---
title: "SmartGig vs Stager: fees and features compared (2026)"
description: "SmartGig and Stager side by side for event organizers: fees, features and who each suits. Checked October 2026."
canonical: "https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/smartgig-vs-stager"
---

1. [Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/)
2. [Compare](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare)
3. [Event and festival management](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management)
4. SmartGig vs Stager

# SmartGig vs Stager

Festival and venue teams use SmartGig and Stager to run stages, crew and ticket sales in one system. SmartGig sells monthly modules with no commission on tickets, and Stager charges a fixed €0.87 per ticket up to 2,500 tickets a year.

  [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo) [Get started free](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome?utm_source=compare&utm_campaign=compare-event-management-smartgig-vs-stager)

Ticket Fairy publishes this comparison and also sells event ticketing and event management software. [How we compare platforms](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/methodology)

- **8 of 8** of the things you need, confirmed on the published pages of SmartGig
- **6 of 8** of the things you need, confirmed on the published pages of Stager
- **8 of 8** of the things you need, included on Ticket Fairy

## Which should you choose?

### SmartGig suits you if you need

- SmartGig takes 0% commission on ticket sales; organizers pay the subscription and their payment provider’s card fees.[1](#source-1)
- The running order checks availability, changeovers, stage hours and curfews while you place acts.[2](#source-2)

### Stager suits you if you need

- Stager publishes a fixed price of €0.87 per ticket for organizers selling up to 2,500 tickets a year.[3](#source-3)
- Crew members use the Stager mobile app to give availability, claim shifts and view upcoming shifts.[4](#source-4)

SmartGig suits you if you want to pay only for the modules you use, with running order checks and trader bookings, and Stager if you work in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany and want crew who claim their own shifts and an overview of each show for settlement.

## Why do event teams choose Ticket Fairy over both SmartGig and Stager?

- You can send contracts to many performers, traders or suppliers at once and have them signed online, with a signature certificate.[5](#source-5)
- Your door team can scan accreditation passes with the same app as tickets.[6](#source-6)
- You can settle with artists from a draft built on your actual ticket sales after refunds, and see where every line came from.[7](#source-7)

  [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo) [Get started free](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome?utm_source=compare&utm_campaign=compare-event-management-smartgig-vs-stager)

[SmartGig vs Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/ticket-fairy-vs-smartgig) [Stager vs Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/ticket-fairy-vs-stager)

## What does each of SmartGig and Stager do?

### How do both tools and Ticket Fairy compare on what your event needs?

Ticket Fairy includes 8 of these 8 things you need, on any plan.

| What you need | SmartGig | Stager |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Artists and suppliers |  |  |
| Contracts and e-signing | On a paid plan[8](#source-8) Online contract confirmation links for acts with Needed, Sent, Signed status; not a contract document Plans: Stage Manager (GBP 20 a month) | Not found in Stager's public documentation[9](#source-9) Crew profiles hold contract dates, type and uploaded signed copies; no templates or e-signing described |
| Artist advancing | On a paid plan[10](#source-10) One advance page per act; acts enter arrival, meals, dietary needs and vehicle details Plans: Stage Manager (GBP 20 a month) | Included[11](#source-11) Advancing forms and dashboard collect riders, technical, hospitality and travel details |
| Supplier management | On a paid plan[12](#source-12) Supplier schedules from the site plan; reusable supplier contacts in Transport Plans: Site Plan (GBP 10 a month) | Included[13](#source-13) Supplier contacts in the CRM; advancing forms collect details from vendors |
| Show day |  |  |
| Run of show and day sheets | On a paid plan[14](#source-14) Running order builder with clash, changeover and curfew checks, auto-schedule and live view Plans: Stage Manager (GBP 20 a month) | Included[15](#source-15) Production schedule by program item, event and date, timeline view, itineraries and event summaries |
| Crew and volunteer rota | On a paid plan[16](#source-16) Crew contacts assigned to stage, day and role with optional shift times Plans: Stage Manager (GBP 20 a month) | Included[17](#source-17) Crew shifts, availability, self-claimed shifts in the mobile app, double-booking warnings |
| Passes and accreditation | On a paid plan[18](#source-18) Performer guest passes, pass labels and accreditation status; comps issued via Ticketing Plans: Stage Manager (GBP 20 a month) | Not found in Stager's public documentation[19](#source-19) Guest lists and guest tickets documented; crew or production passes not described |
| Money |  |  |
| Budgets and settlements | On a paid plan[20](#source-20) Artist fee budget with deposits and payments; event costs and profit from trader bookings Plans: Stage Manager (artist fees) or Trader Manager (event costs) | Included[21](#source-21) Event budgets with cost items, budget vs result reports, per-event settlement overviews |
| Ticket sales in the same system | On a paid plan[22](#source-22) Own ticketing module with allocated seating and 0% ticket commission Plans: Ticketing module (GBP 80 a month) | Included[23](#source-23) Sells tickets in the same system as planning and marketing |

