For nonprofits, events are a crucial aspect of operations. Whether it’s fundraising galas, educational webinars, or annual conferences, selecting the right event management tool is essential.
Plugins vs. Apps
With dozens of great event management products available, finding the best fit for your nonprofit can be challenging. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve categorized the solutions we’ll review into two main types:
WordPress Plugins: These plugins are designed specifically for WordPress websites. All event setup and attendee management happens within your website’s backend. We’ll be reviewing these WordPress plugins:
- The Events Calendar Pro
- WP Events Manager Pro
- Eventin
- EventOn
Standalone Web Apps: These are external platforms that work with any website. Event setup and management occur through dedicated portals on external URLs. The standalone apps we’ll review are:
- RSVPify
- EventBrite
- EventZilla
Why consider both? Nonprofits often face the choice between integrating a WordPress plugin or using an external tool. Each option has its advantages and drawbacks, so we’ll explore both to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Understanding the Tradeoffs
When deciding between WordPress plugins and external tools, it’s crucial to weigh the following factors:
- Control: WordPress plugins generally offer more control out of the box, and developers can further extend their functionality with some coding knowledge.
- Cost: WordPress plugins often have a one-time or annual fee, which can be significantly cheaper than the monthly subscriptions of external tools.
- Ease of Use: External tools typically have fewer options and a more streamlined setup process, making them easier to use for those without technical expertise.
Our Review Process
To thoroughly evaluate each option, we went beyond simply browsing websites or reading online reviews. We created a fictional event, the “CharityWeb Summit,” and used it as a testing ground for each of the seven tools. This hands-on approach allowed us to experience the entire process, from sign-up to attendee check-in.
Key Evaluation Criteria
We organized our review around the following key areas:
- Purchase & Onboarding
- First Event Setup
- Attendee Registration
- Event Management
- Virtual Event Setup
- Overall Design Quality
- Final Costs
By focusing on these aspects, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of each tool’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you select the best event calendar solution for your nonprofit’s website.
WordPress Plugins
#1 The Event Calendar Pro
Purchase & Setup
The process is straightforward: purchase the plugin(s) on the website, download them, and upload them to your WordPress site. We started with the “Starter Bundle” (calendar and ticketing), and later added the “Virtual Events” plugin.
You can check out the bundle we reviewed here.
First Event Setup
Adding an event is easy, with all details configurable on a single screen. The plugin automatically creates a well-designed “Events” page on your site. For paid events, connecting a payment processor (Stripe or PayPal) is simple.
Attendee Registration Experience
Registering for paid events is user-friendly, and the confirmation emails and ticket details are clear and visually appealing. QR codes are provided for easy check-in.
Event Management Experience
From the organizer’s perspective, it’s easy to log-in to the website and view registered attendees for your event & with the attendee check-in app, you can easily scan QR codes at the door!
Virtual Event Experience
Setting up virtual events in The Events Calendar Pro is straightforward. After licensing the add-on for an additional $69, you have the option to connect either Google Meet of Zoom as your video platform of choice.
Then, when setting up a new event, you have the option to select “Virtual Event” from the backend. Then, you can easily create a meeting link that automatically gets added to your calendar.
Once visitors RSVP for the event, they’ll get an email notification that includes the link to join the virtual event.
Overall Design Quality
The Events Calendar Pro boasts a modern and high-quality user interface for most touchpoints. However, the default event page design is lackluster, and customization options for calendar views are limited without custom coding.
Integration
Native integrations with other nonprofit systems (email marketing, CRMs) are lacking. While third-party plugins like WP Fusion can bridge the gap, they add complexity and potential costs.
Screenshots
Default event page design
Virtual event ticket to attendees
Setting up a virtual event
Checking-in attendees from organizer app
Emailed ticket with QR code
Cost
We licensed the Events Calendar Pro + Events Tickets Pro Bundle ($179/year) and Virtual Events ($69/year), totaling $248/year. Additional fees apply for using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- Ticket purchasing and event registration user experience
- Attendee check-in and event management experience
- Features and add-on availability
- Virtual event setup
What we disliked
- Lack of native integrations
- Out-of-the-box event page design
#2 WP Events Manager Pro
Purchase & Setup
WP Event Manager has four different package options that can be confusing to understand. We selected the “Virtual Event Manager Pro” package, which includes all the standard event calendar and registration plugins plus the ability to host virtual events.
The setup requires installing many individual plugins to access its full functionality. This is overwhelming and could potentially slow down your website. We installed only the core plugins to test basic functionality.
First Event Setup
Adding your first event is simple and uses a standard WordPress post editing interface. For ticketed events, the interface lets you add paid, free, or donation tickets. WP Event Manager uses WooCommerce to manage transactions, so you’ll need to set up a payment processor there.
