Are you looking for an event registration platform that meets your requirements and your budget and simplifies your event registration process? There are a lot of platforms to choose from, so we've done the research to narrow down the best one for you.
This guide will help you navigate free, low-cost and paid options, making it easier to find the best event registration platform for your requirements.
We’ll explore the key features of 12 platforms and identify which type of user each is best suited for, ranging from free and budget-friendly registration options to enterprise-level solutions.
We don't just examine the headline pricing but also any hidden costs and complex billing structures that could lead to unexpected expenses.
As always, knowledge is power, so let's get to it.
How to choose an event registration platform
When researching options to discover the best event registration platform for you, several key factors are important to consider:
- Ease of use: How user-friendly is the platform for you (setting up events) and your registrants? Event registration should not be time-consuming for either party and should offer a user-friendly interface.
- Event size: Are you planning a small event with less than 100 attendees or something much larger involving hundreds or thousands? This will greatly affect the organizational tools you’ll want from a platform.
- Seating management: If your event requires seating management, a platform that takes care of this will take a big weight off, but only some provide this.
- E-Ticket/QR code check-in: If check-in speed is critical and you have many guests, or you need to ensure people don’t enter without a ticket, check-in functionality will be important to look out for in a platform.
- Customization options: Can you create branded registration forms, event landing pages, and emails to match your event's style?
- Integration capabilities: Does the platform seamlessly integrate with your existing tools (email marketing, CRM, payment processors) to streamline your workflow?
- Platform lock-in: Consider whether you’ll be locked into a contract and if you can easily export your data (attendee lists, registrations) if you ever decide to switch platforms.
- Billing models & hidden fees: While you might be drawn to platforms with an appealing flat monthly or annual fee, it’s vital to scrutinize their billing structures for potential hidden costs. Common areas where additional charges may arise include:
- Processing fees for online ticket sales can add up quickly, especially for free events where you might expect attendee contributions.
- Extra charges for necessary features or services as your event grows in scale or complexity.
What you need to know about free event registration platforms
If you're just starting out in event planning, are a charity or non-profit organization, or simply operating on a tight budget, choosing a platform that offers you cost savings is crucial.
Affordable options can help you manage registrations effectively without compromising your resources; however, there are limitations associated with free options, and understanding these constraints helps ensure that the platform aligns with your event size and goals.
Types of free platforms
- Truly free platforms: Platforms such as Google Forms provide a simple and cost-free way to create registration forms. They are perfect for small charity events or community gatherings. However, they often lack advanced features like online payment processing and attendee tracking.
- Free plans on paid platforms: Many established event registration services offer free tiers with built-in limitations. For example, as we explore below, some services allow you to use their platforms for free, but they may place restrictions on the number of events you can host or the total attendees you can manage.
Free tier limitations
When considering free plans, it’s essential to be aware of potential limitations that may impact your event:
- Event count: Check the number of events allowed under the free tier. If you plan on hosting multiple events, exceeding the limit could mean having to switch to a paid plan unexpectedly.
- Attendee limits: Many free plans restrict the number of attendees you can register, which is particularly important for charity events that may draw larger crowds.
- Feature restrictions: Key features such as custom branding, advanced analytics, or payment processing may only be available on paid plans, limiting your ability to enhance your event experience.
By understanding these aspects, you can make informed decisions about selecting a free or low-cost registration platform that meets your budgetary needs and helps your event succeed!
Tip: If you are a charity or fundraiser wanting to boost your event ticket sales, read our article Proven strategies to sell fundraiser event tickets
The 12 best event registration platforms
Let's take a look at some of the best event registration platforms of 2024 - from free to enterprise level - and get to know their features, pros, cons, costs, and any sneaky hidden fees.
1. Checkout Page
Checkout Page is a cost-effective yet feature-rich platform that enables you to build fully customizable event registration forms and checkout pages—as well as send the data with Zapier or webhooks—no coding skills are needed, and excellent support at hand to help you get the most out of it for your all-important event.
Features
✔ Rapidly create attractive registration and payment pages
✔ Unlike every other event platform, Checkout Page doesn't charge ticket fees and instead charges a fixed monthly subscription per month
✔ In addition to event pages, you can create form pages to help register guests
✔ All major currencies accepted and customizable fields for translations
✔ Can be used to sell event merchandise and digital products
✔ Top-notch customer support from the founders
🏆 Great for: Anyone looking for a budget-friendly option with plenty of customization options - allowing for creativity and experimentation without ever worrying about extra fees.
