.
DIY stack time drains:
- 3-5 hours initial setup
- 20-30 minutes per masterclass (create event, configure Zoom, test integration)
- 10-15 minutes per masterclass sending reminder emails and Zoom links
- Tech support when Eventbrite doesn't sync or Zoom link breaks
Average monthly time cost: 4-6 hours
If you value your time at $50/hour, that's $200-300/month in hidden costs.
Talkspresso time saved:
- 10-15 minutes initial setup
- 5 minutes per masterclass (duplicate, set date, publish)
- 0 minutes managing attendees (everything is automatic)
Average monthly time cost: ~10 minutes
If you're running 2+ masterclasses/month, the 10% fee pays for itself in time saved.
Attendee Experience: Why This Matters
Your attendees don't care what tools you use. They care about how easy it is to join.
DIY stack attendee experience:
- Click your Eventbrite link
- Pick a ticket
- Get redirected to Stripe to pay
- Receive confirmation email
- Receive separate email with Zoom link (maybe)
- Add Zoom link to calendar manually
- Hope the link works on masterclass day
Talkspresso attendee experience:
- Click your masterclass link
- Select ticket and pay
- Get confirmation email with join link
- Click "Join masterclass" when it's time
Fewer steps = higher conversion. Every extra click costs you attendees.
When to Use the DIY Stack
The DIY stack is better if:
- You're running 3+ masterclasses/month with 200+ attendees each
- You already pay for Zoom Webinar
- You want maximum customization
- You don't mind managing multiple tools
- You're technical and enjoy troubleshooting
Best for: High-volume creators who value saving platform fees over saving time.
When to Use Talkspresso
Talkspresso is better if:
- You're running 1-2 masterclasses/month
- You value seamless attendee experience
- You don't want to manage three tools
- You want to start taking registrations in 10 minutes
- You prefer pay-as-you-go vs monthly subscriptions
Best for: Creators who want to monetize their audience without becoming a tech support team.
What About Other Alternatives?
Zoom-only (no registration platform)
- Sending manual payment links doesn't scale
- No automated confirmations
- Attendees get confused
Teachable / Thinkific
- Great for pre-recorded courses, not live masterclasses
- Monthly subscriptions ($39-99/month)
Crowdcast
- Built for webinars and masterclasses
- $89/month for up to 500 attendees
- Good option, but monthly subscription vs pay-as-you-go
None of these do what Talkspresso does: pay-as-you-go pricing with seamless registration, payment, and video in one link.
The Honest Verdict
If you're just starting out and want to test if masterclasses work: Start with free Eventbrite + Zoom. It's cheaper at low volume.
If you're running 1-2 masterclasses/month and tired of managing tools: Switch to Talkspresso. The 10% fee pays for itself in time saved and better attendee experience.
If you're running 3+ masterclasses/month with 200+ attendees each: DIY stack saves money at high volume, but costs you time.
The best tool is the one you'll actually use. For most creators, that's Talkspresso.