5 Best Event Planning Software Platforms To Use In 2025

Planning an event in 2025 comes with a long to-do list: building schedules, managing speakers, tracking attendance, and delivering a memorable experience. 

Event planning software helps make the job easier. But too many of them feel bloated, confusing, or come with pricing that’s impossible to find without booking a demo.

This blog breaks down five of the best event planning platforms to consider in 2025 based on usability, features, and value for organizers. We’ll cover:

• Sched: Best for K-12 school events and healthcare CME training and corporate learning and development
• Whova: Good for audience engagement and in-app networking
• Cvent: Enterprise-level solution with broad customization
• Eventbrite: Great for ticketing and public events
• Bizzabo: Solid option for hybrid and large-scale experiences 

What To Look For In Event Planning Software

Before you pick event planning software, make sure it covers the basics, such as scheduling, communication, and attendee support. 

1. Simple Scheduling and Agenda Tools

The most important job of any event software is to help you build and adjust your schedule quickly. Look for tools that let you create multi-track agendas, add speakers and descriptions, and make last-minute updates. Bonus if attendees can filter the schedule by interest or role.

2. Attendee Access That Works on Any Device

Attendees should be able to view and interact with your event from a classroom, conference room, or laptop at home. Reliable web and mobile access (especially through a branded app) helps participants stay informed and engaged.

3. Built-in Communication Tools

You shouldn’t have to use another platform just to send updates. Look for tools that let you share schedule changes, speaker updates, or reminders in real time. A great platform keeps attendees engaged with interactive features like live Q&A, session feedback, and built-in messaging for easy networking.

4. Easy Speaker and Session Management

If you’re managing a Call for Papers or an internal speaker signup, you’ll want a system that tracks proposals, session drafts, and approvals in one place.

5. Check-In and Attendance Tools

For both virtual and in-person events, you need to know who actually shows up. Look for real-time check-in dashboards and QR code options.

6. Post-Event Data

To evaluate what worked, you need clear insights that help make next events better. Choose software that tracks attendance, session popularity, and engagemen, ideally accessible while the event is still happening. 

7. Customization & Branding

Your event should feel like your own. The right software lets you customize event pages, personalize attendee experiences, and showcase your branding.Now let’s explore the top 5 event planning software platforms in 2025 and what makes them stand out.

The 5 Best Event Planning Software Platforms In 2025

1. Sched – The Best Event Software For K-12 School Events & Professional Development Events

Common Challenges: 

Schools and districts often struggle with organizing school events and professional development (PD) days, coordinating sessions, tracking attendance, and keeping educators engaged. At the same time, they have to make sure training is always relevant and accessible.

Why Teams Choose Sched:

• Gives attendees clear, personalized schedules without tech barriers.
• Replaces scattered spreadsheets with a simple, all-in-one dashboard.
• Tracks attendance and engagement in real time.
• Call for Papers is built in, so you can manage speaker submissions from the same place.
• Lets you run fully branded events on a budget (with discounts up to 20% for schools).

That’s exactly why Chicago Public Schools, LAUSD, and other K-12 schools rely on Sched to manage their events. As Craig Lawson, Director of Digital Learning and Media at Pender County Schools puts it:

“I love the ability to filter by type of PD, see what’s available, and look at the calendar. It makes everything simple. I think it’s the closest to a tool that could be the ONE tool for professional development.” 

2. Whova – Best For Corporate Events, Conferences & Trade Shows

Common Challenges: 

Corporate event planners arrange multiple sessions, exhibitor booths, and networking opportunities. It becomes difficult to keep everything organized and maximize attendee engagement.

Why Teams Use Whova:

• Offers in-app networking and gamification to increase participation.
• Built-in sponsor lead capture tools help track exhibitor ROI.
• Supports hybrid delivery with streaming and session recordings.

Compare Sched vs Whova. 

3. Cvent – Best For Enterprise Event Management & Venue Sourcing

Common Challenges: 

It’s hard to coordinate large, complex events across multiple locations. Large organizations need to find and book the right venues to accommodate their sponsors, vendors, and attendees. At the same time, they need to manage event budgets, sponsorships, and exhibitor ROI.

Why Teams Use Cvent:

• Includes hotel booking, vendor management, and a venue sourcing marketplace.
• Tracks detailed budget data and sponsor performance.
• Offers end-to-end support for large-scale corporate events.

