The Booking Agency vs GigSalad
TBA vs GigSalad: global creative discovery vs North American event entertainment
| The Booking Agency | GigSalad | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Subscription (talent), free (clients) | Service fee on each booking from both sides |
| Geographic reach | 160+ countries, 340K+ cities | US and Canada primarily |
| Creative categories | Photography, video, DJ, events, makeup, and 42 industries | Live entertainment acts only (DJs, bands, speakers) |
| Photography and video | Core categories with portfolio and city context | Not available - entertainment acts only |
| Booking model | Browse profiles, contact directly, arrange payment | Quote request flow through platform |
| International events | Global talent with travel modes and international rates | No international coverage |
Where TBA wins
- +Global coverage across 160+ countries - not limited to US and Canada
- +Full creative spectrum: photography, videography, makeup, production alongside entertainment
- +Subscription model: talent subscribe to be listed; clients browse free with no per-booking service fee
- +Travel-aware profiles with city-specific context and rates
- +Talent discovery by city, category, and availability - not just event acts
Where GigSalad wins
- +Deep US and Canadian live entertainment catalog (bands, speakers, magicians)
- +Verified reviews from event hosts
- +Instant quote requests from multiple acts at once
- +Built-in event insurance options
Use case breakdown
Hiring a wedding band in Nashville
GigSalad has deep US entertainment acts with verified reviews. Strong for North American live music.
Competitor wins
Hiring an event DJ in Amsterdam
TBA has Amsterdam DJs with international event experience. GigSalad has no coverage outside North America.
TBA wins
Finding a photographer AND a DJ for a Miami product launch
TBA covers both categories in one search. GigSalad has no photography.
TBA wins
Model
Event entertainment platform (service fee on bookings)
Geographic reach
US and Canada
Best for
Booking live entertainment acts for private events in North America
Not ideal for
Photography, videography, creative production, global bookings, digital work
Switching from GigSalad?
GigSalad talent can list on TBA to reach international clients. Copy your GigSalad bio and add your base city, travel availability, and rates to your TBA profile.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use TBA instead of GigSalad for hiring a DJ?
Yes. TBA has DJ profiles across 160+ countries with event experience, travel availability, and city-specific rates. For US and Canadian events, GigSalad has a larger entertainment-act catalog. For international events or bookings that also need photography or video, TBA covers everything in one place.
Does TBA charge a booking fee like GigSalad?
No. TBA is a discovery platform. Talent pays a subscription to be listed. You browse and contact talent directly, then arrange payment on your own terms. No platform service fee on the booking.
Ready to try The Booking Agency?
Browse talent across 160+ countries. Post a job free. No transaction fees.