Here’s Our Review of Cvent (+ a Better Alternative)

Event planning is stressful enough—your software shouldn’t add to the chaos. That’s why event organizers put so much effort into finding the right platform. Cvent is one of the biggest names in event management, but is it really the best choice for you?

If you’re considering Cvent, you’re probably asking: Is it easy to use? Is customer support reliable? Is it worth the cost? We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.

In this EventsAir review, we break down Cvent’s features, pricing, and usability. We’ll also compare it to EventsAir, a smarter, more flexible alternative to help you find the best event management solution.

Let’s start with a brief introduction to the Cvent platform. 

What is Cvent? 

Cvent is a cloud-based event management platform that streamlines the planning process for virtual, in-person, and hybrid events. It automates key tasks like registration, attendee tracking, and marketing, helping event organizers manage logistics more efficiently.

Beyond basic event coordination, Cvent provides tools for branding, audience engagement, and data-driven decision-making. You can integrate it with third-party platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, enhancing communication and attendee insights.

With features that support everything from venue sourcing to post-event analysis, Cvent aims to simplify event execution while offering customization options to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes.

Key features

• Online registration: Streamlines the attendee sign-up process with customizable forms, simplifying data collection and management. 
• Event promotion: Enhances event visibility through integrated email marketing and social media tools, driving attendance effectively.  
• Onsite attendee management: Facilitates smooth check-ins and badge printing, ensuring a seamless arrival experience for participants.  
• Venue sourcing: Assists planners in finding suitable venues by providing access to a vast database of global locations. 
• Reporting and insights: Offers real-time data analytics and customizable reports to evaluate event performance and ROI.  
• Mobile event apps: Engages attendees with personalized agendas, interactive maps, and networking opportunities accessible via mobile devices.  
• Lead capture: Enables exhibitors to efficiently collect and manage leads during events, facilitating post-event follow-ups. 
• Integrations: Seamlessly connects with various CRM, marketing automation, and payment systems, ensuring cohesive data flow across platforms.  
• Webinar engagement: Enhances virtual events with interactive features like chat, Q&A sessions, polls, and surveys to boost participant involvement.  
• Payment processing: Simplifies transactions by supporting major credit cards, automating refunds, and providing secure payment solutions.  

Pricing

Cvent’s pricing includes an annual license fee and a per-registrant fee, with two main plans:

• Professional: Includes event registration, reporting, exhibitor management, venue sourcing, and 10 user logins.
• Enterprise: Adds unlimited logins, branding control, API access, budget management, and more.

Pricing is customized—contact Cvent for a quote. A free trial is available for Webinar Pro.

What we like

• Comprehensive event management: Cvent offers an all-in-one platform that simplifies the management of each stage of the event lifecycle.  
• User-friendly interface: Users appreciate the intuitive design, making it easier to navigate and manage events efficiently.  
• Support for all event types: Cvent supports all types of events, from virtual to on-site and hybrid events. 

What we don’t like

• Complexity for new users: Some users find the platform’s extensive features overwhelming initially, requiring a learning curve to utilize effectively.  
• Pricing structure: Certain reviews mention that the cost may not align with every organization’s budget, especially for smaller events.  
• Occasional technical glitches: Users have reported occasional issues with system glitches or functionality problems, though these are typically resolved by the support team.  
• Integration challenges: Some users have experienced difficulties integrating Cvent with other software platforms, indicating room for improvement in this area.  
• Unresponsive customer support: The platform’s customer service has been criticized for being inaccessible when users need to resolve issues promptly.  

A better alternative: EventsAir

At EventsAir, we believe event management software should simplify your work, not complicate it. That’s why we’ve designed an intuitive platform that lets you manage events effortlessly. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned planner, you’ll be up and running fast.

Flexibility matters. Unlike rigid systems, EventsAir adapts to your in-person, virtual, and hybrid events needs with customizable registration paths, branding options, and engagement tools. Plus, our seamless integrations ensure your data flows smoothly across platforms, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.