😞 Not so great for: Organizers of events that call for seating management and e-ticket check-in or advanced event & attendee management features.
Billing model
Subscription
Prices
🚀 Each option permits you to add an unlimited number of events and an unlimited number of paid or free tickets, making it unique in the market:
Launch: $29/month (up to $3k sales volume)
Grow: $99/month (up to $10k sales volume)
Scale: $239/month (up to $30k sales volume)
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
No, you can cancel at any time.
Are there hidden fees
Stripe processing fees will apply (1.4% + $0.30 for European cards and 2.9% + $0.30 for non-European cards.)
Is there a charge for free tickets?
No fees for any ticket sales, but there is a subscription cost
Is there a free plan option?
Yes, we offer a 7-day free trial - no card needed.
2. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a popular and user-friendly platform for online event registration. It's a strong choice for organizers of all experience levels, offering a comprehensive feature set, marketing tools, and mobile optimization.
Features
✔ User-friendly, enables rapid setup of events
✔ Custom email templates for email marketing
✔ Allow attendees to register and access event information from their smartphones or tablets
✔ Real-time event analytics and insights
✔ Events set to Public are listed in the Eventbrite public events directory, broadening your reach for ticket sales
🤔 Considerations:
Watch out for the fees, which are explained below. Depending on your location, there can be significant fees per ticket sale on top of your payment plan cost.
Additionally, customers have expressed frustration with the quality of customer service from Eventbrite when things go wrong!
🏆 Great for: Hosts putting on entertainment and social events that they want to create a buzz around - using the website's popularity to draw in interest.
😞 Not so great for: Experienced event organizers who want to own the event experience from end to end and don't want to display Eventbrite branding to their customers.
For event organizers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland:
- It is free to publish unlimited events
- A pro plan (subscription) has been introduced to offer advanced marketing email capabilities
Basic pricing:
As of 4th September 2024:
- Events of any size and with any number of tickets can be listed for free.
- Free tickets incur no fees.
- Paid tickets incur 3.7% + $1.79 service fee per ticket in the USA.*
- Paid tickets incur 6.95% + £0.59 service fee per ticket in the UK.
- A 2.9% payment processing fee is taken per order.
* The full fee breakdown per country can be found here
Note: Eventbrite states that fees are paid by ticket buyers on paid tickets unless you, the organizer, elect to cover them.
Pro plans:
Eventbrite Pro offers enhanced email marketing capabilities for event organizers. Subscribers to the Pro plan can send up to 10,000 daily emails and have unlimited contacts.
The tiers for this plan are as follows:
- Pro 2k: Send up to 2,000 daily emails for $15/month
- Pro 6k: Send up to 6,000 daily emails for $50/month)
- Pro 10k: Send up to 10,000 daily emails for $100/month (USD)
Annual subscribers to a Pro plan will receive a 20% discount. Qualifying nonprofits can enjoy a 50% discount.
Is there a platform lock-in?
No, you can cancel at any time
Are there hidden fees?
Fees apply; see below
Example fees per location: UK 6.95% + £0.59 per sold ticket (no payment processing fee)USA 3.7% + $1.79 per sold ticket + processing fee of 2.9%
The full fee breakdown per country can be found here
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
Yes, 2-2.9 % service fee depending on location
Is there a free plan option?
There is a free plan, but the per-ticket fees still apply.
3. Ticket Tailor
For event organizers seeking a user-friendly and affordable registration solution, Ticket Tailor combines a straightforward interface with powerful features like customizable branding and attendee data collection. Ticket Tailor empowers you to streamline registrations, sell tickets, and gain valuable insights into your audience.
Features
✔ Unlimited events and ticket types
✔ Customizable checkout form
✔ Recurring events and time slots
✔ Checkout translations in 19 languages
🤔 Considerations
Some users have requested functionality that allows buyers to swap or change their tickets more easily without having to contact the seller directly.
🏆 Great for: Especially loved by charities who get 50% off, B Corps and PTAs who get 20% off, and free events are totally free!
