Top 16 Event Management Software You Need For Smarter Events in 2024

Is your current event management software or process accelerating your event’s success or derailing it? The answer perhaps lies somewhere in between. This is why you are here looking for a solution, just like 67.4% of event planners who have changed or plan to change their event software (Source). 

This data speaks volumes about the evolving approach of event managers and the pressing need for a robust and reliable event management solution. After all, no event can be executed in isolation. Your team can only take on so much and without automation multiple processes can collapse leading to event failure. This worst case scenario can be prevented with our guide on the top 16 event management software solutions you can invest in. in this guide we will answer your questions on:

What Does Event Management Software Do?

Simply put, yes. 85% of event planners are using event management software (Source). This is because an event management platform will help you automate and streamline your workflow. This then cascades into your manual processes and limits the hours of manual work required. Equipped with this software you can:

1. Give attendees a smooth event check-in experience without the hassles of long lines or multiple forms fills'.
2. Curate Customized landing pages, emails, and showcase your events unique offerings on the event mobile apps.
3. Give exhibitors and sponsors a platform to market their offerings to attendees.
4. Improve networking opportunities for attendees with specially designed networking features.
5. Market your event to a wide target audience with a suite of marketing tools.
6. Enable a smooth event experience that benefits your speakers, exhibitors, attendees, and sponsors.
7. Improve attendee turnout for future events.

These benefits though don’t occur in isolation. What you need is a clear blueprint of your own event to find an event software that works for your event management. Our next section gives you pointers on how to find the right Event Management Software for your event.

Different Types of Event Software and Their Ideal Uses

Finding the Right Event Management Software For Your Business Starts With

When it comes to event planning, I know firsthand that it's far from a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Whether you're organizing a grand conference, a cozy wedding, or anything in between, you need the right tools to make it all come together seamlessly.

Now that we have a good understanding of what an Event Management software actually is, I will walk you through the various types of Event Management Software available, helping you find the one that aligns perfectly with your unique event planning journey.

Clearly Defined Goals‍

Begin with categorizing your event goals into 2 core groups. The first is your large brand goals that remain constant for all events. For instance, increasing event attendance by 10x for consecutive events. The second is ‘variable goals’ that change with each event. For instance, onboarding 10 speakers who are experts in dentistry for a conference on Dental Innovations. Once these goals are categorized, you can look for event management system that best align with these business goals.

Allocating Budget‍

Most event organizers, on average, spend 14% of their marketing budget on event marketing (Source). Your marketing budget can include investing in event management software. Otherwise, you can work with your finance team to create a separate budget for investing in Event Management Software. A defined budget also helps you not overspend and invest in software that brings best event ROI.

User-friendly Interface‍

Mobile event apps and event management dashboards by default need to be user-friendly. If not then your team will struggle to utilize the application and this can lead to minimal adoption. Event management apps like Eventify are designed to be user-friendly so you get maximum adoption

Reviews‍

You may trust fellow event organizers more than event management brands themselves. So tap into that trust and look up verified reviews of the software you are keen on exploring. This will give you an honest insight into the features, adoption, and value of the software. You can then make an informed decision before investing.

Trial Period‍

You don’t invest in a car, even if it's a Merc, before test-driving it. As people, our purchase decisions are always driven by how the product will meet your needs. This applies to investing in software too. So look up which event management platforms offer trial periods and make your decision accordingly.

Integrations & Flexibility‍

You will need to connect your event management software to multiple third-party channels and solutions. If your current software has limited integrations or is not configured to incorporate multiple changes, then it's not the one for you.

Data Security‍

This is a no-brainer! Data Security is not to be taken lightly. In case of a breach of client data, your brand could come under the scanner and lose its carefully built credibility. Avoid these nasty outcomes by investing in software with security certifications in place.

Important Features That Event Manager Software Must Have

These considerations should help you select an event management software that adds value to your event. Now that your goals are defined and your budget is clear we will tell you about the indispensable features your event management software must include.

Ticketing and Registrations

Your event software needs to support your registration and ticketing needs irrespective of scale of event. This must include customizable forms, easy to build ticketing web pages, secure payment gateway integrations to name just a few. These features form the base of your event and are integral to a seamless event experience.