Attendee Registration Experience
The checkout process uses WooCommerce, which feels like a standard eCommerce checkout. This is not ideal for ticket purchasing as it requires multiple steps and the confirmation email lacks event information.
Event Management Experience
Checking in attendees is confusing and requires a separate app. The app setup is complex, and if it fails, you’ll have to check in attendees manually through the website backend.
Virtual Event Experience
Setting up virtual events with Zoom requires building an app through the Zoom marketplace and connecting it to your website. This process is overly complex compared to other tools.
Overall Design Quality
The default styling of the calendar and event pages is good and presents a clean, modern look.
Integration
WP Events Manager offers integrations with Hubspot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Zoho, but these require additional plugins and are only available on higher-priced plans.
Screenshots
Additional calendar view
Main calendar view
Tickets in shopping cart
Ticket purchase checkout view
Default event page design
Event setup view
Ticket type setup view
List of plugins for installation
Cost
Our purchased plan costs $239 after a nonprofit discount. Since WP Event Manager uses Stripe or Paypal, there will be additional processing fees. Additional fees are applied when using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- Default styling of calendar elements
- Front-end event management features
What we disliked
- WooCommerce checkout experience
- Complexity of setup/confusing instructions
- The number of plugins required
#3 EventIn
Purchase & Setup
EventIn is a WordPress plugin with a simple installation process. We liked that its plans are based on the number of domains, with all features included in every plan. This avoids confusion and extra plugin installations.
First Event Setup
Setting up an event is straightforward, and the all-inclusive feature set is a major advantage. We appreciated the built-in FAQ module for event pages. However, we encountered issues with payment setup. The Stripe integration didn’t work, and we had to use WooCommerce, which we find less than ideal for ticket purchasing.
Attendee Registration Experience
The WooCommerce checkout experience for EventIn is underwhelming, with a basic order confirmation screen and email that lack event details and visual appeal.
Event Management Experience
Despite having the Pro version, we couldn’t access the promised QR code check-in feature, and there was no clear way to check in attendees manually. This raises concerns about the plugin’s performance and reliability.
Virtual Event Experience
Setting up virtual events requires a complex Google Meet API integration, which we found unnecessarily complicated compared to simpler login-based integrations in other tools.
Overall Design Quality
EventIn offers good UI design with three modern event page templates and visually appealing calendar widgets.
Integration
EventIn has minimal native integrations. Its only built-in options are with Zoom or Google Meet, but it does offer a webhook functionality that could be extended to meet other integration needs.
Screenshots
Main calendar view
Default event page design
Virtual event setup screen
Setup error message
Email confirmation
Ticket purchase confirmation screen
Event FAQ setup screen
Event setup screen
Cost
At $189 per year, EventIn is the most affordable option we reviewed. Additional fees are applied when using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- Single premium account level
- One plugin installation process
- User interface styling and design
What we disliked
- Buggy installation and management process
- Lack of clear attendee check-in function
- Complex use of APIs
- Poor design of attendee emails
#4 EventOn
Purchase & Setup
EventOn’s pricing can be misleading. The base plugin is cheap, but essential features require add-ons, which increase costs and potentially add complexity with multiple plugins. Purchasing happens through CodeCanyon, and installing additional add-ons involves separate transactions on the EventOn website.
First Event Setup
vent creation uses the standard WordPress editor with many customization options, including less common ones like health guidelines and SEO settings. The default event page design is minimalist. We liked the ability to customize the “Event Card” layout, but setting up multiple ticket levels requires dealing with WooCommerce product variations, which is cumbersome.
Attendee Registration Experience
EventOn uses WooCommerce for ticket sales, leading to a suboptimal checkout experience. The confirmation email includes event details but lacks visual appeal and a QR code (which requires another add-on purchase).
Event Management Experience
Attendee check-in requires an additional plugin. Our test ticket purchase didn’t appear in the attendee list, suggesting potential technical issues. However, we appreciated the ability to email attendees directly from the event backend.
Virtual Event Experience
Setting up virtual events is straightforward, with support for multiple video platforms beyond Zoom. Virtual event details are displayed nicely on the event page.
Overall Design Quality
EventOn’s design is clean and minimalist, aligning with its branding. It offers numerous customization options for calendar views and event pages, allowing for a good match with the website’s theme.
Integration
EventIn has minimal native integrations. Its only built-in options are with Zoom or Google Meet, but it does offer a webhook functionality that could be extended to meet other integration needs.
