Softwr

Software · head to head

Planning Pod vs Zkipster

Planning Pod logo

Planning Pod

Software

Event planning software that works

From
$59/month
Rated
-
Zkipster logo

Zkipster

Software

Guest management for luxury events

From
$299/month
Rated
-

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."; Zkipster the pricing page names three tiers but publishes no rate for any of them
  • They diverge on capability: Planning Pod covers Lead management, Zkipster covers Guest list management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Planning Pod and Zkipster differ
AttributePlanning PodZkipster
Starting price$59/month$299/month

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2012).

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 Zkipster

  • Guest list management
  • Digital check-in
  • Seating charts
  • Real-time analytics
  • VIP tagging
  • Salesforce
  • Mailchimp
  • Google Sheets

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

Zkipster

  • Guest list management and check in at invitation only eventsnot Planning Pod
  • Seating plans and name badges for galas and dinnersnot Planning Pod
  • Sending event invitations and RSVPs by email, SMS or WhatsAppnot Planning Pod

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."

Zkipster

  • The pricing page names three tiers but publishes no rate for any of them
  • Essentials is capped at 60 events per year or 10 per month and Professional at 80 per year or 20 per month
  • Guests are capped at 10,000 per event on Essentials and Professional
  • Event communications, floor plans, seating and name badges require the Professional plan
  • SMS, WhatsApp and Wallet Pass require Professional or higher
  • API access requires an annual Professional plan or an Enterprise add on
  • Advanced security and compliance tools and priority support are Enterprise only
  • zkipster Audience is banded by contact volume, so cost rises with the contact list rather than with features

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

Zkipster

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • Guest list management
    • Check-in app
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$599/month
    • Seating management
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced reporting
  • Enterprise$1199/month
    • Multi-event
    • API access
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Planning Pod if

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

Choose Zkipster if

  • You need guest list management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want digital check-in.

Questions people ask

Is Planning Pod or Zkipster better?
Neither clearly leads. Planning Pod starts at $59/month and Zkipster at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Planning Pod or Zkipster?
Planning Pod starts at $59/month and Zkipster at $299/month.
Does Planning Pod or Zkipster 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. Of those, event planning and ticket sales are not what Zkipster is typically brought in for.
What can Planning Pod do that Zkipster cannot?
Planning Pod covers Lead management, Floor plans, Budgeting, Timeline. Zkipster covers Guest list management, Digital check-in, Seating charts, Real-time analytics. Both handle Zapier, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Related pages

Other head to heads