Marketing Automation Tools

Your event needs an audience and that audience is unaware of your event. Seems like a catch-22? Find a way out with event marketing tools that help you promote your event on social channels. You can also send Customized emails to welcome your attendees, share reminders to sponsors, or send booth details to exhibitors. This helps minimize the hours expended in streamlining marketing and saves time for other integral marketing tasks.

Comprehensive mobile app

‍Your attendees expect that your event will be driven with the latest tech. An event mobile app helps meet these expectations by offering a way for speakers, exhibitors, attendees and sponsors to stay engaged through the event. Engagement features like gamification, Q&A, surveys on the app can elevate attendee interest and help them network with others at the event from one platform.

Customisation Capabilities‍

Good tech without customisations is just redundant. Event management solutions need to have customisation capabilities. Availability of this lets you add your branding, logo to all event collateral on the dashboard. This lets you showcase your brand's language across all media and documentation.

What Are Some Of The Best Event Planning Software?

1. Eventify

Eventify promises a 70% jump in engagement rate and delivers! This end to end event management software coupled with a robust mobile app lets you scale your event easily. With Eventify your attendees and all involved stakeholders can increase community connections by 3x.

‍Feature Highlights

• Seamlessly host virtual, hybrid and in person events with no limitations. You can live stream your event with the aid of our robust streaming technology or co-ordinate across borders for hybrid events with a suite of Event engagement tools.
• Attendee networking witnesses a manifold increase with features like tag based matchmaking, live chat and exclusive meetings and even a thriving social community.
• You can customize the mobile app, event badges, tickets and web pages to your own brand's visuals. This inclusion improves the overall recall value of your brand.
• The robust ticketing and registration suite is great for onboarding attendees and managing ticket sales. In addition you get to track sales and measure it against projections.
• Make sponsors happy with Eventify's product showcase options that throw light on the most innovative products and services offered by sponsors.
• Maintain communication channels with your attendees with the aid of push notifications, chat support, email notifications and more.
• Tap into insights and analytics that help you track, measure, compare and improve your events performance.

G2 - 5/5

‍Pros

• Truly end to end with features covering pre-event, event and post event needs.
• Seamless integrations with email marketing platforms and CRM systems.
• Multiple dashboards with detailed reports help analyze data on engagement, sponsor sentiment, exhibitor performance and more.

Cons

• Cost can sometimes prove to be a deterrent.
• Minor bugs have been reported by users, which while immediately resolved might hamper the experience of using the app and dashboard.

‍2. Whova

‍An award winning event app that saves time and makes multiple processes affordable sounds like a dream. Whova makes it a reality. Whova suite of event management tools help you increase attendee satisfaction by 10x. What’s more? You save 60% of your time by automating logistical requirements. This automation coupled with reduced human errors will help you achieve good ROI.

‍Review Ratings

‍G2 - 4.8/5 

Capterra - 4.8/5

‍Feature Highlights

‍Registration and ticketing suite is perfect for you to streamline registrations and track ticket sales. Dive into abstract management to manage submissions, review email, gain secure access with 2FA protection, and automate emails. Use the event website builder to create customized and engaging websites. Seamlessly manage exhibitors with a dedicated ‘exhibitor management’ module. Utilize event management tools to streamline core aspects of your event from name badge printing, attendance maintenance, self set up kiosks and more.

‍Pros

‍Covers key touch points of event organizations, event management and event marketing. Works well for on-site, hybrids or virtual events.Whova’s mobile app is listed on IOS and Android so it’s easy for your speakers, attendees, exhibitors and sponsors to access and use the app.

‍Cons

‍Users find Whova’s customer support lacking in prompt responses. The suite of features while extensive can also get confusing without a clear guide. The previous point is cited as a reason that users find it hard to initially implement Whova

‍3. Cvent

‍Cvent offers a better way for you to manage events. It helps you manage multiple aspects of your event from finding hotels and venues, promoting your event to capturing leads and tracking ROI. The brand also hosts an annual virtual ‘Connect’ event that helps people network with other professionals in the field.

‍Software Ratings

‍Capterra - 4.5/5

G2 - 4.3/5

‍Feature Highlights

‍You can manage meeting approvals and budgeting to get a clear idea of your current process.You can access 30,000 venues and even reach out to vendors all with one simple platform. Attendees can access virtual blueprints, interactive floor plans or diagrams of the event for a 360* event experience. You can easily plan, promote, engage and follow-up using the platform. This covers all aspects of your event cycle.