Screenshots
Configuring virtual events
Viewing and managing attendee list
Sending emails to event attendees
Accessing virtual event details from event page
Customizing the order of information on the event page
Event setup screen
List of options for using video during virtual event
Activating tickets for events
Another option for presenting list of events
The default design for the event page
Cost
Between the two plugins we purchased, the total cost was $109, but that could quickly grow if we wanted to layer in any additional features. Additional fees are applied when using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- Level of control over event information presentation on event pages
- Ease-of use for setting up Virtual Events
- Total cost of all plugins used
- Design options and styling of event calendar views
What we disliked
- The use of WooCommerce for tickets and checkout
- The fragmentation of features across 32 plugins
Standalone Web Apps
#1 RSVPify
Purchase & Setup
RSVPify offers a free account with a straightforward signup process. The onboarding wizard simplifies event setup by collecting basic event details and theme preferences.
First Event Setup
The backend’s step-by-step Event Settings area streamlines configuration, covering ticketing, emails, payments, and more. The Event Website Builder allows for customization within the chosen theme, but design options are limited beyond colors, fonts, and content arrangement.
Attendee Registration Experience
Registration occurs directly on the website, eliminating redirects. Organizers can add custom questions to the registration form. After payment, attendees receive a confirmation email with a QR code for check-in.
Event Management Experience
The dashboard provides tools for guest communication, collaboration, seating management, and check-in. The built-in email builder eliminates the need for external email tools. The seating chart builder simplifies arrangement creation. Check-in options include browser-based, iOS app, or Android app methods.
Virtual Event Experience
Setting up virtual events is as easy as selecting “Virtual” or “Hybrid” and pasting a meeting link. Attendees receive confirmation emails with event details and QR codes.
Overall Design Quality
Design customization is limited due to the use of pre-made templates, and the default templates are average at best.
Integration
EventIn has minimal native integrations. Its only built-in options are with Zoom or Google Meet, but it does offer a webhook functionality that could be extended to meet other integration needs.
Screenshots
QR code ticket for event attendees
Seating chart builder
Customizing an email for attendees
Event management options inside of RSVPify
Virtual event QR code ticket
Drag and drop event website builder
Ticket selection view for website visitors
Setup wizard after account creation
Onboarding and setup experience for event organizers
Cost
RSVPify is the most expensive tool that was reviewed. The “Plus” plan, required for key features, costs $89/month annually or $125/month monthly. A “Flex” payment option is available for a per-ticket fee. Additional fees are applied when using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- No plugins or add-on installations
- Easy first event setup
- Built-in email communication features
What we disliked
- Limited design templates
- Very pricey
#2 EventBrite
Purchase & Setup
EventBrite is a stand-alone, third-party event management platform that doesn’t require any installation process to get started. EventBrite doesn’t charge anything to start the process of setting up an event, but in order to publish this event you will have to select a plan.
First Event Setup
The event setup process with Eventbrite is a breeze, and they even have an AI setup wizard to help you get started. Once you’ve added all of the information on the event, the event page will look just like all of the other Eventbrite event pages you’ve ever seen. You will still be in preview mode until you commit to a plan and publish the event.
Attendee Registration Experience
From the attendee’s perspective, registering for the event is easy. If they already have an account with Eventbrite, they’ll just need to fill in some basic payment details to register for the event. If they don’t have an account with Eventbrite, they will need to create one to both register and to actually access their tickets.
The other downside here is the fees for ticket purchasers. Eventbrite charges a per ticket fee that gets passed onto the attendee OR can be absorbed by the organization. Overall, the registration process is very easy, but it does require an Eventbrite account AND they charge an additional per ticket fee for attendees.
Event Management Experience
Eventbrite offers an Eventbrite Organizer app to help with attendee management and check-in. Through the app, organizers can track ticket sales, edit their event details, and even manage in-person ticket sales.
Virtual Event Experience
Creating a virtual event using Eventbrite is quick and easy. When you select the option to make your event virtual, you are given access to a new section in the organizer dashboard called Online Event Page. This page is where attendees will access the meeting or livestream details of the virtual event. Getting the event setup is easy and the design of the online event page itself is easy for the user to navigate.
Overall Design Quality
Given its focus on streamlining the event management process, Eventbrite has almost no customization options for design. That being said, the interface for event pages, email confirmations, and the organizer app are simple and intuitive. Further, since Eventbrite is so often used for event registration, visitors understand the interface and are familiar with how it works, which can help present easy user experiences.
Integration
EventBrite has an entire App Marketplace for connecting your Eventbrite account with another third-party tool, such as Mailchimp or Hubspot.
Screenshots
“Flex” payment plan options
Sales reporting from EventBrite
Virtual event screen
Attendee order confirmation screen
Attendee registration and checkout experience
Plan options offered by EventBrite
Full event page design
Event onboarding wizard
Creating an organizer account
Cost
Eventbrite bases its pricing tiers on the number of attendees organizers expect for their events and the number of events they plan to host. For us to host unlimited events with up to 250 attendees per event, we’d be looking at $79/mo or $948 per year.
