Author: Whova Editorial Team | Last updated: July 20, 2026
Looking for Cvent alternatives that are easier to use and offer better customer support to manage your conferences and trade shows? Wondering what are the best alternatives to Cvent?
We’ll share 7 Cvent alternatives and competitors that event organizers have highly praised for their reliability and functionality. We will present the customer ratings, what customer support is offered, pricing comparison, and what features they cover.
Key Takeaways
- People look for cvent alternatives due to its steep learning curve, high pricing and over complicated features.
- Look for easy to use, affordable, flexible and customer responsive platforms when searching for alternatives.
- Top alternatives include Whova, Stova and Rainfocus for their ability to handle multiple event management tasks such as registration, check-in, marketing, communication and analytics in one single platform.
Why Do People Look for Cvent Alternatives?
#1. Steep Learning Curve
According to G2 reviews, Cvent has a high learning curve which provides difficulties setting up the event for first time organizers. Event organizers with limited experience might have to spend time learning the new technology, taking their time out for other event management tasks.
#2. Over Complexed
More features does not always mean better product. Sometimes, an overly complicated system can cause you to waste valuable time as your event approaches. It’s crucial to find an alternative platform with an easy-to-use and intuitive interface, not just for the admin team but also for your attendees, exhibitors, and speakers.
#3. Over Priced
Cvent has a pricing range that might not fit the majority of mid-size or smaller events. Additionally, you would be paying a high price despite only needed a few of the features offered. It’s time to switch to an alternative platform that costs a fraction of this price while delivering a higher quality product and superior customer service.
What To Consider For The Best Cvent Alternatives
When we look at the alternatives to Cvent, we consider this following factors:
- High Quality Customer Service: High-quality customer service ensures that customers are satisfied with their interactions and experiences with a company. This satisfaction can lead to repeat business and long-term customer loyalty.
- Intuitive and Easy to Use Software: Software that is intuitive and easy to use encourages adoption among users. If the software is straightforward, organizers will be able to complete tasks faster and allocate more time to work on the smaller details.
- Affordable: Keeping expenses in check is crucial for any organization. An affordable solution helps manage costs effectively, ensuring that the organization stays within its budget and can allocate resources to other important areas.
Cvent Alternatives Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a table summarizing the 7 best Cvent competitors including their overall rating, pricing, best for, and main features. Find more about each feature in the list provided under the table.
| Pricing | Overall Rating | Best For | Main Features | |
| Cvent | Need to contact sales team | + 4.3 / 5.0 | + Large conference events with venue management needs. Also recommended for organizers with experience using Cvent. | + Registration & marketing
+ Venue sourcing to compare and book spaces + Hotel room management + Speaker management with submission portals + Check-in & badging + Event app with agenda viewing and engagement features for attendees |
| Whova | Quick and easy price quote | + 4.8 / 5.0 | + Conference and associations events for in person, hybrid and virtual formats that require flexible pricing depending on feature usages. | + Attendee, exhibitor and sponsor registration
+ Self check-in kiosk + On demand name badge printing + Call for speakers for submission management + Event website builder + Agenda management + Event app for attendee engagement and networking + Post event reporting
|
| Stova | Need to request pricing | + 4.2 / 5.0 | + Events that require good integration with third party marketing tools such as Hubspot or Marketo | + Event registration
+ Sponsor & exhibitor management + Agenda builder + Seating map arrangements + Badging & check-in + Session attendance tracking |
| Eventbrite | The ticket fee is 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket | + 4.3 / 5.0 | + Social events that only require simple registration tasks | + Event listing in Eventbrite public page
+ Customizable event registration pages + Event marketing through email campaigns or social media ads + Free to start with free tickets + Easy to create registration forms with custom fields |
| RainFocus | Need to request pricing | + 4.6 / 5.0 | + Larger enterprise events for sales kickoffs | + Centralized hub for registration, content scheduling, sessions, and attendee management.
+ Customized agenda and sessions updates to attendees + Interactive floor maps + Real-time dashboards and sentiment analysis |
| WildApricot | Starting from $5544/year for 5,000 members | + 4.0 / 5.0 | + Events that also require membership management | + Membership management with member renewals and dues.