‍Pros

‍Users love the auto-save feature for proposals and other templates. This limits re-entering repeated information.The search function is highly valued for the nuances it offers. This also helps quickly find detailed information in a sea of data. Users and companies cite the support offered by account managers to be invaluable and a great asset to their overall event experience.

‍Cons

‍The pricing is often a point of contention for users. Though the platform does offer different pricing plans to accommodate budgets.Users complain about the convoluted nature of completing certain tasks and state that it adds to the complexity of projects.The overall interface is harder to adopt without extensive training.

4. vFairs

‍vFairs is touted to be #1 event management platform and virtual event platform and for good reason. The software offers a one stop shop solution for all event needs. The platform support virtual events, hybrid events and in person events effortlessly. The software boasts of a branded mobile app that elevates the on-site experience of attendees. Here’s more about the features offered by vFairs.

‍Review Ratings

‍G2 - 4.5/5 

Capterra - 4.8/5

‍Feature Highlights

• vFairs is ideal for organizers who mostly host virtual events. This event management tool offers a wide spectrum of features to host diverse virtual fairs including virtual education fair, virtual summits, virtual benefits fair and more.
• The platform empowers you and your team with a robust event registration platform, an easy to use event builder, great networking features for attendees and an event ticketing software that minimizes issues relating to ticket sales.
• You can also leverage the intuitive and astute AI powered marketing assistant to take your marketing game a notch higher. In addition, you can use the event marketing dashboard to create hype and drive attendance for your event.

Pros

• Users speak highly of the customer support offered by the vFairs team.
• Another benefit of using vFairs is its simplicity. The platform is smart and yet easy to access and set up. In addition, the classy visuals of the app add a layer of sophistication to the interface.
• Brownies points are also given to features that enhance attendee engagement and communication.

Cons

• Users with more complex processes in their event cycle find vFairs to be lacking in meeting these complex needs.
• The landing page editors leave room for improvement because of their complex interface. This makes it hard for non-html programmers to customize the solution.
• Check-in and badge printing cannot be facilitated simultaneously. This can cause roadblocks when trying to register attendees on day of event

‍5. Bizzabo

‍Bizzabo's brand ideology is as unique as its name. This event management software strives to create a holistic and well rounded event experience that is marked by experience, connection and revenue. The brand blends a humane approach with a business driven feature list.

‍Software Ratings

‍G2 - 4.4/5 

Capterra - 4.5/5

‍Feature Highlights

• Attendee experience is personalized and elevated with registration features and Multi track agendas.
• The platform offers code free templates to create quick and branded landing pages. In addition, organizers can leverage the native event marketing suite of features.
• You can also monitor and analyze event success with the aid of dashboards and indicators. You can quickly understand business outcomes with metrics on event performance and engagement insights.

Pros

• All features communicate effectively with each other and there are no issues with in-silos systems that limit communication.
• Bizzabo strikes a balance by offering features that benefit organizers and attendees. For attendees the event experience is well curated to ensure recurring footfalls
• The tech adopted in building and upgrading Bizzabo is what makes the platform highly desirable amongst seasoned and newbie organizers.

Cons

• The drawback with Bizzabo is its IKEA-like approach to setting up the system. You and your team need to set it up independently though pre-recorded videos and set up instructions are made available.
• The integration list is limited. While the platform is home to a suite of features- none of these truly communicate with each other without external integrations.
• The platform has a unique problem of offering too many features which can feel burdensome to someone who is starting out and needs a little more hand holding.

6. Eventbrite

‍At its core Eventbrite is a ticketing platform that uses advanced event technology that plan, promote and deliver great event experiences. The software is perfect for creating email invites, triggering communication emails, tracking RSVP, monitoring and analysis of ticket sales.

Ratings

Capterra - 4.6/5

G2 - 4.3/5

‍Feature Highlights

• If your goal is higher ticket sales then you can achieve this with Eventbrite’s on-site tickets and registration suite.
• Using the robust suite of marketing and communication tools gives you the power to set up a branded event website, customize emails, integrate with social media channels for promotion.
• You can seamlessly manage multiple events using the platform and gain access to key reports and analytical dashboards.

