Whova vs. Cvent vs. EventsAir: An In-Depth Comparison

With so many event management software solutions available, picking the right one can feel like a maze. Whova, Cvent, and EventsAir are all top contenders, but which one really fits your event style?

In this article, we explore three top contenders—Cvent, Whova, and EventsAir—to help you answer that very question. We’ll cover features, pricing, pros, and cons to give you a clear picture of where each tool excels (and where they might fall short).

Whova vs. Cvent vs. EventsAir: Key differences

Are you in a rush? Here’s a quick overview of the key differences between Whova, Cvent, and EventsAir:

Ease of use

• Whova: Whova’s interface is designed with user-friendliness in mind. In fact, it’s the aspect users most often praise in positive reviews of the platform. It’s an ideal choice for beginners or occasional event planners who need basic features without a steep learning curve, making them feel at ease and comfortable with the platform.
• Cvent: Cvent offers powerful features but can be overwhelming for new users. Part of its complexity stems from the fact that it’s designed to handle large, intricate events—but the often tenuous integration between tools doesn’t help. It’s best for experienced planners who are comfortable with detailed configurations.
• EventsAir: EventsAir strikes a balance between flexibility and usability. It offers features to support the entire event lifecycle and enough customization to cater to any kind of virtual, in-person, or hybrid event. The platform’s tools are packaged in an intuitive, user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, empowering users and making them feel in control.

Feature set

• Whova: Whova is an end-to-end event management tool that excels at attendee engagement, with tools like live polling, Q&A, and matchmaking. It’s perfect for interactive virtual and hybrid events, and its feature set emphasizes community-building and connection.
• Cvent: Cvent delivers a very broad feature set, including registration, venue sourcing, and analytics. It’s worth noting, however, that Cvent’s features are often integrated acquisitions. That leads to issues like inconsistent UIs and limited syncing.
• EventsAir: EventsAir offers end-to-end tools, from marketing to planning, onsite management, lead capture, and more. It also lets planners build custom apps for attendees, sponsors, planners, exhibitors, and more. It’s suitable for planners needing an all-inclusive solution that’s fully native, unlike Cvent’s collection of distinct apps and tools.

Customization options

• Whova: Whova’s customization is somewhat limited compared to its competitors. You can tweak branding and attendee features, like digital booths and leaderboards, but it often involves navigating a clunky setup. It’s fine for small, straightforward events but lacks the deep flexibility needed for larger ones.
• Cvent: Cvent offers extensive customization, especially for branding, registration, and attendee experiences. However, much of the customization depends on detailed configuration, and the disjointed nature of some tools can complicate things. It’s best suited for planners who need in-depth options and don’t mind spending time on intricate setups.
• EventsAir: EventsAir provides robust customization with an easy-to-use interface. From custom workflows to branded attendee journeys, everything is packaged intuitively. Unlike Cvent, EventsAir’s tools are fully native, allowing users to customize once with changes reflected across all event assets.

What is Whova?

Whova is an event management platform designed to boost attendee engagement and simplify planning—especially for virtual and hybrid events. It offers tools for registration, ticketing, and personalized agendas, all packaged in a user-friendly interface.

Key Features

• Attendee engagement: Leverage built-in features like live polling, Q&A, and virtual networking rooms to create engaging, interactive events.
• Event planning: Manage everything from ticketing to scheduling with Whova’s user-friendly dashboard that requires minimal technical know-how.
• Hybrid solutions: Set up and manage hybrid events with seamless virtual event integrations (Zoom, YouTube, etc.).
• Detailed analytics: Gain real-time insights into attendee behavior and make data-driven decisions.
• Branded experiences: Brand your virtual event assets with your company logo, overlays, and more for a tailored attendee experience.

Pricing

Whova’s pricing isn’t listed online. To get a custom quote, you’ll need to fill out their contact form.

Pros

• User-friendly for beginners
• Strong attendee engagement features
• Great for hybrid and virtual events

Cons

• Limited customization options, especially for branding and workflows
• Lacks advanced marketing tools like CRM integration or email automation

What is Cvent?

Cvent is a comprehensive event management platform with a wide range of features for registration, venue sourcing, and attendee management. It also supports event promotion through automated email campaigns and detailed analytics.

Key Features

• Registration management: Manage registrations with a lot of flexibility on Cvent and give attendees a seamless opt-in experience.
• Venue directory and vendor marketplace: Find and book prime locations for your events by searching Cvent’s venue directory. 
• Lead capturing: Track event registrations and seamlessly convert attendees (including no-shows) into leads for your business.
• Report generation: Create in-depth reports and access performance analytics, which you can use to improve future events.
• Mobile solutions: Share event schedules and let attendees access them or network via their mobile devices.

Pricing

Cvent offers two pricing tiers—professional and enterprise. Contact their sales team for an exact quote. 

Pros

• Perfect for managing intricate, large-scale events with multiple sessions and attendee segments
• Comprehensive venue sourcing tools
• Delivers highly detailed analytics that allows for deep insights into attendee engagement and event ROI

Cons

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Cvent’s pricing can escalate quickly 

Best Whova and Cvent Alternative: EventsAir

EventsAir is a scalable event management platform designed for both virtual and in-person events. It handles events of all sizes, from small meetings to large conferences, without the complexity often found in similar tools.

EventsAir combines the simplicity of Whova with the power of Cvent. It offers advanced features like:

• Marketing automation
• Lead capture
• Customizable workflows
• Content management
• Payment processing

…and more—all without overwhelming new users.

Whether you need help with event marketing, registration, or managing onsite logistics, EventsAir delivers a full suite of tools that are easy to use. The platform provides flexibility without sacrificing functionality, making it perfect for organizers who want powerful features in a straightforward package.

Key Features

• Event apps: Create custom, fully branded mobile apps for attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and planners. 
• Analytics & reporting: Offers in-depth data analysis with customizable reports to measure event success and attendee engagement. 
• Attendee engagement: Facilitate interactive sessions with live polling, Q&A, and gamification features.
• Check-in & badging: Streamline the check-in process with efficient contactless technology and on-site badge printing. Ensure fast, hassle-free entry for attendees.
• Event registration: Manage the entire registration process, from sign-ups and payments to confirmations. 
• Lead management: Capture attendee information throughout the event, including networking interactions and lead forms. 
• Event networking: Empower attendees to connect with each other through matchmaking features and interactive chat rooms. 

Pricing

EventsAir offers flexible and competitive pricing to meet your event needs. Contact us for a custom quote that fits your needs like a glove.

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface
• A comprehensive suite of tools for all event types
• Flexible customization options
• Strong marketing and lead capture tools
• Great value for money
• Mobile-friendly platform
• Excellent customer support

Cons

• No free plan

Simplify your event management process with a scalable tool

Whova, Cvent, and EventsAir offer key features and benefits that suit your event management needs. 

Whova is ideal for smaller events with a strong focus on attendee engagement, whereas Cvent’s extensive venue sourcing and deep customization options cater to large-scale corporate events. EventsAir balances Whova’s usability with Cvent’s advanced functionality, making it an adaptable solution for a wide range of event types.

Request a free demo today to determine how EventsAir can fit seamlessly into your personal or business event processes, regardless of the event size or complexity.