Most groups leaving an all-in-one association platform find the replacements split into event tools and ticketing tools. Decide first whether events or membership is the bigger job, because few options do both. Then check how members register and renew, and what data you can take with you.
GlueUp bundles events, memberships, CRM and email marketing for associations, chambers and nonprofits. That's handy until one part of the bundle stops fitting. If events are where it hurts, the eight tools below are worth a look, listed in no particular order. The full list comes first, then how they split and what to check before you move.
Eight event tools in alphabetical order
A to Z, not ranked. Each line reflects how the vendor describes its own product.
Accelevents
Best for: Event teams handling registration, badge printing, agendas and an event app for in-person, virtual or hybrid events from one platform.
Cvent
Best for: Planners of larger events who need management, marketing and attendee engagement; the vendor also runs venue sourcing for hotels.
Eventbrite
Best for: Public events that need to be found, since the vendor's homepage is built around people discovering local events and things to do.
EventMobi
Best for: Organisers who want modular event software, picking only the parts they need, with support from experienced staff, per the vendor.
Hopin
Best for: Webinars and virtual events that carry your brand and build community; the product now sits under the RingCentral Events name, says the vendor.
Swoogo
Best for: Event professionals running conferences, field marketing and other in-person or virtual events on a flexible platform.
TicketLeap
Best for: Clubs and small organisers selling tickets online or onsite, with the vendor stressing free tools and no contracts.
Whova
Best for: Associations and conferences wanting an event app, online registration and event marketing together for in-person, hybrid or virtual events.
Event platforms and ticketing tools compared
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Accelevents | Event management platform | Registration, badges, agendas and an event app |
| Cvent | Enterprise event software | Larger events with marketing and attendee engagement |
| Eventbrite | Ticketing and event discovery | Public events that need to be found |
| EventMobi | Modular event software | Choosing only the event modules you need |
| Hopin | Webinars and virtual events | Branded webinars and online community events |
| Swoogo | Flexible event platform | Conferences and field marketing events |
| TicketLeap | Event ticketing | Selling tickets online or at the door |
| Whova | Event app and registration | Associations wanting an event app and registration |
Joining, renewing and leaving are the real test
Here's what most comparisons skip. An association platform does two jobs at once: it runs your events and it holds your members. Almost every tool on this list is built for the first job. So moving often means splitting the bundle, with events in one tool and member records, renewals and dues somewhere else.
That's fine if you plan for it. Test three things with your own data: how a member joins and registers for an event, how renewals are handled and reminded, and what you can export if you leave. If the answer to the last one is a messy spreadsheet with half the history missing, you'll feel it the next time you switch.
Big conferences, flexible events or simple ticketing
Large conferences and complex events. Cvent, Accelevents and Swoogo handle registration, agendas, badges and attendee engagement for bigger in-person, hybrid and virtual events. They suit chambers and associations that run a major annual conference alongside smaller meetings.
Apps, modules and virtual events. Whova and EventMobi focus on event apps and modular tools you can mix, while Hopin is aimed at branded webinars and online community events. They suit groups that want attendees engaged before, during and after an event.
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Selling tickets. Eventbrite and TicketLeap keep things simpler, built around selling tickets and getting events found. They're a good match for clubs and creators who run public events and keep members elsewhere.
Advice for associations and clubs
Map your year before you look at demos. Write down every event you run, who attends, how they register and whether members get different terms from non-members. That list will tell you quickly whether you need a full conference platform, an event app or just straightforward ticketing.
Then decide where members will live. If you're moving events out of an all-in-one platform, you'll still need somewhere to hold member records and renewals. Make that choice first, so your event tool and your member records can talk to each other from day one.
Think about who'll run it day to day, too. Volunteer-led clubs need something a new committee member can pick up in an afternoon, while associations with an events team can handle more settings in return for more control. A tool that only one person understands becomes a problem the day that person moves on. For more event options, see my guides to event apps and event planning apps.
Taking your member data with you
- Export every member record, renewal date, membership tier and payment history before you cancel anything.
- Export past event registrations and attendance, so you keep a record of who came to what.
- Check which email consents and opt-outs come across, and keep proof of consent where your rules require it.
- Rebuild membership tiers and member-only event settings in the new tools before you invite anyone.
- Tell members what's changing, where to log in and what stays the same, before the first renewal reminder goes out.
Do you make event or membership management software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
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Frequently asked questions
Can one tool replace an all-in-one association platform?
Sometimes, but often not. Most event platforms don't handle membership renewals, and most membership tools offer only basic events. Many associations end up with two tools that connect.
What's the difference between event management software and ticketing?
Event management software covers registration, agendas, badges, apps and attendee engagement. Ticketing focuses on selling and checking tickets. Smaller events often need only ticketing.
What should I export before switching?
Member records, renewal dates, tiers, payment history, past registrations and email consents. Check the format before you cancel, so nothing gets lost.
Do I need a separate event app?
For conferences with agendas, networking and several sessions, an event app helps attendees find their way. For single meetings or simple ticketed events, it's usually not needed.
Are there data protection rules for member records?
Yes, and they vary by country. Check guidance from your data protection regulator on consent, storage and transfers before you move member data.
Do chambers and clubs need different software?
Often they do. Chambers and trade associations tend to run bigger programmes of events, networking and member directories, while clubs usually need simple registration and ticketing. Match the tool to the size and rhythm of your events.
