The best event registration software depends on your event’s size, format, and operational needs. This 2026 blog compares 10 leading tools, including Cvent, Splash, Google Forms, WildApricot, and Brushfire, across features like ticketing, CRM integrations, automation, branding, and reporting. It shows how the right platform can reduce manual work, improve the attendee experience, and turn registration data into more useful post-event insights.
Event registration is where interest turns into commitment. If the process feels difficult, people drop off before the event even begins.
The right registration software handles signups, payments, confirmations, and check-ins without adding extra work to your team. The wrong one creates more work than it removes.
This guide compares seven widely used tools, including enterprise platforms like Cvent and simpler options like Google Forms, so that you can match the platform to the actual complexity of your event.
10 Best Online Event Registration Software Options for 2026
1. Cvent
Cvent’s registration software is built for events of all sizes and complexity. Cvent supports branded registration websites, agenda management, payment services, marketing campaigns, tracking and reporting, AI-assisted content creation through CventIQ, and integrations with major CRM and automation platforms. The platform covers the full registration journey, from event page creation and promotion to data analysis and lead capture, within one system.
Key registration features:
- Drag-and-drop event website builder with real-time design controls
- AI-powered content creation via CventIQ
- CRM integrations including Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle Eloqua, SugarCRM, Veeva, Oracle NetSuite, and Salesforce Pardot
- Custom registration sites and forms with drag-and-drop design, brand styling, templates, and embeddable registration forms.
- Dynamic registration flows such as registration paths, multi-page forms, conditional logic, and targeted content based on attendee type or segment.
- Security and access controls, including password-protected/private registration, email-domain restrictions, and SSO for attendees in some packages.
- Registration management features include importing registrations, group/guest/admin registration, modifications/cancellations, substitutions, and approvals.
- Capacity and waitlist controls for events and sessions, plus session visibility control.
- Payments and monetization support, including secure payment processing and features like early-bird pricing.
- Marketing and conversion tools tied to registration, such as email campaigns, reminder emails, abandoned-registration retargeting, personalized links, and pre-populated forms.
- Tracking and reporting to monitor registration counts and measure event ROI.
2. Splash
Splash helps marketing and GTM teams create higher-converting event landing pages and emails without relying on developers. This is one of the best event management registration software solutions that supports in-person, virtual, hybrid, and on-demand formats, with tools to manage invites, guest lists, ticketing, reporting, and revenue tracking in one place. It emphasizes brand control, CRM connectivity, and performance measurement so event data can feed directly into broader pipeline reporting.
Key features:
- Branded registration experiences with themes/templates, custom pages, no-code design tools, a Brand Library, and a Form Library to standardize registration data capture.
- Registration flexibility, including conditional logic, single-page registration, registration paths, attendee tags/reg types, sessions, and custom contact fields.
- Security and access controls such as email-domain blocking, private registration, and attendee SSO.
Invite and promotion tools, including multiple invitation lists, custom emails, audience segments, calendar holds, tracking links/reference IDs, and event hub/calendar visibility. - Registration operations such as registration imports, waitlists, terms and conditions, cancellation/regret surveys, and guest registration support (up to 10 guests per attendee).
- Ticketing and paid events support, with Splash offering RSVP or ticketed options and payment processing through Stripe.
- On-site registration tools via the Splash Host app, including check-in, walk-in registration, QR scanning, badge printing, session check-in, and kiosk mode.
- Reporting and integrations with built-in reporting plus native integrations to Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot, Zapier, webhooks, and APIs.
3. MakePlans
MakePlans is a scheduling and booking system for appointments, classes, and time-based event signups. It provides a branded online booking site that lets registrants select services and available time slots, and receive confirmations and time-based attendee notifications. The platform focuses on reducing manual coordination by centralizing bookings in a real-time calendar while offering payment processing, customer communication controls, and integrations with external tools.
