Written by
Len Gauger
Published on
June 15, 2024

Eventbrite has long been a popular platform for event registration and ticketing. However, the increased competition provides planners with fantastic alternatives matching more niche needs or budgets better. 

Eventbrite is a worldwide platform for self-service ticketing that empowers individuals to create, share, discover, and participate in events that ignite their passions and enhance their lives. From music festivals and marathons to conferences, community rallies, fundraisers, gaming competitions, and air guitar contests, their goal is to unite people through the power of live experiences.

However, Eventbrite does have a downside. We explain the disadvantages and the best event management platform alternatives for event planners.

The Disadvantages of Eventbrite

Cost

Eventbrite charges a fee for ticket sales, which can be a drawback for event organizers looking to minimize expenses.

Inaccurate Counts

Some users have reported issues with highly inaccurate counts for their events, which can cause logistical problems.

Limited Customization

While Eventbrite is user-friendly, it may lack the level of customization some event organizers need for their specific requirements.

Dependency on Platform

Relying heavily on Eventbrite's built-in marketing and promotion can be risky, especially if the platform's reach does not align perfectly with the event's target audience

Learning Curve

Although it is generally user-friendly, some users might still face a learning curve, especially if they are new to event management software.

Top Eventbrite Alternatives

When seeking a streamlined end-to-end event management solution beyond basic event registration, learn about the Eventbrite competitors below as your new one-stop-shop for events.

10. Cvent 

As a long-respected industry leader, Cvent offers full enterprise-grade breadth ideal for mega conferences and trade shows through integrated modules tackling venue sourcing, registration, marketing, logistics, a mobile app, surveys, web event hosting, and detailed reporting under one umbrella. 

Custom packages allow sizable corporations to consolidate multiple events under one portal while benefiting from shared data and registration management efficiencies. Cvent has proven mettle in planning behemoth events like Dreamforce serving 130,000+ attendees smoothly.

For sizable brands and associations already heavily invested in complex Convention Management Systems requiring intricate CRM integrations, Cvent warrants consideration especially when negotiating contracts leveraging collective spend across owned event properties.

 

9. Whova

Whova is a comprehensive virtual and hybrid event platform that delivers an elegantly branded attendee experience containing detailed event agendas, speaker profiles, 1-to-1 messaging, live polling, gamification, folders of shared resources plus AI-curated recommendations to connect with relevant fellow participants. 

Whova really excels at participant engagement driving app activity and networking before/during/after with advanced matching algorithms. It fosters community building better than Eventbrite offerings.

However, Whova demands more manual uploading of content, speakers and schedules lacking the smoother data transport and API integrations facilitating swift imports from websites event pages. So while better gathering participant data, entering event details initially requires heavier lifting.

 

8. RingCentral 

Popular for web conferencing and workplace communication solutions, RingCentral ventured into the events sphere recently with a video platform handling live streaming, sponsor Exposure, detailed viewer analytics, lead data capturing, chat integrations and multi-channel content distribution.

This makes it an ideal pick for marketers producing branded virtual product launches, thought leadership speaker series, or public webinars searchable across social streams. However, RingCentral Events currently focuses only on virtual events rather than live, hybrid, or simple in-person gatherings limiting versatility so works best for companies investing heavily in online event marketing.

7. Bizzabo

Best known for networking events, Bizzabo bridges online and offline engagement well. Their mobile app encourages meetings scheduling between attendees while integrated RFID badge tech tracks in-person booth visits. 

Strong calendars, agenda planning, dedicated event apps, registration management, and email marketing integrations suit mid-large scale conferences with robust lead gen conversion focuses across both live and virtual participation paths.

For professional gatherings putting targeted networking facilitations front and center as core value pillars woven throughout programming, Bizzabo makes attendee connections flourish through multiple data touchpoints.

 

6. AllEvents 

AllEvents is a UK-based self-serve platform that enables consolidated event management for planners juggling multiple one-time or ongoing happenings like workshops, performing arts, and nightlife seeking to broadcast schedules widely.

By effortlessly creating and sharing events pages embeddable within existing websites and synced across Facebook alongside ticket-selling functionalities, AllEvents saves promoters hours over manually generating posts separately. Its scalable subscription tiers fit indie budgets or enterprise volumes equally. 

For low-commitment convenience minus advanced reporting or data unification needs common to corporate conference series, this handy tool spreads event announcements with ease.