We also know that pricing shouldn’t be a barrier. Our scalable plans fit organizations of all sizes, giving you the power to manage events without unnecessary costs. And if you ever need support, our dedicated team is ready to help—ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.

Key features

• Customizable event registration: Allows creation of tailored registration forms with conditional logic, accommodating various attendee categories such as VIPs, members, and exhibitors. You can define pricing tiers, automate confirmation emails, and integrate registration with payment processing for a seamless experience.
• Abstract and speaker management: Facilitates the collection, review, and approval of abstracts, while managing presenter information and materials efficiently. Organizers can assign reviewers, track submission statuses, and manage speaker schedules within the platform.
• Mobile event app: Provides attendees with personalized agendas, interactive maps, live polling, and networking tools through a branded mobile app. Attendees can access session details, receive real-time notifications, and engage in live discussions from their smartphones.
• Onsite check-in and badging: Streamlines attendee check-in with self-service kiosks and on-demand badge printing, enhancing the onsite experience. Automated check-in reduces wait times, while badge customization ensures branding consistency.
• Attendee engagement tools: Includes features like live Q&A, polling, gamification, and virtual networking lounges to boost participant interaction. Organizers can create interactive challenges and reward attendees for engagement.
• Sponsor and exhibitor management: Offers dedicated portals for sponsors and exhibitors to manage their profiles, appointments, and lead retrieval. Exhibitors can access real-time analytics on booth traffic and lead interactions.
• Event networking: Enables attendees to connect through matchmaking algorithms, meeting scheduling, and private messaging. AI-driven recommendations help attendees find relevant peers and schedule meetings efficiently.
• Analytics and reporting: Provides over 150 customizable reports, offering insights into registration trends, attendee engagement, and overall event performance. Real-time dashboards allow organizers to track key metrics before, during, and after the event.
• Lead management: Captures and tracks leads generated during events, facilitating effective follow-up and conversion strategies. Organizers can export lead data, integrate it with CRM systems, and automate follow-up emails.
• Event integrations: Supports seamless integration with various third-party applications, including CRM systems, marketing tools, and payment gateways, through an open API. EventsAir ensures data synchronization across platforms for streamlined workflows.
• Payment processing: Ensures secure handling of transactions, supporting multiple payment methods and currencies. Automated invoicing and real-time transaction tracking simplify financial management for event organizers.

Pricing

EventsAir offers three pricing plans:

• Single: Ideal for organizations managing one event, includes unlimited registrations and up to 3 users.
• Multi: Designed for multiple annual events, with unlimited registrations and users.
• Unlimited: Supports unlimited events, meetings, registrations, and users.

All plans provide access to EventsAir’s full feature set, including registration, marketing, mobile apps, virtual events, sponsor management, and more. They also include annual system access, data storage, EventsAir Pay, and dedicated support.

For specific pricing details, feel free to contact our team.

Cvent vs. EventsAir: feature comparison

Next, let’s do a quick comparison of Cvent and EventsAir across key features.

Feature	Cvent	EventsAir
Supported events	Hybrid, in-person, virtual, and webinars	Hybrid, in-person, virtual, and live event services
Unlimited event registration	Limited by plan	Available on all plans
Event marketing	Email, social media, and landing pages	Full suite including automation
Speaker management	Yes, with session scheduling	Yes, with profile management and scheduling
Mobile event app	Customizable attendee app	Branded event app with engagement tools
Check-in and badging	Supports onsite check-in and badging	Self-service check-in and badge printing
Payments	Multiple payment gateways	Secure, integrated payment processing
Event page customization	Customizable with limited branding options	Drag-and-drop builder, fully customizable
Event analytics	Advanced reports and insights	150+ built-in reports, fully customizable and exportable in different file formats
Gamification	Leaderboards, challenges	Interactive games, attendee engagement, challenges, leaderboards
Self-service check-in	Available with OnArrival	Self check-in technology available
Integration with other tools	CRM, marketing, and payment integrations	Open API with seamless third-party sync, plus integration marketplace of Smart Connectors
Hotel and accommodation	Venue sourcing, room blocks	Full accommodation and room block management
Pricing structure	Custom pricing, per-registration fees	Scalable plans depending on specific event needs
Ease of use	Steep learning curve	Intuitive, minimal onboarding required
Customization options	Available but limited	High, with an easier interface
Customer support	24/7 support with reported response delays	24/7 support, fast and personalized

