VIP company vs running your own VIP
Updated October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
There are two ways to sell VIP on tour. Hire a full-service VIP company to run it for you, or run it yourself with software. Both work. They suit different teams.
Here is how they compare, including when a VIP company is the better choice.
Side by side
| Full-service VIP company | Run your own on Barricade | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs show day | Their staff | Your team |
| Fees | A share of VIP revenue, set by your deal | 7% flat. You keep 93%. |
| Getting paid | Depends on the deal. Often after settlement. | Your share goes to your own Stripe account when a fan buys |
| Fan data | Often held by the company | Yours. Export any time. |
| Your page | Their template | Your artist-branded page |
| Check-in | Their process | Mobile check-in. Tap a name. |
| Getting started | Custom onboarding | Build your page |
When a VIP company makes sense
A full-service company earns its fee when you need people, not just tools:
- You need staff on site every night to run the experience.
- Your package involves production, custom merch printing or complex logistics.
- Nobody on your team can own VIP on show day.
If that is your situation, keep paying for the service. That is a fair trade.
When running your own makes sense
- Your tour manager or crew can own a 30 to 60 minute VIP block.
- You want to keep more of every sale.
- You want your money without waiting for settlement.
- You want the fan list for future tours, drops and ads.
That is the team Barricade is built for. You run the show. We give you the page, checkout, fan list, check-in and payouts in one place.
What changes when you switch
Your team takes on the show-day work: advancing the VIP time with the venue, checking fans in and running the moment. Everything else (the page, payments, refunds, the fan list) lives in your Barricade dashboard.
Start with the guide to running your own tour VIP and the meet & greet checklist.
Questions artists ask
Is Barricade a VIP company?
No. Barricade is software. You get the page, checkout, fan list, check-in tools and payouts. Your team delivers the experience.
How much do VIP companies charge?
It varies by deal. Full-service companies usually take a share of VIP revenue to cover their staff and operations. Barricade charges a flat 7% and you keep 93% of face.
Can I switch partway through a tour?
You can put any date that is not already on sale elsewhere on Barricade. Check your existing agreement first.
Run your own VIP. Keep 93%.
Build your VIP page, sell direct to your fans and check them in from your phone. 7% flat.