+ Ticketing & registration with multiple ticket types (member, non-member, early bird). + Drag-and-drop website builder and member portal. + Email marketing with event announcements and reminders. |
| Glue Up | Not disclosed but subscription-based | + 4.6 / 5.0 | + Organizations that require a new CRM management tool | + All-in-one platform
+ Tiered pricing, bundles, early bird discounts for ticketing + Branded pages and registration flows with event website templates. + Engagement tools with private chat, business card exchange, in-app networking. + Automated reminders, updates, and post-event emails. + Attendance, payments, engagement, and revenue tracking |
| Zoom Events | $9,649.90/year for 1,000 attendees | + 4.4 / 5.0 | + Events that mostly concentrate in live streaming webinars | + Enterprise-grade video for virtual and hybrid events.
+ Custom registration pages with ticket tiers. + Live chat, polls, breakout rooms, Q&A, reactions. + Attendance rates, session drop-offs, engagement reporting. + Post-event recordings for extended reach. |
7 Best Cvent Alternatives: Product, Services & Pricing
*All review ratings are an average of G2, Capterra and TrustRadius
All-in-one Event Management Platform
1. Whova
Key takeaway
- Whova’s all in one event management features will be able to satisfy most of the needs for large conferences and association events. Its ease of use, flexible pricing, complete set of event management tools and high user ratings make it a viable alternative to Cvent.
Best for
- Conference and associations events for in person, hybrid and virtual formats that require flexible pricing depending on feature usages.
Limitations
- Whova does not have any complex venue or room management features that Cvent provides.
Overall Rating
- 4.8 / 5.0 (5,016 Reviews)
Features
- Attendee, exhibitor and sponsor registration
- Self check-in kiosk
- On demand name badge printing
- Abstract management for speakers, posters and presentations
- Agenda management with bulk editing tools
- Event website builder
- Event app for attendee engagement and networking
- Post event reporting
Customer Support
- Online Chat, Email, Phone, 1:1 Onboarding, Dedicated Account Manager
Pricing
Whova’s end-to-end event platform consists of comprehensive features like registration, abstract management, badging & self check-in kiosk, event website builder, award-winning event app, surveys & polling, certificates, attendance tracking, analytics & report, social media integration, waiver forms, CRM integrations, exhibition management, virtual/hybrid events, and more.
Unlike Cvent, all the Whova product components are built-in into the same system which means that all of your data will be synced in minutes without any manual syncs or delays.
Event Platforms for Large Enterprise Events
2. Stova
Image credit to Stova
Key takeaway
- Stova is another alternative that can provide event management tools for all types of events with great third party marketing tool integrations.
Best for
- Events that require good integration with third party marketing tools such as Hubspot or Marketo.
Limitations
- Other than the main marketing tool integrations, Stova has a limited number of integrations for AMS or academic review systems.
Overall Rating
- 4.2/5 (301 Reviews)
Features
- Event registration
- Sponsor & exhibitor management
- Agenda builder
- Seating map arrangements
- Badging & check-in
- Session attendance tracking
Customer Support
- Online Chat, Email, Phone
Pricing
- Need to request pricing
As a competitor of Cvent, Stova (formerly Aventri) is a full service event software company. It covers venue sourcing, event marketing, onsite services, attendee engagement tools, virtual event services, data analytics, and logistics management.
Similar to some other event management platforms, Stova offers event organizers real-time audience engagement tools, screen-sharing and presentation options, live streaming on all devices, and multi-session functionality, session tracks, and branded event graphics are among the platform’s seamless virtual event solutions.
3. RainFocus
Image credit to RainFocus
Key takeaway
- Rainfocus can also provide end-to-end event management with a higher focus in marketing and sales conversion analytics.
Best for
- Larger enterprise events for sales kickoffs.
Limitations
- Due to its enterprise level features, Rainfocus still has a steep learning curve to configure customizations.
Overall Rating
- 4.6 / 5 (42 reviews)
Features
- Centralized hub for registration, content scheduling, sessions, and attendee management.
- Customized agenda and sessions updates to attendees
- Interactive floor maps
- Real-time dashboards and sentiment analysis
Customer Support
- Email, Phone.
Pricing
- Need to request pricing
As an alternative to Cvent, RainFocus is an end-to-end event management and marketing software. They support all types of events ranging from annual conferences to trade shows to sales kickoffs. RainFocus is great for event organizers and marketing teams and supports mostly larger enterprise events.
RainFocus integrates registration, exhibitor activation, and content management within a single dashboard. Organizers are able to see behavioral data on their events for marketing and sales conversions and personalize their attendee experience. RainFocus also has an exhibitor module to give exhibitors visibility and quality leads. It also offers integration to Salesforce and Marketo.