They also offer a Flex payment style where users can pay per event rather than paying for an outright subscription. For this investigation, we signed up for the Flex plan, which cost us $19 for 250 attendees.
The other factor to consider is Ticketing Fees. To help offset the cost of the tool for organizers, Eventbrite also adds a per-ticket fee paid for by the attendees during registration. These fees can be absorbed by the organizer or passed onto the attendees, but someone has to pay them at the end of the day.
On a $199 ticket, this would be almost $15 in additional fees. If an organizer sells 100 of these tickets, it’s an additional $1,500 going to Eventbrite on top of the base costs for setting up the event. Additional fees are applied when using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- Easy setup and onboarding process
- Robustness of Event Organizer App
- One-time event payment option
- Simple virtual event setup
- Easy integration through the App Marketplace
What we disliked
- Ticketing fees and total event cost
- Minimal design controls
#3 EventZilla
Purchase & Setup
To get started with EventZilla, you first need to select a plan. EventZilla charges per registration, instead of fixed monthly subscriptions. The Basic plan costs $1.50 per registration, while Plus costs 1.45% + $.75 per registration. For the sake of this review, we selected the Basic plan.
First Event Setup
EventZilla makes it easy to get started publishing your event. There are no plugins to download or install; users just need to complete the onboarding wizard to get started. Users then have the option to select what type of event they will be hosting and whether they will be charging to attend.
Once users have completed the event setup wizard, you have the option to customize the presentation of the event using one of EventZilla’s pre-designed themes. The options are very limited. For an event page theme, you have the choice between Modern or Classic and some basic control over typography. Users also have the option of setting up an Agenda along with a list of speakers or presenters.
Attendee Registration Experience
Registering for events hosted on EventZilla is straightforward and simple. Once a registration is complete, the user gets a nicely formatted email along with a PDF attachment that includes a QR code for easy check-in. EventZilla also provides a “Manage My Registration” option, which allows users to create an EventZilla account and log in to view their tickets for the event.
Event Management Experience
When event organizers log in to their EventZilla account, they’ll immediately see some important metrics regarding their event page performance. Metrics include the number of page views for the event, the conversion rate, gross revenue, and net revenue (after Eventzilla takes their cut of the ticket registration). Eventzilla also has an organizer app that allows for easy attendee check-in. With their Self-Service Kiosk, attendees can check into events independently of organizers by simply presenting a phone or tablet with a QR scanner that attendees use to scan their tickets. Organizers can even connect a printer and print name badges as part of the check-in process for an additional fee.
Virtual Event Experience
Eventzilla’s Virtual Event Hub provides a robust virtual event experience. Attendees can access sessions, speakers, live chats, and more, all from a single dashboard. Through this event hub, when a virtual session begins, attendees can have access to the stream directly through the “Stage” section of the interface. Here they can join a session and participate in Q&A or chats, or if they decide, leave and enter a separate session or breakout room. They can also see other attendees and connect for networking opportunities.
Overall Design Quality
Overall, Eventzilla does a good job with their event page interface. The designs are simple, with little customization, but it’s clear they’ve invested heavily in the features and functionality of the software instead of the aesthetics.
Integration
EventBrite has an entire App Marketplace for connecting your Eventbrite account with another third-party tool, such as Mailchimp or Hubspot.
Screenshots
Virtual event hub design for attendees
Setting up speakers and agenda
Event setup wizard
Plan options for EventZilla
Order confirmation screen
Adding a virtual hub to your event
Attendee ticket design
Event management analytics
Default event page design
Adding basic event details
Cost
With the Plus plan offered by EventZilla, we are paying 2.9% + $1.50 per ticket. If we sell 100 tickets at $199 per ticket, the plan costs us almost $730. In addition to the per-registration fee, we have to pay an additional $49/month to use the Virtual Event Hub and Check-In Kiosk feature. Additional fees are applied when using Stripe or PayPal.
Final Thoughts
What we liked:
- Event Analytics Features
- Virtual Event Hub
What we disliked
- Limited event page theme designs
Best of winners
Best for customization & design
EventOn wins for the best customization and design. While it’s painful that it fragments its product across 32 different plugins, it does allow for a large amount of control over the design and experience presented to visitors.
Best setup process
Eventbrite wins out as the easiest option to set up. They’ve streamlined the entire event management experience and even presented an AI setup assistant (that still needs work).
Best for Virtual Events
EventZilla is by far the best option for managing virtual events. Their Virtual Event Hub is unique and provides features for attendees to easily access sessions, speakers, live chats, and networking opportunities.
