For all the fast-paced world of events, one thing that makes a world of difference in efficiency, organization, and attendee satisfaction is the right event management tool and software. Be it corporate conferences, festivals, virtual meet-ups, or trade shows, a suite of event management software can make planning easier and less of a headache. Here’s a comprehensive guide to 16 of the best event management tools out there today with their features.
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Best Event Management Software and Tools To Help Simplify Event Planning
Here is the list of top event management tools that offer event registration, ticketing, and many other solutions.
1. Dreamcast
Dreamcast is the best end-to-end event tech company with robust event management tools for all sizes of events. Known for its user-friendly interface, Dreamcast allows organizers to create event pages, manage registrations, track sales, and promote events. It also empowers on-site management with quick access, badging solutions, facial recognition, RFID payment solutions, and more.
Best for: Hybrid events, festivals, business events, conferences, and trade shows.
Key Features: Registration and Ticketing, mobile event management, and real-time analytics.
2. Cvent
Cvent is one of the most comprehensive event management software, suitable for corporate and large events. It covers managing event registrations to facilitating networking and sponsorships. With customization in its platform, it has become one of the popular options for branded corporate events.
Best for: Corporate events, conferences, and trade shows.
Key Features: Registration management, attendee tracking, and event marketing.
3. Bizzabo
Bizzabo is an all-rounded event management tool for both physical events and virtual ones. It is great at providing attendee engagement and data-driven insights. Bizzabo allows event marketers to build on branded experiences and measure engagement metrics to consistently improve their events.
Best for: Hybrid events and conferences.
Key Features: Engagement tools, event website builder, and analytics.
4. Whova
Whova is a popular choice for its all-in-one event management capabilities, which include attendee networking, virtual event support, and community building. Whova’s mobile app enhances the event experience, allowing attendees to interact with one another, share photos, and receive real-time updates.
Best for: Conferences, expos, and community-building events.
Key Features: Attendee engagement, community features, and lead generation.
5. Splash
Splash is an event management platform that handles branded corporate events with powerful features and the emphasis is on beautiful and highly customizable event pages. It provides a suite of event registration tools, guest management, and automated email marketing, making it ideal for companies that focus more on aesthetics and branding.
Best for: Branded events, and marketing-driven gatherings.
Key Features: Customizable templates, event registration, and marketing tools.
6. Aventri
Aventri is aimed at helping event planners manage large-scale events from start to finish. It combines registration, event marketing, email management, and even data analytics into one platform. It also provides a number of tools to enhance the attendee experience and streamline onsite check-in.
Best for: Large corporate events and trade shows.
Key Features: Registration, check-in tools, and reporting analytics.
7. EventMobi
EventMobi specializes in creating mobile event apps for conferences and trade shows. Organizers can create engaging and interactive apps using its user-friendly interface and rich feature set, such as live polling, Q&A sessions, and interactive agendas to keep attendees engaged.
Best for: Conferences and events needing mobile engagement.
Key Features: Customizable event apps, engagement tools, and live polls.
8. Ticket Tailor
Ticket Tailor is another event management software for ticketed events and fundraisers. It allows users to sell tickets directly from their websites, making it a good choice for smaller organizations or non-profits. The platform doesn’t charge per-ticket fees, which can be advantageous for smaller events.
Best for: Ticketed events and fundraisers.
Key Features: Custom ticketing, donation options, and integration with the website.
9. Hubilo
Hubilo is a robust virtual and hybrid event platform that focuses on engaging its digital efforts. The company is unique in the virtual events space, especially in terms of meaningful engagement tools – from live chats and Q&A to gamification. Hence, it is indeed super useful for teams to create interaction within online spaces.
Best for: Virtual and hybrid events.
Key Features: Real-time engagement, gamification, and analytics.
10. RegFox
RegFox is a customizable registration platform. It allows any organization to personalize the experience of attendee registration. For budget-conscious event planners, Regfox can be a great choice.
Best for: Smaller events, workshops, and fundraisers.
Key Features: Custom registration forms, mobile-friendly design, and data tracking.
11. Accelevents
Accelevents offers full-suite event management tools that allow for ticketing, virtual events, and fundraising. The tool also features silent auctions that make it suitable for events that are non-profit and fundraising events. There are also tools, like live chat and Q&A, that help promote further engagement on the site.
Best for: Fundraisers, non-profits, and virtual events.
Key Features: Ticketing, silent auctions, and engagement tools.
12. Zoho Backstage
Zoho Backstage is an event management platform from the popular Zoho suite, which offers tools for registration, ticketing, and event promotion. It is especially beneficial for organizations that already use Zoho products, such as CRM and email marketing, because of its integration into the Zoho ecosystem.
Best for: Zoho users, small to mid-sized events.
Key Features: Integration with Zoho, ticketing, and promotion tools.
13. Attendify
Attendify is known for its event apps that allow attendee engagement and networking. The intuitive dashboard and app builder help the events organizer create branded apps meant to promote interaction among participants by including features such as attendee profiles and group chats.
Best for: Networking-focused events and conferences.
Key Features: Custom app builder, networking features, and social engagement.
14. Swapcard
Swapcard is an event management platform known for attendee engagement features. It supports trade shows and exhibitions. It offers networking tools so that attendees can connect to exhibitors and sponsors, and matchmaking particularly benefits networking-heavy events.
Best for: Trade shows and networking events.
Key Features: AI matchmaking, lead retrieval, and virtual event capabilities.
15. PheedLoop
PheedLoop is a conference, trade show, and expo solution focused on attendee interaction and gamification. Its full set of tools includes virtual sessions, exhibitor portals, and even lead capture solutions, which makes it a really great tool for engaging both attendees and exhibitors.
Best for: Conferences, expos, and trade shows.
Key Features: Gamification, exhibitor portals, and lead retrieval.
16. SimpleTix
SimpleTix is a very simple ticketing platform. It is best for small and mid-sized events, as it offers easy ticketing solutions without high fees. It’s a very practical option for local or smaller-scale gatherings. Integration with various payment gateways helps to simplify payment processing for event organizers.
Best for: Small events, local gatherings, and fairs.
Key Features: Simple ticketing, payment processing, and integrations.
How to Choose the Best Tool for Your Event
Selecting the ideal event management tool requires a clear understanding of your event’s unique needs and goals. Here are some key considerations to help you make the best choice:
Define Your Event Type and Size
Determine if your event is a small workshop or a large-scale conference or festival. Some of the tools are specialized for intimate gatherings, and some are designed to handle huge crowds and complexity.
Evaluate Attendee Engagement Features
If attendee engagement is your priority, look for platforms with built-in features like live Q&A, polling, or networking options. Get event management tools that are designed for rich attendee interaction.
Assess Integration Needs
Determine if you need the tool to integrate with your current systems, such as your CRM, email marketing software, or payment gateways.
Prioritize Data and Analytics
Events generate valuable data about attendee behavior and preferences. Choose a tool with robust analytics and reporting features to gain insights and measure your event’s success, helping refine your approach for future events.
Final Words
The right event management software can make the planning process more straightforward, effective, and fun. The following list contains 16 such tools you may use, regardless of the size of the community gathering or corporate conference you organize. As you consider a tool that might be most useful for your event, be sure to select the one that will fit best with the specific requirements of your event. The right tool can make a difference when it comes to delivering a successful and memorable event.