5 Event CRM Platforms Compared- A Complete Guide

An event, whether it is a small seminar, a hybrid conference or a global-level summit, it requires more than spreadsheets and email chains. Event CRM platforms have become essential tools that bring together all the functions, such as registration, attendee engagement, analytics and marketing into one place. Without either of these functions, the event comes to a standstill and faces unnecessary obstacles that reduce its quality. 

In this post, we compare five powerful event management platforms that shape the event CRM landscape in 2026. Each of these platforms have their own qualities and facilities that provide necessary support to run an event successfully. 

1. Dryfta

Dryfta is an all-in-one event management system that is designed specifically for dealing with research-driven events in a single software solution. This platform deals with ticket sales, abstract submissions, agenda solutions, networking, and marketing services in one place. An event CRM solution by Dryfta enables organizers to handle their contacts, perform activities, manage attendees, send automated emails, and perform more tasks within a single platform. 

It has more advanced solutions, such as hosting hybrid events, self-check-in solutions, building badges, live streaming, and a mobile app, specifically for events. The software is designed for organizations like top universities and institutions for conferences, symposiums, and international events.

Pros of Using Dryfta

• • Universal Event CRM Throughout the Lifecycle: Dryfta’s CRM has features to track guest engagement, ticket sales, abstract submissions, review process, email marketing and automated notifications. Additionally, the software also keeps track of all the information and the user database to avoid losing any data.
  • Integrated Abstract Management & Review Processes: It has a comprehensive abstract submission and review system. This is applicable for more complex workflows where, right from submission to assignment regulation and decision making, everything is done in the system itself. This is more relevant to academic and research-oriented conferences. 
  • Engagement Tools and Event Promotion: Dryfta has inbuilt event networking apps with matchmaking, live chatting, and push notifications, which encourage engagement. The tool can display your event on multiple event listing sites with only one click, and in doing so, it increases your event promotion with little marketing hassle.

Cons of Using Dryfta

• • Feature Depth may Require Onboarding Time: Dryfta’s rich system modifications with modules like complete event CRM, abstract management, and other features might be overwhelming at first. It requires some training in order for users to get fully acquainted with the advanced features.
  • May be More Than Needed for Simple Events: With smaller, single-session events, Dryfta’s full feature set may be more than what the organization requires at the moment. 
  • Custom Pricing Details: While Dryfta’s CRM and the platform give a lot of pricing flexibility, part of the detailed prices depend on event scale, modules used, and further customization options. Organizers will have to request quotes to get an exact price quote according to their needs, even though the Small plan is quite affordable.

2. Cvent

Cvent is built for enterprise event professionals to help them plan and execute physical, virtual, and hybrid events. The platform helps personalize event sites, event registrations, session planning, mobile event apps and badge labelling. The product’s suite includes a global venue search for organizations that handle complex event programs. The marketing tools of the platform give the event visibility in the market so that it not only becomes valuable but can also reach a wider audience.

Pros of Using Cvent

• • End-to-end Event Marketing and Management: The platform offers marketing tools for automated marketing features, event registration systems, engagement solutions and reporting functions. Organizers can create experiences from the registration page to post-session feedback.
  • Comprehensive CRM Integration: Cvent integrates with leading CRM and sales solutions to fill the gap between events and sales and help in automated marketing systems.
  • Mobile Application: Participants are able to take advantage of personalized agendas, networking opportunities, recommendations via AI, chat functionality, and live updates via the Cvent mobile app. 

Cons of Using Cvent

• • Pricing Can Be Complex and High: The pricing model by Cvent involves license fees and fees per registrant, which makes the costing complicated, particularly when dealing with smaller organizations or events that experience various numbers of registrants.
  • Learning Curve for New Users: It can be difficult to learn all the features of the platform in one go. The teams that lack technical knowledge may take some time to use all the benefits effectively.
  • Less Transparent Public Pricing: Cvent provides customized pricing that caters to the needs of the event. The users might have to request a personalized quote before fully committing to it. 

3. Bizzabo

Bizzabo is an enterprise experience OS that integrates with registration and networking. The tool is suitable for medium to large-sized teams for organizing offline, online, combined, and webinar events using an all-in-one platform. The software gives particular importance to networking by providing tools such as AI-driven matching along with real-time interaction.

Pros of Using Bizzabo

• • All-in-one Event Experience Management: The platform provides registration services, website design, mobile application, and lead generation. Bizzabo makes it easy for teams to increase their engagement levels during events with the help of these and its other features.
  • Powerful CRM Integrations: The native connections with platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and marketing automation systems enable the organizers to link their events to other business processes at a smart level of follow-ups and ROI analysis. 
  • Professional Services Support: They also have solutions related to the implementation of events, creativity, and hardware for events held in their premises. 