## What else should you know about SmartGig and Stager?

How do SmartGig and Stager charge for ticketing?:  SmartGig's Ticketing module is £80 a month including UK VAT, with no commission on ticket sales. Stager charges €0.87 per ticket up to 2,500 tickets a year, plus payment-method fees such as 2% for credit cards. [24](#source-24) [1](#source-1) [3](#source-3) [25](#source-25)

Can crew pick their own shifts in SmartGig and Stager?:  Stager crew give their availability and claim shifts in the Stager app, with double-booking warnings. SmartGig assigns crew contacts to a stage, day and role with optional shift times. [4](#source-4) [26](#source-26) [27](#source-27)

How do artists advance in SmartGig and Stager?:  SmartGig gives each act one advance page for arrival, meals and dietary needs, and Stager's advancing forms collect technical, hospitality and travel details from artists and other external parties. [28](#source-28) [29](#source-29)

Can SmartGig and Stager send artist contracts?:  SmartGig sends acts an online contract confirmation link, which its help center says does not replace a separate contract. We did not find contract templates or e-signing in Stager's public documentation. [30](#source-30)

Which helps me settle a show, SmartGig or Stager?:  Stager produces an overview for each event of sales, refunds and Stager costs for show settlements. SmartGig records each act's fee, deposit and buyout against a performer budget and works out profit from trader bookings. [31](#source-31) [32](#source-32) [33](#source-33)

Can I try SmartGig and Stager before I pay?:  SmartGig starts every package with a 14-day free trial and needs no card. On Stager, your first two users are free. [34](#source-34) [35](#source-35)

## How are SmartGig and Stager priced?

SmartGig:  Modular subscription in GBP, monthly or yearly: a free base plus paid modules (for example Stage Manager GBP 20 and Ticketing GBP 80 a month); 14-day free trial, no card.[36](#source-36)

Stager:  Per ticket sold: €0.87 per ticket up to 2,500 tickets a year, custom quote above; first two users free, then €12.99 per user per month; messages billed separately; payment-method fees on top.[37](#source-37)

## Where does each one win?

### SmartGig

- The running order checks availability, changeovers, stage hours and curfews while you place acts.[2](#source-2)
- Transport Manager works out stop order and which van takes each job around loads, timings and vehicle capabilities.[38](#source-38)
- Traders get their own page for bookings, documents and payments without signing up.[39](#source-39)

### Stager

- Advancing forms collect technical requirements, hospitality needs and travel details from external parties.[29](#source-29)
- Crew members use the Stager mobile app to give availability, claim shifts and view upcoming shifts.[4](#source-4)
- Stager generates per-event overviews of sales, refunds and Stager costs for show settlements.[31](#source-31)

A third option: Ticket Fairy

[Why do event teams choose Ticket Fairy over both SmartGig and Stager?](#third-option)

   [Book a demo](https://www.ticketfairy.com/event-ticketing/book-a-demo) [Get started free](https://manage.ticketfairy.com/welcome?utm_source=compare&utm_campaign=compare-event-management-smartgig-vs-stager)

