Top 8 Cvent Competitors for Event Planning in 2025
Dec 27, 2024 Shruti Shah
Choosing the right event management platform is vital for event professionals navigating the growing demand for in person, virtual, and hybrid events. Modern planners need solutions that offer robust features, scalability, and seamless integrations to streamline their workflows.
While Cvent has been a popular choice, once a legacy platform, now falls short in meeting the evolving needs of today’s dynamic event landscape. Fortunately, the event tech space has expanded significantly, offering innovative alternatives with advanced, next-generation features. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best Cvent alternatives, designed to provide versatile, cutting-edge solutions that align with the unique goals and preferences of modern event planners.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Cvent Alternative
When you're on the lookout for an event management platform, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. But before diving into the details, there are a few key factors you should evaluate Cvent Competitors and choose the best platform for your needs. Let’s break these down in a simple and straightforward way:
1. Event Type Suitability
Consider the type of event you’re organizing. Is it a large in-person conference, an intimate seminar, or a hybrid event that blends physical and virtual experiences? While many Cvent Competitors support virtual and hybrid events, the key here is to ensure the platform excels in managing in-person events since that is where most of the logistics, attendee interaction, and on-the-ground details come into play. The fair Cvent Competitors should offer features that make organizing in-person events easier, like venue management, check-in systems, and on-site support. If you plan to offer virtual or hybrid options as an extension, check that the platform can handle these additional formats without complicating things for your on-site attendees.
2. Integration with Existing Tools
Chances are, you already have a set of tools that help you manage your business and communications, such as a CRM system, email marketing software, or ticketing platform. The best event management platforms as Cvent Competitors must easily integrate with these tools, allowing you to streamline processes without constantly jumping between platforms. For example, integrating with your CRM can allow you to sync attendee data automatically, reducing manual data entry. If you're using specific tools for managing your on-site event, or email marketing, integrations ensure these can seamlessly connect with your event platform for a smoother experience overall.
3. Pricing Transparency and Scalability
Event budgets can spiral quickly, so it’s essential to choose a platform with transparent pricing. Look for Cvent competitors that provide clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees, giving you confidence in your budget planning.
Also, as your event or business grows, you’ll want Cvent competitors that can grow with you. A scalable solution is key if you're starting with small conferences but plan to expand to large-scale in-person events in the future. The Cvent competitors should allow you to add features or capacity as needed, without forcing you into an all-or-nothing situation.
4. User Interface and Attendee Engagement Features
An intuitive and easy-to-use interface is essential for both you and your attendees. For event organizers, the platform as Cvent alternative should simplify tasks like scheduling, venue management, and registration. The easier it is to manage these tasks, the less stress you’ll face on the day of the event. For in-person events, the platform should have features that help with on-site logistics, like badge printing, real-time attendee tracking, and check-in systems. For attendees, engagement is key. Cvent competitors should offer interactive features like event schedules, networking tools, and real-time updates to enhance the attendee experience. For in-person events, tools such as badge printing, real-time tracking, and streamlined check-ins ensure a smooth and professional event flow.
5. Customer Support and Regional Availability
Things don’t always go according to plan, and having access to reliable customer support is crucial, especially during an in-person event where any issues can affect your event flow. Look for Cvent competitors that offers responsive customer support and clear communication channels. Ideally, you should have access to a dedicated support team, either via live chat, email, or phone. Additionally, ensure that the platform is available in your region and can provide support tailored to your time zone and local requirements. This becomes even more important if you’re managing events across different regions, as you’ll need consistent help no matter where you’re operating.
Top Cvent Alternatives
1. Eventcombo
If you're exploring Cvent competitors, Eventcombo should definitely be on your radar. Eventcombo is an all-in-one event management platform that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Known for its versatility and customization options, Eventcombo positions itself among the top Cvent alternatives by offering event organizers a wide range of features that streamline the planning process, improve attendee engagement, and enhance event operations.