Pros

• The check-in quick app is touted to be fast, secure and reliable.
• From a purchase viewpoint, Eventbrite’s interface makes it very easy for attendees to register for events and purchase tickets.

Cons

• Ticket reselling is not an option on the platform.
• It’s hard for users to track recurring events.
• Users also complain about limited system customisations.

‍7. Eventmobi

‍Eventmobi has for over 15 years been offering reliable and robust event management solutions that are customized to meet the hybrid, in-person and virtual event requirements of organizers.

‍Software Ratings

‍Capterra - 4.8/5

G2- 4.6/5

‍Feature Highlights

• Using the platform users can create aesthetic and functional customized badges. These badges, along with template and ticket sale landing pages can be completely customized with easy-to-use design tools.
• Event networking and engagement is improved with the mobile event app. The app, which is completely customisable offers the perfect platform to showcase the events calibre.
• Organizers vouch for Eventmobi’s chat functionalities, session manager, meeting schedulers that allow for seamless communication between exhibitors, sponsors and attendees.
• Eventmobi also effortlessly streamlines lead capture for exhibitors to easily identify and follow up with leads.

Pros

• Users have rave reviews for Eventmobi’s prompt and expert customer support that is available to troubleshoot immediate problems and to combat any last minute solution issues.
• Users love the real time broadcasting feature that allows them to live stream virtual events.
• Users like the easy to use interface and the comprehensive features that let them chat, schedule and have an interactive social feed - all of which enhance engagement.

Cons

• Gamification could use more diverse challenges that encourage participation.
• Users find using bilingual apps on the platform clunky and difficult to navigate.
• The back end experience is often found to be cumbersome and is hard to grasp when users operate it initially.

8. Eventleaf

‍Eventleaf is popular amongst small business enterprises. This preference is primarily because of the platforms budget pricing and features that support the efforts of small businesses. Despite its pricing, the platform offers key registration tools, badge printing options and can be customized to meet the needs of different event types.

‍Feature Highlights

• Businesses can easily manage ticket sales by seamlessly registering users online, sending invites to promote the event and gauging event turnout by triggering emails.
• Users can also customize the registration forms to gather relevant information and directly import to the attendee list.
• The app suite boasts of 3 apps including the event app, check-in app for on-site registrations and lead tracking app. All 3 are easily available on App Store and Play Store.

Pros

• Users can easily automate, previously time consuming tasks, like collecting exhibitor profiles, updating speaker biographies, modifying conference agenda and more.
• This easy to use system also has great attendee and registration tracking features that are a huge plus to organizers.
• Immediate check-in at the registration kiosk is a feature that has helped many organizers eliminate chaos at registration booths.

Cons

• Users do find documentation and training manuals supporting the app to be generic. This impedes adoption of the software.
• Users seek more customisations for event badges.
• Users complain about the limited customisations when it comes to the event’s website.

9. Splash

‍Splash is an event marketing platform. This does not mean that it doesn’t have tools and features that support your entire event journey. The platform is equipped with key features but its greatest asset is its suite of event marketing tools.

‍Software Ratings

‍G2 - 4.4/5 

Capterra- 4.7/5

‍Feature Highlights

• Enterprise brands use Splash to create aesthetically pleasing brand pages. These pages can be made quickly and without the need of hiring designers.
• Organizers can leverage the guest manager feature to sync and automate attendee data without spending too many hours.
• Leverage the AI predictive attendance manager that lets your forecast and prepare your event with the aid of measured probabilities.

Pros

• Users like the balance of design and data that Splash strikes. This helps them create aesthetic collateral on the platform and gather insightful data as well.
• Users enjoy the easy to setup and launch registration platform.
• The native emailing system is a coveted feature that lets enterprises stay in constant touch with attendees and keep them updated on events progress.

Cons

• Users often look for improvement in the on-boarding process, and desire more from account management and user support verticals.
• The complaint with registrations is how you can have only one type of registration.
• With design being its backbone, users still do feel that templates on splash can become restrictive and need more customization capabilities.

10. InEvent

‍While lesser known than the other solutions on our list, InEvent is nonetheless a brand to reckon with in the universe of event management solutions. The solution is perfect for enterprise companies looking to host hybrid, in person or virtual events.