Cons of Using Bizzabo

• • Cost Structure Begins high: Bizzabo’s pricing is comparatively higher, with a mandatory minimum user number that could be cost-effective for small teams and may not be suitable for infrequent event organizers.
  • Complex Customization: Although the platform is functional, the customization tools may need learning or tutorials on how to use them to their full potential. 
  • Focused on Medium to Large Events – In cases of smaller meetings that have simpler requirements, the Bizzabo platform may offer more functionality than is necessarily required.

4. Hubilo

The primary area of interest of Hubilo is engagement and interaction related to webinars, virtual events, and hybrid events. The tools and functionalities of this platform include branded registration pages, email workflow automation, attendee engagement features like polls, quizzes, leaderboards, and real-time behavior analysis. The tools of this platform are also connected with the chief marketing and CRM tools of each organization in order to track the activities of the target audience.

Pros of Using Hubilo

• • Customer Engagement Tools: Hubilo provides various engagement activities like polls, quizzes, and leaderboards, which make it engaging for the audience, particularly in the online environment.
  • CRM and Marketing Integration- The platform can synchronize data in real-time with systems like HubSpot or Salesforce. This helps marketers collect behavioral data, which gives insights to guide further follow-through actions. 
  • Scalable Plans- Hubilo provides scalable plans, from webinar solutions to the event management solution, based on the frequency and engagement required.

Cons of Using Hubilo

• • Pricing is Less Transparent- Although prices are available for webinars, detailed hybrid meeting packages have to be inquired about from sales staff for exact prices.
  • Initially Built for Webinars:- Hubilo was originally created as a webinar platform, and although it allows for large events, its webinar might pose challenges for complex offline event management. 
  • Need for Complimentary CRM Tools:- Since Hubilo emphasizes integration rather than deep native CRM tools, some teams may need complementary software to handle CRM workflows fully.

5. Eventbrite

Eventbrite is one of the most popular event registration, ticketing, and marketing tools available in the market. The tool gives organizers access to event page setups, ticketing, event management, and utilization of other marketing tools, such as email marketing or social ads. It has access to a massive market with millions of potential event-goers, which makes it perfect for public events, community events, and workshops. 

Pros of Using Eventbrite

• • Events Are Free, with No Upfront Cost: If the event is free, listing and management can be done for free, which allows all organizers to reach out to wide audiences at no expense.
  • Huge Marketplace Exposure: The Eventbrite discovery network brings events to light for millions of users who are looking for activities, and millions of people who can provide an innate marketing advantage for public events. 
  • Easy Setup and Mobile Utilities: Events and ticket sales are intuitively created, with support for mobile check-in, real-time dashboards, and secure payment to make logistics simpler.

Cons of Using Eventbrite

• Fees on Paid Events: Eventbrite charges the organizers of the events a combination of fees referred to as service fees and payment processing fees, which are associated with the cost of purchasing the tickets.
• Limited CRM Depth: In terms of CRM functionality, Eventbrite’s capabilities are not as developed as systems that involve profound audience analysis and subsequent activities. 
• Support Can Be Basic: Smaller organizers may also find the customer service a self-serve focus and may need sales engagement for higher levels of service.

Comparison of The Five Platforms

Evaluation Criteria	Dryfta	Cvent	Bizzabo	Hubilo	Eventbrite
Primary Use	Complex academic, research and professional events	Enterprise-level corporate and large-scale events	Medium to large brand-driven B2B events	Webinars, virtual, and hybrid engagement-focused events	Public, community, and ticketed events
Event CRM Depth	Advanced CRM with full tracking	Strong CRM with deep enterprise integrations	CRM is enabled through integrations	CRM via integrations	Basic contact and attendee management
Engagement and Networking	Matchmaking, live chat, push notifications, event app	Mobile app. AI recommendations, live engagement	AI-driven networking and live interaction	Public quizzes, leaderboards	Basic attendee communication tools
Hybrid and Virtual Event Support	Strong support for hybrid and virtual events	Advanced hybrid and virtual event capabilities	Full support across all formats of events	Strong virtual and hybrid focus	Good focus for virtual event tools
Customization facilities	High customization	Highly scalable for enterprise programs	Scalable for growing organizations	Scalable but with tiered plans	Limited customization for complex needs
Pricing
Best Suited For	Universities, associations, and research conferences	Large enterprises and global organizations	Marketing-driven events	Engagement-heavy virtual and hybrid events	Public-facing and community events

Wrapping Up

Choosing the appropriate event CRM solution in 2026 is based on what you do, or rather, how you organize and grow your events. Each event CRM solution reviewed above has a unique way of dealing with registrations, attendees, and post-event analysis. You must select a solution that is relevant to your events and their goals, and that also aligns with your growth plan and strategy.

In recent years, and especially post-pandemic, there has been a major evolution in organizing events, whether physically, virtually, or a combination of both. It is important to have a CRM solution that unifies them all and enables you to have complete control and provide better outcomes. If you are interested in an event CRM that offers you registrations, interaction, data management, and more, sign up for a free demo of Dryfta today.