Event Registration & Ticketing Platforms
4. Eventbrite
Image credit to Eventbrite
Key takeaway
- Eventbrite is a free alternative to handle registration and get public listing of your event in Eventbrite’s popular directory.
Best for
- Social events that only require simple registration tasks.
Limitations
- Does not have features to handle exhibitors, sponsors or speakers separately. Also it does have any room management features.
Overall Rating
- 4.3 / 5.0 (6,596 Reviews)
Features
- Event listing in Eventbrite public page
- Customizable event registration pages
- Event marketing through email campaigns or social media ads
- Free to start with free tickets
- Easy to create registration forms with custom fields
Customer Support
- Online Chat, Email
Pricing
- The ticket fee is 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket
Eventbrite is another competitor of Cvent. Eventbrite provides event planners with an event ticketing system and event technology platform to help organize and sell tickets online, while giving attendees a place to discover events that fit their interest.
Eventbrite has worked well with quite a number of concerts, film and music festivals and workshops. However, it lacks some critical functions such as attendee engagement and networking, sponsor and exhibitor management, mobile event app, and others.
Evenbrite’s ticketing features include email invitation creation, RSVP tracking, and ticket selling. Event organizers can manage ticket sales online via a web portal, or through integration with social media sites such as Facebook. It also offers real-time sales data which helps event planners to track attendance and ticket revenue.
Association Management Systems with Event Planning Features
5. WildApricot
Image credit to WildApricot
Key takeaway
- WildApricot can be a good alternative if membership management is needed alongside well-integrated event management tools such as registration and website building.
Best for
- Events that also require membership management.
Limitations
- WildApricot cannot compete with Cvent’s advanced on-site event logistics, exhibitor management portals, and heavily customizable mobile event apps tailored for large-scale audiences.
Overall Ratings
- 4.0 out of 5.0 (592 Reviews)
Features
- Membership management with member renewals and dues.
- Ticketing & registration with multiple ticket types (member, non-member, early bird).
- Drag-and-drop website builder and member portal.
- Email marketing with event announcements and reminders.
Customer Support
- Online Chat, Email, Phone call
Pricing
- $5544/year for 5,000 members
The WildApricot platform offers event management tools, including online event registration and a mobile event app, as well as customizable web page templates and an automated promotional email tool. However, it’s important to note that the platform is primarily geared towards organizations with membership management needs.
Its membership management capabilities and flexible pricing options make WildApricot a solid option for organizations in need of software to help manage smaller, regular gatherings. Another benefit is that WildApricot’s platform integrates with Whova’s event management system, which gives you the opportunity to sync your membership information and reap the benefits of both software.
6. Glue Up
Image credit to GlueUp
Key takeaway
- Glue up is an all-in-one CRM platform that provides event engagement tools with its association management tools including memberships and CPD/CPE crediting system.
Best for
- Organizations that require a new CRM management tool for managing their community and hosting events, webinars and chapters.
Limitations
- Being a membership first platform, Glue Up does lack deep event management features including ticket customization, analytics reporting or speaker management.
Overall Ratings
- 4.6 / 5.0 (232 reviews)
Features
- All-in-one platform
- Tiered pricing, bundles, early bird discounts for ticketing
- Branded pages and registration flows with event website templates.
- Engagement tools with private chat, business card exchange, in-app networking.
- Automated reminders, updates, and post-event emails.
- Attendance, payments, engagement, and revenue tracking
Customer Support
- Online chat, email, Phone.
Pricing
- Not disclosed but subscription-based
Glue up is an all-in-one CRM platform that expanded its portfolio to build and engage communities through events, memberships & other digital tools. They offer event management that strengthens organizations, relationships, and business value through purposeful engagement.
Some features of Glue Up are an event website builder, branded event invitations, attendee chat, live check-in metrics, and ROI insights. It is used by different associations, chambers of commerce, and business networks worldwide.
Glue up would be best for organizations that need a new CRM management tool and need to coordinate events.
Virtual Event Management Platforms
7. Zoom Events
Image credit to Zoom Events
Key takeaway
- ZoomEvents is a virtual event platform that can benefit organizers handling online webinars and live stream sessions with limited registration capabilities.
Best for
- Events that mostly concentrate in live streaming webinars.
Limitations
- Lacks complex on-site logistic tools like complex seating charts, physical food & beverage budgeting, or multi-hotel housing management.
