24 Best Event Planning Software In 2024
10 Best Event Planning Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 24 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
What is Event Planning Software?
Event planning software is a tool that will help your business organize and execute events. This type of event planning software acts as a project management tool that allows you to manage the event’s activities from beginning to end. Other tools focus on one function of event planning, such as organizing speakers, seating plans, or guestlist creation. Some event planning platforms offer an all-in-one solution that takes on almost any task related to planning an event.
Best Event Planning Software Summary
re’s the shortlist of the best tools that I’ll cover in this article.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Cvent | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Whova | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Boomset | Pricing upon request | Website |
| PheedLoop | From $200/user/month. | Website |
| Idloom | From $195/user/month. | Website |
| Eventene | From 500/user/month. | Website |
| Planning Pod | From $59/user/month. | Website |
| Webex Events | From $14.95/user/month, (billed annually). | Website |
| Ticket Tailor | From $0.26/user/ticket. | Website |
| Stova | Pricing upon request. | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Event Planning Software Reviews
Why I picked Cvent: The platform helps you save time by automating the entire event planning process. Cvent takes over the entire event lifecycle and automates repetitive tasks, such as engaging attendees and multi-channel marketing campaigns before and after an event. Cvent will help you find venues for live events, create floor plans and seating arrangements, and perform on-site check-ins. For virtual events, your attendees can use a native mobile app.
Cvent is an excellent choice for event organizers needing a solution to optimize the impact of the events they manage. You can use Cvent for event marketing, on-site execution, and audience engagement. The platform also provides advanced insight reports and custom dashboards you can use to measure the event’s success.
Cvent Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an attendee hub mobile event app, abstract management, event management, exhibitor management, event registration, venue management, a speaker resource center, check-in and badging, lead capture, and event budgeting.
Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, SugarCRM, Veeva, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Google Analytics, Jifflenow, InGo, Global Meet, Touchcast, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Users can create a professional website.
- Robust reporting capabilities.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Many menu options achieve the same thing.
- No update notifications.
Whova is an all-in-one event planning tool that helps businesses manage the entire process more straightforward.
Why I picked Whova: Instead of juggling multiple event planning software systems, you can use Whova to plan all aspects of your event from beginning to end. Whova offers extensive event planning tools, including real-time dashboards, social media ads, post creation, and a customizable website builder with templates. It’s an excellent all-in-one tool for any kind of event and simplifies the entire process, easily connects people, and sends real-time updates.
Whova is an event planning system for organizers of any size that need a tool to modernize events and effectively attract and engage attendees. You can encourage attendees to scan and exchange business cards in the system and manage the digital files with Smartprofiles. Your attendees can then use your event page to plan who they want to meet with before your event starts. What makes Whova unique is its AI-powered matchmaking tool, which helps your attendees find others who have similar goals and interests.
Whova Standout Features and Integrations
Features include event registration, ticket creation, ticket tracking, customizable registration forms, add-ons and discount codes, email campaign management, real-time insights, live polling and surveys, social walls, analytics and post-event reports, and gamification.
Integrations include RegFox, Zapier, SurveyMonkey, and Eventbrite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Helpful polling and question capabilities.
- Easy to share information.
- Allows simple communications.
Cons:
- The system’s aesthetics need work.
- Lack of editing features for posts.
Boomset provides a robust attendance tracking tool that offers check-in, badge printing, and guest list management capabilities.
Why I picked Boomset: The platform is a feature-rich event planning tool that handles attendance tracking and automates the check-in experience for in-person events. You can use Boomset to allow attendees to register for an event through popular ticketing platforms. Afterward, their registration information is pulled into the platform. When using Boomset, you can access raw attendee data, determine who can attend what sessions, and control access points.
Boomset is available for businesses of all sizes operating in any industry that need an end-to-end event planning solution. If you have attendees who didn’t pre-register to your event, Boomset provides walk-in registration capabilities and on-demand badges. You can use facial recognition for attendee check-ins and track them with RFID-enabled wristbands.
Boomset Standout Features and Integrations
Features include event registration, guestlist check-in, badge printing, kiosk check-in, RFID management, lead retrieval, and smart sessions.
Integrations include Eventbrite, Tito, Attendease, Aventri, Fonteva, Event Rebels, Cvent, Squadup, Bizzabo, Swoogo, Splash, Xing Events, Doubledutch, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Allows badge updating during events.
- Easy to use.
- Simplifies attendee check-ins.
Cons:
- Doesn’t show who’s live during virtual events.
- No badge design templates.
Pheedloop is an event planning tool that is capable of automatically generating event apps.
