Softwr

Software · head to head

Cvent vs Eventbrite

Cvent logo

Cvent

Software

Event technology for every event

From
$10000/month
Rated
-
Eventbrite logo

Eventbrite

Software

Where event planners thrive

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Eventbrite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cvent high cost prohibitive for small organizations and nonprofits; Eventbrite service fees total 6.59% + $1.79 per ticket (3.7% service + 2.9% payment processing), among the highest in the industry
  • They diverge on capability: Cvent covers Event registration, Eventbrite covers Event Discovery.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cvent and Eventbrite actually diverge.

Attributes where Cvent and Eventbrite differ
AttributeCventEventbrite
Starting price$10000/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19992006

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cvent

  • Event registration
  • Venue sourcing
  • Attendee management
  • Mobile event app
  • Event marketing
  • Marketo
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • SAP

Only in Eventbrite

  • Event Discovery
  • Ticketing
  • Event Management
  • Marketing Tools
  • Analytics
  • Virtual Events
  • Mailchimp
  • Zoom

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cvent

  • Event planningnot Eventbrite
  • Ticket salesnot Eventbrite
  • Attendee managementnot Eventbrite
  • Virtual eventsnot Eventbrite
  • Event marketingnot Eventbrite

Eventbrite

  • Selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife eventsnot Cvent
  • Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Cvent
  • Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Cvent
  • Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Cvent
  • Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Cvent

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cvent

  • High cost prohibitive for small organizations and nonprofits
  • Complex modular pricing makes budgeting difficult

Eventbrite

  • Service fees total 6.59% + $1.79 per ticket (3.7% service + 2.9% payment processing), among the highest in the industry
  • Holds 20% of net sales in reserve until event completion and delays payout 3 days after event, creating cash flow problems for organizers
  • Limited event page customization with no white-label option and events must be registered on eventbrite.com domain

Pricing, plan by plan

Cvent

$10000/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Cvent review.

Eventbrite

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited free events
    • No platform fees for free events
  • Pro$15/month
    • Email marketing
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Cvent if

  • You need event registration.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want venue sourcing.

Choose Eventbrite if

  • You need event discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ticketing.

Questions people ask

Is Cvent or Eventbrite better?
Neither clearly leads. Cvent starts at $10000/month and Eventbrite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cvent or Eventbrite?
Eventbrite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10000/month for Cvent and Free for Eventbrite.
Does Cvent or Eventbrite run on more platforms?
Cvent runs on Web, Mobile. Eventbrite runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Eventbrite for free?
Yes. Eventbrite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cvent starts at $10000/month.
What is Cvent best used for?
Cvent is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events. Of those, event planning and ticket sales are not what Eventbrite is typically brought in for.
What can Cvent do that Eventbrite cannot?
Cvent covers Event registration, Venue sourcing, Attendee management, Mobile event app. Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Both handle Salesforce, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cvent: Does Cvent offer a free trial or demo?

Cvent does not list pricing on its website but offers customized demos and evaluations. No free trial is publicly available.

Source
Eventbrite: Is Eventbrite free for hosting free events?

Yes, Eventbrite is completely free for events with free tickets. You can publish unlimited free events with no platform fees, service fees, or payment processing fees. Features like custom branding and advanced analytics are only available on paid plans.

Source
Cvent: What modules are available?

Core modules include Registration, Attendee Hub, OnArrival, event app, badge printing, and real-time reporting. Additional modules can be added based on event needs.

Source
Eventbrite: What are the fees for paid-ticket events in the US?

Eventbrite charges 3.7% plus $1.79 per ticket sold, plus 2.9% payment processing fee per order. Organizers can pass these fees to attendees or absorb them.

Source
Cvent: Does it support virtual and hybrid events?

Yes. Cvent Event Management supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events with integrated registration, attendee engagement, and reporting across all formats.

Source
Eventbrite: When do I receive payments from ticket sales?

Payouts are sent 3 days after your event ends (or on a custom schedule if you set one), and funds appear in your bank account within 5 business days in the US or 7 days internationally. Eventbrite also holds 20% in reserve until after the event to cover refunds and chargebacks.

Source
Cvent: How much does it cost?

Cvent pricing starts at $10,000 per month and scales to $100,000+ for enterprise deployments, with costs based on selected modules and event volume. Exact pricing requires a sales consultation.

Source
Eventbrite: Can I customize branding on my event page?

Customization is limited to basic colors and images. You cannot white-label the event page or remove Eventbrite branding, and all registration flows pass through Eventbrite's domain, not your own.

Source
Eventbrite: Does Eventbrite offer an API for integrations?

Yes, Eventbrite provides an OAuth API for developers to build custom integrations. Full documentation is available on their platform portal with support for app authentication and API keys.

Source

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