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Software · head to head

Planning Pod vs Swapcard

Planning Pod logo

Planning Pod

Software

Event planning software that works

From
$59/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Swapcard logo

Swapcard

Software

The smart event platform

From
$610/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Planning Pod subscription pricing is metered by concurrent event volume rather than seats: the vendor states "Subscription pricing is based on the number of events your venue manages at any given time" and that "most single-location venues land between $199 and $319 per month."; Swapcard pricing requires custom quote; starting price of $610 does not include per-attendee charges which can add significant costs
  • They diverge on capability: Planning Pod covers Lead management, Swapcard covers AI matchmaking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Planning Pod and Swapcard actually diverge.

Attributes where Planning Pod and Swapcard differ
AttributePlanning PodSwapcard
Starting price$59/month$610/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Founded20122013

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 Planning Pod

  • Lead management
  • Floor plans
  • Budgeting
  • Timeline
  • Client portal
  • QuickBooks
  • Stripe
  • PayPal

Only in Swapcard

  • AI matchmaking
  • Lead capture
  • Event mobile app
  • Exhibitor management
  • Analytics
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • Microsoft Dynamics

Both cover

  • Zapier
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Planning Pod

  • Event planning
  • Ticket sales
  • Attendee management
  • Virtual events
  • Event marketing

Swapcard

  • Event planning
  • Ticket sales
  • Attendee management
  • Virtual events
  • Event marketing

Both are used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events, event marketing, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Planning Pod

  • Subscription pricing is metered by concurrent event volume rather than seats: the vendor states "Subscription pricing is based on the number of events your venue manages at any given time" and that "most single-location venues land between $199 and $319 per month."

Swapcard

  • Pricing requires custom quote; starting price of $610 does not include per-attendee charges which can add significant costs
  • Smaller company with 181 employees compared to market leaders like Cvent, limiting support resources
  • Limited reporting and analytics features compared to tier-1 event platforms
  • API documentation is sparse; custom integrations require direct vendor support
  • Primarily focused on B2B events; less suitable for consumer or small events

Pricing, plan by plan

Planning Pod

$59/month
  • Planner$59/month
    • Basic planning tools
    • 5 events
    • Email support
  • Professional$99/month
    • Unlimited events
    • Floor plans
    • Budget tracking
  • Business$199/month
    • Team features
    • Client portal
    • API access

Swapcard

$610/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Swapcard review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Planning Pod if

  • You need lead management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want floor plans.
Planning Pod review

Choose Swapcard if

  • You need ai matchmaking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want lead capture.
Swapcard review

Questions people ask

Is Planning Pod or Swapcard better?
Neither clearly leads. Planning Pod starts at $59/month and Swapcard at $610/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Planning Pod or Swapcard?
Planning Pod starts at $59/month and Swapcard at $610/one-time.
Does Planning Pod or Swapcard run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Planning Pod best used for?
Planning Pod is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events.
What can Planning Pod do that Swapcard cannot?
Planning Pod covers Lead management, Floor plans, Budgeting, Timeline. Swapcard covers AI matchmaking, Lead capture, Event mobile app, Exhibitor management. Both handle Zapier, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Swapcard: What does Swapcard's pricing model include?

Swapcard pricing includes three components: a base license, usage volume (attendees and exhibitors), and add-ons. The Event Engagement Platform starts at $610 and includes mobile/web apps, AI-powered networking, virtual event capability, and exhibitor lead management.

Source
Swapcard: What event types does Swapcard support?

Swapcard supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events including conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, webinars, and networking events.

Source
Swapcard: What are Swapcard's core platform features?

Core features include dashboard access, agenda management, streaming and audiovisual capability, abstract/paper management, lead capture tools, networking features, and audience response systems.

Source
Swapcard: How many integrations does Swapcard offer?

Swapcard connects natively to over 30 integrations including event platforms like Eventbrite, Cvent, and Bizzabo, plus CRM tools like HubSpot and mapping solutions.

Source
Swapcard: Who is Swapcard and when was it founded?

Swapcard was founded in 2013 in Paris by Baptiste Boulard, Godefroy Des Francs, and Damien Courbon. The company has raised $5.27M and serves event organizers globally.

Source
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