‍Software Ratings

‍G2 - 4.3/5 

Capterra- 4.5/5

‍Feature Highlights

• Event marketing is a core feature that helps build beautiful websites and landing pages. These coupled with custom email builders and automation tools help successfully promote your event.
• A unique Live Studio feature helps organizers utilize a professional virtual studio for key broadcasts. This lends a high level of control and customisations for events.
• Audience engagement is prioritized with native chat systems, questions, polls, surveys - which are available on the app and website.

Pros

• Users find the software easy to use and navigate. These positive reviews are also offered by attendees who find the app enhances event experience.
• Marketing campaigns are easy to set up and execute. This saves ample cost in marketing and helps users broadcast the event directly via the platform and its integrations.
• Customer service earns ample brownie points by users who like the prompt support offered at all times by the team.

Cons

• Users complain about the amount of time and effort that needs to be invested in understanding the app.
• As a software in its nascent stages, the app needs improvement in 'targeting' features.
• The sponsor feature needs improvement along with the virtual booth setup.
• Planning Pod

11. Planning Pod 

‍Planning Pod has 2 core offerings that set it apart from stand alone event management software’s and applications. It offers a comprehensive venue management software, an efficient event management tool and design platform to create event floor plans . This triumvirate of solutions make it perfect for hosting trade shows, large exhibitions and small events too.

Review Ratings

G2 - 4.2/5 

Feature Highlights

• Venue management software by Planning Pod helps you manage all your event needs - from sales billings, creating details and easy to understand floor plans. This feature suite facilitates communication and helps manage client details.
• Easily track your event cycle in real time and stay on top of venue bookings.
• Easily manage and analyze large data-sets with a centralized event management solution that eliminates the need for multiple spreadsheets, calendars, emails and apps.
• Keep your vendors, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees in the loop with tools that help understand the larger picture.

Pros

• Users like how time saving and efficient all the features on Planning Pod are. Specially features that help streamline and automate contracting and billing processes.
• It’s also easier to sync calendars and lead management tools and integration helps keep track of all communication.
• The platform is touted to be very user friendly. The onboarding process is quick and easy - this reduces time and effort for the team.
• Planning Pod’s support team has created a credible and reputed service portfolio. The team offers prompt responses to tech concerns and is open to user ideas and inputs.

Cons

• The floor plan tool is a great feature no doubt but users do find that it's difficult to navigate and feel that enhancements are needed.
• Users convey dissatisfaction with search feature capabilities and lags in using certain functions.
• Users feel the need for an inventory management feature in the software, which is currently lacking.

12.ON24

‍If your expertise lies in hosting virtual events then ON24 is the perfect for your event. The platform has features that make it perfect for online conferences, webinars and virtual trade shows.

‍Review Ratings

‍G2 - 4.3/5

‍Feature Highlights

• The software is personalized for your brand and this helps improve recall value of your event.
• The platform offers consistent AI driven engagement that nurtures leads through different stages of the sales cycles.
• You can gauge event sentiment with analytics that help decipher attendee experience, and event engagement.
• Drive revenue growth with cost-efficient pricing models.

Pros

• Users like the reliability of the platform and its scalability even if the event is high volume.
• Users can completely brand their webinars and conferences.
• Customer support adds great value to the overall experience.

Cons

• Users are disappointed because editing tools are devoid of recent upgrades.
• Often results are not displayed in real time which delays decision making.
• Users feel that live-event support needs more improvement.

13. Swoogo

‍If your priority is to streamline event registrations and create branded collateral then Swoogo is for you. This event management app helps event organizers quickly create registration forms and branded event websites.

‍Review Ratings

‍G2 - 4.9/5

Capterra - 4.9/5

‍Feature Highlights

• Seamlessly manage attendees with tools that handle registrations and check-ins.
• Integrations with Swoogo are a breeze and users benefit from external marketing and CMS syncing.
• Swoogo offers 100% customizable registration forms with 0 limits on registration types.

Pros

• Customisations are great on Swoogo and an element that users love. This personalized user experience helps brands create event experiences that stand out from the crowd.
• User interface is intuitive and yet simple to adopt. This is a big win for Swoogo since it helps attendees and internal team members quickly adopt and utilize the app.
• Customer support goes beyond quick responses. The Swoogo team spends hours with you in case of any problems and takes a creative approach to solving adoption issues.