Here’s why Eventcombo stands out among other Cvent competitors:
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Event Registration & Ticketing: Eventcombo’s robust registration system offers fully customizable event forms, tiered pricing options, and ticketing capabilities. Organizers can easily track registrations, sell tickets, and manage discounts, all from a central dashboard. Unlike Cvent Competitors Eventcombo eco-system also supports complex event-ticketing scenarios, like early-bird pricing, multi-day events, and VIP ticketing.
- Meeting Management: Eventcombo excels in meeting management by offering tools to schedule and manage 1:1 or 1-2-many meetings. Attendees can book meetings with exhibitors, sponsors, or other registered participants via a simple and user-friendly interface, which is one of the reasons people compare with Cvent competitors and the platform supports both in-person and virtual meetings seamlessly.
Venue Management: For in-person events, Eventcombo offers venue management tools that help streamline the logistics of venue coordination. The platform supports space planning and seat management, making it easy to assign rooms, manage attendee flows, and handle logistics for large events, ensuring a smooth and efficient event experience.
- On-Site Management: Eventcombo provides an on-site management suite, including check-in features, badge printing, venue management tools and on-site staffing. Among Cvent competitors, their on-site system is optimized for speed, reducing wait times and ensuring that attendees have a hassle-free entry to the event. Event organizers can track attendance in real-time and monitor the flow of participants throughout the event space. The platform supports space planning and seat management, making it easy to assign rooms, manage attendee flows, and handle logistics for large events, ensuring a smooth and efficient event experience.
- Customizable Event Branding: One of Eventcombo's standout features is the ability to fully customize event websites, registration pages, and event materials. Many Cvent competitors offer customization, but Eventcombo goes the extra mile to ensure organizers can apply branding elements such as logos, color schemes, and fonts giving the event a cohesive and professional look.
- Analytics & Reporting: Eventcombo provides comprehensive analytics on attendee behavior, session attendance, and overall event performance. Organizers can access real-time and custom reports that offer valuable insights into attendee engagement, ticket sales, and overall event success. When it comes to data, Eventcombo outpaces many Cvent competitors with its custom reports and in-depth insights on specifics such as session performance, networking activities, or sponsor visibility.
- Suite of Mobile Apps for Attendees & Organizers: Eventcombo offers a suite of apps for both attendees and event organizers. These apps are designed to make the experience seamless for everyone involved—something not all Cvent competitors can offer.
- Post-Event Engagement & Lead Retrieval: What happens after your event matters too. As a top Cvent competitor, Eventcombo keeps the momentum going with post-event surveys, AI-driven email marketing, and detailed analytics. The Lead Retrieval App make it easy for exhibitors and sponsors to capture leads, take smart notes, and sync data directly with their CRM. This level of post-event engagement is what sets Eventcombo puts it on top of other Cvent competitors.
- Customer Support: Eventcombo’s 24/7 customer support is a game-changer. Whether you need help during setup or on event day, their team is just a call, chat, or email away. Among Cvent competitors, Eventcombo’s commitment to customer service is unmatched.
User Reviews:
- ‘Eventcombo is easily the best in the business for managing the event experience.’ - Jessica F.
- ‘A good product with features that is tailormade to cater to client's needs’ - Mervin V.
- ‘Their Event App particularly and the Community integration was something all our stakeholders loved.’ - Raymond W.
- ‘Eventcombo checks all of our boxes! My overall experience with Eventcombo is very positive and I cannot wait to continue to work with them.’ - Sara
Why Choose Eventcombo Over Other Cvent Competitors?
Eventcombo doesn’t just check the boxes—it redefines what an event management platform should be. From its user-friendly interface to its cutting-edge tools for attendee engagement and analytics, it’s designed to make your job as an event planner easier and your events more successful. If you’re considering alternatives to Cvent, Eventcombo is a powerful, flexible, and affordable option that deserves your attention.
