If only you had one digital platform to manage every job that comes with managing events. Let’s take a look at the very best event management software solutions to simplify budgeting, attendee management, event planning, and more.
With all the responsibilities of managing an event, how are you supposed to juggle them all without crashing and burning?
Budgeting, planning, and marketing an event, as well as managing its attendees, are just some of the many jobs that make up this complex job.
As an event manager, you must cover all these jobs while also keeping a close eye on staff members and vendors.
The right event management app will save you lots of time and help you streamline your events.
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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Best all-in-one event management software
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Good for virtual conferencing
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Good for registration management
What to Look For in a Event Management Software Solution
Here are some of the typical features to look out for when choosing the ideal event management app:
- Venue management: The ability to reserve venue space/rooms, and manage table, booth, and floor plans, etc.
- Event scheduling: Using a digital calendar to plan, manage and track reservations, events, and bookings.
- Vendor management: Communicate with caterers, technicians, and janitors, as well as handling their budgets, and other important vendor information.
- Attendee management features: The ability to manage lead retrieval, and receive/store information about attendees, such as food preferences, contact details, VIP status, etc.
- Reports and analytics: Being able to track event revenue and expenses for accounting purposes, as well as social media and event ad engagement.
- Ticketing: The ability to manage, sell, and share event tickets.
The 9 Best Event Management Software Solutions of 2023
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one event management software
Connecteam is the perfect event management software for keeping track of event staff across locations. This all-in-one solution simplifies every area of employee management. You have all your scheduling, time tracking, communication, and reporting tools (and more) at your fingertips. With Connecteam, you can:
- Schedule event staff easily: With a simple user interface, a drag-and-drop calendar, and the ability to create shift templates, you can spend less time on employee scheduling and more time in other areas of business.
- Communicate efficiently: Send important, engaging updates to your entire event team, keeping everyone aligned on the latest information. Employees can communicate with each other, whether in 1:1 or employee team chats. Also, reach individual employees and vendors from a browsable directory.
- Track employee work hours: Ensure every employee is where they should be with a GPS tracking time clock they can clock in and out from on mobile. Apply a geofence to your event’s location, ensuring employees clock in and clock out from their workplace. Convert hours into timesheets and export for payroll.
- Report every single job from anywhere: Get rid of pen and paper, and give employees a digital tool to fill in forms and checklists for every job. They can fill in uniform order forms, equipment maintenance reports, cleaning checklists, and more, from any location.
- Onboard new event staff: Get your new hires up and running with fully-customizable employee training courses. Provide employee handbooks, event protocols, and guidelines so that employees know exactly how to do their job.
- Note: While its desktop and mobile versions don’t explicitly assist users in event attendee management, Connecteam is the ideal choice for managing event employees and communicating with vendors.
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!
Key Features
Pros
All-in-one employee management solution
Easy to use and attractive
Affordable solution
Top customer support
Cons
Integrations in development
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
14-day free trial, no credit card required
Start your free trial -
Eventzilla — Good for virtual conferencing
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Eventzilla is an all-in-one event management app that admins can use for event marketing and registration management. Admins can create websites in their brand’s name and voice for their events, and it is an ideal solution for engaging potential attendees.
Users have a platform that is intuitive and pleasing to the eye, along with a navigation menu that’s easy to use. Attendees have easy access to the mobile app and don’t even need to create an Eventzilla account to use it.
Eventzilla’s features are diverse when it comes to event registration. Admins can automate both approvals and waitlists, and users can enjoy the self-service options. From here, they can register, edit, cancel, get refunds, and more.
One of Eventzilla’s key strengths is that it’s free for businesses that are organizing free events. For those who are selling tickets for events, Eventzilla is also a worthy choice as they can manage their events efficiently. This includes promoting events online and processing credit card payments.
Learn more about EventzillaKey Features
- Event setup
- Event marking
- Registration management
- Payment processing
Pros
- Easy to track registration and ticketing
- Very user friendly
Cons
- Limited customization features
- Not the widest range of integrations
Pricing
Starts at $1.50/registration Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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Eventbrite — Good for registration management
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Eventbrite is probably the most popular event planning and ticketing software, used by many different people in the events industry. It covers the need for various types of event management projects, from small meetups to large concerts. Eventbrite’s event management app helps businesses organize and sell tickets to events online while helping people discover events that fuel their passions and register online to save their seats.
