- Free event planning software at a glance
- Nine free event planning tools
- A free-forever option worth knowing
- What to check in free event software
- How to plan a small event with free tools
- Which kind of event tool suits you
- Questions to ask before you choose
- Event planning mistakes to avoid
- My plain advice on free event planning software
- Frequently asked questions
Free event planning software helps you create event pages, send invitations, collect RSVPs and register guests. Invite apps suit parties and small gatherings, registration tools suit workshops and meetups, and open-source ticketing suits organisers who want control. Check what stays free as your events grow.
Planning an event used to mean spreadsheets, email chains and a lot of chasing. Free tools now handle the invites, RSVPs and reminders for you, so you're not doing it all by hand and you won't lose track of who's coming.
Here are nine free event planning tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from party invite apps to open-source ticketing. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you run online events too, my look at winning clients with B2B webinars has ideas.
Think about the event type. A birthday party, a community meetup and a ticketed workshop need very different features, and there's no point learning features you'll never use.
Then think about your guests. Make it easy for them to RSVP, and you'll get more replies.
Free event planning software at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the service's own site describes a free version, free plan or free tier, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free tiers almost always have limits, so check them against your own needs.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eventzilla | Event registration platform | Workshops and conferences | Yes |
| Evite | Online invitation service | Parties and personal events | Yes |
| Google Forms | Online form builder | Simple sign-up forms | Yes |
| Hi.Events | Open-source ticketing platform | Self-hosted ticket sales | Yes |
| Luma | Event page and invite platform | Community events and meetups | Yes |
| Partiful | Party invitation app | Social gatherings | Yes |
| pretix | Ticket shop software | Conferences and festivals | Yes |
| RSVPify | RSVP and registration software | Weddings and galas | Yes |
| TryBooking | Event ticketing platform | Schools and community groups | Yes |
Nine free event planning tools
Eventzilla
Best for: Organisers who want registration, ticketing and check-in for workshops and conferences.
Evite
Best for: Hosts who want online invitations and RSVP tracking for personal events.
Google Forms
Best for: Organisers who want a quick, free sign-up form for small events.
Hi.Events
Best for: Organisers who want open-source event ticketing they can host themselves.
Luma
Best for: Community organisers who want beautiful event pages, invites and reminders.
Partiful
Best for: Hosts who want fun invites people can reply to from a text message link.
pretix
Best for: Organisers who want a full ticket shop for conferences, festivals and museums.
RSVPify
Best for: Hosts who want custom RSVP forms for weddings, galas and corporate events.
TryBooking
Best for: Schools and community groups who want simple bookings and ticketing.
A free-forever option worth knowing
Here's a detail from one of the tools above. Luma's own help pages say it remains free forever with unlimited events and guests, with a premium subscription offering extra tools for power users and organisations.
Free plans vary a lot between tools. Some limit guests, some limit events, and some only stay free for free events. So check what happens when your event grows before you commit.
What to check in free event software
- Guest limits: how many people can register.
- RSVPs: how easy replies are for guests.
- Reminders: automatic emails or texts before the day.
- Check-in: lists or apps on the door.
- Data: exporting your guest list.
How to plan a small event with free tools
- Create the event page with date, place and one clear call to action.
- Send invites and share the link.
- Set up a reminder two days before.
- Export the guest list for the door.
- Send a thank-you message afterwards.
Which kind of event tool suits you
For birthdays and get-togethers, a party invite app makes replying fun and quick for friends.
For workshops, meetups and community events, a registration tool with reminders and check-in keeps numbers accurate.
And for conferences or festivals, a full ticket shop handles different ticket types, capacity and entry on the day.
Questions to ask before you choose
Free tools can change as your event grows, so check these first.
- How many guests and events are free?
- Can guests RSVP without an account?
- Does it send reminders automatically?
- Can I export the guest list?
- What changes if I start selling tickets?
Event planning mistakes to avoid
- Hard RSVPs. Make replying one step.
- No reminders. Send one two days before.
- No door list. Export guests before the day.
- Missing details. Put time, place and parking on the page.
If security matters at your event, my guide to event security and ID cards covers the basics.
Do you make event tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free event planning software
Make replying easy. The fewer steps guests take to RSVP, the more accurate your numbers will be, and you'll spend less time chasing.
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.
And always send a reminder. It's the simplest way to cut no-shows, whichever tool you use, and it doesn't take a minute.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best free event planning software?
It depends on the event. Invite apps, registration tools and ticketing suit different events.
Is there a free-forever option?
One tool's help pages say it stays free forever with unlimited events and guests.
Can I collect RSVPs for free?
Yes. Several tools collect RSVPs on their free plans.
Can I run ticketed events with free software?
Some tools support ticketing, with conditions. Check the terms.
Do guests need an account to RSVP?
Many tools let guests reply without an account.
Can I send reminders?
Most tools send automatic reminders.
Can I export my guest list?
Most tools export to a spreadsheet.
What's open-source ticketing?
Ticketing software you can host and control yourself.
Can I use a form for sign-ups?
Yes, for small and simple events.
Do these tools handle check-in?
Some include check-in lists or apps.
Can I plan online events too?
Several tools support online and hybrid events.
Should I collect guests' phone numbers?
Only if you need them, and tell guests why.
Can I make an event page without a website?
Yes. Most tools host the event page for you.
Can guests add the event to their calendar?
Most tools include add-to-calendar links.
Do free tools include waitlists?
Some do. Check before you set a capacity.
Can I ask guests questions when they RSVP?
Many tools let you add custom questions.
Can co-hosts manage the event?
Several tools let you add co-hosts or helpers.
Can I share an event on social media?
Yes. Share the event page link anywhere.
Can I track who attended?
Check-in tools mark guests as they arrive.
Can I send updates to all guests?
Most tools let you message everyone who registered.
Do free tools work for recurring events?
Some support repeating events, which saves setting each one up again.