2. Bizzabo
Bizzabo is a powerful event management platform known for its sleek design and emphasis on attendee engagement. As one of the leading Cvent competitors, Bizzabo offers extensive tools for hybrid and in-person events, focusing on creating memorable experiences.
Key Features:
- Customizable event websites for branding and promoting events.
- Integrated networking features that allow attendees to connect with each other.
- Real-time analytics and event tracking tools for monitoring event performance.
- Seamless ticketing and registration tools that streamline attendee management.
User Reviews:
- 'Bizzabo's user interface is lightweight and easy to navigate.’ - Chris K. Senior
- 'Gives us marketers strong networking and engagement tools.’ - Tuneer M.
- ‘Overall customer service could be better. The site goes through a lot of updates which have an impact on down time for us.’ - Erin B.
- ‘It would help to customize options for organizations, like registration criteria or confirmation/payment messaging.’ - Christiane H.
3. vFairs
vFairs is a leading virtual and hybrid event platform that has gained significant popularity for its high-quality virtual environments. As one of the top Cvent competitors, vFairs offers customizable event layouts and AI-powered matchmaking tools, making it ideal for virtual expos, conferences, and career fairs.
Key Features:
- Virtual exhibit halls with customizable booths and 3D exhibition spaces for interactive experiences.
- AI-powered networking and matchmaking tools for personalized attendee connections.
- Fully branded, customizable event layouts for a personalized virtual event experience.
- Detailed analytics and reporting tools to track attendee engagement and event success.
User Reviews:
- ‘The apps were amazing and letting us configure to our wishes was fantastic.’ - Holly P.
- ‘The backend of the platform is really easy to navigate through and allowed me to make changes myself.’ Darren I.
- ‘Polling is not user friendly as guests have to log in each time and were dissatisfied with that feature.’ - Susanne E.
- ‘When additional website updates were required, sometimes I had to review their work and point out areas to correct.’ - Lynda G.
4. RingCentral (Previously Hopin)
RingCentral is a popular platform that provides an easy-to-use virtual and hybrid event experience. As one of the emerging Cvent competitors, it’s known for its dynamic features, including virtual stages, networking areas, and real-time interaction tools.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-set-up virtual stages for webinars and live sessions.
- Networking rooms that allow attendees to connect via 1:1 video chats.
- Virtual exhibit booths for sponsors and exhibitors to showcase their products.
- Real-time event analytics to track attendee engagement and session participation.
User Reviews:
- ‘The platform is incredibly user-friendly and has all the features I need to stay connected with my team and clients.’ - Carlos Z.
- ‘RingCentral Contact Center is very affordable, especially for small businesses.’ - John Steven W.
- ‘It cannot be used in laptop and mobile at the same time.' - Aquib K.
- ‘Customer support could be better.’ - John Steven W.
5. Airmeet
Out of other Cvent competitors, Airmeet's virtual social lounges, stage management tools, and gamification options provide a vibrant experience for attendees. Its emphasis on community-building and networking makes it an excellent choice for organizers looking to engage participants throughout their events.
Key Features:
- Virtual social lounges that encourage networking and informal conversations among attendees.
- Simple tools for stage and session management, integrated with external tools.
- Interactive features such as live polls, Q&A, and gamification to engage attendees.
- Fully customizable branding for events to ensure a professional appearance.
User Reviews:
- ‘It’s very user-friendly and makes navigating virtual events easy, even for those less tech-savvy.’ - Kristina L.
- ‘How easy it was to setup, use, even customize, while delivering a sleek and professional look.’ - Eric M.
- ‘I think the interface could use some polishing-- some datapoints and buttons are a little more buried than one might expect.’ - William S. Director
- ‘The in-person event needs to be more robust.’ - Rajnish K.
6. Whova
As one of the notable Cvent competitors, Whova excels in fostering attendee interaction and streamlining event management. Its user-friendly interface and AI-driven matchmaking enhance the overall event experience, making it an appealing choice for organizers seeking a well-rounded event solution.
