Event stories, best practices and guides | EventX

THE 10 BEST Glue Up Alternatives & Competitors for 2025

Written by Max Wu | Oct 11, 2024 12:02:35 AM

Are you looking for strong Glue Up alternatives? Whether it's event management, community building, or membership engagement, you’re probably aware that Glue Up might not tick all the boxes for every user. We've compiled a list of the top 10 alternatives and competitors based on features, pricing, and overall user experience. This guide will help you discover which solution suits your unique needs!

Even if you're familiar with Glue Up's features (CRM event platform, community, and member management), one size doesn’t fit all. The right choice depends on your specific requirements and budget. Here are some options to consider if you’re looking for a change.

Glue Up Alternatives

1. Raklet

Why it’s a great alternative: Raklet is a powerful platform optimized for managing events, memberships, and donations under one roof. What makes Raklet stand out is its robust community engagement tools, including social network integration, email marketing, and customized member databases. All of these features work together seamlessly, whether you're managing a small community or a larger nonprofit organization. Raklet also provides event management capabilities, allowing organizations to handle event registration, ticket sales, and even recurring payments. This makes it a one-stop solution for groups that drive membership growth through events and fundraising activities.

Best for: Nonprofits, communities, and clubs that heavily rely on memberships and donations for sustainability.

Pricing: Starts at $49/month, making it one of the more affordable options for small-to-midsize organizations.

If you're looking to simplify your workflow, Raklet's unique combination of membership and event management tools offer a streamlined, user-friendly experience.

2. EventX

Why it’s a great alternative: EventX is a versatile all-in-one event management platform, offering robust tools for both virtual and in-person events. With features like event registration systems, event ticketing, and advanced event check-in apps, it’s easy to tailor the platform for different event types. Whether you're organizing a large conference or a small local meetup, EventX stands out for its seamless user experience. Additionally, the platform has a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific market, making it an excellent choice for international organizers operating in that region.

Best for: Event organizers who need hybrid, virtual, or in-person solutions.

Pricing: Custom Pricing

3. MembershipWorks

Why it’s a great alternative: MembershipWorks integrates seamlessly with WordPress, which makes it a go-to for organizations already using WordPress as their website platform. What sets it apart is the comprehensive toolset for managing memberships, events, and fundraising, all from within WordPress itself. It’s easy to set up and simplifies processes like event ticket sales and recurring member payments. For added convenience, MembershipWorks also supports event calendars, donation tracking, and CRM features, making it a solid choice beyond just event management. Another bonus? Their platform doesn’t require technical expertise, meaning your staff won’t need to be developers to get started.

Best for: Organizations focusing on memberships, event ticketing, and managing fundraising directly from a WordPress site.

Pricing: Starts at $35/month, which makes it budget-friendly for smaller organizations or individual associations looking to manage everything in one place.

Example: Organizations like local chambers of commerce and nonprofits have seen success using MembershipWorks to simplify event management directly on their WordPress sites.

4. Wild Apricot

Why it’s a great alternative: Wild Apricot offers an easy-to-use platform designed for small-to-midsize organizations. Its membership management tools are some of the best in the market, allowing organizations to effortlessly run event registration, payments, a web presence, and more. What stands out is its ability to automate those tedious administrative tasks, which can save users loads of time. You can even create a custom website or integrate Wild Apricot into your existing site to manage everything in one place.

Best for: Small associations or nonprofits.

Pricing: Free for up to 50 contacts; paid plans start at $60/month

5. IMIS

Why it’s a great alternative: IMIS stands out as a powerful alternative for organizations needing advanced event management and association management tools. It's built to handle large-scale operations, making it a solid option for enterprises looking to mix both virtual and in-person events. IMIS goes beyond standard CRM features, offering deep integrations with back-office systems and data analysis capabilities, catering specifically to associations and nonprofit organizations. Its flexibility allows you to manage everything from members and events to fundraising in one comprehensive platform. For users dealing with complex event setups, its customizable dashboards and reporting tools offer more control than most other platforms.

Best for: Large associations or professional event organizers who need an all-in-one solution for complex events.

Pricing: Contact for a custom quote

IMIS is trusted by established organizations that need tailored solutions for managing both memberships and events in one cohesive system. If Glue Up isn't meeting your large-scale needs, IMIS is worth considering for its scalability and breadth of features.

6. Zoho CRM Plus

Why it’s a great alternative: Zoho CRM Plus does more than just manage events—it provides a full suite of tools that cover customer service automation, marketing, and overall customer relationship management (CRM). This means that in addition to organizing events, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of your entire customer or member lifecycle. Zoho’s customizable dashboards, integrated analytics, and smooth team collaboration features make it easy to streamline your operations all in one place. Whether you’re planning events or improving outreach to your community, Zoho helps automate routine tasks and lets you focus on engagement. Plus, Zoho integrates well with many other popular apps, reducing the need for manual transfers of data across platforms.