5. Eventzilla 

Eventzilla makes event registration and associated ticketing/payment processing a smooth self-serve solution for recurring recreational programs like cooking classes, youth summer camps, or hobbyist maker fairs through instant data syncs to plug into existing business management solutions. 

This cloud-based platform removes technology barriers event coordinators commonly encounter when evaluating options requiring advanced programming skills. 

 

4. Splash 

As specialists focused purely on physical trade shows and meetings rather than webinars or virtual components, Splash provides enhanced floor planning capabilities suited to vendors buying exhibitor booths complete with printout-ready badges/ticket options along with attendee analytics.

The streamlined interface skips unnecessary complexities better catering to experienced event planners aware of preferred hotel rate codes and adequate liability insurance coverage protections seeking registration-centric simplicity meeting unique conference needs.

 

3. Constant Contact

This longtime marketing automation provider expanded into event spaces recently through simple registration site creation tools, email reminder workflows to engage registrants post sign-ups, and reasonable pricing luring small businesses priced out of advanced platforms.

Uniquely, seminar or class hosts leveraging existing Constant Contact email subscriber lists then integrate future workshop announcements ensuring existing community members learn of new happenings immediately without undergoing arduous imports separating owned contacts across platforms.

 

2. Jotform 

A form builder by trade, Jotform offers an Events addon that turns existing registration form database collections into instantly leveraged check-in tools, name tag generators, and payment processing at affordable rates. Support ticketing lets attendees log questions too.

For freelance instructors already familiar with Jotforms responsive form-creation simplicity from crafting online intake quizzes, this keeps event management workflows conveniently within one interface relying on previously inputted registrant data. Unnecessary learning curves get eliminated for Solopreneurs wearing multiple hats.

1. Connect Space

Topping the list as a frontrunner Eventbrite alternative is Connect Space for its personalized matchmaking capabilities facilitating meaningful professional connections at conferences and trade shows. 

This contemporary platform equips event organizers with cutting-edge tools like smart badges with QR codes that attendees easily scan for networking profile visibility enabling targeted new business prospecting. 

Connect Space's features include easy event registration, e-commerce, logistics coordination, mobile apps, data analytics, virtual hybrid event streaming, and event planners consolidate all event orchestration elements in a centralized hub simplifying workflows. 

While meeting current demands for hybrid flexibility and purposeful networking, Connect Space propels events to new levels of ROI through layered visibility options, gamification principles, and tangible data quantifying participation. Its holistic functionalities make planning small gatherings just as smooth as hosting large enterprise events.

The Bottom Line

Eventbrite competitors keep multiplying by catering to planners' evolving events' pain points. 

Smaller companies are more adept in virtual engagement, hybrid models, niche communities, targeted networking, sponsorship activations specializations mainstream incumbent Eventbrite trails rather than solely general admission signups.

Competition propels innovation benefiting the entire events industry. So whether a long-established convention series or inaugural gathering, take stock of precise objectives and audiences served when screening the latest event management platforms matching requisites. 

Book a demo with Connect Space to find out how to promote attendee networking with our matchmaking app.

FAQs:

1. Why should I consider alternatives to Eventbrite?
Eventbrite can be limiting due to costs, inaccurate event counts, limited customization, and dependence on the platform’s marketing reach. Event planners may need more flexibility and specific tools.

2. What are some common disadvantages of using Eventbrite for event management?
Some common drawbacks include its high fees, occasional inaccurate attendee counts, limited customization options, and a learning curve for new users.

3. How does Connect Space stand out as an Eventbrite alternative?
Connect Space excels with personalized matchmaking tools, QR code badges for attendee visibility, hybrid event capabilities, and an all-in-one event management hub, simplifying workflows for event planners.

4. What features should I look for in an Eventbrite alternative?
Key features to seek include event registration, networking tools, mobile apps, e-commerce integration, data analytics, and support for hybrid and virtual events.

5. How can event matchmaking improve attendee experiences?
Matchmaking features help attendees connect with relevant professionals and business prospects, enhancing networking opportunities and increasing the return on investment for events.

Len Gauger

LinkedIn

Len Gauger is the innovative founder and CEO of Connect Space. Gauger has an impressive background, previously serving as an analyst at the U.S. Department of Defense. He showcases a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, strategic vision, and a knack for tech innovation. His diverse experiences have equipped him to effectively lead Connect Space, an events management platform company based in the bustling tech startup environment of Ann Arbor.