Why choose EventsAir? 

Intuitive and flexible user experience

Managing events should feel seamless, not overwhelming. EventsAir is designed with an intuitive interface that simplifies workflows, reducing the learning curve for event planners. 

Unlike Cvent, which some users find complex and time-consuming to set up, EventsAir enables quick event creation with:

• Drag-and-drop tools for registration forms and event pages
• Pre-built templates for fast event setup
• Automated workflows to reduce manual tasks
• Custom branding options without needing technical expertise

With built-in task management and collaboration tools, your team can stay organized to plan and execute events more efficiently.

Comprehensive all-in-one solution

Event planners often rely on multiple tools to manage different event aspects, but EventsAir consolidates everything into a single platform. From registration and marketing to attendee engagement, check-in, and analytics & reporting, every aspect of event management is covered.

Key advantages over Cvent include:

• Onsite check-in and badging: Technology able to connect to self-service kiosks for fast entry
• Virtual and hybrid events: Immersive 3D event spaces and interactive networking tools
• Exhibitor portals: Built-in lead capture and real-time analytics for sponsors
• Real-time attendee tracking: View engagement levels instantly

Cvent often requires third-party integrations for these features, but EventsAir provides them natively.

Cost-effective and scalable pricing

Budget transparency matters. EventsAir offers flexible pricing plans—Single, Multi, and Unlimited—tailored to different needs. While Cvent requires an annual license fee plus per-registrant costs, EventsAir provides full access without hidden fees.

With EventsAir, you get:

• Predictable pricing without extra per-registration costs
• Access to all core features without expensive add-ons
• Scalability for organizations of any size

For planners seeking affordable event management without compromising features, EventsAir is the better option.

Seamless integration and API support

A smooth event experience depends on seamless data flow. EventsAir integrates with CRMs, marketing tools, and payment gateways through its open API. 

While Cvent users report integration challenges, EventsAir simplifies connectivity with platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, ensuring event data syncs effortlessly across systems—reducing manual entry and enhancing efficiency.

Strong attendee engagement tools

Attendee experience is a top priority for successful events. EventsAir includes powerful engagement features that work out of the box, such as:

• Branded attendee apps for a seamless, interactive experience
• Live polling and Q&A for real-time audience participation
• AI-powered matchmaking to connect relevant attendees
• Gamification and networking lounges to drive interaction

With Cvent, engagement tools require more manual configuration. However, with EventsAir, it’s easier to boost attendee participation with pre-configured engagement options.

Reliable customer support and onboarding

Dependable support is essential for smooth event execution. EventsAir provides 24/7 customer assistance, dedicated account managers, and onboarding support to help users maximize the platform. 

Although Cvent’s support is available, some users report slow response times. EventsAir’s responsive service ensures that event organizers have expert help whenever they need it.

Conclusion

Cvent is a well-known event management platform with powerful features, but it comes with a few complexities that may not suit every event planner. If you’re looking for a more intuitive, flexible, and cost-effective alternative, EventsAir is a strong contender.

EventsAir offers a seamless event management experience with customizable registration, engagement tools, and integrations—all without the steep learning curve. Its scalable pricing and dedicated support make it an excellent choice for planners seeking efficiency and reliability.

Ready to simplify your event management with EventsAir? Contact our sales team today to book a demo or find a plan that suits your needs.