alf Review, Pricing & Features

alf.io is a free, self-hosted, open-source ticketing platform for conferences and events, supporting Stripe, PayPal, and offline check-in apps.

Category
Scheduling
Pricing
Free (open source), from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2014
Web AppiOSAndroidAPIOpen SourceSelf-Hosted

Overview

alf.io is a free and open-source event attendance management system launched in 2014, built for organizers who prioritize privacy, security, and fair pricing. It covers the full event lifecycle, from ticket distribution and sales through on-site check-in and post-event reporting.

Key Features

The platform supports multiple payment methods including Stripe, Mollie, Revolut, PayPal, bank transfer, and on-site payment, and offers a native iOS/Android app for ticket scanning, check-in, and lead capture. It also supports Raspberry Pi-powered offline check-in stations with badge printing for venues with unreliable connectivity. The purchase flow is available in nine languages, and security is handled via HTTPS, Content Security Policy, and PCI-compliant payment processing.

Licensing & Self-Hosting

alf.io's web application is licensed under GPLv3 and its mobile app under Apache 2, with no usage fees or mandatory statistics collection. Organizers self-host the platform on infrastructure such as Heroku, OpenShift, Google Kubernetes Engine, or Clever Cloud, or can use Swicket, a third-party managed hosting alternative built on alf.io. The project is supported through Open Collective and organizational sponsors.

Key Features

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No platform or per-ticket fees since it's self-hosted
  • Strong privacy and security defaults
  • Choice of multiple payment providers
  • Active open-source community and sponsor support

Cons

  • Requires technical setup and hosting knowledge to self-manage
  • No official vendor support unless using a third-party managed host like Swicket
  • Smaller feature/plugin ecosystem than large commercial ticketing platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

Is alf.io free to use?

Yes. The web application is GPLv3-licensed open-source software with no usage fees.

Do I need to host alf.io myself?

Yes, for the core open-source project. A managed hosting alternative called Swicket, built on alf.io, is also available.

What payment processors does alf.io support?

Stripe, Mollie, Revolut, PayPal, bank transfer, and on-site payment.

Does alf.io have a mobile app?

Yes, an iOS/Android app is available for check-in scanning and lead capture.

Comparisons

Related Tools