zillo
Zillovs
Zillo vs RedBalloon
RedBalloon brings a gifting-marketplace audience — in exchange for a commission and the customer relationship. Zillo sells your experiences from your own branded store at a flat 3% per sale, and the customer is yours.
| Pricing | Zillo | RedBalloon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 — free until your first sale | $0 |
| Platform fee per sale | 3% per sale (refunded if you refund) | A marketplace commission on each booking (operator agreement) |
| Payment processing | Standard Stripe card fees, paid to Stripe | Included in the commission |
| Payout | Your own bank, via Stripe Connect | RedBalloon payout after redemption |
Comparison reflects RedBalloon as commonly offered; details vary by arrangement. Zillo’s pricing is a flat 3% per sale with no monthly fee.
Why operators choose Zillo
- Keep your revenue — a flat 3% per sale instead of a marketplace commission split.
- You own the customer and their details, not the marketplace.
- Sell from your own branded store, not a marketplace listing.
- Run memberships, gift cards, and tickets too — not just gifted experiences.
When RedBalloon is the better pick
You want exposure to RedBalloon's gifting marketplace audience for customer acquisition, and you're happy to share a commission for that reach.
We’d rather tell you straight. RedBalloon is built for an experience-gift marketplace where shoppers discover and gift experiences.
Common questions
Zillo vs RedBalloon, answered.
Why would I use Zillo instead of RedBalloon?
RedBalloon is a marketplace: it can bring shoppers browsing for experience gifts, in exchange for a commission and ownership of the customer relationship. Zillo is your own store — you share your link, pay a flat 3% per sale, keep the customer's details, and the money lands in your own bank account.
Do I keep the customer relationship with Zillo?
Yes. On Zillo the customer buys directly from your branded store, so you have their order and contact details and can export your customer list any time. On a marketplace, the platform typically owns that relationship.
Can I use both?
Some operators list on RedBalloon for discovery and run their own Zillo store for direct sales, repeat customers, gift cards, and memberships — keeping the higher-margin direct channel for themselves.
Try Zillo on your next sale.
Free until your first sale. 3% per sale after that. No monthly fee, no contract.