Challonge is a well-known bracket tool, but its most useful features are locked behind plans starting at $49 a month. Fixture.cc gives you all of that for free, forever, with no signup required.
Quick verdict
Both tools handle round-robin, single and double elimination, and Swiss formats. The difference is cost and friction. Fixture.cc is permanently free, requires no account to create or view, and ships embeddable widgets and PDF export at no charge. Challonge is a solid platform, but unlocking its full value requires a monthly subscription.
Feature comparison
Always free
Fixture.cc
Yes, foreverChallonge
Limited free tierFull features cost
Fixture.cc
FreeChallonge
From $49/monthPer-tournament fee
Fixture.cc
NoneChallonge
NoneCreate without signing up
Fixture.cc
No account neededChallonge
Account requiredView public page without login
Fixture.cc
No login neededChallonge
No login neededAdmin access model
Fixture.cc
Private access codeChallonge
Account loginRound-robin
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✓Single elimination
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✓Double elimination
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✓Swiss system
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✓Group stage + knockout
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✗Max participants
Fixture.cc
64Challonge
512Shareable public page
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✓Embeddable widget (free)
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Paid onlyQR code (free)
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Limited on freeReal-time sync
Fixture.cc
✓ InstantChallonge
✗ Manual refreshTeam logos
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Basic on freeCompetition branding
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Limited on freeScheduled match dates
Fixture.cc
✓ Daily & weeklyChallonge
BasicMultiple admin access
Fixture.cc
✓ via share linksChallonge
✓Score entry
Fixture.cc
✓Challonge
✓Private league option
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
✓ Paid plansTeam filter on public page
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
✗ Not availableWhat-if standings predictor
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
✗ Not availableE-Sports mode (best-of series)
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Basic onlyCustom color scheme
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Paid plans onlyPDF export (free)
Fixture.cc
✓ FreeChallonge
Not on free tierPaper size options
Fixture.cc
A4, A3, LetterChallonge
LimitedTV Mode
Fixture.cc
✓ Full screenChallonge
✗| Feature | Fixture.cc | Challonge |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Always free | Yes, forever | Limited free tier |
| Full features cost | Free | From $49/month |
| Per-tournament fee | None | None |
| Account | ||
| Create without signing up | No account needed | Account required |
| View public page without login | No login needed | No login needed |
| Admin access model | Private access code | Account login |
| Formats | ||
| Round-robin | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single elimination | ✓ | ✓ |
| Double elimination | ✓ | ✓ |
| Swiss system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Group stage + knockout | ✓ | ✗ |
| Max participants | 64 | 512 |
| Sharing | ||
| Shareable public page | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embeddable widget (free) | ✓ Free | Paid only |
| QR code (free) | ✓ Free | Limited on free |
| Real-time sync | ✓ Instant | ✗ Manual refresh |
| Admin | ||
| Team logos | ✓ Free | Basic on free |
| Competition branding | ✓ Free | Limited on free |
| Scheduled match dates | ✓ Daily & weekly | Basic |
| Multiple admin access | ✓ via share links | ✓ |
| Score entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Private league option | ✓ Free | ✓ Paid plans |
| Team filter on public page | ✓ Free | ✗ Not available |
| What-if standings predictor | ✓ Free | ✗ Not available |
| E-Sports mode (best-of series) | ✓ Free | Basic only |
| Appearance | ||
| Custom color scheme | ✓ Free | Paid plans only |
| Export | ||
| PDF export (free) | ✓ Free | Not on free tier |
| Paper size options | A4, A3, Letter | Limited |
| Display | ||
| TV Mode | ✓ Full screen | ✗ |
Why switch
Challonge requires a $49/month subscription for ad-free pages, advanced branding, and full embed support. Fixture.cc includes all of those features on the free tier because there is no paid tier - this is what you get, permanently.
Challonge requires an account before you can create a tournament. Fixture.cc gives you an access code and a shareable admin link. Open a browser, create your competition in 60 seconds, share the link - no email or password required.
Embedding a live bracket or standings table on your club site with Challonge requires a paid plan. Fixture.cc includes the embed widget on every competition - paste one line of code and the widget stays live and synced automatically.
A4, A3, and Letter paper sizes in portrait or landscape, with a QR code linking back to the live page. Challonge does not offer free PDF export. Fixture.cc does - useful for club noticeboards, referee packs, and event displays.
Challonge handles group stages and brackets as separate tournaments. Fixture.cc combines them in a single competition - run round-robin groups, then generate the knockout bracket when groups are finished - all under one public link.
Create your first competition in under 60 seconds. No account, no credit card, no limits.