Skip to main content
W
Who's In?
Updated March 2026 — Hands-on Testing

Best Event Management Software in 2026

We tested every major event platform for community organizers. Here's an honest comparison of pricing, features, and who each one is actually built for — so you can stop overpaying.

No credit card requiredSetup in 2 minutesTrusted by 10,000+ organizers

Quick Comparison

#PlatformMonthly CostBest For
#1Who's InOur PickFree forever — 2.7% only on paid eventsCommunity events
#2EventbriteFree for free events / 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket (as of March 2026, subject to change)Large public events
#3LumaFree tier / Pro from $59/month (as of March 2026, subject to change)Tech community events
#4SplashCustom pricing — typically $10,000+/year (as of March 2026, subject to change)Corporate events
#5Meetup$16.49–$33.99/month for organizers (as of March 2026, subject to change)Public group discovery
#6SignUpGeniusFree / $11.99/month Pro (as of March 2026, subject to change)Volunteer sign-ups

Pricing as of March 2026. Subject to change — verify on each provider's website.

Detailed Reviews

#1

Who's In

Editor's Choice

Best free event management platform for community organizers — modern, mobile-first, and genuinely free

Pricing
Free forever — 2.7% only on paid events

Pros

  • Completely free for organizers — no monthly fees, no per-event charges
  • QR check-in, Apple/Google Wallet passes, automatic waitlists
  • AI venue enrichment, web push notifications, WhatsApp reminders

Cons

  • Newer platform — smaller brand recognition than Eventbrite
  • No built-in ticket marketplace for large public events

Best For:

Community eventsYoga & fitnessMeetupsClub eventsSocial gatherings

Our Verdict

The best free event management software in 2026. Zero monthly cost with a simple 2.7% fee only when you charge for tickets. Purpose-built for community organizers who run recurring events.

#2

Eventbrite

Established ticketing marketplace for large public events

Pricing
Free for free events / 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket (as of March 2026, subject to change)

Pros

  • Large event discovery marketplace with millions of active users
  • Powerful promotion and marketing tools for public events
  • Well-known brand trusted by event-goers worldwide

Cons

  • High per-ticket fees — 3.7% + $1.79 adds up fast on smaller events
  • No recurring event management, waitlists, or community features

Best For:

Large public eventsConcertsFestivalsConferences

Our Verdict

Best for large one-off public events where marketplace discovery matters. The per-ticket fees are expensive for regular community events, and there are no membership or community tools.

#3

Luma

Modern event platform with strong social features for tech and creator communities

Pricing
Free tier / Pro from $59/month (as of March 2026, subject to change)

Pros

  • Beautiful, modern interface with social discovery
  • Good calendar integration and event pages
  • Strong in the tech and startup community

Cons

  • $59/month for Pro features most organizers need
  • Niche audience — mainly tech and creator communities

Best For:

Tech community eventsCreator meetupsNetworking events

Our Verdict

Polished platform that works well for tech community events. The $59/month Pro tier is expensive for casual organizers, and its audience skews heavily toward tech and startup scenes.

#4

Splash

Enterprise event marketing platform for branded corporate events

Pricing
Custom pricing — typically $10,000+/year (as of March 2026, subject to change)

Pros

  • Highly branded, customizable event pages
  • Enterprise-grade analytics and reporting
  • Strong integration with marketing automation platforms

Cons

  • Enterprise pricing puts it out of reach for community organizers
  • Requires significant setup time and design resources

Best For:

Corporate eventsBrand activationsEnterprise marketing teams

Our Verdict

Premium enterprise platform for corporate marketing events. Completely overkill for community organizers — the pricing alone disqualifies it for anyone not running corporate events.

#5

Meetup

Established community platform for public group discovery

Pricing
$16.49–$33.99/month for organizers (as of March 2026, subject to change)

Pros

  • Large user base for event discovery and new member acquisition
  • Well-known brand that community members trust
  • Good for attracting people who do not already know your group

Cons

  • Organizers pay $16–$34/month with no payment collection
  • Algorithm-dependent discovery — your events may not surface

Best For:

Public group discoveryGrowing new communitiesCity-based meetups

Our Verdict

Useful for discovery when building a new public group. Poor value once your community is established — you pay monthly for discoverability you no longer need, with no payment tools.

