The best replacement is the one that fits the events you run most. For ticketed meetups, a simple ticketing tool will do. For conferences, look for registration, check-in, badges and an attendee app in one platform, and for online or hybrid events, put the video and engagement tools first.
Socio now goes by Webex Events, and it's pitched as an all-in-one platform for in-person, hybrid and virtual events. A rename is often the moment organisers take stock, especially if you only use part of a big suite and wonder whether something smaller would do. The eight platforms here, in no particular order, range from straightforward ticketing to full conference apps.
Follow one attendee from sign-up to follow-up
Event software is easy to judge on a feature list and hard to judge on the day. The fairest test is to walk one attendee through the whole journey and note where things slow down, for them and for your team.
- Registration: how many steps it takes, and whether the form asks only what you need to know
- Networking: whether attendees can find each other and book meetings before the event starts
- Check-in: how fast the queue moves on the door, and whether badges print on site
- Afterwards: what organisers see about attendance, sessions and meetings, and how easily it exports
A platform that shines at one stage can be weak at another. Ask each vendor to show you all four stages with your own event in mind, not their showcase conference, and bring the person who runs your registration desk to the demo.
Eight event platforms at a glance
| Tool | Built around | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Accelevents | All-in-one event platform | One system across in-person and online formats |
| Airmeet | Video-first event suite | Online events with video content afterwards |
| Brella | Networking event app | Meeting-led conferences and trade shows |
| EventMobi | Modular event software | Adding only the event tools you need |
| Eventzilla | Registration and engagement | Workshops, classes and recurring events |
| PheedLoop | All-in-one for small teams | Lean teams with big conference schedules |
| Swapcard | Event platform with matchmaking | Trade shows with exhibitors and matchmaking |
| Ticket Tailor | Online ticketing | Selling tickets without a full event suite |
Matching the platform to your event
Small teams running big conferences
PheedLoop pitches itself at small teams running big events, covering registration, check-in, badges and a mobile app. Accelevents covers similar ground, from registration and badge printing to agendas and an event app, across in-person, virtual and hybrid formats. EventMobi takes a modular approach, so you add only the pieces you need for each event.
Events where meetings are the point
Swapcard brings registration, exhibitor tools and AI matchmaking together, and Brella focuses its event app on helping attendees set up meaningful meetings. Both suit trade shows and conferences where who you meet matters more than which talk you see.
Online events and video
Airmeet centres on video, with event hosting, streaming, podcast recording and AI clips in one suite. It suits marketing teams who want each online event to keep producing content after it ends.
Ticketed events and meetups
Ticket Tailor keeps things simple: selling tickets online, whether it's your first event or your biggest, with a free plan named on its site. Eventzilla handles registrations and attendee engagement in one place, which suits recurring workshops, classes and meetups.
The platforms in alphabetical order
In no particular order. Each line is a short summary of the vendor's own description.
Accelevents
Best for: Organisers running in-person, virtual and hybrid events from one platform, with registration, badge printing, agenda management and an event app included, per the vendor.
Airmeet
Best for: Marketing teams that run online events and want hosting, streaming, podcast recording and AI-made clips in one video suite, as the vendor describes it.
Brella
Best for: Conferences built around networking, where the vendor's event app focuses on helping attendees arrange meaningful meetings with each other.
EventMobi
Best for: Organisers who want to pick the event modules they need, backed by support from experienced event people, according to the vendor.
Eventzilla
Best for: Workshop and meetup hosts who want registrations and attendee engagement managed in one place, with the vendor promising more sign-ups for less work.
PheedLoop
Best for: Small event teams running large events, covering registration, check-in, badges and mobile apps on one platform, as the vendor describes it.
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Swapcard
Best for: Exhibitor-heavy events needing registration, an event app, exhibitor tools and AI matchmaking together; the vendor also highlights ease of use and support.
Ticket Tailor
Best for: Anyone selling tickets online, from a first small event to a much larger one; the vendor's site names a free plan.
Advice for organisers weighing a switch
Don't buy for the biggest event you might run one day. Buy for the events already on your calendar, and check that the platform can grow if you need it to. A small team with a calendar of meetups doesn't need exhibitor tools or matchmaking, and it'll spend weeks setting up features nobody uses.
If networking is why people come, put meeting tools at the top of your list and test them with real attendees. If tickets are the main job, keep it simple. And whatever you choose, make sure you can get your attendee data out cleanly; you'll want it for the next event, and the one after that.
Your event-day checklist
Whichever platform you pick, run a dress rehearsal a week before the doors open. These are the checks that catch problems while there's still time to fix them.
- Register a test attendee on a phone and on a laptop, and read every email they receive
- Print a sample badge and check names, companies and any QR code scan cleanly
- Book a test meeting between two attendee accounts and confirm both get the invite
- Check in the test attendee at the door and time how long it takes
- Export the attendee list and session data, and open it in a spreadsheet to make sure it's usable
For a wider view, see my guide to event management software and my list of event apps for attendees.
Do you make event management or event app software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
Can one platform handle in-person and online events?
Several can, with registration, an attendee app and video tools in one place. Check that the online side is built in rather than bolted on through another service.
Do attendees need to download an app?
Not always. Many platforms offer a web version alongside the mobile app. For a short meetup, a web page is often enough; for a multi-day conference, an app helps with agendas and meetings.
Can I keep my attendee data when I switch?
Export your contact lists and past attendance before you cancel. Rules on storing and moving personal data vary by country, so check with your data protection regulator.
How early should I switch event platforms?
Switch between events, not during one. Give yourself enough time to rebuild registration forms, test the app and train the team before tickets go on sale.
Can I print badges on site?
Some platforms include badge printing and on-site check-in; others leave it to separate hardware. Ask to see the full check-in flow before you commit.
