These days online registration systems are more accessible and easy to buy than ever. Over the past few months we have reviewed 8 online registration systems that allow you to sign-up and get started with your event registration right away.
All of these systems provide a risk-free way to try out their software by providing a free trial account that you can test-drive instantly, without every having to talk to a sales-rep. For the most part, they are all friendly and easy to use. They share the Web 2.0 look, with big buttons, simple to use interfaces and clear instructions.
While each system has different strengths, they all share fairly simple functionality, especially on the back-end for administration. Most of these systems do not have the kind of administration and reporting that you would need for a multi-day conference or trade show. The exception to this is Regonline, which while more expensive and complicated to use, does have the kind of functionality you would need for a conference.
Recent Reviews
Click on the links for the full review of each system.
A La Reg The perfect little package for a small event with a limited budget. Includes a flexible registration form, some social media integration and a nice invitation and emailing package.
Eventbrite An easy to use, attractive and convenient registration service with great add-ons including social media integration and mobile apps. Highly recommended for any type of one-day event.
Event Elephant Online registration plus an event website component. This software is recommended for events such as festivals and fundraisers where a great website could make all the difference and where the online registration requirements are relatively simple. Event Elephant, based in Ireland, is the only system reviewed here from outside of North America.
EventMethod Offers online registration, budgeting, scheduling and marketing in one friendly, easy to use package. The online registration component is fairly basic. Note, however, that since this blog post Eventmethod have added nice new features including promotional codes and Salesforce integration.
Picatic Picatic ‘Crowdfunding for events’ system is the love-child of online registration and crowdfunding. The system is simple to use and is a good choice if you are organizing an event and you’re unsure about ticket sales.
Planana A basic, easy to use tool with the unique ability to create rewards for sharing your event of Facebook, Twitter and E-mail. Recommended for smaller shows, workshops, concerts or parties catering to a younger or social media savvy crowd.
RegOnline If you are organizing a conference with moderate to complicated registration requirements and you want to get started right away then Regonline is hard to beat for functionality and flexibility. However, it is also more pricey and complicated to use.
Ticketleap Focuses on live entertainment events that need to sell tickets, provide seating and want to leverage their social media outreach. Update: Since this blog post Ticketleap have simplified their check-out process.
Price Comparison
Most companies charge on some kind of per ticket + percentage system. This can make it time consuming to do a like-for-like price comparison. This pricing grid should make it a easier for you. Note that some systems (e.g. A la Reg and EventMethod) also include a monthly fee not reflected in this chart and you should check the company websites for the latest fees and details).