Why I picked Pheedloop: The system provides a default event app called PheedLoop Go, which your attendees can download from the Google Play and Apple app stores. You attendees can search for your event or organization name in either app store to locate your custom app. Pheedloop allows you to create a white-label event app with your company’s name and logo.
Pheedloop is suitable for event planners who need a tool to completely control their events. When hosting a virtual event, Pheedloop’s virtual events system can provide streaming and real-time video networking, gamification, and other essential features to make your virtual event feel as if it’s in-person. You can use your preferred registration tool or use the highly customizable registration system within Pheedloop, along with embeddable website widgets, payment processing, and other crucial capabilities.
Pheedloop Standout Features and Integrations
Features include event app builder, badge printing, exhibitor management, speaker management, floor plan system, event websites, engagement tools, seat planner, gamification, reporting and analytics, live streaming, and networking tools.
Integrations include an open API that enables businesses to create custom third-party connections.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to learn and implement.
- Walks users through the event planning process.
- An intuitive, all-in-one system.
Cons:
- The knowledge base only covers basic information.
- It doesn’t filter duplicate registrations.
Idloom is a high-level event registration platform that helps users manage the entire process with automation.
Why I picked Idloom: The platform is a cloud-based event registration system that will enable you to manage the entire process. With Idloom, you can create an event management website. Register event volunteers and book rooms. You can use the platform to create custom registration processes to match your event, whether in-person, online, or hybrid.
Idloom is an excellent choice for business event organizers, international associations, and companies that are planning events that last multiple days. You can manage different types of events, including conferences, workshops, and other activities, through the system and ensure it’s successful. During the registration process, you also have the option to add a reserve lodging section from pre-selected providers or directly through your event website.
Idloom Standout Features and Integrations
Features include data export, a transaction dashboard, custom access roles, badging, attendee management, on-site check-in and check-out, session-specific check-in, automatic emails, custom email campaigns, time zone management, hotel bookings, and pre-registrations.
Integrations include Stripe, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, Constant Contact, Blendr.io, Authorize.net, Zoho Invoice, SAP, Yousign, Eventmobi, and HiPay.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- An easy-to-use platform.
- Responsive customer support team.
- A significant number of tools.
Cons:
- Not much freedom to create certain graphics.
- Email campaigns have a learning curve.
Eventene offers a robust system that will help users organize multiple events on a single platform.
Why I picked Eventene: The software is ideal for users who plan multiple events of any size on a weekly or monthly basis. Eventene will organize all recurring sign-ups and manage attendance and revenue figures for every event. You can also use the details from previous events as an event template to help you build your subsequent events more quicker.
Eventene is a suitable choice for businesses that plan on organizing multiple events throughout a given year. The system will build event websites and handle invitations, registrations, and day-of-event execution. Eventene allows you to promote your event by sharing links to your event website via social media and other marketing channels.
Eventene Standout Features and Integrations
Features include event creation and management, registration and tracking, activity sign-ups, custom branding, instant updates, invite tracking, built-in surveys, custom reporting, virtual reception area, data exporting, security tools, and seating charts.
Integrations include Stripe, Zoom, Facebook, and Google.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent customer support.
- Manages unlimited events.
- Handles different types of events on a budget.
Cons:
- Limited reporting capabilities.
- Complex to learn.
Planning Pod helps event planners create simple and effective floor plan diagrams.
Why I picked Planning Pod: The platform is an all-in-one event planning software, but where it really shines is with its floor plan creation tool. Planning Pod provides an easy-to-use floor plan builder that comes with dozens of tools to help you create effective floor diagrams, including snap-to guides, table grids, and reusable templates. To help speed up the floor plan creation process, Planning Pod can automate the diagram set-up and instantly add table grids, chair rows, and trade show booths, along with intuitive keyboard shortcuts to help you delete, copy, and paste design elements.
Planning Pod is effective for event planners that are working on smaller events and need to create stylish, accurate designs. Along with the floor plan design tools, you can use Planning Pod to promote events and reach attendees with a custom event website. The platform also provides venue management features to help you understand what’s happening with the venue booking process and event space availability.
Planning Pod Standout Features and Integrations
Features include attendee management, surveys and feedback, ticket management, gamification tools, sponsorship management, badge management, staff management, sales management, event workflows, collaboration tools, reports and analytics, task management, and checklists.
Integrations include Salesforce, Mailchimp, Slack, Dropbox, Constant Contact, Quickbooks, Microsoft Outlook, Zapier, Gmail, Google Calendar, Xero, Google Docs, and Wufoo.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly booking capabilities.
- Excellent contracting and billing features.
- Simplifies event processes.
Cons:
- The original set-up and training need improvement.
- There’s a learning curve.
Webex Events helps businesses enhance attendee engagement by implementing event gamification.