Best for: Organizations looking for an all-encompassing CRM and event solution.

Pricing: Starting at $57/month per user

7. Aventri

Why it’s a great alternative: Stova shines when it comes to managing the logistics of large-scale events. Whether you're hosting a conference, trade show, or multi-day exhibition, Stova’s platform is designed to handle it all. With end-to-end event management including registration, attendee tracking, and digital engagement tools, it's easy to see why large enterprises often choose Aventri. Their audience engagement features, such as live polling and Q&A, help create a highly interactive experience. Plus, Stova integrates well with numerous tools, ensuring smoother workflows for event organizers juggling multiple tasks.

Best for: Large corporations or professional event organizers managing complex, high-attendance events like conventions or international trade shows.

Pricing: Contact for a custom quote. Pricing is typically on the higher side given its enterprise-level capabilities but matches the level of features and service.

8. Ticket Tailor

Why it’s a great alternative: Ticket Tailor stands out for its affordability and simplicity, specifically when it comes to ticketing and registration. It might not pack as many features as Glue Up, but where it shines is providing a no-frills, easy-to-use platform for event organizers focused on selling tickets without the need for memberships or complex CRM features. Popular among smaller events and festivals, it allows you to set up ticket sales in minutes without hefty commissions. Plus, it’s flexible enough to handle everything from nonprofit events to conferences.

Best for: Simple event ticketing and fast setup.

Pricing: From $0 (small commission per sale)

Ticket Tailor is perfect for those who need to manage tickets quickly, while saving on costs. It's especially useful for events where most of the focus is on ticket sales rather than complex engagement tools.

9. Cvent

Why it’s a great alternative: Cvent is one of the most recognizable players in the event management industry, offering a robust suite of tools for all aspects of event planning. Whether you need help with finding the perfect venue or hosting a full-scale virtual event, Cvent has you covered. Its platform is equipped with features like seating arrangement management, website creation, budget tracking, and advanced attendee engagement tools like live Q&A and polls. Though it’s more on the premium side, Cvent stands out for organizations that need a one-stop shop for complex events. Plus, its analytics tools offer insights to help you optimize future events.

Best for: Corporations and larger organizations with substantial budgets and complex event needs.

Pricing: Contact for a custom quote

10. Eventbrite

Why it’s a great alternative: Eventbrite is widely known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking to quickly launch, promote, and manage events. Whether it’s a networking meetup or a music festival, Eventbrite helps streamline everything from event creation to marketing and ticketing. Its powerful integrations with platforms like Facebook and Instagram also offer valuable marketing capabilities, perfect for event organizers looking to maximize their online reach without extra effort. Plus, its intuitive interface is accessible even for first-timers, making it ideal for casual or infrequent event hosting.

Best for: Event hosts seeking a mainstream event and ticketing platform.

Pricing: Eventbrite is free to use, making money through ticket fees, which range between 2% to 5.5% of the ticket price per sale, depending on your plan. Check Eventbrite pricing for the latest fee structure.

If you're organizing smaller, informal events and want a quick, no-hassle setup—it’s hard to go wrong with Eventbrite. Especially if you value their promotional tools to boost event visibility.

How to Choose the Right Glue Up Alternative

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing your next platform. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Features: Do you need a robust CRM or a platform focused mainly on event registration and ticketing, like EventX? Assess what features are must-haves and what you can live without to ensure your choice fits your needs.
  • Ease of use: Some platforms have a steeper learning curve. Choose one that aligns with your tech comfort level. For example, tools like Raklet and MembershipWorks are known for delivering powerful features without overwhelming users.
  • Pricing: Your budget matters, now and later. Platforms like Ticket Tailor offer low upfront costs, while others like Cvent and Aventri might require a larger investment for more advanced features or larger-scale events. Consider both immediate and long-term costs before committing.
  • Integration: Check that your chosen platform integrates smoothly with the tools you’re already using (like your website, CRM, or payment processor). This helps streamline your workflow and avoids creating additional work down the line.

By focusing on these factors, you'll find the right platform fit for your organization.

Final Thoughts

Glue Up is certainly a solid choice if you're looking for a comprehensive event and membership management solution, but it's not a perfect fit for every organization. The alternatives we've laid out here offer a variety of features and pricing models that can cater better to specific needs.

For example, platforms like EventX excel in providing user-friendly solutions for both virtual and hybrid events, while Ticket Tailor is great for those who just need simple ticketing without the extra bells and whistles. If keeping costs low is crucial, options like Raklet offer affordability without sacrificing core functionality. Meanwhile, big players like Cvent and Aventri deliver top-notch features for organizations looking to manage large-scale, complex events.

The key is to weigh the features that matter most to you—whether it's ease of use, deep integrations, or a focus on attendee engagement. If you're still struggling to decide, EventX is a fantastic starting point, offering versatility and reliability for a range of events. Ready to explore your next step? Dive in and find the platform that aligns with your goals!