Key features:
- Branded online booking site (embeddable in any CMS)
- Appointment, class, and event scheduling
- Real-time dynamic calendar for staff
- Custom availability and recurring bookings
- Confirmation emails and SMS reminders
- Calendar invites for participants
- Booking verification
- Credit card payment support
- Customizable communication (texts, sender name, subject)
- Custom fields and display settings
- Basic CRM for managing customer data
- Reports and performance statistics
- Multiple users at no extra charge
- 20+ native integrations
- Data ownership retained by the customer
4. Google Forms
Google Forms is a free form builder that can be used to collect event registrations. It allows organizers to create custom forms, customize them, gather attendee information, and automatically store responses in Google Sheets for tracking and export. Forms can be shared via link or embedded on a website, making setup straightforward even for non-technical teams.
Google Forms works well for simple sign-ups where you only need to capture information and monitor responses in one place. For small workshops, internal meetings, or community events without ticketing requirements, it provides a practical way to manage registrations without additional software.
Key features:
- Free to use with a Google account
- Customizable registration forms
- Multiple question types (short answer, multiple choice, checkboxes, etc.)
- Automatic response collection in Google Sheets
- Shareable form link
- Basic theme customization
- Email notifications for new responses
- File upload option (within Google Workspace accounts)
- Works on desktop and mobile
5. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams includes event registration features for webinars and virtual meetings. It is particularly useful for organizations already using Microsoft 365. You can create a registration page, collect attendee information, send confirmation emails, and manage attendance within the same ecosystem your team already works in. Because it connects directly with Outlook and other Microsoft tools, scheduling and calendar coordination are straightforward.
Microsoft Teams works best for internal events, training sessions, and company-hosted webinars where branding flexibility and advanced ticketing are not required.
Key features:
- Webinar and event registration pages
- Attendee data collection
- Automated confirmation emails
- Attendance tracking and reporting
- Integration with Outlook and Microsoft 365 tools
- Supports virtual and hybrid formats
- Built-in meeting and webinar hosting
6. SignUpGenius
SignUpGenius is built around organizing people rather than managing complex event programs. It combines sign-ups, ticketing, auctions, and donation collection into a single platform, making it especially useful for schools, nonprofits, churches, and community groups. The focus of SignUpGenius is simplicity. You can create a sign-up page, share it, and track participation without needing technical setup. Free options are available, and no credit card is required to get started.
Key features:
- Online sign-up pages for volunteers, events, and activities
- Ticket sales with RSVP tracking
- Virtual auction functionality
- Customizable donation and fundraising pages
- Free plan available
- No credit card required to start
7. Grasshopper Signup
Grasshopper Signup is a lightweight sign-up tool focused on speed and ease of use. It allows organizers to create forms quickly with an AI assistant, with no account required to get started. The platform is ad-free, which removes unnecessary friction for participants. Grasshopper Signup also offers a one-click sign-up experience and automatic calendar integration. It allows for easy signup sheets rather than complex event management.
Key features:
- AI-powered event registration form creation
- No login required for creators or participants
- 100% ad-free experience
- Mobile-responsive design
- One-click signup process
- Automatic calendar integration
- Email notifications
- Automatic reminders for time-based slots
- Custom branding options
- Response tracking
- Public response sharing
- Quick form setup
8. DoodleSign-up Sheets
Doodle’s Sign-up Sheets are used by event planners to organize online and in-person sessions without requiring participants to create an account. Planners can create an event, share the link, and allow attendees to select available sessions. The tool supports attendee limits per session, automated reminders, time zone handling for remote events, and participant list exports. It is built for smooth event coordination rather than complex registration workflows.
Key features:
- No account required for participant registration
- Shareable sign-up sheet link
- Set attendee limits per session
- Time zone support for remote events
- Export participant lists
- Option to delete sign-up sheets
- Collect additional participant information
- Custom URL creation
9. WildApricot
WildApricot combines membership management and event registration for nonprofits, associations, chambers, and clubs that need to manage members and events in a single system. It combines a member database, event registration, email communication tools, website builder, and payment processing into a single cloud platform. WildApricot focuses on automation to reduce manual work around renewals, registrations, and payments while keeping member data centralized.