Learn more about EventbriteKey Features
- Badge Management
- Conferences/Conventions
- Exhibit/Vendor Management
- Social Media Promotion
Pros
- Easy to use and clear functions
- Quick to set up
Cons
- Expensive solution
- Can be difficult to integrate with other solutions
Pricing
Starts at 2$ + $0.79 transactions fee Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Bizzabo — Good for creative agencies
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Bizzabo is a toolkit of event planning software solutions that combines the functionality of a project management software, an event planner, and a CRM system. Bizzabo is targeted for planning and managing larger events with many people involved, and layers of work dependencies. This event management software also provides organizers a platform to market and promote events, which makes it a great tool for ticket sales or fundraising initiatives, and other nonprofit events.
Event organizers can find everything they need to streamline ticket distribution and team collaboration.
Learn more about BizzaboKey Features
- Attendee Management
- Badge Management
- Client Management
- Registration Management
Pros
- Attractive interface and easy to use
- Includes training videos for users
Cons
- Lack of customization
- Missing some basic features
Pricing
Pricing is not publicly available Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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Whova — Good for event marketing
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Whova is a multi-tool event management software solution that is designed to seamlessly manage virtual, in-person, or hybrid events from beginning to end within one system. You can use all of those different features or select certain functionalities according to your needs. This event planning platform also functions as both a virtual event management app and a conference app, depending on what you need it for. The platform combines logistic management tools, event management, and attendee and exhibitor engagement solutions in one package.
Learn more about WhovaKey Features
- Logistic management tools
- Conference management software attendee and exhibitor engagement solutions
- Event registration
- Event marketing
Pros
- Easy to install and set up
- Attractive user interface
Cons
- Users can struggle to access events
- No user tutorials included
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No
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Eventilla — Good for NGOs
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Eventilla is an event management software for creating branded and customized event landing pages, creating and collecting registration forms, payments, and participant reports, scheduled and targeted brand messaging. Eventilla tool is suitable for live or online events and allows the use of your own payment gateway, without per ticket fees.
Learn more about EventillaKey Features
- Event pages
- Registrations
- Payments and ticketing
- Entry management
Pros
- Simple, attractive user interface
- Wide range of functions and features
Cons
- Takes time to learn the invite process
- Expensive solution
Pricing
Starts at $290/month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Bitrix24 — Good for team collaboration
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Bitrix24 was born like a pure billing solution, but many companies use it as event planning software since it comes with all the necessary tools for the job. There is a CRM and client management part that allows you to create quotes and invoices, send emails and manage vendors. You can share calendars that let you schedule and book multiple venues. There’s also an event management feature in this software, that organizers use to manage ground crews and assign tasks for them.
Learn more about Bitrix24Key Features
- Group task management
- Quotes and invoicing
- Shared calendars
- Email marketing
Pros
- Easily customizable
- Takes a long time to set up
Cons
- Poor user experience
- Difficult to upload large files
Pricing
Starts at $49/month, for up to 5 users Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Planning Pod — Good for educational institutions
Available on
- Web
Planning Pod is an event management software consisting of a few handy tools for event planning. From one place, you’ll have access to tools for attendee management, productivity, team collaboration, business management, and customization.
You can arrange seating, register guests, build event websites, and manage a guest list. You can also create schedules, budgets, to-do lists, calendars… the list goes on. If you’re constantly planning large events, then Planning Pod might be your personal virtual assistant.
Learn more about Planning PodKey Features
- Venue management
- Attendee Management
- Contract Management
- Event Management
Pros
- Very user friendly
- Onboarding is quick and simple
Cons
- Lack of customization features
- Calendar sync doesn’t work properly
Pricing
Starts at $99/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: No
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Localist — Good for tourism organizations
Available on
- Web
Localist is a simple events calendar designed to increase event attendance by boosting awareness and improving the public’s discovery of your event. Using the app, you can create an interactive calendar for your event and then publish it for the world to see. Localist matches your website’s branding and uses landing pages to increase conversions.
Localist event planner connects to Facebook, allowing potential attendees to select “I’m interested” for your event as well as view everyone else that’s going.