😞 Not so great for: Hosts needing a suite of event management tools such as attendee engagement and networking functionality.
Billing model
Free for free events and a cost per ticket for other plans
Pricing & Fees
Free events: Free
Pre-pay: By paying credit up front, you’ll pay from $0.28 in fees per ticket sale
Pay as you go: By paying as you go, you’ll pay a $0.75 fee per ticket sale
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
No
Are there any hidden fees?
Payment processing fees will apply and vary depending on the provider and location
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
No
Is there a free plan option?
Yes, if your event is free
4. Whova
Whova is a powerful event registration platform that strongly focuses on attendee engagement and experience. It offers advanced features, integrates seamlessly with its event app solution, and provides valuable data insights.
Features
✔ All-in-one event management platform for the in-person, hybrid, and virtual event
✔ Event app that has features to boost attendee engagement
✔ Tools such as name badge and check-in
✔ Seamless and engaging experience for attendees throughout the event lifecycle
🤔 Considerations
Some customers have complained about being unable to publish events until 90 days before their start date—a fact they didn’t realize until after purchase.
🏆 Great for: Hosts of larger events who want a feature-rich experience for themselves and attendees, such as networking, polls, name badges, and mobile brochures. Event attendees using Whova tend to praise its ease of use and rich features.
😞 Not so great for: With a starter of up to 500 guests, this is not the choice for small event organizers. Without the larger numbers, neither the cost nor the array of features will make sense.
Billing model
Plans per event & number of attendees
Fees
Whova does not provide pricing on their site - you need to request a quote with a sales representative. However, as of March 2023, their pricing plans were approx:
Starter Plan: $1,499 for up to 500 attendees for a 2-day event
Standard Plan: $2,999 for up to 1,000 attendees for a 2-day event
Pro Plan: $5,999 for up to 2,000 attendees for a 2-day event
Is there a platform lock-in?
No, you pay per event
Are there any hidden fees?
Customers complain of add-on feature costs
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
No fees for free tickets
Is there a free plan option?
No
5. Luma
Luma is a user-friendly events platform that empowers you to create attractive event pages, manage registrations, and keep guests engaged – all in one place. Luma offers intuitive tools, design options, and features that keep attendees informed and excited.
Features
✔ Slick UI/UX for both guests and event managers
✔ Seamless setup for in-person and virtual events
✔ Robust API allowing for integration with myriad tools
✔ Community-oriented platform
🤔 Considerations
Unless your event is free, the free plan is not free.
🏆 Great for: This platform is popular with tech enthusiasts, with companies like Substack using it for their events due to its slick appearance and advanced customizations and data integrations.
😞 Not so great for: First-time hosts might find this a little tricky to use as it is feature-rich.
Billing model
Free or monthly subscription
Fees
Each of the plans below offers unlimited events and guests as well as a host of other features. See full pricing
Free plan: Totally free for free events, or a 5% platform fee for paid events and send up to 500 invites or newsletters per week.
Luma plus: $69 per month or save 14% by paying annually. Send up to 5000 invites or newsletters per month with 0% platform fees.
Is there a platform lock-in?
No
Are there hidden fees?
Stripe charges apply.
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
No, there are no fees on free tickets
Is there a free plan option?
Yes
6. Ticketbud
Ticketbud is a strong choice for event organizers, especially those starting or looking for a budget-friendly option. The free plan allows you to test the platform's capabilities, and the user-friendly interface makes it easy to create events and manage registrations.
Features
✔ Custom event page builder
✔ Free to use if the events are free, with access to the full feature range
✔ Discount codes and referral link tracking
✔ Mobile check-in and attendee lists
✔ Integrate with tools such as Stripe andMailchimp
🤔 Considerations
Ticketbud lacks advanced features and is not as customizable as other platforms.
🏆 Great for: Anyone putting on free events or for those in the non-profit sector looking for a truly budget-friendly option that grants access to its full feature set at any level.
😞 Not so great for: Anyone putting on a large scale or corporate event that requires advanced event management features.
Billing model
Free or flat fees - no subscriptions or pricing plans
Fees
Free: Free events are totally free!
Paid events: 2% +99c per ticket sold
Non-profits & schools: 1.75% + 99c per ticket sold
Payment Processor Fee: 2.9% + 30c per ticket
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
No
Are there hidden fees?
