5 Best Event Networking Tools Compared in 2026

Events not only build an organization’s reputation but also unite people. Whether it’s a world conference, college seminar, business meeting, or a trade fair, the main worth of these events is decided after the presentations and sessions. Attendees come to events to relate, brainstorm, and lay down foundations for future cooperation.

As events have become more extensive and complicated, it is no longer feasible to depend on normal meetings or manual coordination. Hence, there has been a surge in the popularity of event networking tools that allow event guests to identify who might be of more use to them, arrange productive face-to-face meetings, and engage at the right time with the right groups. Whether the events are purely in-person, virtual, or hybrid, networking technology has been embedded in the fabric of the contemporary event experience. 

1. Dryfta

Dryfta offers much more than a networking tool. It is a sophisticated event platform that is designed to support the entire lifecycle of an event, enterprise and professional gatherings. The event tool manages event registration and ticketing systems, collects data of the attendees for the ease of organizers, provides the users with engagement tools to keep the networking ongoing and provides high-quality marketing tools.

The abstract management system makes the collection and review process easy. And its personalized event app keeps all the data and user facilities in one place without the need to constantly log into the website. 

Top 3 Features

• • Community Networking Platform: The users can build agendas, send private messages and have personal meetings with other participants using the app. This also helps them keep all their data, personal schedules and event information in one place.

• • Personalized Attendee Experience: Attendees are allowed to create their personal profiles and set reminders for sessions. They can also receive updates on their submissions and view their status. 

• • Mobile Event App with Messaging: The mobile event app lets users join topic-focused conversations, build agendas,  and post questions for their queries. This keeps them connected to the event and gives them a sense of purpose. 

2. Brella

Brella is a networking platform that is designed mainly for business and professional events. It primarily focuses on helping the attendees connect with the right people based on their shared goals and interests. Organizers can use the event tool when the goal of their event depends on partnerships or deal-making. The platforms also help in event setups and add a structured networking layer that encourages prescheduled meetings and purposeful engagement. This works best with conferences and summits where the attendees expect networking with clear value and outcomes. 

Top 3 Features

• • AI-driven Matchmaking: Attendees can provide their interests and goals, and depending on that information, Brella matches them with other participants who share similar interests.

• • Meeting Scheduler and Contacts: Users can book personal or group meetings directly, manage their schedules and store attendee contact information within the application. 

• • Integrated Networking and Engagement: The tool offers live chat options, real-time notifications and customizable event branding that makes the experience more lively. 

3. Whova

Whova has a balanced approach towards event networking, and it combines community interaction with practical event management tools. It focuses mainly on making the attendee engagement feel natural with the help of its discussion boards, shared interests and easy communication tools. It emphasizes participation and visibility, which allows the attendees to connect with people of similar interests.

Organizers can use the event tool for its simplicity and easy application. It is especially useful for conferences, workshops, and association events where interaction plays a central role. 

Top 3 Features

• • Smart Attendee Matchmaking: To make sure that meetings are meaningful and productive, Whova finds people who have things in common, such as interests, roles, and affiliations.
  • Community Boards and Messaging: People can participate in conversations on different topics and share their thoughts even before the event starts. This way, they get more involved and are also better prepared to network in person.
  • Effortless Contact Exchange: Scanning QR codes and effortlessly exporting contacts can help to lower the barriers, and thus, it is almost certain that each connection is kept and well-ordered.

4. Bizzabo

Bizzabo is mainly for large-scale enterprise-level events and works on data-driven engagement. It integrates closely with event marketing, registration, and analytics to make the experience more fulfilling. The platform supports proper interactions and gives organizers insights into the attendee behavior and engagement patterns. This helps them understand the needs of the attendees properly and make the experience more catered to their needs. The tool is suitable for events where networking is tied directly to performance metrics, sponsorships hold much value and are business-oriented. 

Top 3 Features

• • AI Matchmaking Engine: The platform uses attendees’ interests and behavior as input to suggest potential connections; thus, it helps attendees to find value faster.
  • Enhanced Profiles and Conversations: Attendees can check in, create in-depth profiles and start chatting or set up a meeting request straight away.
  • Mobile Networking On Every Device: Regardless of the operating system, iOS or Android, attendees can stay in touch, check out the suggestions, and take advantage of the networking options even if they are on the move.

5. Grip

Grip focuses on intelligent networking for exhibitions, trade shows, and sponsor-led events. This tool places emphasis on connecting the attendees with exhibitors and partners based on their relevance and intent. The platform supports events where networking becomes a source for future leads and meetings.

The organizers who want to offer value to sponsors while maintaining a structured networking experience for attendees usually go for this software tool. Its approach suits a business environment where business discovery, product exposure and follow-up conversations define the success of the event. 

Top 3 Features

• • AI-Powered Matchmaking and Lead Prioritization: The platform seamlessly matches attendees with exhibitors based on shared interests and engagement data, resulting in higher-quality meetings.
  • Exhibitor Focused Analytics: Exhibitors are able to clearly measure their ROI through detailed reports on meetings, visitor interactions, and contacts.
  • Scalable Networking Suite: Grip is capable of scaling up or down networking and scheduling features for various event sizes, from huge worldwide expos to small industry trade events.

Detailed Comparison

Tool	Best Suited For	Strength
Dryfta	Hybrid and research-oriented events	All-in-one event management with high-quality networking
Brella	B2B networking events	AI matchmaking and meeting scheduling
Whova	Community and mid-size events	Simple matchmaking and QR contact exchange
Bizzabo	Enterprise events	Intelligent matchmaking and real-time analytics
Grip	Trade shows and sponsor events	Exhibitor networking and lead insights

Dryfta is an all-in-one event platform that integrates networking tightly with registration, abstract submissions, and engagement features. Its networking tool is considered one of the best in the event management space.

Brella and Grip mainly concentrate on AI-powered matchmaking; Brella is effective for B2B meetings, and Grip focuses more on helping exhibitors and sponsors to connect. On the other hand, Whova emphasizes community with very easy matchmaking and discussion boards, whereas Bizzabo is more for big enterprises with data-driven networking and high-level analytics. 

Organizers looking for a suitable platform can choose from these 5 platforms based on their specific requirements and event type.

Parting Thoughts

Networking at events has become one of the major ways through which modern-day events gain and justify their value. In addition to the sessions and speakers, the attendees also want to be able to meet and connect with the folks who share the same interests, goals, and challenges as them. The right networking solution can significantly influence the mood of these meetings, determine the level of engagement, and ultimately, it may even be a major factor in an event being recalled long after it has ended. Request your free demo from Dryfta today and see how our solutions help you network in a smarter way.