The right event planning app depends on the event. Parties need fun invitations and RSVP tracking, public events need tickets and check-in, conferences need agendas and attendee apps, and weddings need timelines and seating plans. Pick the app built for your event type rather than one that tries to do everything.
I've organised everything from small networking breakfasts to big online events, and the planning always takes longer than the event itself. The right app won't plan it for you, but it will stop you chasing RSVPs by text the night before.
This list runs from casual invitations to conference software. If you're booking speakers, my guide on booking the right speaker for your event is worth reading first, and my community event programming template helps you plan the running order.
Event planning apps compared at a glance
Here's what each app is, what it's good for and whether its own site shows a free plan, a trial or neither. The list is alphabetical and in no particular order.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aisle Planner | Pro planning | Wedding and event planners | Trial only |
| Eventbrite | Ticketing | Selling tickets to public events | Yes |
| Evite | Invitations | Birthday and family invitations | Yes |
| Luma | Event pages | Meetups and community events | Yes |
| Partiful | Party invites | Casual parties with friends | Yes |
| Planning Pod | Venue management | Venues booking lots of events | No |
| Sched | Conference agendas | Multi-session conferences | No |
| Social Tables | Floor plans | Seating plans and room layouts | Yes |
| Splash | Event marketing | Branded company events | Trial only |
| Whova | Event app | Attendee networking at events | No |
Event planning apps by event type
Aisle Planner
Best for: Professional planners juggling several weddings who want timelines, checklists, guest lists and client files in one place.
Eventbrite
Best for: Organisers of workshops, classes and public events who need tickets, check-in and a page people can find.
Evite
Best for: Hosts sending birthday, shower or holiday invitations who want RSVPs tracked and a sign-up sheet for who's bringing what.
Luma
Best for: Community organisers running regular meetups who want a clean event page, a calendar people can follow and easy RSVPs.
Partiful
Best for: Friends planning a party who want a fun invite link to drop in a group chat and see who's coming.
Planning Pod
Best for: Venues and event businesses handling enquiries, contracts, floor plans and client portals for many bookings at once.
Sched
Best for: Conference organisers who need a mobile agenda, speaker pages and attendee schedules for an event with many sessions.
Social Tables
Best for: Planners laying out tables, stages and seating charts who want a room diagram they can share with the venue.
Splash
Best for: Marketing teams running branded company events who need registration pages, emails and guest lists that match their brand.
Whova
Best for: Conferences and trade shows that want an attendee app for agendas, messaging and networking between sessions.
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Which kind of event are you planning?
- Birthday, shower or casual party: invitation apps with RSVP tracking and a link for the group chat.
- Meetup or community event: a clean event page people can follow so they hear about the next one.
- Workshop, class or public event: ticketing with check-in on the door.
- Conference or trade show: agendas, speaker pages and an attendee app for networking.
- Wedding or corporate event run for a client: professional planning software with timelines and floor plans.
An eight-week event planning timeline
- Eight weeks out: set the date, venue and guest list, and create the event page.
- Six weeks out: send invitations or open ticket sales.
- Four weeks out: confirm suppliers and draft the running order.
- Two weeks out: chase RSVPs, share the seating plan with the venue and brief helpers.
- Event week: send a reminder with directions, timings and what to bring.
- The day after: thank everyone and ask what they'd change next time.
Safety belongs in the plan
The Health and Safety Executive's event safety guidance is written for contractors, organisers, volunteers and venue owners, and says to plan, manage and review an event once it's over. For most small events that means a short risk assessment, a clear plan for crowds, exits and first aid, and a review afterwards while it's still fresh. Keep that section in the same app as the rest of your plan so it isn't forgotten.
Getting more people to reply
RSVPs are the part of event planning everyone hates. Make replying easy: send the invite where your guests already are, keep the question simple and set a clear reply-by date. A friendly reminder a few days before that date usually brings in most of the stragglers.
For ticketed events, a short confirmation email with the date, time, address and what to bring cuts down the questions you'll get on the day. For free events, expect some people who said yes not to turn up, and plan seating and catering with that in mind. If you're running a series, ask attendees at the end how they'd like to hear about the next one.
It's the easiest way to grow your next guest list.
Do you make an event planning app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice on choosing an event planning app
Choose the app your guests will find easiest, not the one with the longest feature list. A party invite that opens in one tap gets more replies than a beautiful page that asks people to create an account first.
If you plan events for clients, look at how each app shares timelines and floor plans with them. My notes on sales follow-up for wedding and event planners cover what happens after the enquiry comes in.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best free event planning app?
Several apps here are free for invitations, RSVPs or basic event pages. Ticketing and conference tools usually add upgrades as your events grow.
Can I sell tickets through an event planning app?
Yes, ticketing platforms let you sell tickets, take registrations and check people in on the door from your phone.
What app do wedding planners use?
Professional wedding planners often use planning software with timelines, checklists, guest lists and client files, plus a seating and floor plan tool.
How do I track RSVPs for a party?
Invitation apps track who's coming, who's not and who hasn't replied, and let you send reminders without messaging everyone one by one.
Do I need a risk assessment for a small event?
HSE guidance asks organisers to plan, manage and review events. For a small event, a short written plan covering exits, crowds and first aid is a sensible minimum.