Key Features:
- Customizable event agendas that allow attendees to personalize their schedules.
- AI-based attendee networking tools to help participants find and connect with relevant contacts.
- Real-time polling and surveys for engaging audience participation.
- Tools for managing exhibitors and sponsors, making their interaction easier.
User Reviews:
- ‘Whova is easy to set up and allows you to store all the information you want from the event 12 in one place.’ - Beth W. Co-Owner
- ‘Whova gives you the entire conference program and also allows you to build your own agenda.’ - Ayabulela D. Programme Manager
- ‘How it is different on desktop to cell phone. For example on desktop I can see everything on cell phone items missing like the entire name of room and #.’ - Jessica M.
- ‘It is quite overwhelming for first-time users with limited tech background.’ - Piniel Tawanda Z.
7. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is one of the most widely used platforms for managing smaller events and ticketing. As one of the simple but effective Cvent competitors, Eventbrite offers customizable event pages, flexible ticketing, and easy promotion tools. Its focus on ticketing and event promotion makes it ideal for organizers with straightforward needs.
Key Features:
- Flexible ticketing and registration options that can be customized to fit the event's needs.
- Built-in tools for event promotion and marketing to attract attendees.
- Customizable event pages for easy design and setup.
- Mobile app to help attendees interact with the event on the go.
User Reviews:
- ‘It helps us find out quickly who wants to come to the event and keeps track of how many people are attending.’ -
- ‘I like how you can export the attendee list. It is easy to design and all of the necessary info and have different pricing and promo code options.’ - Robyn B.
- ‘This platform lacks customization. You have to fit into their mold.’ - Meghan K. General
- ‘The total cost tends to be higher when compared to other event creation tools.’ - Mark L. C.E.O.
8. Pheedloop
Pheedloop offers a customizable, all-in-one event platform that supports virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. As one of the more affordable Cvent competitors, Pheedloop stands out for its interactive exhibits, gamification features, and AI-powered networking tools.
Key Features:
- Fully branded virtual and hybrid event designs that support interactive exhibits and gamification.
- Interactive virtual booths that enable exhibitors to engage with attendees in real time.
- AI-powered matchmaking for attendees to help them connect with relevant contacts.
- Gamification tools including leaderboards and rewards to enhance engagement.
User Reviews:
- ‘I can carry over profiles of sponsors and exhibitors from a previous event.’ - Emma T.
- ‘It was easy to set up the initial website.’ - Jen M.
- ‘The admin area can be a little confusing in trying to navigate and figure out what things mean.’ - Sarah S.
- ‘Set up is very time-consuming and is still a little clunky.’ - Cami B.
Feature Comparison Table for Cvent Alternatives
With so many features to consider, choosing the right Cvent competitor can be overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision, we've created this table for a quick and easy comparison.
Best Event Platforms for Specific Needs
When selecting the best platform for your event, it's crucial to consider your specific needs. Here’s a quick overview of some of the top options for different event types, including key Cvent competitors:
- Best for In-Person Events: Platforms like Eventcombo and Bizzabo offer complete end-to-end solutions for live events.
- Best for Conferences: Eventcombo, RingCentral, and Pheedloop offer robust session management and networking features for larger conferences.
- Best for Budget-Conscious Planners: Eventcombo and Eventbrite are solid choices for smaller events, particularly when ticketing is a focus.
Time to Make the Right Choice
Choosing the right event management platform is crucial to meeting your specific needs, goals, and budget. While Cvent remains a well-established name in the industry, Eventcombo offers a comprehensive solution that excels in managing in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. There are many other great Cvent alternatives to consider, each offering unique features designed to enhance your event experience. Whether you're exploring Cvent competitors or seeking something more tailored to your needs, the right platform can make all the difference. No matter how well-planned your event is, poor technology can derail even the best strategy.
Don't just take our word for it. , and let our team show you how much more you can achieve with the right event platform. Let's make your next event a great success together.