Why I picked Webex Events: Typically, popular event planning software will focus on organizing events and help you encourage attendees to show up. Webex Events takes this further by providing a gamification feature to ensure your attendees are present and engaged throughout your event. You can use the software to incentivize your attendees’ actions by developing challenges and rewarding points to whoever completes those actions. Webex Events allows you to create as many challenges as you’d like and customize how many points each task is worth.
Webex Events help organizations from around the world host immersive in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. The tool provides robust tools to help you manage your event through its entire lifecycle. Webex Events is also flexible enough to easily switch from in-person to virtual or bring both audiences together.
Webex Events Standout Features and Integrations
Features include virtual event management, event registration and ticketing, mobile event apps, on-site event tools, event communities, live streaming and simulive, branding and customization, sponsorship tools, and attendee networking.
Integrations include Cvent, SmarterU LMS, Localist, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Nimble, Interprefy, RainFocus, and Slayte.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent customer support.
- Allows attendees to connect.
- Easy to set up and manage.
Cons:
- No way to email attendees.
- API access is an extra cost.
Ticket Tailor makes selling tickets for an event online simple.
Why I picked Ticket Tailor: The platform is a go-to event ticket management platform and can help you monitor tickets for free and paid events. Ticket Tailor will help you manage guests easily with its update feature that allows you to notify attendees of any changes. You can also use the dedicated Ticket Tailor app to check people into your event on the day. The platform will also automate order confirmation and email ticket delivery.
Ticket Tailor is an excellent ticketing platform for any sized event planner who needs a feature-rich tool that will scale with events. Ticket Tailor will provide you with all the data you need to determine whether your event is successful and understand how and who you’re selling tickets to. The software can embed ticket box offices directly on your website, and you can customize ticket delivery to fit your event.
Ticket Tailor Standout Features and Integrations
Features include guest list management, QR codes, reporting and analytics, attendee management, surveys and feedback, multiple payment gateways, public and private event listings, unlimited events, ticket grouping, allocation management, and custom URLs.
Integrations include Stripe, Mailchimp, WordPress, Constant Contact, Zapier, Xero, PayPal, Wix, Facebook, Wufoo, Squarespace, Weebly, Easyflow, and Mailercloud.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- The customer support is prompt.
- Good value for money.
- The interface is simple.
Cons:
- It’s not very flexible.
- The ticket fee explanation is hard to find.
Stova helps businesses create immersive, robust virtual events that elevate the audience experience.
Why I picked Stova: The software is a total package to help you with planning an entirely virtual event for your attendees. Aventri provides robust features to help event planners before, during, and after an event. When using this platform, you will get many event registration and attendee engagement tools. You can also build a mobile event app that will push sponsored content to your attendees.
Stova works well for event planners who need a definitive, end-to-end event solution that is flexible for any sized event. The system helps your attendees connect with others who share interests and connect with them. Stova’s collaboration tools allow you to host breakouts, roundtables, and training sessions with high-quality screen sharing and other engagement capabilities.
Stova Standout Features
Features include AI matchmaking, live streaming, pre-recorded sessions, event management, tailored content creation, event monetization, lead capturing, data capture, custom dashboards, bid management, internal team support, and global budget management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Nice user interface.
- Clearly streams content.
- Excellent service and response time.
Cons:
- The vast number of features makes it complex.
- Some features are slow.
Other Event Planning Software
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best event planning software list:
- ClickUp
For task scheduling
- monday.com
For visual event work management
Popular Hotel Software
Here are some other lists of popular hotel software for you to check out.
How I Selected The Best Event Planning Software
Perhaps you’re wondering how I selected the best event planning software for this list? To build this top 12 list, I evaluated and compared a wide range of event planning software with positive user ratings.
After determining my long list of top choices, I further honed my list by using the selection criteria below to see how each platform stacked up against the next one. I also drew on my years of hotel event planner experience to pinpoint the features that add a lot of value.
If you have general questions about event planning software or how to pick the best event planning software for your organization, take a look at our frequently asked questions section below. Or, you can skip directly to my detailed software summaries, if that’s what you need the most.
Selection Criteria For Event Planning Software
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best event planning software for this article:
Usability:
Planning an event is difficult enough already, so the software you use should make this job easier. For example, if the software helps manage ticketing for your event, it should focus on helping someone who has never managed tickets for an event before. So, when building this list, I look for user-friendly, easy-to-learn, and intuitive event planning software.
Event Type Capabilities:
Are you planning an in-person, virtual, or hybrid event? I look for software or a combination of tools to help you manage your event effectively, regardless of type. The best software will provide capabilities enabling you to execute the kind of event you’re planning. For example, if you’re planning a virtual event, you might need a website, virtual platform, mobile app, and video-conferencing capabilities.
