How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Cvent suits enterprises running large conferences and trade shows with complex registration and marketing needs.
- Bizzabo suits B2B marketers who want event marketing, registration, and analytics in one platform.
- Eventbrite suits smaller events and ticketed experiences with simple setup and broad discovery.
- Hopin suits virtual and hybrid events, though its focus has shifted since its peak virtual-events years.
- The best event platform matches your event type: in-person conferences, ticketed experiences, and virtual events need different tools.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Cvent | Enterprise conferences | See website | No |
 Bizzabo | B2B event marketing | See website | No |
 Eventbrite | Ticketed events and discovery | See website | Yes |
 Hopin | Virtual and hybrid events | See website | Free trial |
 Whova | Conference apps and networking | See website | Free trial |
 Splash | Branded event pages | See website | Free trial |
 RegFox | Affordable registration | See website | No |
 Accelevents | Hybrid and virtual events | See website | Free trial |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
#1Cvent
Best for: Enterprise conferences4.3/5 on
G2 (2,414 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit cvent.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Cvent is the enterprise standard for event marketing, covering registration, event websites, email marketing, attendee management, and reporting for large conferences and trade shows. Its platform handles complex registration paths, session scheduling, exhibitor management, and onsite check-in at global scale. Large enterprises and associations use it for flagship events where reliability matters more than cost.
Pricing is enterprise-grade, setup is complex, and smaller events find it overkill. Cvent also offers onsite solutions for badge printing and lead retrieval at trade shows. Cvent fits enterprises running large conferences and trade shows that need deep registration and marketing features with global support.
What we like- Deepest enterprise features
- Registration plus marketing
- Global scale
Watch out for- Enterprise pricing
- Complex setup
- Smaller events overkill
#2Bizzabo
Best for: B2B event marketing4.3/5 on
G2 (448 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit bizzabo.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Bizzabo combines event marketing, registration, event websites, and analytics in one platform aimed at B2B marketers running conferences, summits, and field events. Its analytics tie event attendance to pipeline and revenue, which suits marketing teams proving event ROI. Its networking and mobile app features support attendee engagement before, during, and after events.
Pricing is enterprise-grade, and smaller events find it more platform than they need. Bizzabo also offers website builders that create event sites without developer help. Bizzabo fits B2B marketing teams that want event marketing and analytics together, with ROI reporting for leadership.
What we like- Event marketing plus registration
- Analytics
- B2B focus
Watch out for- Enterprise pricing
- Smaller events overkill
#3Eventbrite
Best for: Ticketed events and discovery4.3/5 on
G2 (915 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit eventbrite.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Eventbrite is the default for ticketed events: concerts, workshops, classes, and community gatherings, with simple setup, ticket sales, and discovery through its marketplace. Organizers create event pages quickly, sell tickets with fees on paid events, and reach audiences browsing Eventbrite for things to do. Free events cost nothing to list, which suits community organizers.
Fees apply to paid tickets, customization is limited compared with Cvent or Bizzabo, and enterprise features are thinner. Eventbrite also offers organizer tools for email campaigns and discount codes. Eventbrite fits smaller ticketed events and experiences that want simple setup plus discovery, without enterprise complexity.
What we like- Simple setup
- Broad discovery
- Free for free events
Watch out for- Fees on paid tickets
- Customization limited
- Less enterprise depth
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Hopin built its name on virtual events, with stages, sessions, networking, and expo areas that replicate conference experiences online, plus hybrid support for in-person plus virtual audiences. Its platform suits virtual summits, trade shows, and hybrid conferences where remote attendance matters. Since its peak virtual-events years, its focus and product lineup have shifted, so buyers should confirm current features.
Pricing varies by plan and event size, and its current positioning needs verification during trials. Hopin also offers session recordings that extend event content after the live dates. Hopin fits organizers running virtual or hybrid events who want stages, networking, and expo features in one platform.
What we like- Virtual event stages
- Networking
- Hybrid support
Watch out for- Focus shifted since peak years
- Pricing varies
#5Whova
Best for: Conference apps and networking4.8/5 on
G2 (1,925 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit whova.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Whova offers a strong conference app with agendas, networking, attendee messaging, and engagement features, plus registration and event websites. Conference organizers use it to boost attendee interaction, with features like community boards, meetup scheduling, and live polls that keep attendees engaged. Its app quality stands out among event platforms.
Marketing and registration features are thinner than Cvent's or Bizzabo's, and pricing is per event. Whova also offers lead retrieval tools that help exhibitors capture attendee contacts. Whova fits conference organizers who prioritize attendee apps and networking, pairing it with marketing tools where needed.
What we like- Strong conference app
- Networking
- Agenda and engagement
Watch out for- Marketing features thinner than Cvent
- Pricing per event
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Splash creates beautiful branded event pages with email marketing, RSVP tracking, and integrations, aimed at brands running launch events, parties, and corporate gatherings where design matters. Its templates and design tools produce pages that look custom without developer work, and its email tools drive invitations and reminders. Marketing teams use it for brand-forward events.
Registration depth is thinner than Cvent's, and enterprise features are limited. Splash also offers guest list management that tracks RSVPs and check-ins in real time. Splash fits brands that want beautiful event pages and email marketing for stylish events, without complex registration needs.