Thinking about Cvent for your events? See how it compares to Sched and which one fits your needs best.

4. Eventbrite – Best For Ticketed Events and Festivals

Common Challenges: 

Selling tickets, managing registrations, and promoting events can quickly become overwhelming without the right tools. With so many events competing for attention, standing out and driving attendance requires a strong marketing and ticketing strategy. On top of that, organizers need an effective way to handle payments, refunds, and check-ins without creating unnecessary friction for attendees.

Why Teams Use Eventbrite:

• Built-in payment and refund tools make registration smooth.
• Supports promo codes, discounts, and mobile ticketing.
• Works well for one-off concerts, festivals, or fundraisers.

Did you know you can connect Eventbrite with Sched? Find out how. 

5. Bizzabo – Best for High-Budget Hybrid Experiences

Common Challenges: 

Managing both in-person and remote attendees in a single platform has become increasingly challenging. Many event organizers struggle to create engaging experiences that keep virtual participants involved beyond just watching a live stream. Virtual events can easily feel lacking in connection for many.

Why Teams Use Bizzabo:

• Combines livestreaming, breakout rooms, and AI-powered networking.
• Offers customizable branding and session-level analytics.
• Ideal for high-end marketing or customer experience events.

Compare Sched vs. Bizzabo. 

Which Event Planning Software Fits Your Team?

Every event is different, and so are the tools needed to manage them. The key is finding a tool that fits your specific needs and makes planning easier.

This chart breaks down what each tool does best, and where it may fall short.

Event Planning Software Comparison Chart

Best For	K-12 School Events & Professional Development	Corporate Events, Conferences & Trade Shows	Enterprise Event Management & Venue Sourcing	Ticketed Events & Festivals	Hybrid & Online Events
Ease of Use	Very user-friendly, perfect for non-tech users	Moderately easy, but requires setup	Complex interface, requires training	Very easy to use, minimal setup **integrates with Sched!	Requires training, more complex setup
Registration & Ticketing	Simple attendee registration & schedule personalization	Event registration & ticketing with built-in payments	Advanced registration & ticketing with payment processing	Seamless ticketing & payment processing	Online registration with hybrid event options
Agenda & Session Management	Centralized scheduling with session filtering	Multi-track agenda with interactive features	Robust agenda & session management for large events	Limited agenda management features	Supports hybrid event agendas & speaker scheduling
Attendee Check-in	QR code-based check-ins, customizable badge printing & attendance tracking	Check-in with QR codes & badge printing	Check-in tools & badge printing	Barcode-based attendee check-in	Virtual & in-person check-in with badge printing
Speaker & Content Management	Call for Papers feature for easy speaker submissions	Speaker profiles & session management	Speaker content management & session assignments	No dedicated speaker management tools	Speaker content management for hybrid events
Custom Branding	Custom event website, mobile app, and branded badges	Branded event pages & app customization	White-labeled event branding options	Basic branding customization for event pages	Custom branding & white-labeling options
Networking & Engagement	QR codes for instant networking & personalized schedules	Virtual networking, attendee matchmaking, and community boards	AI-powered networking & exhibitor management	Minimal networking features available	Strong virtual networking & AI matchmaking capabilities
Reporting & Analytics	Detailed, real-time insights into attendance & engagement	Engagement tools like live polls, Q&A, and gamification	Advanced event analytics & lead capture	Basic reporting & sales tracking	Deep analytics for in-person & online engagement
Mobile App	Fully customizable no-code mobile app on App Store & Google Play	Integrated reporting tools and post-event reports	Custom mobile apps for enterprise clients	Mobile ticketing & attendee management app	Hybrid event mobile & desktop experiences
Customer Support	Fast, responsive support team with maximum 24-hour response time	Reliable support but slower response time	Enterprise-level support, slower response times	Basic customer support, varies by plan	Higher-tier plans offer dedicated customer support

Don’t Let Event Planning Burn You Out. Try Sched for Free

Most event tools pile on features that sound impressive but you’ll probably never use. Sched is built for organizers who want a tool that works the way they do: with clarity and control. It lets you focus on running a great event rather than figuring out how to navigate the platform. 

As Dr. Travis Brandy, President of COBA says: 

“Sched has transformed the way we plan. It’s a tool that every organization should consider.”

Start using Sched for free today and see how easy event planning can be.