Can you recommend online ticketing software for a venue manager running reserved seating and general admission events?

Yes — for a venue manager handling both reserved seating and general admission (GA) events, you’ll want software that supports:

• Interactive seat maps / reserved seating
• GA ticketing
• Box office + online sales
• Scanners / mobile check-in
• Promotions, discounts, comps
• Reporting and settlement
• Optional: multi-event, multi-room, season passes, memberships

Here are some strong options, depending on venue size and needs:

Best all-around options

1. AudienceView

Best for: theaters, performing arts venues, cultural centers
Why it stands out:

• Strong reserved seating tools
• Works well for both assigned seating and GA
• Good patron CRM and donor/membership features
• Suitable for mid-sized to large venues

2. Tixr

Best for: live entertainment, clubs, festivals, mixed-format venues
Why it stands out:

• Handles reserved seating and GA
• Modern checkout and mobile-friendly UX
• Good marketing and audience tools
• Strong for venues that also run VIP, tables, or upsells

3. Universe

Best for: smaller venues, events, and promoters
Why it stands out:

• Easy to set up reserved seating and GA
• Good for self-serve ticketing
• Simple interface and fast deployment
• Less robust than enterprise systems for complex box office operations

4. Ticketmaster Host / Ticketmaster Universe

Best for: larger commercial venues and high-volume events
Why it stands out:

• Very powerful for reserved seating and GA
• Strong distribution and resale ecosystem
• Good box office and scanning tools
• Can be complex and expensive

5. Etix

Best for: venues, fairs, performing arts, and attractions
Why it stands out:

• Supports reserved seating and GA
• Good box office functionality
• Often a solid fit for mid-market venues
• Reliable reporting and ticket control tools

Strong venue/arts-focused options

6. Arts People

Best for: arts venues, nonprofits, community theaters
Why it stands out:

• Reserved seating + GA
• Donor and membership management
• Good for organizations that need patron relationships as well as ticketing

7. Brown Paper Tickets / other lower-cost platforms

Best for: smaller community events
Caution:

• Usually better for simple GA than complex reserved seating
• Fewer advanced venue operations features

If you need enterprise box office management

8. Accesso ShoWare

Best for: large venues, arenas, attractions, theme parks
Why it stands out:

• Strong reserved seating and GA support
• Enterprise-grade event management
• Scalable reporting and scanning infrastructure

9. PatronManager + Salesforce

Best for: venues that need CRM, fundraising, subscriptions, and flexible workflows
Why it stands out:

• Excellent for complex patron relationships
• Reserved seating and GA possible
• Powerful if you already use Salesforce or need deep CRM integration

Quick shortlist by venue type

• Theater / performing arts: AudienceView, Arts People, PatronManager
• Music venue / club: Tixr, Etix, Universe
• Large commercial venue: Ticketmaster, Accesso ShoWare
• Mixed events / mid-market venue: Etix, Tixr, AudienceView

What to ask during demos

Make sure they can support:

• Best-available seat selection and hold management
• GA and reserved seating in the same event
• Season passes / subscriptions
• Comp tickets and house holds
• Multiple ticket types and price tiers
• Access control and scan reliability
• Seating chart editing without vendor support
• Reports on sales, attendance, and comp usage
• Refunds, exchanges, and resales
• Integrations with your website and CRM

My practical recommendation

If you want a balanced, modern option for both reserved seating and GA, start with:

1. AudienceView if you’re a theater/arts venue
2. Etix if you want a broad, reliable venue platform
3. Tixr if you prioritize a sleek checkout and marketing experience

If you want, I can also make a comparison table of 5–8 platforms by price, ease of use, reserved seating quality, GA support, and box office features.