Key features:
- Online member database with segmentation and filters
- Automated membership renewals and recurring payments
- Event registration and customizable event pages
- Online payment processing and invoicing
- Email tools with templates and scheduling
- Contact list management and basic CRM functionality
- Drag-and-drop website builder (no coding required)
- Member directory and personalized member portals
- Mobile app for admins and members
- Online store for tickets and merchandise
- Integrations (including API support and 1,600+ app connections)
- Single sign-on options
- Secure payment processing
- 60-day free trial (no credit card required)
10. Brushfire
Brushfire focuses on ticketing and registration for events that sell tickets online and on-site. It supports customizable event pages, conditional registration forms, unlimited ticket types, assigned seating, timed entry, and virtual events. The platform also includes event apps, reporting tools, and optional on-site support services. Pricing is structured per ticket, with no startup costs or annual fees.
Key features:
- Customizable event pages
- Conditional registration forms
- Unlimited ticket types
- Assigned seating
- Timed entry and daily ticketing
- Online and in-person ticket sales
- Per-ticket pricing: $1.50 + 1%
- Option to pass on, absorb, or customize fees
- No startup costs or annual fees
- Virtual event hosting (live and on-demand)
- Event app (schedules, push notifications, ticket wallet, chat)
- Email scheduling and attendee communication tools
- Reporting and attendee tracking
- On-site check-in scanning and badge printing support
- Optional dedicated sales and support line ($1.00 per attendee add-on)
Conclusion
Event registration software only works when it reflects how your events operate. A membership organization running recurring programs has very different operational needs than a nonprofit coordinating volunteers. Both look nothing like a ticketed festival or a multi-day enterprise conference. When teams ignore that difference, they either end up paying for features they never use or compensating with manual work.
Live events are not going away. If 8 out of 10 attendees prefer in-person experiences, the registration step becomes the first operational signal of how well the event is run. Attendees don’t see your backend systems, but they feel friction immediately when something doesn’t work.
The goal isn’t to buy the most feature-rich platform. It’s to reduce manual steps, eliminate rework, lower errors, and make data usable after the event ends. When software fits, it fades into the background. When it doesn’t, your team and attendees feel it.
Up next, learn how to build an event website.
FAQs
Event registration costs vary depending on the platform and how your event is structured.
At the simplest level, tools like Google Forms are free but don’t include ticketing or automation. Platforms such as SignUpGenius and Jotform offer free tiers with usage limits. Ticketing-focused tools like Brushfire typically charge per ticket, either a flat fee or a percentage, or both.
More comprehensive platforms, such as Cvent, are usually quote-based.
Beyond the platform fee, you should factor in payment processing charges (typically 2–3% per transaction), potential add-ons, and the time spent managing the system internally. A lower monthly fee or no fee at all doesn’t help if your team spends hours reconciling payments and exporting data after every event.
To choose the best event registration and ticketing software, start with your event's structure, not the feature list. If you are selling tickets and need built-in payments, a ticketing platform is the right fit. If you manage members year-round, a membership system with built-in event registration may make more sense. If your events are internal webinars, tools already included in your software stack might be sufficient.
Ask yourself:
- What is the size of the event: is it virtual, hybrid, in-person, a large conference, or a micro event?
- How complex is the registration flow?
- Do you need ticketing and payment collection?
- Does attendee data need to sync with a CRM like Salesforce or HubSpot?
- How many events do you run per year?
- How much configuration can your team realistically manage?
The right platform is usually the one that fits your current operational reality. Overly complex systems add unwanted steps. Underpowered tools create manual work. The goal should be alignment, and not feature volume only.