Overall Ratings
- 4.4 out of 5.0 (6595 Reviews)
Features
- Enterprise-grade video for virtual and hybrid events.
- Custom registration pages with ticket tiers.
- Live chat, polls, breakout rooms, Q&A, reactions.
- Attendance rates, session drop-offs, engagement reporting.
- Post-event recordings for extended reach.
Customer Support
- Online Chat, Email
Pricing
- $9,649.90/year for 1,000 attendees
Zoom Events is a virtual event platform that supports several aspects of online event management, such as streaming live sessions, managing event sharing and ticketing, and more. It’s been geared mostly towards online events and webinar series, so it might not be the best fit if you’re planning a larger hybrid conference. For example, it lacks some of the more advanced features other platforms provide, like digital booths for sponsors and exhibitors.
The Event Ops Friction Audit: How Top Cvent Competitors Solve Core Administrative Bottlenecks
When event teams evaluate Cvent alternatives, they rarely switch because a competitor has a prettier registration page. Instead, they switch to escape administrative bloat and manual data entry.
While standard feature checklists evaluate what a platform does, this audit evaluates the human labor required to execute basic tasks. Below is a concise, operational look at how Cvent, Whova, Stova, Eventbrite, RainFocus, WildApricot, Zoom Events, and Glue Up address the most painful event-ops bottlenecks.
Data Sync Latency
Many event platforms advertise real-time data syncing, but updates don’t always happen immediately. For example, in Cvent, changes can take up to 10 minutes to appear on the separate OnArrival app or may require staff to manually refresh the data during an event.
Other platforms take a more real-time approach. Whova pushes updates to its website and mobile app almost immediately. RainFocus uses live API connections to reduce sync delays, while Glue Up updates its central database instantly, so check-in activity is reflected in the CRM without waiting for a scheduled sync.
The Learning Curve for Annual Events
For teams that only plan one or two events each year, ease of use matters. Cvent offers powerful customization, but it can take months to learn. Before becoming an expert of the platform, many users have to spend time getting familiar with the software.
Platforms like Eventbrite and Whova focus on simple, intuitive interfaces that are much quicker to learn. Glue Up makes it easy to reuse past event setups with templates, and Stova supports customers with hands-on implementation and ongoing guidance to help manage its more advanced features.
Event Ops Friction Matrix
| Platform | Data Sync Latency | Onboarding Time to Confidence |
| Cvent | 10-min latency or manual sync to OnArrival app | 2-3 months; steep learning curve |
| Whova | Instant sync across app, site, and badges | 1-2 weeks; intuitive setup and reusable settings |
| Stova | Auto-sync to registration and app | 4-6 weeks; highly configurable |
| Eventbrite | Instant web updates | 1-2 days; self-service ticketing |
| RainFocus | Real-time bilateral data-streaming API sync | 8-12 weeks; highly technical |
| WildApricot | Confined to internal CRM; no external sync | 1-2 weeks; built for volunteers |
| Zoom Events | Instant sync to virtual lobby | 1-2 days; virtual-first setup |
| Glue Up | Real-time direct CRM write-back with zero latency | 1-2 weeks; templated blueprints |
Cvent Alternatives & Competitors: Summary
Consider these top Cvent competitors as you explore your options for an event management software. For an intuitive interface with complete event management tools, Whova continues to be one of the highest-rated Cvent alternatives, with a 4.8/5.0 rating across 5,000+ organizers. For only registration needs, Eventbrite provides the minimal necessary tools. For virtual webinars and conferences, ZoomEvents and GoToWebinar provide a more virtual experience for attendees. For large company events, Rainfocus can bring your event to scale.
To amplify your attendee engagement, save time planning, and improve your event experience overall, click here to request a free live demo for Whova.
FAQ
What are the top alternatives to Cvent?
The best top alternative to Cvent for an all-in-one event management platform is Whova. Whova has features that can handle multiple event tasks such as registration, agenda management, call for speakers, attendee networking, post event reporting and more. For more specialized platforms, Eventbrite is a top alternative for cheap registration tools. GotoWebinar is a top alternative for virtual webinar hosting.
What’s a cheaper event management software than Cvent?
A cheaper event management software than Cvent is Whova. As an all-in-one event management platform, you will be able to save time and costs. From registration features to help you easily get registrants in the system to an event app to increase event networking, Whova can provide you with essentials tools to keep your event running smoothly and effortlessly.