## What else are you comparing?

- [SmartGig vs Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/ticket-fairy-vs-smartgig)
- [Stager vs Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/ticket-fairy-vs-stager)
- [Festival Pro vs Lennd vs Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/festival-pro-vs-lennd)
- [Eventotron vs Ticket Fairy](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/ticket-fairy-vs-eventotron)
- [Best festival management software for festival producers](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/best-festival-management-software)
- [Questions about event management software](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management/questions)
- [Event and festival management compared](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/event-management)

## Where does each fact come from?

Every fact about another company comes from its own published pages, quoted word for word. Where we did not find something in those pages, we say exactly that. [How we compare platforms](https://www.ticketfairy.com/compare/methodology)

1. SmartGig SmartGig takes 0% commission on ticket sales; organizers pay the subscription and their payment provider’s card fees. "We take 0%, however many you sell. You pay your subscription, and your payment provider charges its usual card fees."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/), read on 17 October 2026.
2. SmartGig The running order checks availability, changeovers, stage hours and curfews while you place acts. "Stage Manager checks availability, changeovers, stage hours and curfews as you go"  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/build-and-validate-running-order](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/build-and-validate-running-order), read on 17 October 2026.
3. Stager Stager publishes a fixed price of €0.87 per ticket for organizers selling up to 2,500 tickets a year. "If you sell between 0 - 2,500 tickets, then we offer a fixed price of €0.87 per ticket."  [stager.co/en/pricing/](https://stager.co/en/pricing/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260826201630/https://stager.co/en/pricing/)
4. Stager Crew members use the Stager mobile app to give availability, claim shifts and view upcoming shifts. "Your crew members can easily use the Stager mobile app to indicate their availability, claim shifts, and view their upcoming shifts."  [stager.co/en/features/planning/crew-planning/](https://stager.co/en/features/planning/crew-planning/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260514194837/https://stager.co/en/features/planning/crew-planning/)
5. Ticket Fairy [Guide: Send contracts to many performers, traders or suppliers for your event at once](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/send-contracts-to-many-performers-traders-or-suppliers-at-once)
6. Ticket Fairy [Guide: Issue accreditation passes for your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/issue-accreditation-passes-for-your-event)

