Planning an event? If so, you are probably in need of a registration software to help you manage everything. From applicant registration, vendor registration, emails, reporting, check-in, etc.
There are many kinds of events out there and of course, there are many kinds of event software. Each one offers their own unique blend of features that work for some and not all.
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Below is a helpful chart comparing some of the most popular event registration software on the market.
They are a mix of traditional registration software and ticketing based systems.
A more traditional registration software is best for those needing to really manage all aspects of your event – emails, reporting, user data, etc.
Ticketing systems are great for simply organizing an event – getting some basic information and sending out a ticket via email with a bar-code. (See this post all about boosting event registration and how some ticketing systems just don’t cut it).
They all have features that crossover as well, so figuring out what you need most for your event FIRST, then finding the software options that have what you’re looking for, can really help you narrow the field.
Take Advantage of Free Demos of Event Registration Software
My advice is, once you’ve narrowed down your choices – take advantage of the free demos that most software companies offer. This will give you more info on pricing.
You can see if you can afford it, and how it compares to others on the market with a demo. You can also see the user interface, and anticipate the applicant and admin experience.
The demo is a great time to ask:
- Is the system user-friendly?
- Can you customize it to your branding?
- Can it be embedded on your website?
- What is the customer service like?
- Is the process intuitive?
Remember, a long list of features sounds tempting, but what you really need are solutions to your event registration challenges.
While one software might have tons of features if you only need half of them, why pay for all of them?
Trust me, if they can do a lot, usually they charge a lot too. And more importantly, they will just confuse you if there are unneeded features getting in the way.
Event Registration Software Cost and Benefits Overview
While a list of features isn’t necessarily the best way to compare, as I stated above, it’s a start to narrow the field and decide which features are required for your event vs. what are nice to have.
This will help you eliminate any options that don’t immediately offer what you need, which saves you time in the long run.
Event Registration Software Pricing Comparison
Check out the Event Management Software Comparison Chart below to get a jump start on your research. Have a great event!
Top Event Registration Software Features
There are 5 features any event software you consider must have.
- Conditional Logic: Conditional logic simply means creating a unique event registration flow for every attendee. This will ensure you make the registration process intuitive and easy. You can send an attendee, vendor, and speaker all on their own registration path with questions relevant for their specific registration.
- Automatic Billing: Unless your event costs a very small amount of money, automatic billing and payment plans will lower your non-payment rate by 25% and allow your attendees to pay on time, quickly and easily.
- Purchase Protection: Purchase Protection helps to secure your funding, and protect the investment your attendees are making in your event.
- Filtering: Ensure the event software you choose has a robust filtering ability so you can filter and create reporting on any data point. This will help event day go more smoothly and allow you to understand and use your data productively.
- Embedded on Your Event Website: Why take attendees away from your website to register? Embedding the registration flow on your website will increase sign-ups by 27% and is the most professional option!
Event Software Comparison: Our Top Pick
What is the best event registration system?
Regpack is an online event registration software. Regpack’s system can help streamline and automate registration and payments and provides an intuitive back end portal to manage all of your event data and payments in one place.
Event operations are simplified and event planners get paid on time. Features such as automatic billing, dynamic reporting, and custom form builder create a personalized registration flow for attendees.
Using a system like Regpack can help grow your event revenue and streamline your day to day tasks.
Compare Event Management Software: Other Great Providers
Whova
A great option for small and medium sized events who don’t want to pay for some of the more expensive event management options.
Whova offers online event registration as well as an event conference app. They provide name badges, event check-in app, event website builder and more to get your conference or event organized.
Pricing is capped at $5 per ticket, which works great for expensive events.
eTouches / Aventri
Aventri is a full suite of event management tools that includes venue sourcing, attendee and event registration, mobile event app and custom event websites.
Perfect as an enterprise solution, Aventri, formally eTouches, provides event registration tools that allows you to personalize the registration process, collect and track your data, and works great for meetings and events.
Regonline / Cvent
Also a great enterprise solution, Cvent for meetings and events. Along with traditional event management features, Cvent has great tools for marketing your event as well. Some notable add-ons include room block management, survey solutions, venue sourcing, onsite solutions and a great mobile app for your big day.
Cvent also provides solutions for hotels and venues, including a hotel directory and targeting for hoteliers to get in front of event planners.
Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a great solution if you’re looking for simple registration and tickets. Their platform is basic but effective for one time events that you need tickets for. Pricing allows you a simple choice of absorbing the payment processing cost or passing it on to attendees. The con of this simple model, is that you can’t see data or track attendance of attendees over multiple events and/or years.
However, the platform is easy to use and the automated emails function great to manage a small or medium size event that doesn’t require a huge amount of data collection or have event reporting needs.
Bizzabo
A traditional event management solution that allows you to create a custom flow for attendees as they register for your event.
Bizzabo gives you the tools to build an event website, create branded event apps, monitor all events with a cross-event dashboard, and integrations with 3rd party apps.
Regfox
Regfox is a great solution for those on a budget – who don’t need all the tools of the bigger enterprise solutions, and want to create an event website quickly.
Top features include custom form builder, deposit payments, merchandise sales, reporting tools, check-in app, and social media integration.
Pricing starts at just $.99 per registrant.
Thundertix
Like Eventbrite, Thundertix is a great box office ticketing software that helps manage reserved seating, season passes, gift cards, loyalty programs, and functions as a great CRM for organizations who need these ticketing options.
The ticketing functionality is impressive – including electronic ticket delivery, iOS and Android apps, and no contract options for pricing allow you to test out the system before committing.
Conclusion: Check out Regpack’s Event Registration Software
Think about what your organization needs by reading up on your different option, and then start contacting those organizations or watching their demos!
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