Every profile on Artistek is free — for venues, artists, and musicians. A single 15% booking fee applies only when a booking is completed. No subscriptions, no surprises.
Bars, restaurants, clubs & event spaces
15% fee with credit or debit card (includes 3% processing).
~12.8% fee with ACH bank transfer — save more on every booking.
Bands, duos & solo performers
No fees — ever. You always receive 100% of your agreed rate.
Individual players & session musicians
No fees — ever. Your cut is paid out automatically from band earnings.
Charged to venues only, on completed bookings. Choose the payment method that works best for you.
Credit / Debit Card
Visa, Mastercard, Amex
Platform fee
Covers the platform, support, contracts, and escrow.
CC processing
Stripe credit card processing — passed through at cost.
Total booking fee
All-in. No hidden charges, no monthly bills.
Example: $500 booking → $75 fee. Venue pays $575.
ACH Bank Transfer
US bank accounts only
Platform fee
Same platform fee as credit card.
ACH processing
Stripe bank transfer fee, capped at $5 per transaction.
Total booking fee
Effective rate drops further on larger bookings (cap kicks in).
Example: $500 booking → ~$64 fee. Venue pays $564. Save $11 vs. card.
Artists always receive 100% of their agreed rate regardless of the venue's payment method. ACH transfers typically settle within 1–3 business days.
Who pays the booking fee?
The venue pays the fee on each completed booking. Artists and musicians always receive 100% of the agreed rate — the fee is never deducted from their payout.
What payment methods are available to venues?
Venues can pay by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or by ACH bank transfer directly from a US bank account. ACH lowers the total booking fee from 15% to roughly 12.8% — a meaningful saving on larger bookings.
How much do venues save with ACH?
ACH bank transfer costs 0.8% (capped at $5 per transaction) versus 3% for credit cards. On a $500 booking: CC total = $75 in fees; ACH total = $64 in fees — saving $11. On a $1,000 booking: CC = $150; ACH = $125 (cap kicks in on the processing portion) — saving $25.
When is the fee charged?
The fee is only applied when a booking is completed — meaning the event has taken place and payment is released from escrow. No fee is charged for inquiries, negotiations, or cancelled bookings.
How does escrow work?
When a booking is confirmed, the venue pays upfront. Funds are held securely in escrow until after the event, then automatically released to the artist (and split among band members if applicable). This protects both sides.
Are there any monthly fees or subscriptions?
No. All profiles — venues, artists, and musicians — are completely free to create and maintain. You only pay the booking fee when a booking is completed through the platform.
Can I pay artists directly to avoid the fee?
No. Paying artists outside of Artistek is a direct violation of our Terms of Service and is treated as a serious policy breach. Offboarding payments forfeit all platform protections — no escrow, no contract coverage, no dispute resolution. Venues or artists found to be circumventing the platform are subject to immediate profile suspension and permanent removal. We take this seriously to protect every member of the community.
Create your free profile today. No credit card required.