12 Alternatives to Cvent that Help Streamline Event Logistics
Cvent has strong registration features, but what about logistics?
Event planners know that the logistics and budgeting side of event management can be just as crucial as ticketing and registration. While Cvent excels at handling registration and attendee engagement, it often falls short in areas like real-time budget management, detailed vendor coordination, and managing complex logistics—areas where event planners typically resort to juggling spreadsheets and manual workarounds. This can quickly become overwhelming, especially when managing multiple vendors, room setups, and food and beverage needs.
For planners seeking a more comprehensive solution—one that eliminates the need for complicated, error-prone spreadsheets—there are several alternatives that offer advanced features for streamlining logistics and budgeting. In this article, we explore 12 event platforms that go beyond Cvent’s capabilities, providing robust tools to manage every aspect of event logistics, from budgeting to vendor management.
1. Pholeo
Pholeo is a comprehensive Event Management System (EOS) designed specifically for event logistics. Its standout feature, the 'Inventory-on-the-fly' module, allows planners to build and adjust budgets in real-time as they add vendors and resources. Pholeo’s integrated platform also supports the management of catering, vendor coordination, and venue logistics, making it a powerful tool for events of all sizes.
Key Features:
Real-time budget management
Vendor management
Food & beverage logistics
Customizable event checklists and reports
Pricing: Licenses starting at $15 per month growing to multi-license enterprise level plans.
2. Accelevents
Accelevents offers a comprehensive set of logistics tools, from ticketing and registration to live-streaming and exhibitor management. Its AI-driven engagement features help streamline event setup, making it a good choice for planners of hybrid or virtual events.
Key Features:
AI-driven networking and attendee engagement
Ticketing, check-ins, and exhibitor management
Live-streaming and analytics tools
Event website creation and customization
Pricing: Starting at $1,000 per event, scaling with advanced features
3. Tripleseat
Tripleseat is geared towards event logistics in the hospitality industry, offering features to manage venue bookings, catering, and food & beverage logistics. It is ideal for planners who need detailed tools for handling multiple venues and vendors.
Key Features:
Venue and catering management
Detailed budgeting and contract handling
Event timelines and task tracking
Room setup and F&B coordination
Pricing: Custom pricing based on venue and user needs. Contact for a demo
4. HoneyBook
HoneyBook is a project management tool that helps event planners manage contracts, budgets, and vendor coordination. Its user-friendly interface allows for streamlined communication and invoicing, making it ideal for small to medium-sized events.
Key Features:
Contract and payment tracking
Workflow and timeline management
Budgeting and vendor coordination
Client communication and task tracking
Pricing: Starting at $9/month for freelancers, with additional pricing for larger teams
5. Aisle Planner
Originally created for wedding planners, Aisle Planner is a great tool for managing logistics, budgeting, and vendor coordination. Its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for planners handling large-scale events that require attention to detail.
Key Features:
Budgeting and task management
Vendor and client management tools
Timeline and checklist creation
Integrated CRM for managing clients and vendors
Pricing: Pricing starts at $39/month for small teams, with custom pricing for larger events
6. PlanningPod
PlanningPod is an all-in-one event management platform designed to streamline logistics for event planners. It offers comprehensive tools for venue management, budgets, and vendor coordination, making it ideal for corporate and social events. Planners can manage timelines, catering, and vendor contracts, all in one place.
Key Features:
Venue management and seating plans
Task tracking and event timelines
Budget and vendor coordination
Integrated floor planning tool for room setups
Additional Feature: Real-time collaboration with team members and vendors
Pricing: Pricing starts at $99/month for small events, with custom pricing for larger events. Free trial available
7. Stova (Aventri)
Stova (Aventri) is highly customizable and ideal for large-scale events. It provides comprehensive tools to manage logistics, including venue management, budget tracking, and vendor coordination, all through a centralized dashboard.
Key Features:
Budget and compliance management
Customizable dashboards
Vendor management and venue coordination
Onsite check-ins and reporting tools
Pricing: Custom pricing based on the scale of the event. Contact for details
8. vFairs
vFairs specializes in virtual and hybrid events, with strong support for engagement tools like virtual booths and live-streaming. For logistics, vFairs offers tools to manage detailed planning, streaming, and booth setup, making it a great choice for large conferences.
Key Features:
Virtual and hybrid event support
Booth and sponsor management
Real-time attendee engagement tools
Event analytics and reporting
Pricing: Starting at $8,000 per event for basic packages, with additional costs for advanced features.
9. InEvent
InEvent provides powerful features for handling complex event logistics, particularly for larger enterprises. It includes customizable tools for venue management, attendee engagement, and live-streaming capabilities, making it a versatile choice for hybrid and in-person events.
Key Features:
Live-streaming and virtual booth management
Customizable attendee engagement tools
Budget and vendor management
CRM and marketing integrations
Pricing: Starting at $6,000 for small events, scaling up based on features and event size
10. Dubsado
Dubsado is primarily a client management tool that also works well for event logistics. It excels in handling contracts, invoicing, and vendor coordination, making it a good choice for planners juggling multiple clients.
Key Features:
Contract management and invoicing
Vendor and client coordination
Workflow automation tools
Budgeting and task tracking
Pricing: Plans start at $20/month for basic features, with higher-tier plans available
11. Bizzabo
Bizzabo offers a full suite of tools to handle event planning and logistics, from budgeting to post-event analytics. Its comprehensive platform integrates well with marketing tools, allowing for efficient management of attendee data and event logistics.
Key Features:
Budget management and planning
Attendee management and engagement tools
Integration with CRM and marketing tools
Hybrid and virtual event capabilities
Pricing: Custom pricing based on event size and complexity. Free demo available
12. OneCause
OneCause specializes in event fundraising logistics but also includes tools for managing ticket sales, vendor management, and check-ins. It’s a great option for planners working on nonprofit or charity events.
Key Features:
Online ticket sales and mobile bidding
Donor and sponsor engagement tools
Event registration and vendor management
Reporting and analytics
Pricing: Custom pricing based on event needs. Contact for a quote