Customer Support:
Choosing a vendor that provides the support you need and the tools to succeed will be crucial. It can take time to implement and learn a new system. I look for a software vendor that won’t just hand off their product and never speak with you again. They should provide access to product experts to help you better plan your event.
Software Integrations:
You’re likely already using multiple systems in your business, such as email marketing and customer relationship management tools. Implementing event planning software that uses built-in integrations or provides an API that allows you to make custom connections will be essential. I look for event planning platforms with integration capabilities to make it easier to pass along participants’ contact information to help you build relationships after the event is over.
Pricing:
The final cost of the tool you’re using will be beneficial when calculating the ROI from implementing the software. I look for tools that will state the final price of the software and reflect the power of its relative features, so you understand precisely what you’re paying for. The platform should provide multiple options for you to choose from that will fit your budget, or if there is a single price, it should be in line with the market average.
Most Common Questions Regarding Event Planning Software (FAQ's)
Here are a few popular questions answered for your convenience!
What are the Benefits of Event Planning Software?
Event planning software has many benefits, including:
- Engagement: Your event planning platform will improve engagement because you’ll easily find and follow conversations from multiple channels, such as social media, and organize them. You can use your software to connect with online and offline audiences and ensure a larger attendance.
- Automation: You can use your event planning tool to automate email outreach, payment processing, and registration tracking, leaving you more time to focus on the vital, creative, and interesting functions of managing an event. These digital records and processes will also reduce the chance of human errors and issues – no more misspelled names and numbers or double bookings.
- Tracking: When using event planning software, you can see which of your targeted prospects are registered to attend, who needs a reminder, and who’s likely to show up based on gathered feedback and previous behavior.
- Professionalism: Using event planning software makes the process professional, simplifies event management, and saves you from handling many time-consuming tasks. This allows your teams to focus on issues that require a personal touch.
- Marketing: Some event marketing tools enable you to use highly targeted marketing and increase retention rates. Your marketing efforts will be more effective when aimed at individuals who are likely to be interested in your event. The right planning tool will allow you to quickly tailor marketing tasks to fit each event you’re hosting.
- Productivity: When using an all-in-one event planning tool, you can handle everything you need to pull off a successful event, including human resources, administration, floor planning, and other vital functions. The right system will increase productivity, improve attendance rates, and reduce costs.
What are the Key Features of Event Planning Software?
Unfortunately, you can’t expect great results from investing in just any event planning software. Doing your due diligence is essential to choosing the right tool that will help you execute your event strategy. It’s important to choose a platform that has the features you need to host an excellent event that makes prospects want to work with your company. Remember, there are some tools that focus on handling one specific feature and others that are capable of managing multiple capabilities. The following are some of the key features to consider when choosing an event planning tool.
- Event Ticketing: You should be able to quickly list event tickets from your system and provide information such as ticket types, discounts, deals, registration details, and prices.
- Flexible Payment Methods: Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, either in-person, virtual, or hybrid, your event planning tool should provide multiple payment methods that allow attendees to choose the one they prefer to use.
- Safety and Security Assurance: Because hacking and cyber attacks can happen, the best event planning tool will help protect relevant data with data encryption and password managers.
- Real-time Analytics: Event planning tools should collect real-time analytics and provide intelligent reports to help you make well-informed decisions regarding future events.
- Emailing and Messaging: Having emailing and messaging capabilities in your event planning software will help you send notifications, updates, and other messages to attendees easily.
- Budget Management: This feature will help you track accounts, estimate costs, and measure savings by tracking event transactions and providing accurate budget data from multiple sources, such as high-level forecasts and granular line objects.
- Database Administration: Event planning software will rely on databases and combine online access, email lists, visitor lists, and analytics in one platform and include capabilities such as data importing and exporting, sorting options, and process control.
- Event Application Builder: A mobile app is an ideal tool for achieving greater awareness and high-level engagement, and the event planning software you use should provide a built-in event app builder tool to make a full-featured, dynamic application.
- Sponsor Placement: A sizeable corporate partner often adds credibility to an event and provides significant financial assistance, so it’s important for an event planning platform to be able to add various sponsor information to an event, such as contact information, pictures, and logos.
- Lead Management: When planning an exhibitor event, using an event planning platform that provides powerful lead management features that categorize and qualifies leads and delivers this information to exhibitors to make valuable business connections is beneficial.
Other Event Management Software
Here are some other useful tools for event planning and management.
What Next?
Don't forget to browse around the site for more great hotel management tips, templates, and tools. Plus, join The Hotel GM newsletter for expert tidbits sent right to your inbox!