Pitchin vs Venmo and a spreadsheet
Lots of pickup games run fine on Venmo and a spreadsheet, and it's cheaper than Pitchin. Here's when that's enough, and when it starts costing you more than it saves.
| Pitchin | Venmo + spreadsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost on a $15 game | $2 per player, added on top of your price ($1 on games under $15) | Free if players send personal payments. 2.99% (about $0.45) if tagged as goods and services |
| Paid before game day | Yes, paying is how they get a spot | Only if you chase them |
| Roster | Automatic | You update it |
| Game doesn't reach its minimum | Cancelled and refunded automatically | You refund each person by hand |
| Someone drops out | Next on the waitlist is moved in and charged | You find a replacement and sort out the money |
| What players need | A card and your link | A Venmo account |
Stick with Venmo if
- Your players are friends who reliably pay and show up.
- Your game is cheap, because even a $1 fee is a lot on a $5 game.
- You rarely have a waitlist and don't mind the admin.
Pitchin is worth it if
- You pay for the court up front and can't afford a light week.
- You chase people for money, or get no-shows who said they were in.
- Your game fills up and managing the waitlist is a job in itself.
- Players don't all know each other, or don't all use Venmo.
With Pitchin you keep your full price. The fee is paid by players and shown as one all-in price, but they do pay more than they would by Venmo, so it's fair to tell them why.
Want to try it on one game?
Free for organizers. Players pay a $1 to $2 service fee, and you keep your full price.
Create your gameVenmo rate from Venmo's fees page, checked November 2, 2026. Business profiles pay different rates.