  Show all 39 sources

7. Ticket Fairy [Guide: Settle a show with an artist after your event](https://www.ticketfairy.com/guides/settle-a-show-with-an-artist)
8. SmartGig Contracts and e-signing "A contract confirmation link lets an act confirm their booking details online."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/send-performer-contract-confirmations](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/send-performer-contract-confirmations), read on 17 October 2026.
9. Stager Contracts and e-signing "You can also add comments and upload documents, such as a scanned copy of a signed contract" Where we looked: stager.co/en/features/planning/\* (6 pages), /en/features/, /en/pricing/, /en/solutions/stager-for-festivals/; help.stager.co/en (all 7 top-level collections and their sub-collections; 139 article/collection URLs listed); searched fetched pages for 'contract', 'e-sign', 'signature', 'template'..  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697407-crew-planning-setup](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697407-crew-planning-setup), read on 17 October 2026.
10. SmartGig Artist advancing "Every act gets one page, and they can fill in the details you’d otherwise chase the week before."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/share-performer-advance-pages](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/share-performer-advance-pages), read on 17 October 2026.
11. Stager Artist advancing "With Stager's advancing tool you can request general information, contact details and documents, such as riders."  [stager.co/en/features/planning/advancing/](https://stager.co/en/features/planning/advancing/), read on 17 October 2026.
12. SmartGig Supplier management "Power, water and waste suppliers each get their own schedule with locations, loads and cable lengths, and no private contact details." Where we looked: https://www.smartgig.co.uk/sitemap.xml (all 183 help-article titles reviewed), https://www.smartgig.co.uk/features, /modules/events, /modules/stage, /modules/tickets, /modules/transport, /modules/site-plan; searched page text for "supplier", "purchase order", "vendor".  [www.smartgig.co.uk/features](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/features), read on 17 October 2026.
13. Stager Supplier management "you can also fill Stager's relationship management system (CRM) with details of all employees, volunteers, press contacts, suppliers, artists, VIPs, neighbours, board members, donors, etc." Where we looked: stager.co/en/features/planning/\*, /en/features/marketing/, help.stager.co/en (all 7 top-level collections and their sub-collections; 139 article/collection URLs listed); searched for 'supplier', 'vendor'..  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697418-stager-in-a-nutshell](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697418-stager-in-a-nutshell), read on 17 October 2026.
14. SmartGig Run of show and day sheets "Stage Manager checks availability, changeovers, stage hours and curfews as you go"  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/build-and-validate-running-order](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/build-and-validate-running-order), read on 17 October 2026.
15. Stager Run of show and day sheets "The schedule serves as the central timeline for your production, capturing everything from load-ins to showtimes."  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697474-schedule](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697474-schedule), read on 17 October 2026.
16. SmartGig Crew and volunteer rota "Choose the contact, stage, day and role, add shift times if useful" Where we looked: https://www.smartgig.co.uk/sitemap.xml (all 183 help-article titles reviewed), https://www.smartgig.co.uk/features, /modules/events, /modules/stage, /modules/tickets, /modules/transport, /modules/site-plan; searched page text for "volunteer", "rota", "shift", "steward".  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/manage-production-contacts-and-stage-crew](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/manage-production-contacts-and-stage-crew), read on 17 October 2026.
17. Stager Crew and volunteer rota "Your crew members can easily use the Stager mobile app to indicate their availability, claim shifts, and view their upcoming shifts."  [stager.co/en/features/planning/crew-planning/](https://stager.co/en/features/planning/crew-planning/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260514194837/https://stager.co/en/features/planning/crew-planning/)
18. SmartGig Passes and accreditation "Accreditation status: not required, requested, ready or issued." Where we looked: https://www.smartgig.co.uk/sitemap.xml (all 183 help-article titles reviewed), https://www.smartgig.co.uk/features, /modules/events, /modules/stage, /modules/tickets, /modules/transport, /modules/site-plan; searched page text for "accreditation", "wristband", "zone", "credential".  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/stage-manager-guest-lists-and-accreditation](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/stage-manager-guest-lists-and-accreditation), read on 17 October 2026.
19. Stager Passes and accreditation "let your artists manage their own guests. They can fill in their list via a secure link without needing a Stager login." Where we looked: stager.co/en/features/ticketing/guest-list-system/, /en/features/planning/\*, /en/solutions/stager-for-festivals/; help.stager.co/en (all 7 top-level collections and their sub-collections; 139 article/collection URLs listed); searched for 'accreditation', 'credential', 'wristband', 'pass'..  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697513-guest-tickets](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697513-guest-tickets), read on 17 October 2026.
20. SmartGig Budgets and settlements "Record each act’s fee, deposit, per diem and buyout, see what’s paid against your budget and export it for the bookkeeper."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/track-artist-fees-and-payments](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/track-artist-fees-and-payments), read on 17 October 2026.
21. Stager Budgets and settlements "With Stager you can create clear budgets for each event with cost items you set in advance."  [stager.co/en/features/planning/finance/](https://stager.co/en/features/planning/finance/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260612114904/https://stager.co/en/features/planning/finance/)
