Best Event Management Software
From small meetups to major conferences—manage registration, logistics, and engagement
TL;DR
Eventbrite is best for public ticketed events with strong discovery features. Cvent leads for large corporate events and conferences with complex requirements. Hopin excels at virtual and hybrid events with interactive features. For simple event registration, Luma offers elegant simplicity. Choose based on event type and complexity.
Event management software has evolved dramatically—especially since hybrid and virtual events became standard. What used to be just registration and ticketing now includes virtual venues, networking features, mobile apps, and detailed analytics. The right platform depends heavily on your event type: public vs. private, in-person vs. virtual, and simple vs. complex logistics.
What is Event Management Software?
Event management platforms handle the end-to-end event lifecycle: registration and ticketing, attendee management, event websites, email communication, check-in, virtual event delivery (for online events), mobile apps, and post-event analytics. Enterprise platforms add features like venue management, exhibitor coordination, and multi-event programs.
Why Event Software Matters
Manual event management breaks at scale. Spreadsheet registrations, individual email confirmations, paper check-in lists—it's error-prone and time-consuming. Good event software automates the administrative work, provides professional attendee experiences, and generates data to improve future events. For serious events, it's essential.
Key Features to Look For
Registration & Ticketing
essentialCustom forms, ticket types, pricing tiers, promo codes
Event Website
essentialBranded landing page with event details and registration
Attendee Communication
essentialAutomated confirmations, reminders, and updates
Check-in
importantMobile app or web-based check-in with badge printing
Virtual Event Features
importantStreaming, networking, chat, breakout rooms for online events
Mobile App
importantAttendee app with agenda, networking, and notifications
Analytics
importantRegistration data, attendance, engagement metrics
Sponsor/Exhibitor Tools
nice-to-haveVirtual booths, lead capture, sponsor management
Key Factors to Consider
- Event type: in-person, virtual, or hybrid have different needs
- Public ticketed vs. private registration changes feature requirements
- Event size: platforms have different sweet spots
- One-off vs. recurring events affects pricing and workflow
- Integration needs: CRM, marketing automation, payment processors
Pricing Overview
Pricing varies widely—free tiers for basic needs, percentage of ticket sales, or flat fees for enterprise.
Free
$0 + payment fees
Free events, basic paid events
Growth
$50-$500/month or % of sales
Regular events, more features
Enterprise
$1000+/month
Large conferences, complex needs
Top Picks
Based on features, user feedback, and value for money.
Eventbrite
Top PickThe default for public ticketed events
Best for: Public events wanting discovery and simple ticketing
Pros
- Event discovery marketplace
- Easy to use
- Solid mobile app
- Good for public events
Cons
- Fees on ticket sales
- Limited customization
- Basic enterprise features
- Virtual features basic
Hopin
Virtual and hybrid events with interactive features
Best for: Organizations running virtual or hybrid events with networking focus
Pros
- Excellent virtual venue
- Good networking features
- Hybrid support
- Interactive elements
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Learning curve
- In-person features less mature
- Occasional technical issues
Luma
Beautiful, simple event pages for modern events
Best for: Tech and startup events wanting elegant simplicity
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Very easy to use
- Good for community events
- Integrations with modern tools
Cons
- Limited for complex events
- Fewer enterprise features
- Basic reporting
- Smaller ecosystem
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbuilding for simple events—sometimes a Google Form is enough
- Underestimating virtual event complexity—good virtual is harder than it looks
- Ignoring the attendee experience—registration friction kills conversions
- Not collecting the right data—what do you actually need to know?
- Choosing based on features you won't use instead of what you need
Expert Tips
- Test the registration flow yourself—every field of friction loses attendees
- For virtual events, do technical rehearsals—problems happen live
- Use registration questions strategically to understand your audience
- Send reminder emails—no-shows are common, especially for free events
- Post-event surveys are gold—ask while the experience is fresh
The Bottom Line
Eventbrite is the obvious choice for public ticketed events with its marketplace discovery. Hopin leads for virtual and hybrid with interactive features. Luma offers elegant simplicity for community and startup events. Cvent dominates enterprise conferences. Match the tool to your event type—over-buying is common.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage should I expect to pay on ticket sales?
Typically 2-5% plus payment processing (another 2.9% + $0.30). Eventbrite is around 3.5% + $1.79 per ticket. Higher-priced tiers often let you absorb fees in ticket price or reduce platform percentage.
Virtual or in-person—which is harder to run?
Good virtual events are surprisingly hard. Technical issues, engagement challenges, and 'Zoom fatigue' are real. In-person has logistics complexity but more natural engagement. Hybrid is the hardest—you're running two events simultaneously.
How early should I start promoting my event?
For conferences: 3-6 months. For smaller events: 4-8 weeks. Most registrations come in the first week and last two weeks. Create urgency with early-bird pricing and strategic reminders.
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