Cons

• Multiple upgrades are usually not a cause for concern. But with Swoogo, users find that feature updates are not accompanied by detailed manuals.
• The email messaging platform is not well designed in comparison to website templates. Users also find it difficult to change Email formats to adhere to outlook email standards.
• Users using enterprise accounts want a clone event feature that is currently absent.

14. Big Marker

‍If you frequently host hybrid or virtual events, then BigMarker has multiple benefits for you. The cloud-based webinar platform also helps manage the peripherals of event management. You can easily host over 1000 guests on BigMarkers webinar hosting platform.

‍Review Ratings

‍Capterra - 4.7/5

G2 - 4.8/5

‍Feature Highlights

• The Bigmarker platform boasts of an easy and quick setup experience that makes it perfect to host large audiences and training sessions, hosting webinars and conducting workshops.
• BigMarker’s marketing features help effectively execute and track promotion activities.
• You can also utilize the tools that help manage the sales pipeline, so you can generate and convert more leads.

Pros

• The platform is designed with minimalist and modern design aesthetics. This emphasis on visual appeal is appreciated by users and increases adoption.
• Onboarding users is an easy and quick process. Irrespective of the tech literacy of your team, BigMarker’s interface won’t deter adoption.
• Consistent relevant updates on the platform are another great addition to overall event improvement and is an element that users love.

Cons

• Webinars hosted on the platform lack a green screen. This can deter visual expectations and is a highly anticipated feature.
• The screen sizes feature is not optimized for all screens and this often causes issues to users.
• Connectivity is a point of contention for users, who are left with blank screens in mid-sessions. This despite having a strong and stable internet connection.

15.EventX

‍EventX is an end-to-end event management software with a high capacity to host over 5 million attendees. The platform has successfully executed over 10,000 events since its inception in 2014.

‍Review Ratings

‍G2 - 4.9/5

‍Feature Highlights

• The event management platform has leveraged the power of AI to help attract new attendees and sponsors. This AI powered lead finder is a great tool that helps maintain sales pipelines.
• Users can completely customize registration forms to deliver a personalized experience to attendees.
• With the platform's robust ticketing platform, organizers can improve ticket sales with the aid of diverse packages and features to help control sales periods.
• Organizers benefit from creating marketing and promotional Email, SMS and WhatsApp campaigns directly from the dashboard.

Pros

• The platform is preferred by organizers and users for its reliability and user-friendly interface. The features are easy to understand even with minimal training.
• Users from across the globe leverage the platform’s hybrid event management features. These help students, professionals and attendees experience a live event from anywhere across the world with minimal technical difficulties.
• The support team at EventX is proactive and helpful. This begins at the onboarding stage and extends into the period of subscription.

Cons

• While the overall platform has a simple UI, some features have complex elements that hinder 100% adoption.
• EventX has a suite of features that several users claim are not relevant to events, irrespective of industry. This adds a layer of complexity to the interface.

16. Fonteva Events

The Fonteva platform is built on Salesforce and helps manage your virtual, in-person or hybrid events with ease. The Salesforce native application helps you track live events without leaving the ecosystem. Organizers can also benefit from Fonteva Events’ mobile app.

‍Review Ratings

‍Capterra - 4.5/9

‍Feature Highlights

• Create Customized event websites that help keep users in the loop about all your event developments.
• Advanced Registration feature helps create customisable forms that can be integrated with over 100 payment gateways.
• Attendees are easily managed without compromising on event schedule with the help of agenda-building tools, waitlists, planning logistics features and registration tools.
• Deep dive into event metrics with multiple reports that adopt drag and drop features, making them easy to use and understand.

Pros

• Even non-tech users love the platform for its easy to use interface.
• As a native Salesforce platform it automatically integrates with other Salesforce tools which is a great add-on for organizations.
• Users also vouch about the team’s transparent practices and great customer support.

Cons

• The E-commerce platform does not have a user-friendly structure and does not meet the SEO standards that are necessary for search engine rankings.
• Users also struggle to catch up with multiple updates undertaken on the platform with limited usage guides for the same.

‍Eventify - The Foundation Of Your Event

‍Confused on which software might work for your brand? Start with Eventify. We simplify the process for you with quick demo outlying key benefits. You can then opt for a free all-in trial to use the app and understand its practicality for your event needs. Schedule a demo now.