22. SmartGig Ticket sales in the same system "0% SmartGig commission. No cut of your ticket sales."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/event-ticketing-software](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/event-ticketing-software), read on 17 October 2026.
23. Stager Ticket sales in the same system "Stager is an all-in-one system that combines production scheduling, marketing and ticketing."  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697418-stager-in-a-nutshell](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697418-stager-in-a-nutshell), read on 17 October 2026.
24. SmartGig The Ticketing module is published at GBP 80 a month after the trial, shown as including UK VAT at 20%. "£80.00"  [www.smartgig.co.uk/event-ticketing-software](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/event-ticketing-software), read on 17 October 2026.
25. Stager Stager charges a payment-method transaction fee on top of the ticket fee: iDEAL (Wero) 0%, credit card 2%, Bancontact 1.5%, PayPal 3.5%. "For these payment methods, we charge a transaction fee on top of the ticket fee:"  [stager.co/en/pricing/](https://stager.co/en/pricing/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260826201630/https://stager.co/en/pricing/)
26. Stager Stager warns when a crew member is already scheduled elsewhere. "Stager prevents double-booking. If someone is already scheduled elsewhere, a notification appears."  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697464-scheduling-crew](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697464-scheduling-crew), read on 17 October 2026.
27. SmartGig Crew contacts assigned to stage, day and role with optional shift times "Choose the contact, stage, day and role, add shift times if useful"  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/manage-production-contacts-and-stage-crew](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/manage-production-contacts-and-stage-crew), read on 17 October 2026.
28. SmartGig Each act gets one advance page with set times and call time, where they enter arrival, meals and dietary needs. "Every act gets one page, and they can fill in the details you’d otherwise chase the week before."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/share-performer-advance-pages](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/share-performer-advance-pages), read on 17 October 2026.
29. Stager Advancing forms collect technical requirements, hospitality needs and travel details from external parties. "Stager allows you to collect technical requirements, hospitality needs, and travel details in one structured place."  [help.stager.co/en/articles/697475-advancing](https://help.stager.co/en/articles/697475-advancing), read on 17 October 2026.
30. SmartGig Acts confirm booking details through an online contract confirmation link, which the help center says does not replace a separate contract. "It doesn’t replace a separate contract you’ve sent them."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/send-performer-contract-confirmations](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/send-performer-contract-confirmations), read on 17 October 2026.
31. Stager Stager generates per-event overviews of sales, refunds and Stager costs for show settlements. "For show settlements and other settlements, you can easily generate an overview of all sales, refunds and Stager costs for each event."  [stager.co/en/features/planning/finance/](https://stager.co/en/features/planning/finance/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260612114904/https://stager.co/en/features/planning/finance/)
32. SmartGig Stage Manager records each act’s fee, deposit, per diem and buyout against a performer budget, with a CSV export; it does not send money to acts. "SmartGig keeps track of what you’ve agreed and paid. It doesn’t send money to acts."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/track-artist-fees-and-payments](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/track-artist-fees-and-payments), read on 17 October 2026.
33. SmartGig Organizers can add event costs and SmartGig calculates profit or loss from trader bookings. "Add what an event costs to run, such as venue hire and toilets, and SmartGig works out the profit or loss from the trader bookings it already has."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/track-event-costs-and-profit](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/track-event-costs-and-profit), read on 17 October 2026.
34. SmartGig Every package starts with a 14-day free trial and no card is required. "You get 14 days free with whatever you pick, or with everything switched on if you’re still deciding."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/), read on 17 October 2026.
35. Stager The first two users are free of charge. "For your first two users, this is completely free of charge."  [stager.co/en/pricing/](https://stager.co/en/pricing/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260826201630/https://stager.co/en/pricing/)
36. SmartGig Pricing "Includes Stage Manager. Edit the package during your trial."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/stage-schedule-running-order-software](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/stage-schedule-running-order-software), read on 17 October 2026.
37. Stager Pricing "If you sell between 0 - 2,500 tickets, then we offer a fixed price of €0.87 per ticket."  [stager.co/en/pricing/](https://stager.co/en/pricing/), read on 17 October 2026. [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260826201630/https://stager.co/en/pricing/)
38. SmartGig Transport Manager works out stop order and which van takes each job around loads, timings and vehicle capabilities. "SmartGig works out the stop order and which van takes what, around locations, loads, timings, linked stops and what each vehicle can do."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/help/transport-overview](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/help/transport-overview), read on 17 October 2026.
39. SmartGig Traders get their own page for bookings, documents and payments without signing up. "Traders get their own page for bookings, documents and payments."  [www.smartgig.co.uk/](https://www.smartgig.co.uk/), read on 17 October 2026.

Updated 17 October 2026: First published.

SmartGig is a trademark of its owner. Stager is a trademark of its owner. Ticket Fairy is not affiliated with them.

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