What we like- Beautiful branded pages
- Email marketing
- Integrations
Watch out for- Registration depth thinner than Cvent
- Enterprise features limited
#7RegFox
Best for: Affordable registration4.7/5 on
G2 (572 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit regfox.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
RegFox offers affordable event registration with low fees, flexible forms, and payment processing, aimed at organizers who want registration without enterprise platform costs. Its pricing undercuts larger platforms, and its forms handle complex registration paths reasonably well. Nonprofits, schools, and community organizers use it for conferences and fundraisers.
Marketing features are thin compared with Bizzabo or Splash, and it is a smaller vendor. RegFox also offers merchandise sales alongside registration, which suits events selling branded items. RegFox fits organizers who want affordable, flexible registration, accepting thinner marketing tools.
What we like- Low fees
- Flexible registration
- Affordable
Watch out for- Marketing features thin
- Smaller vendor
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Accelevents supports hybrid and virtual events with registration, live streaming, networking, and fundraising features, including auctions and donations for nonprofits. Its affordable tiers suit smaller organizations running virtual galas, conferences, and fundraisers, with features that larger platforms charge enterprise prices for. Nonprofits value its fundraising integration alongside event tools.
As a smaller vendor, its enterprise depth is thinner than Cvent's. Accelevents also offers gamification features that reward attendee participation during events. Accelevents fits nonprofits and smaller organizers running hybrid or virtual events with fundraising needs, at accessible pricing.
What we like- Hybrid and virtual support
- Fundraising features
- Affordable tiers
Watch out for- Smaller vendor
- Enterprise depth thinner than Cvent
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public user reviews for event marketing platforms that are actively sold in 2026. We favored tools with real registration, marketing, or virtual event capability, current availability, and clear positioning by event type. We checked virtual-event claims carefully, since several vendors shifted focus after the pandemic-era virtual boom, and we left out tools that no longer sell a current event product.
Event platforms fail when organizers buy for the wrong event type: an enterprise conference tool overwhelms a 50-person workshop, while a ticketing tool cannot handle multi-track conference registration. List your event's real needs first: registration complexity, ticketing, virtual versus in-person, networking, fundraising, and reporting. Then shortlist tools built for that event type, rather than the most popular platform overall.
Design registration for completion, not for data
Long registration forms kill attendance: every extra field drops completion, especially on mobile. Ask only what the event truly needs at registration, collect the rest later through surveys or check-in, and test the form on phones before launch. Platforms like Eventbrite and RegFox win on simple registration, while Cvent handles complexity when it is genuinely needed.
Promote where your audience already looks
Event discovery matters as much as event pages: Eventbrite's marketplace, social media, and partner channels bring audiences that standalone pages cannot. Budget promotion time alongside platform setup, use early-bird pricing to drive early registrations, and track which channels actually convert, not just which ones generate clicks.
Plan onsite logistics as carefully as marketing
Great event marketing fails when onsite logistics break: long check-in lines, confusing signage, and poor Wi-Fi sour attendees regardless of promotion quality. Test check-in flows, signage, and connectivity before doors open, and staff help desks generously during peak arrival. Attendees remember smooth experiences and forgive minor program flaws.
Measure what leadership cares about
Event ROI reporting decides next year's budget, so track metrics leadership values: attendance versus registration, pipeline influenced, revenue attributed, and attendee satisfaction, not just ticket sales. Platforms like Bizzabo tie events to pipeline, while simpler tools need manual reporting. Decide reporting needs before the event, since retroactive attribution is unreliable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best event marketing platform overall?
Cvent for enterprise conferences, Bizzabo for B2B marketing with ROI analytics, and Eventbrite for smaller ticketed events. The best platform depends on event type, size, and whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person formats dominate. Trial shortlisted platforms with a real test event before committing to an annual contract.
Is Eventbrite free for organizers?
Free events are free to list, while paid tickets carry fees that organizers or attendees pay depending on settings. Check current fee structures before pricing tickets, since fees affect net revenue. Organizers can choose to absorb fees or pass them to buyers, which changes ticket prices visibly.
Can Hopin still handle virtual events?
Yes, Hopin still offers virtual and hybrid event features, though its product focus has shifted since its peak years. Trial current features carefully and confirm stages, networking, and expo capabilities match your event needs. Ask for a live demo with your exact event format before signing. Compare Hopin against Accelevents for virtual events, since both target similar hybrid audiences. Check attendee limits and streaming quality on each platform during trials, since those decide virtual event success. Run a full rehearsal with speakers and moderators before the live event day. Rehearsals catch audio, video, and timing problems while they are still fixable. Schedule rehearsals at least one week before the event for best results.
Do I need a separate conference app?
Not always. Whova and Bizzabo include strong apps, while Cvent and Accelevents offer app features too. Standalone apps make sense only when your registration platform's app falls short on networking or engagement. Test the included app with real attendees before buying a separate one.
How far in advance should I choose an event platform?
For large conferences, three to six months before the event, allowing time for setup, testing, and promotion. For smaller events, weeks suffice with simpler tools like Eventbrite or RegFox, though early setup still improves promotion. Large events with exhibitors or sponsors need the longest lead times for coordination.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.cvent.com
- https://www.bizzabo.com
- https://www.eventbrite.com
- https://www.hopin.com
- https://whova.com
- https://splashthat.com
- https://www.regfox.com
- https://www.accelevents.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.