The Top Event Apps of 2023: A Guide to Streamlining Your Attendee Engagement

The events industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with technology playing a major role in the way events are planned, executed and attended. The rise of event apps has made it easier and more convenient for people to discover and attend events, as well as for event organizers to plan, promote, and manage their events.

The Event Management Software Market

According to recent statistics (Source), Event Industry is a booming industry with a Projected CAGR of 12.5% from 2021-2028. Fueled by the surge in entertainment, gaming and sports events, the market was valued at USD 5.84 billion in 2020, reflecting the growing demand for streamlined event management solutions.

With so many event app options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which one is the best fit for your event. To help simplify your decision-making process, this guidebook provides an overview of the top event apps of 2023. Whether you are planning a small gathering or a large conference, these apps will help you streamline the event planning process and ensure a successful outcome. In this guide, we provide an overview of the top event apps that you can use to make your next event a success.

Why Do You Need An Event App?

Before we jump into the details, let’s look at some of the reasons why event managers have the need for an event app.

1. Increased efficiency and organization: Event apps provide event managers with a centralized platform to manage all aspects of the event, from ticket sales to attendee management and everything in between. This helps to increase overall efficiency and organization.
2. Enhanced attendee experience: Event apps can enhance the attendee experience by providing real-time updates, personalized agendas, and interactive features such as live polls and Q&A sessions.
3. Improved data analysis and insights: Event apps often come with robust analytics tools that provide event managers with valuable insights into attendee behavior, ticket sales, and overall event performance.
4. Increased reach and promotion: Event apps make it easy for event managers to promote their events and reach a wider audience through integrated marketing and promotion tools.
5. Increased engagement and interaction: Event matchmaking app provide event managers with opportunities to increase engagement and interaction with attendees through features such as gamification and interactive sessions. This can help to enhance the overall attendee experience and drive event success.
6. Automated processes: Event apps automate many of the manual tasks associated with event planning, such as email communication, attendee check-ins, and session scheduling. This helps event managers to save time and focus on more critical tasks.

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Now let’s take a look at some of the event apps that are available in the market:

Eventify

Eventify simplifies and elevates the event planning process, making it the ideal solution for managing all types of events, from hybrid to in-person to virtual. With its comprehensive suite of features, Eventify enables you to conduct events with ease, drive engagement, and monitor event performance.

Top features of Eventify 

Registration

• Event Tickets: Sell tickets online and manage user registration.
• Attendee Check-in: Online and on-site attendee check-in with QR scan.
• Abstract Management: Seamless abstract management with innovative tools.
• Badge Printing: Print badges and check-in guests effortlessly on arrival.

Engagement

• Matchmaking: All-in-one B2B matchmaking for attendees.
• Chat & Meetings: 1-1 messaging and meetings to increase attendee engagement.
• Social Feed: Private social network feed for events.
• Community Forum: Forum or group messaging on predefined topics.
• Poll & Live QA: Create live polls and Q&A sessions.

Content Management

• Schedule: Event tracks and sessions organized by date and time.
• Speaker Profile: Detailed information for speakers.
• News: A news section for event-related announcements.
• Event Guide: A customizable event help and support guidebook.
• Gallery: An event photo gallery hosted by attendees.

Exhibitors & Sponsors

• Product Showcase: Comprehensive exhibitor and sponsor pages.
• Sponsored Ads: Built-in ads for sponsor visibility.
• Lead Scanning: All-in-one lead and contact scanning and export.
• Interactive Maps: Tappable interactive booth and floor maps.

Communication

• Push Notifications: Instant push notifications to attendee app.
• Email Notifications: Instant email notifications to attendees.
• Email Designer: Drag and drop email template designer.

Gamification

• Custom Challenges: Customizable challenges for attendees.
• Amazing Rewards: Incentives such as certificates and gift coupons for attendees.
• Leaderboard Points: Global attendee gamification leaderboard.

Survey

• Session Rating: Get session ratings and feedback from attendees.
• Surveys: Create your own surveys for attendees.
• Dynamic Form Builder: Drag-and-drop form builder for checkout, survey, and profile.

Analytics

• Multiple Dashboards: Real-time insights on multiple fronts.
• Attendee Engagement: Detailed attendee engagement analytics.
• Sales Report: Detailed ticket sales report with statistics.

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Pricing

Event App & Whole Platform pricing: $1/per attendee for Eventify App

White labeled conference app starts at $400.

Ticketing Pricing: $1/per attendee + Stripe fee 

Eventify is one of the lowest priced products compared to a lot of similar products.