No
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
No
Is there a free plan option?
Yes
7. 123Formbuilder
123Formbuilder is a user-friendly and comprehensive online event registration platform focusing on forms, suitable for organizers of all experience levels. It streamlines the registration process and offers data management tools and numerous integration options.
Features
✔ Free online form builder - no code, drag and drop
✔ 3000+ templates to create registration forms from
✔ Integrates with up to 4000 tools, including PayPal, Salesforce, and Mailchimp
✔ Branching, conditional logic, and prefill functionality for your registration forms
✔ No 123Formbuilder branding on any paid plan
🤔 Considerations
Some customers have been frustrated that support is chat and email-based only.
🏆 Great for: Those wanting a platform that integrates seamlessly with other tools they are already using, to complete an event management solution.
😞 Not so great for: Those looking for an all-in-one event management solution since this option specializes in forms rather than event-specific functionality.
Billing model
Volume-based monthly plans
Pricing
Monthly costs + monthly submission limit
Basic: Free, 5 forms (100 monthly submissions)
Gold: $37 for 25 forms (5000 monthly submissions)
Platinum: $49 for 100 forms (20,000 monthly submissions)
Diamond: $99 for 200 forms (100,000 monthly submissions)
Enterprise: $225 for unlimited forms (unlimited monthly submissions)
For any plan, if you pay upfront for the year, you get 2 months for free. See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
No
Are there hidden fees?
No
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
Not if using a free plan (platform payment is for registration submissions rather than tickets)
Is there a free plan option?
Yes
8. Regfox
Regfox is an affordable and comprehensive event registration platform that caters to all aspects of event management, from attendee registration and communication to marketing and analytics. It prioritizes user experience and prides itself on its budget-friendliness and fee transparency.
Features
✔ Attendee management
✔ Social media promotion tools
✔ Check-in app and attendee management functionality
✔ Create workflows, dynamic pricing, and custom questions
✔ Badge print onto labels
🤔 Considerations
Some customers have said that whilst the platform offers a vast array of features, some of them are a little cumbersome to use.
🏆 Great for: Those looking for ease of use for themselves and their users, with a wide scope for customization.
😞 Not so great for: People looking for more bespoke features like the ability to sell different workshops within an event.
Billing model
Flat cost and fee per registrant
Fees
Flat 99¢ + 1% fee per paid registrant (capped at $4.99 per registrant)
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock in?
No
Are there hidden fees?
No
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
The flat registrant fee of 99¢ applies whether or not your event is free
Is there a free plan option?
Free to sign up; costs apply once you start taking registrations
9. Eventleaf
Eventleaf is a user-friendly and versatile platform for event registration. It caters to various event formats, offers customization options, and provides a mobile-optimized experience. Its special focus is giving you rich options around attendee engagement.
Features
✔ Rich attendee engagement tools, such as polls, games, prizes, and social media promotion
✔ Attendee guide app
✔ Manage fully virtual, personal, or hybrid events via the platform
✔ App dedicated to the check-in process
✔ Event landing page with your event's agenda, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors
🤔 Considerations: This may lack the more advanced features of higher-priced options, including customization and reporting.
🏆 Great for: Those running medium to large events wanting attendee engagement options for an engaging interactive experience throughout the event lifecycle.
😞 Not so great for: Some customers have felt let down by the depth of the reporting, so anyone with specific analytics and reporting needs should investigate upfront.
Billing model
Volume-based pricing model
Pricing
Starter: Free for up to 100 attendees per year
Basic: $1 per attendee
- 500 attendees/year - $500
- 2000 attendees/year (save 20%) - $1600
- 5000 attendees/year (save 40%) - $3000
Professional: $2 per attendee
- 1000 attendees/year - $2000
- 4000 attendees/year (save 20%)- $6400
- 10000 attendees/year (save 40%) - $12000
Ultimate:
Custom Price
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
No
Are there hidden fees?
No - although card processing fees will apply.
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
Not if using a free plan (platform payment is for registration submissions rather than tickets)
Is there a free plan option?
Yes
10. Jotform
Jotform is a strong option for event organizers who value flexibility, customization, and budget-friendliness. It allows for easy creation of registration forms, integrates seamlessly with various tools, and offers a mobile-friendly experience.
