Software · head to head
Guest Manager vs Grip
The short version
- Only Guest Manager has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Guest Manager usage is metered in credits consumed by check ins, emails and badges, so cost scales with activity rather than with the subscription alone; Grip no published pricing - requires contacting sales for custom quotes
- They diverge on capability: Guest Manager covers Registration, Grip covers AI recommendations.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Guest Manager and Grip actually diverge.
| Attribute | Guest Manager | Grip |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Mobile |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2014).
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 Guest Manager
- Registration
- QR check-in
- Badge printing
- Attendance tracking
- Guest communication
- Mailchimp
- Google Sheets
Only in Grip
- AI recommendations
- Meeting scheduler
- Intent data
- Lead scoring
- Analytics
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Cvent
Both cover
- Eventbrite
- Zapier
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Guest Manager
- Guest list check in on tablets at eventsnot Grip
- Selling and scanning event ticketsnot Grip
- Printing name badges onsitenot Grip
Grip
- Event planningnot Guest Manager
- Ticket salesnot Guest Manager
- Attendee managementnot Guest Manager
- Virtual eventsnot Guest Manager
- Event marketingnot Guest Manager
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Guest Manager
- Usage is metered in credits consumed by check ins, emails and badges, so cost scales with activity rather than with the subscription alone
- Check in devices are capped at 2 on On Demand, 4 on Planner and 8 on Professional
- Ticket fees are $1.00 per ticket on On Demand and Planner and fall to $0.50 only on the $199 per month Concierge plan
- Priority support and a dedicated account manager are Concierge and Custom only
- The free trial covers only the first 50 guest check ins
- The Custom plan is priced by quote
Grip
- No published pricing - requires contacting sales for custom quotes
- Roundtables limited to 25 active audio/video participants out of 100 max attendees
- Only Standard sessions supported for in-person-only events; other formats require virtual or hybrid setup
- Platform setup requires privacy policy and user agreement, plus delivery manager coordination
Pricing, plan by plan
Guest Manager
Free- FreeFree
- 100 guests
- Basic check-in
- Email support
- Pro$79/month
- Unlimited guests
- Badge printing
- Analytics
- Enterprise$199/month
- API access
- White-label
- Priority support
Grip
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Grip review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Guest Manager if
- You need registration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want qr check-in.
Choose Grip if
- You need ai recommendations.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want meeting scheduler.
Questions people ask
- Is Guest Manager or Grip better?
- Neither clearly leads. Guest Manager starts at Free and Grip at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Guest Manager or Grip?
- Guest Manager has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Guest Manager and On request for Grip.
- Does Guest Manager or Grip run on more platforms?
- Guest Manager runs on Web, Ios, Android. Grip runs on Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Guest Manager for free?
- Yes. Guest Manager has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Grip starts at On request.
- What is Guest Manager best used for?
- Guest Manager is most often used for guest list check in on tablets at events, selling and scanning event tickets, printing name badges onsite. Of those, guest list check in on tablets at events and selling and scanning event tickets are not what Grip is typically brought in for.
- What can Guest Manager do that Grip cannot?
- Guest Manager covers Registration, QR check-in, Badge printing, Attendance tracking. Grip covers AI recommendations, Meeting scheduler, Intent data, Lead scoring. Both handle Eventbrite, Zapier, Web support, Ios support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Grip: How does Grip's AI matchmaking work?
Grip uses 16 machine learning algorithms on billions of interaction data to generate over 70 million recommendations annually. It analyzes attendee preferences and behaviors to suggest relevant connections.
SourceGrip: What are the main features?
Grip includes AI-powered matchmaking, interactive floor plans, direct messaging and video, meeting scheduling, sponsored sessions, live streams, and round tables for networking events.
SourceGrip: How is Grip priced?
Grip uses custom pricing based on event needs. Pricing is not publicly listed; organizers must contact sales for quotes.
SourceGrip: Can I integrate Grip with existing event management systems?
Yes. Grip acquired Connectiv EMS and integrates with existing event management systems, allowing you to use Grip's features with your current event tech stack.
Source