#6

SignUpGenius

Simple sign-up sheet tool for volunteer coordination and small groups

Pricing
Free / $11.99/month Pro (as of March 2026, subject to change)

Pros

  • Free tier is genuinely usable for basic sign-up sheets
  • Very simple — no learning curve for non-technical users
  • Good for one-off volunteer coordination

Cons

  • Not a real event management platform — just sign-up sheets
  • No RSVP capacity management, waitlists, or payment processing

Best For:

Volunteer sign-upsPotlucksSchool eventsChurch groups

Our Verdict

Solid for simple sign-up sheets and volunteer coordination. Not a substitute for event management software — no capacity limits, no waitlists, no payments, no recurring events.

How We Evaluated

Pricing

Monthly cost, per-event fees, and payment processing charges

Event Tools

RSVP, capacity, waitlists, recurring events, and check-in

Mobile UX

Attendee experience on mobile devices and app requirements

Setup Speed

Time to first event and learning curve for non-technical organizers

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about choosing event management software in 2026

What is the best free event management software in 2026?▼

Who's In is the best free event management software in 2026. It offers unlimited events with zero monthly fees — organizers only pay a 2.7% fee when they charge for tickets. Features include automatic waitlists, QR check-in, Apple/Google Wallet passes, web push notifications, and AI venue enrichment. Eventbrite is also free for free events but charges 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket.

How much does event management software cost in 2026?▼

Costs range from free to thousands per year. Who's In is free with a 2.7% fee on paid events. Eventbrite charges 3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket. Luma Pro is $59/month. Meetup charges organizers $16–$34/month. SignUpGenius Pro is $11.99/month. Splash has custom enterprise pricing typically starting at $10,000/year. For community organizers, Who's In offers the best value.

What features should I look for in event management software?▼

Essential features include: RSVP management with capacity limits, automatic waitlists, recurring event support, attendee notifications (email, push, WhatsApp), payment collection for paid events, check-in tools, and mobile-friendly event pages. Advanced features to look for include QR code check-in, digital wallet passes, AI-powered venue suggestions, and attendee analytics.

Can I switch from Eventbrite to a free alternative?▼

Yes. Who's In is a free alternative to Eventbrite that covers most community event needs. The main trade-off is that Eventbrite has a larger public marketplace for event discovery. If your events are shared via social media, email, or word of mouth rather than found on Eventbrite's marketplace, switching saves significant money — especially on paid events where Eventbrite's fees are substantially higher.

Is Who's In really free for event management?▼

Yes. Who's In is genuinely free for event organizers. There are no monthly fees, no per-event charges, and no feature gates on the free plan. You get unlimited events, unlimited RSVPs, automatic waitlists, QR check-in, Wallet passes, and web push notifications — all free. The only fee is 2.7% on paid event tickets processed through Stripe, which is lower than every major competitor.

What is the best event management software for recurring community events?▼

Who's In is purpose-built for recurring community events. It supports auto-scheduling recurring events (weekly yoga, monthly book clubs, etc.), with persistent attendee lists, automatic waitlist management, and series-level analytics. Eventbrite, Luma, and Splash are designed primarily for one-off events and lack robust recurring event workflows.

Ready to Try the #1 Pick?

Join thousands of community organizers running events for free with Who's In. No monthly fees, no per-event charges, no app downloads.

No credit card required — create your first event in 2 minutes

Explore More From Who's In

Free events are just the start. Discover tools for studios, clubs, and conferences.

Free Events

RSVP, waitlists, QR check-in — free forever

Studio Software

Class scheduling and bookings from $19/mo

Club Management

Membership tiers and dues for $10/mo

Conference Platform

Multi-track schedules from $49/mo

View Pricing|Who's In vs Eventbrite|Who's In vs Meetup|Who's In vs Luma

We use essential cookies to keep you logged in and optional analytics to improve our service. See our Privacy Policy.