If there’s one question we get more than any other, it’s “how much does RunSignup cost?”
The simple (and accurate) answer is: RunSignup is free for all races! But as a company that values transparency, we’ll take a minute to break down what that means.
RunSignup is Free for Races, Paid by (Low) Processing Fees
There is no cost to a race to use RunSignup. We never charge a race upfront, and by default, we never take money from a race’s revenue. We pay all employees and operating costs from processing fees that are added to the cart total. Unless you opt otherwise, all processing fees are paid by the participant. This also means that free races are free: there is no money exchanging hands, so there is no processing fee applied.
For most purchases (those under $250), our standard processing fee is 6%+$1 per cart.
Full Pricing Chart
| Cart Total | Processing Fee |
| $0 | Free |
| $0.01-$249.99 | 6%+$1 |
| $250-$999.99 | 5%+$1 |
| $1,000+ | 4%+$1 |
As a race, you do have the option to cover the processing fees. If you opt to do so, that amount will be deducted from the total payment from RunSignup. But the vast majority of races pass the processing fees to participants: in 2024, 94% of all processing fees were paid by the participant.
Updating Who Pays the Processing Fee
You can update who pays the processing fee by navigating to Financial >> Pricing >> Processing Fee Type. Here, you have the option to have the fees paid by the registrant, the race, or split them 50-50%.
Alternatively, you can set the processing fees to default to be paid by the race, but ask the registrant/donor if they want to cover the fee. We see this most often with donations.
RunSignup Processing Fees are Per-Cart, Not Per-Registration
We know that you don’t only care about your costs: you want to ensure prices are low for your participants, as well. To help keep costs down for participants, we charge processing fees on a per-cart basis (not a per-registration basis). This family-friendly setup means that when multiple people (like a family) sign up together, they only pay that $1 once, instead of $1 for each registration.
Additionally, store items and add-ons are included in the cart total. This means someone buying a special edition race hat and an upgraded tech shirt with their registration is still only paying that $1 once, for the cart total. Other platforms like Eventbrite charge on a per registration/per item basis.
How per-cart pricing can make a difference for your participants
| Cart | Per-Cart Processing Fee | Per Registration Processing Fee | Per-Cart Savings |
| $60 2 Registrations ($30/each) | $4.60 | $5.60 | $1.00 |
| $190 4 Registrations ($30/each) 2 Tech Shirt Upgrades ($35/each) | $12.40 | $17.40 | $5.00 |
| $270 4 Registrations ($30/each) 2 Tech Shirt Upgrades ($35/each) 4 Premium Hats ($20/each) | $14.50 | $23.50 | $9.00 |
What Features Are Included in the Standard RunSignup Pricing?
RunSignup offers an all-in-one registration platform with all fees included in a simple processing fee structure. Unlike many platforms, we don’t charge extra for key features — no add-on fees, no tiered access, just one flat fee per cart.
Free RunSignup features include:
…and so much more!
Why is RunSignup Free for Races?
Why do we offer so many tools for free, especially when their development and operation costs us money? As a company, RunSignup’s interests are directly aligned with the interests of our customers. This pricing model keeps your race costs at zero while ensuring that RunSignup only succeeds when your event does. It’s fair, scalable, and participant-friendly.
Our pricing is simple, transparent, and built to support your success. Whether you’re hosting a community 5K or a major race weekend, all races on RunSignup have access to powerful tools – with no hidden costs or surprises.