Whova  

Whova is a comprehensive and innovative event management software that streamlines the process of planning and executing events, be it virtual, hybrid, or in-person. From creating a website and handling registration, to engaging attendees and tracking performance, Whova has everything you need to make your event a success.

Here are some of the key features of Whova

• Lead Retrieval: Improve business opportunities and lead capturing at trade shows with Whova's lead retrieval app.
• Website Creation: Build event websites using preconfigured templates and monitor social media activities with the centralized dashboard.
• Virtual Conferencing: Engage with attendees through live streaming, pre-recorded videos, and various networking tools.
• White-Labeled Mobile App: Stay connected with attendees, take notes, share documents, and more with the white-labeled mobile event app.
• Ticketing & Registration: Customize event tickets and registration forms to fit your event's requirements.

Pricing

Who doesn’t disclose the pricing on their site, but many other forums have quoted that it costs about $1500-2000 per event app.

Hopin:

The Hopin mobile app is aimed at transforming the event experience by connecting people both physically and virtually. The app, developed by Topi which was acquired by Hopin in 2020, offers features such as discovering new events, joining events, engaging via chat, people, and polls, seeing attendees who are attending virtually or physically, and one-on-one video networking.

The mobile app is an extension of the Hopin web app and is designed to bring the same great event experience to attendees' phones. The Hopin mobile app also serves as an additional device for attendees to stay updated on the events happening at the same time. The company plans to release new mobile app features later this year to make people, not places, the heart of events.

Key features of Hopin :

• Join and watch live events hosted daily on Hopin
• High-quality video and sound for live sessions
• Interact with attendees via live chat, polls, private and group video meetings
• View event agenda and bookmark sessions and experiences of interest
• Make connections and meet new people with one-on-one video networking
• Explore event booths for deals, resources, and sponsors
• Join from multiple devices, watch sessions on desktop and engage on mobile
• One-on-one video networking matches you with other attendees for direct phone connections.

Pricing : 

Hopin has a confusing pricing which looks very attractive in the start but you don’t get all the features. 

As of 6 Feb 2023, they have a free plan upto 100 registrants and 1 admin with some core features of upto 2 hours of an event. Honestly speaking, no event runs for just two hours. Further their ticketing commission is 2% for advance plans. Overall its more targeting the virtual conference and not very focused for in-person events.

Guidebook

Guidebook is a mobile app platform that provides a customizable platform for building and distributing custom event, tour, and campus guides. The platform offers features such as interactive maps, agendas, schedules, speaker bios, and social media integration. It allows users to create engaging, up-to-date, and accessible guides that can be accessed offline. Guidebooks are also used by event organizers, universities, and businesses to enhance the user experience and provide real-time information to attendees.

Key Features of Guidebook

• Event Agendas and Schedule
• Floor Plans/Maps
• Social Media Integrations
• Attendee Networking
• Attendee Surveys

Pricing

As per https://www.g2.com/products/guidebook/pricing , pricing starts with $6 per user per month and approx $3750 annually with a two year lock in. They also have Branded apps for $7000 annually with a two year lock in.

Aventri

Aventri features include

• Attendee Management: Includes tools for registration, ticketing, and check-in.
• Agenda and Session Management: Helps you create, manage and publish engaging agendas for your events.
• Logistics and Operations: Includes tools for venue selection, vendor management, and on-site operations.
• Analytics and Insights: Provides detailed insights and analytics on your events, attendees and activities.
• Marketing and Promotion: Includes tools for event promotion, email marketing, and lead generation.
• Mobile App: Aventri offers a mobile app for attendees, providing them with real-time event information, schedule updates, and more.
• Integrations: Integrates with a range of other tools and platforms, such as payment gateways, maps, and scheduling tools.
• Customization: Allows you to customize the look and feel of your event to match your brand and aesthetic.
• Support and Services: Aventri provides comprehensive customer support, including training and onboarding, to help you make the most of their platform.

Pricing

Stova (Formerly Meetingplay & Aventri) doesn’t provide any pricing information on their site. However some review sites say the pricing starts with $3000 ( Source : https://comparecamp.com/aventri-review-pricing-pros-cons-features/ )

Bizzabo

Bizzabo is a cloud-based event management software that provides a comprehensive solution for event organizers. From start to finish, Bizzabo helps you plan, promote, and execute successful events with ease. Whether you are planning a small meeting, a large conference, or a trade show, Bizzabo has the tools you need to create an engaging and memorable experience for your attendees. With its user-friendly interface, robust feature set, and seamless integration with other tools and platforms, Bizzabo is a versatile solution that can be customized to suit the needs of your organization. By streamlining event management processes and providing valuable insights and analytics, Bizzabo helps organizations to achieve their event goals and deliver successful events.