Features
✔ Drag and drop form builder with a variety of themes and widgets to choose from
✔ 150+ integrations with
✔ 750 event registration templates to choose from
✔ Translate forms into over 130 languages
✔ Bundle multiple forms into an event app
🤔 Considerations: Customers have felt frustrated by the lack of customization options available to make their forms attractive and engaging to registrants.
🏆 Great for: Those who want lots of options and widgets for engaging form creation and are happy to integrate with other apps for other event registration needs.
😞 Not so great for: Larger, professional organizations will find that the cost of having higher staff user numbers could make this app off-putting.
Billing model
Monthly costs + monthly submission limit
Fees
Starter: Free, 5 forms (100 monthly submissions)
Bronze: $39 for 25 forms (1000 monthly submissions)
Silver: $49 for 50 forms (2500 monthly submissions)
Gold: $129 for 100 forms (10,000 monthly submissions)
Enterprise: $ Custom on quote for unlimited forms (unlimited monthly submissions)
For any plan, if you pay upfront for the year, you save 20% on the above prices
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
No, cancel at any time with a full refund if cancel within 30 days
Are there hidden fees?
No
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
Not if using a free plan (platform payment is for registration submissions rather than tickets)
Is there a free plan option?
Yes
11. RSVPify
RSVPify is a cloud-based event management platform that simplifies the process for organizers. It streamlines tasks like sending invitations, managing RSVPs, and ticketing, all while maintaining organized guest lists with attendee information.
Features
✔ Event website for speakers, agendas, maps, and more
✔ Seating chart maker
✔ RSVP tracking
✔ Secondary events feature for subsets of guests
✔ Capture menu and meal preferences
🏆 Great for: Those wanting a rich functionality for easeful interactions with their guests, such as wedding and charity event organizers.
😞 Not so great for: Those running multiple events at a time or wanting to prepare additional events in the background - the ability to run concurrent events per account is very limited.
Billing model
Monthly cost for registration or fees based on ticket sales
Fees
For event registration plans, the prices are:
Free: For small events with up to 100 registrations
Personal: Starts at $19/ month
Professional: Starts at $39/ month
Enterprise: Starts at $499/ month
If selling tickets, you automatically get put onto the professional plan, and the fees per ticket are: 1.95% + $.90
Note: You can choose to pass these fees to the customer
See full pricing
Is there a platform lock-in?
Cancel any time
Are there hidden fees?
Sales incur 1.95% + $.90
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
You can take free registrations that won’t incur ticket payment fees
Free plan option?
Yes
12. Google Forms
Google Forms can be a useful tool for a free event registration platform option, but it has limitations compared to dedicated event platforms.
Features
✔ Completely free to create forms without upper limits
✔ See who has registered and track basic data points
✔ Collect and organize attendee information like names, emails, and any details you need
✔ Design a registration form with relevant questions, including multiple-choice options like food preferences and short answer fields for additional information
✔ See who has registered and track basic data points
🤔 Considerations
Customizations are limited and it lacks features like advanced registration workflows, payment processing, or attendee engagement tools.
🏆 Great for: People hosting free events or occasional small events who want a free solution for capturing registrations and are happy to handle payment separately.
😞 Not so great for: Those wanting any degree of event management capability or a professional polished look and feel for their event registration process.
Billing model
Free
Fees
None
Is there a platform lock-in?
No
Are there hidden fees?
No
Is there a charge for selling free tickets?
No
Is there a free plan option?
Free to use
What is the best registration platform?
There’s a lot to consider when deciding on the best event registration platform because the nature of requirements is so diverse; however, based on features, cost, and what customers are saying about the different solutions, we’ve selected the following champions:
🏆 For the best balance of cost-effectiveness, customization of a unique billing model, AND outstanding support, Checkout Page
🏆 For a fully integrated event registration and management platform that customers and attendees love: Eventleaf
Want to experience the wonders of Checkout Page first hand? Why not sign up for our free trial- no card is required!
We have plenty of event registration and payment page templates to get you up and running. If you want to start from scratch, we know you’ll find it a breeze, and our founders are on hand to assist you with getting the best out of the Checkout Page.
If you’d like to learn more about setting up a winning registration page, read our articles How to Create an Event Registration Form & Top Event Registration Questions to Ask Attendees.
