Pick a Grip alternative by the part of your event you most need help with. If networking and matchmaking are the point, look at tools built around meetings between attendees. If you need registration, check-in and an app in one place, an all-in-one event platform fits, and if you only sell tickets, a ticketing tool is simpler.
Grip is built around one job: getting the right people at an event talking to each other. Most organisers who look elsewhere still want that, but they also want registration, check-in, an attendee app and something useful to hand exhibitors afterwards. Here are ten event platforms in no particular order, listed alphabetically first, then grouped by the kind of event each one fits.
Ten event platforms, alphabetically
Each line reflects how the vendor describes its own tool, kept short so you can scan for your kind of event.
Accelevents
Best for: Organisers wanting registration, badge printing, agenda management and an event app on one platform for in-person, virtual and hybrid events, per the vendor.
Airmeet
Best for: Hosting online events and getting more content from them; the vendor's video suite also covers podcasts, streaming, AI clips and ads.
Brella
Best for: Events where meetings between attendees are the main point; the vendor describes an event app built for meaningful meetings.
EventMobi
Best for: Choosing modules rather than a fixed bundle; the vendor describes modular event management backed by support from experienced staff.
Eventzilla
Best for: Smaller organisers who mainly need registrations managed and attendees engaged in one place, which the vendor says means less work.
PheedLoop
Best for: Small teams running big events, in the vendor's words, with registration, check-in, badges and mobile apps in one platform.
Socio
Best for: Now sold as Webex Events, per the vendor: one platform for in-person, hybrid and virtual events for any audience.
Swapcard
Best for: Conferences with exhibitors, where registration, the event app, exhibitor tools and AI matchmaking all run on one platform, according to the vendor.
Ticket Tailor
Best for: Selling tickets online, from a first small event to a much bigger one; the vendor keeps its focus on ticketing and names a free plan.
Whova
Best for: Organisers needing an event app plus online registration and event marketing help, across in-person, hybrid and virtual formats, per the vendor.
How the ten line up at a glance
| Tool | Platform type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Accelevents | Event management platform | Registration, badges, agendas and an app together |
| Airmeet | Event and video suite | Online events that turn into clips and podcasts |
| Brella | Networking event app | Conferences built around attendee meetings |
| EventMobi | Modular event management | Picking only the event modules you need |
| Eventzilla | Registration and engagement | Smaller events that mainly need sign-ups handled |
| PheedLoop | All-in-one event management | Small teams running large events |
| Socio | Event management platform | In-person, hybrid and virtual events on one system |
| Swapcard | Event platform with matchmaking | Conferences with exhibitors and matchmaking |
| Ticket Tailor | Online ticketing | Selling tickets for events of any size |
| Whova | Event app and registration | An attendee app plus registration and promotion |
Matchmaking is the rarer feature
Grip's own homepage leads with AI-powered networking, matchmaking and lead generation. Read the homepages of the alternatives and you'll notice most of them lead with something else: registration, badges, check-in, agendas and the app. Only a couple put attendee meetings front and centre.
That matters because networking is often the reason people turn up to a conference in the first place. If you move to a platform that treats it as an add-on, you might save setup time and lose the thing your attendees valued most. So test how attendees register, network and check in, and what you, as the organiser, can see once the doors close. Tools in this category split by who they're built for and how much you set up yourself, so run the same real task through each before you decide.
Which kind of event are you running?
Conferences built on meetings
Brella and Swapcard keep attendee meetings and matchmaking close to the centre, which makes them the most direct swap if networking is why your event exists.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Full event management for small teams
PheedLoop, Whova, Accelevents, EventMobi and Socio cover the whole run of an event, from sign-up to badges to the app. They suit organisers who'd rather manage everything in one system than stitch tools together.
Online events that keep working
Airmeet leans towards video, with recording, streaming and short clips sitting alongside the event itself. It's worth a look if your events happen mostly on screen and you want more mileage from each session.
Registration and tickets first
Eventzilla and Ticket Tailor keep things simpler. If you run meetups, workshops or classes where people mostly need to sign up and turn up, a lighter tool is easier to run and easier for attendees.
Advice from the organiser's side of the desk
Start with your attendees, not the feature list. If people come mainly to meet each other, judge every platform on how quickly someone can find the right person and book a time, on a phone, in a noisy hall. If they come for the talks, the agenda and the app matter more. If they come for a one-off workshop, a sign-up form and a ticket will do.
Then check what you get afterwards. Organisers often forget this until the event's over: who met whom, which sessions filled up, and what your exhibitors can take away. Ask every vendor to show you that report on a demo, not just the registration page. For more on the event side, see my piece on staying memorable throughout the event lifecycle and my list of giveaway items for your next event.
One last thing: requirements on collecting and sharing attendee data vary by country, so check what your regulator expects before you import old contact lists into a new platform.
Do you make event software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an event app and an event management platform?
An event app is what attendees use on the day: the agenda, maps, messages and meetings. An event management platform also covers the organiser's side, such as registration, badges, check-in and reporting.
Do I need AI matchmaking for a small event?
Probably not. Matchmaking earns its keep when attendees can't easily meet everyone they want to. For a small meetup, a shared attendee list and clear name badges often do the job.
Can one platform run in-person, hybrid and online events?
Several platforms say they handle all three. Test the format you run most often, because a tool that's strong for in-person check-in may feel thin for online sessions, and the reverse.
When should I switch event platforms?
Switch between events, not during one. Give yourself time to rebuild registration forms, test check-in and brief your team before the next event opens for sign-ups.
What should I ask to see on a demo?
Ask to see registration from the attendee's phone, the check-in flow on the day and the report you'd get afterwards. Those three screens tell you more than the homepage.
Who owns the attendee data?
Usually you do, but it depends on each vendor's terms. Read them, and check the data rules where your attendees live before you upload any lists.