Top features of Bizzabo include

1. Event Creation and Management: Includes tools for event creation, agenda building, ticketing, and more.
2. Attendee Management: Provides tools for attendee registration, check-in, and engagement.
3. Marketing and Promotion: Includes tools for event promotion, email marketing, and lead generation.
4. Analytics and Insights: Provides real-time insights and analytics on your event, attendees, and activities.
5. Networking and Engagement: Offers a range of tools and features to help attendees connect and engage with each other, including a mobile app, matchmaking, and more.
6. Integrations: Integrates with a range of other tools and platforms, such as payment gateways, maps, and scheduling tools.
7. Customizable Event Pages: Allows you to create custom event pages to promote your event, share information, and provide updates to attendees.
8. On-Site Management: Includes tools for on-site operations, logistics, and staff management.
9. Live Streaming and Virtual Events: Supports the creation and management of virtual and hybrid events, with live streaming, video conferencing, and more.

Pricing

Bizzabo doesn’t disclose any pricing information, but some users at Capterra ( https://www.capterra.com/p/135385/Bizzabo/#pricing ) have mentioned that it starts with $15000/year.

So which is the best event networking app?

This is the most difficult answer and there is no right answer really! Choosing the best apps for networking can be challenging as there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The right app for you should enhance your event planning experience and create a delightful experience for attendees, all while being easy to use.

When evaluating event app platforms, consider these factors

	Engagement Features Look for platforms that offer a range of engagement features to keep attendees connected and engaged.
	Customization The platform should allow you to customize the look and feel of the event to reflect your brand.
	Pricing While some like Eventify offer a great value for money, others have a very hefty price which you can commit only if you have the relevant budget.
	Attendee first approach Look for platforms which create a great experience rather than the platform’s marketing itself. They need to be more attendee centric rather than host centric.
	Security Ensure the platform offers adequate security measures to protect the sensitive information of both you and your attendees.
	Scalability If you plan to host multiple events, choose a platform that makes it easy to replicate your events and save time and resources.
	Analytics / Metrics Access to valuable metrics will allow you to learn from your events and improve them in the future.

These questions are a great starting point, but remember to choose a platform that aligns with your event goals.

Why Pricing Matters?

When evaluating pricing, it's important to keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best. Make sure to consider the features and services offered, as well as the level of customer support and technical assistance provided, to determine the true value of the event ticketing platform. Additionally, be sure to read the fine print, as some platforms may have hidden costs or fees, such as transaction fees or payment processing fees.

Pricing is an important factor to consider when choosing an apps for conference platform. Most event app platforms offer different pricing packages based on the features and services you need. Some common pricing models include:

1. Subscription-based: You pay a monthly or annual fee to access the platform's services and features.
2. Pay-as-you-go: You pay based on the number of events you host or attendees you have.
3. Free basic plan with premium upgrades: Some platforms offer a basic plan for free, but charge for additional features or services.
4. Custom pricing: Some platforms offer custom pricing for large or complex events.

Some Tips To Be Wary Of

When choosing an event app, here are some tips to keep in mind to avoid potential pitfalls:

1. Read the fine print: Make sure to carefully review the contract and understand any hidden costs or fees, such as transaction fees or payment processing fees.
2. Consider scalability: If you plan to host multiple events, choose a platform that can scale with you and make it easy to replicate your events.
3. Check for compatibility: Ensure the app is compatible with your existing event management software and systems.
4. Evaluate customer support: Make sure the platform provides adequate customer support and technical assistance in case you encounter any issues.
5. Look for a user-friendly interface: Choose a platform with a user-friendly interface that is easy for attendees to use and navigate.
6. Consider data privacy: Ensure the platform follows strict data privacy regulations and protects the sensitive information of both you and your attendees.
7. Test before committing: Consider trying out the platform with a small event or pilot program before committing to a long-term contract.

By following these tips, you can make an informed decision and choose an event app that will help you deliver an exceptional event experience for your attendees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right event app can greatly enhance the attendee experience and streamline the event planning process. The event app market is constantly evolving and improving, making it important to stay informed of the latest developments and offerings. We hope that in this guide of the top event apps of 2023, event planners have a wealth of options to choose from, each with its own set of features, pricing models, and benefits. Whether you're looking for a platform with robust engagement features, robust security, or an affordable pricing model, there is sure to be an event app that fits your needs. When choosing an event app, be sure to consider your event goals, budget, and the needs of your attendees, to ensure you choose a platform that will help you deliver an exceptional event experience.

We wish you a fantastic event for you and your attendees!