# bzar vs VendorsMap

VendorsMap is a newer vendor-events platform with a free plan, a low platform percentage and a map where vendors find events. On booth-only events with free entry it can cost less than bzar; once you sell tickets, compare the totals below. bzar adds email automations, vendor agreements and a built-in DMV audience.

## Choose bzar if

- You want emails to go out on their own when vendors apply, get approved, and before and after the event.
- You want vendors to sign agreements as part of applying.
- You want DMV vendors and attendees who follow you on bzar to hear the moment you publish or open applications.

## Choose VendorsMap if

- Your event is booth-only with free entry and the lowest platform percentage matters most.
- You want blind jury scoring today.
- You need a built-in local audience outside Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. bzar's organizer tools work anywhere in the US, but its community of vendors and shoppers is in the DMV.

## Features

| Feature | bzar | VendorsMap |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor applications with your own questions | Yes | Yes |
| Application scoring and jurying | No | Yes |
| Vendor badges and track record | No | Partly |
| Booth types with prices and limits | Yes | Not listed |
| Booth map | Yes | Yes |
| Booth fees paid by card | Yes | Yes |
| Refunds from the platform | Yes | Not listed |
| Insurance and permit collection | Yes | Yes |
| Vendor agreements to sign | Yes | Not listed |
| Free and paid ticketing | Yes | Yes |
| QR check-in | Yes | Yes |
| Promo codes | Yes | Not listed |
| Public vendor directory | Yes | Yes |
| Messaging and announcements to vendors | Yes | Yes |
| Email automations | Yes | Not listed |
| One inbox for platform messages, email and Instagram | No | Partly |
| AI operator | No | Partly |
| Organizer page with followers | Yes | Not listed |
| Built-in audience of vendors and attendees | Yes | Yes |
| Payouts and revenue analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Shopper preorders from vendors | Yes | Not listed |
| Weekly market seasons | Yes | Partly |
| Organizer mobile app | No | Not listed |

## Fees for the same event

### Market with paid entry: 40 booths at $75, 300 tickets at $10

| Platform | Total fees |
|---|---|
| bzar | $313 |
| VendorsMap | $396 |

### Free-entry market: 40 booths at $75

| Platform | Total fees |
|---|---|
| VendorsMap | $159 |
| bzar | $223 |

### Festival: 120 booths at $150, 2,000 tickets at $5

| Platform | Total fees |
|---|---|
| bzar | $1,598 |
| VendorsMap | $2,008 |

## Switching from VendorsMap

1. Create a free organizer account and set up your event.
2. Copy your application questions into the bzar application form, and recreate your booth types and prices.
3. Lay out booths on the venue map and set up your automatic emails.
4. Send your new application link to returning vendors. Anyone following you on bzar is notified when applications open.

Checked 2026-10-09 against VendorsMap's own website. All comparisons: https://bzar.app/compare