The most trusted ticket sites
TickPick, SeatGeek, Gametime, Vivid Seats, StubHub and Ticketmaster are all legitimate, established ticket sites, and each guarantees valid tickets or a replacement or refund. Consumer ratings are strongest for TickPick, SeatGeek and Gametime. The real risk is buying from an individual outside a guaranteed marketplace, not choosing the wrong one of these six.
Every major ticket marketplace backs its sales with a guarantee, so "is this site legit" has the same answer for all six: yes. What differs is the strength of the guarantee, the consumer ratings, and how the companies have behaved on fees. This ranking weighs those three things. It is an assessment of trust, not of price.
- #1
TickPick
Best for: The lowest final total, with no fee surprisesBuyerTrust Guarantee plus some of the strongest consumer ratings in the category, and a pricing model with nothing hidden because there is no buyer fee to hide.
Buyer fees: No buyer feesGuarantee: BuyerTrust GuaranteeDelivery: Mobile transfer, e-tickets, instant download - #2
SeatGeek
Best for: Value shoppers who want a slick appBuyer Guarantee, official partnerships with pro leagues and teams, and consistently strong app reviews. Fees are added but displayed in full.
Buyer fees: ~10–30%* + all-inGuarantee: Buyer GuaranteeDelivery: Mobile transfer, e-tickets, instant download - #3
Gametime
Best for: Last-minute, mobile-first dealsTicket Coverage guarantee, all-in pricing from the first screen, and a long record of delivering mobile tickets for last-minute buyers.
Buyer fees: All-in (bundled)Guarantee: Ticket CoverageDelivery: Mobile-first, mobile transfer and e-tickets - #4
Vivid Seats
Best for: Frequent buyers who want loyalty perks100% Buyer Guarantee and a large, long-running operation. Fees are at the higher end, which affects price more than trust.
Buyer fees: ~20–40%*Guarantee: 100% Buyer GuaranteeDelivery: Mobile transfer, e-tickets, instant download - #5
Ticketmaster
Best for: Buying primary, face-value tickets at on-saleThe primary seller for most events, with verified resale and mobile SafeTix delivery. Trust in ticket validity is high; its fee practices are the usual complaint.
Buyer fees: ~20–30%*+Guarantee: Event-based (US)Delivery: Mobile (SafeTix), plus print-at-home where allowed - #6
StubHub
Best for: Finding a ticket to almost anythingFanProtect guarantee and the longest track record in resale. It reliably delivers valid tickets, though a lower BBB standing and a finalized 2026 FTC pricing settlement weigh on its reputation.
Buyer fees: ~15–30%*+Guarantee: FanProtectDelivery: Mobile transfer, e-tickets, instant download
*Buyer fees are third-party estimates and float with demand. Rankings are Tixplorer’s assessment; facts current as of 2026.
At a glance
The verdict
Buy from any of these six and you are protected. If trust is your first filter, TickPick, SeatGeek and Gametime lead on ratings and transparency. The rule that actually keeps you safe is simpler: never buy from an individual seller outside a guaranteed marketplace, no matter how good the price.
See which site is cheapest for your event
Prices move by the hour and the cheapest site changes per event. Tixplorer compares live, all-in prices across TickPick, Gametime, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster and other trusted marketplaces so you see the lowest total in one search.
Frequently asked questions
Which ticket site is the most reliable?
All six major marketplaces reliably deliver valid tickets under a guarantee. By consumer ratings, TickPick, SeatGeek and Gametime lead; StubHub and Ticketmaster are reliable on validity but draw more complaints about fees and customer service.
Is it safe to buy resale tickets online?
Yes, through a marketplace with a buyer guarantee. TickPick, SeatGeek, Gametime, Vivid Seats, StubHub and Ticketmaster all promise valid tickets or a comparable replacement or refund. Avoid peer-to-peer deals on social media, where there is no guarantee.
What happens if my resale tickets are fake?
Every major marketplace guarantee covers it: you get comparable replacement tickets or a refund. Report the problem to the marketplace before the event starts if possible, since most guarantees ask you to contact them at the venue.