Learn more about LocalistKey Features
- Content Management
- Event Management
- Social media integration
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Easy to train users and set up
Cons
- Lacks software integrations
- Prone to glitches and crashing
Pricing
Starts at $800/month Trial: No Free Plan: No
Compare the Best Event Management Software Solutions
| Topic |
Start for free
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews |
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| Pricing |
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Starts at $1.50/registration
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Starts at 2$ + $0.79 transactions fee
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Pricing is not publicly available
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts at $290/month
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Starts at $49/month, for up to 5 users
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Starts at $99/month
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Starts at $800/month
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| Free Trial |
yes
14-day
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yes
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no
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yes
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no
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no
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no
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yes
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no
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| Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
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yes
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yes
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no
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no
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yes
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yes
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no
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no
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What Is Event Management Software?
Event management software is pretty self-explanatory, in that it is software designed to help event managers manage specific (sometimes all) areas of their daily operations.
These include registration, ticketing, planning, billing, and more. Some event management apps operate as all-in-one solutions, meaning that they can assist managers with every single stage of their event, from start to finish.
Whatever the case, these (usually cloud-based) solutions include capabilities that allow those in charge of the event to manage the staff involved, whether in-house or from external vendors. They can also use it to interact with their attendees.
How Does Event Management Software Work?
More often than not, event management software includes an online back-office that admins can operate from their laptop. From here, they usually have the tools to manage event projects, detailing every aspect of the planning.
Alongside this, they also have marketing capabilities in which they can communicate details of their events to employees, vendors, and attendees.
Speaking of which, attendees and general users often have access to a mobile version of the software, so that they can search for relevant events, stay up to date on the latest ongoings, regardless of location, and officially attend their events of choosing.
Event management software tends to also include insights pages for each event, so that admins can measure its performance in order to make improvements to future events.
The Benefits of Event Management Software
There are many benefits that using an event management app can bring to your business. Such as:
- It boosts attendee engagement: If you are able to share event-related content across multiple channels with communication tools, this means you can see exactly who is engaging with your content and who is interested in attending your events. It also means you can follow up on potential leads and increase attendance rates across events.
- Everything is automated: Whether you need to process payments, send event invitations, or track registration for multiple attendees, event management software allows you to do this on auto-pilot. This also ensures all processes are accurate and human error-free. Double-bookings, misspelled names, and logistical errors become a lot less likely.
- Everything is trackable: This software allows you to see in real-time how many people are attending events, who needs reminding, who is likely to attend, and who has already attended and paid at events.
📚 We put together detailed guides on:
- The best employee training software of 2023
- The best employee scheduling app for 2023
How Much Does Event Management Software Cost?
Event manager software solutions vary in price drastically depending on the number of required users and the range of features they include. And sometimes, these metrics aren’t even factors in the pricing.
Some of the more expensive solutions on this list include Localist and Eventilla, which cost $800 and $290 per month, respectively. More affordable event manager software solutions (free apps for event management aside), include Eventzilla, which has a basic price plan of $1.50 per registration.
We recommend choosing the solution with the widest range of features but will cost you the least amount of money in the process. A good example of this is Connecteam.
With a basic pricing plan of just $29 per month for the first 30 users, you can enjoy all the employee management features that this all-in-one solution has to offer.
FAQs
What areas of business can I use an event management app for?
With an event management app, you can:
- Plan event schedules
- Customize your marketing for each event
- Handle both online registrations and payments
- Manage budgets for each event
- Choose venues for each event
- Handle bookings
What are the best apps for event planners?
While we regard the above list of event management solutions the best apps for event planners on the market today, each of them has its unique range of features and core strengths. You need to choose which one is best suited to your business needs.
What skills do you need for event management?
In order to be a great event manager, you need the following:
- An interest and knowledge in events
- The ability to adapt to last-minute changes
- Organizational skills
- Creativity
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
The Bottom Line On Event Management Software Solution
There is no doubt that digital software solutions will help boost the productivity of your event management (for both you and your employees) and definitely make your life easier.
From planning the event and sharing the agenda with your team to sending invoices, from creating digital checklists to tracking time, and so much more.
The main features you want to see in the software for the event industry are:
- Versatility
- Ease of use
- Accessibility on the move
- Customization
- Affordability
Make sure you go through each of the listed event technology solutions to choose the best fit for your business.