Best Event Management Software: Eventbrite vs. Cvent vs. Whova

Eventbrite is the simple ticketing default. Cvent is the enterprise event suite. Whova is the networking-native choice. Here's how to pick based on your event type and attendee count.

By The StackMatch Research Team

Eventbrite, Cvent, and Whova pricing varies by team size — choose based on headcount, not features

~$50-200/moEventbrite

~$1,500-5,000+/eventCvent

~$200-800/eventWhova

All three tools serve the same category. The wrong pick means paying for complexity you don't use — or outgrowing simplicity too fast.

Monthly cost comparison

Eventbrite: ~$50-200/mo — the simple ticketing and registration default

Eventbrite is in virtually every small-event vertical we curate — workshops, tastings, open houses, training sessions — at roughly $50-200/mo depending on ticket volume and features. It's the right choice when your event needs are straightforward: create an event page, sell tickets, send reminders, and check in attendees. The integration with Stripe and PayPal is seamless, and the attendee app is genuinely useful for check-in and name badges. The trade-off is depth: Eventbrite's networking features, session management, and sponsor tools are minimal. Eventbrite is the wrong choice when you run multi-track conferences, need exhibitor management, or want attendee-to-attendee networking.

Cvent: ~$1,500-5,000+/event — the enterprise event management suite

Cvent is the dominant platform for large corporate events, conferences, and trade shows. It's priced per event at roughly $1,500-5,000+ depending on attendee count and feature tier. Cvent is the right choice when you manage complex events: multi-track agendas, exhibitor booths, sponsor portals, hotel room blocks, and detailed attendee analytics. The on-site tools (check-in kiosks, session scanning, lead retrieval) are best-in-class for large events. The trade-off is cost and complexity: Cvent requires dedicated event staff to configure and manage, and the pricing is prohibitive for events under 100 attendees. Cvent is the wrong choice for small workshops, community meetups, or client appreciation events.

For teams under 50, paying $1,500-5,000+/event for Cvent means spending significant money on features you may never use — evaluate whether the complexity is actually earning its keep.

Whova: ~$200-800/event — the networking-native, mid-market choice

Whova is priced at roughly $200-800 per event and differentiates on attendee engagement and networking. Whova is the right choice when your event's value depends on connections: conferences, industry meetups, alumni gatherings, and networking events where attendees want to schedule meetings, exchange contact info, and participate in discussion forums. The mobile app is genuinely social: attendees can see who's coming, message each other, and join topic-based communities. The trade-off is that Whova's ticketing and payment processing are lighter than Eventbrite's, and the event logistics (hotel blocks, exhibitor management) are minimal compared to Cvent's. Whova is the wrong choice when ticket sales and complex logistics are your primary needs.

The right platform depends on your actual team size and workflow complexity — match the tool to your headcount, not to marketing promises.

The actual decision rule

Small events, workshops, ticket sales, simple registration: Eventbrite is the affordable default.
Large conferences, multi-track agendas, exhibitors, sponsors: Cvent is the enterprise standard.
Networking-focused events where attendee engagement drives value: Whova is purpose-built.
You host fewer than 4 events per year with under 50 attendees: a combination of Google Forms, PayPal, and a shared calendar may be sufficient.

Run the free audit to see which event management platform fits your event frequency, attendee count, and engagement goals — and whether you're still managing events manually.

Run your own audit