Planning and executing a successful event requires a reliable event management platform. Stova is a solid option for many people looking to streamline event planning tasks like registration, ticketing, and following up on leads. However, it’s always worth considering alternatives to find the perfect fit for your event needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best Stova alternatives and their unique features to help you make an informed decision on the right event technology platform for your next big event.

1. Brella

Brella specializes in creating efficient networking opportunities at events, making it especially useful for business-focused or networking-heavy setups. Its standout feature is its AI-powered matchmaking, which helps attendees connect with the most relevant people based on their goals and interests. Whether you’re organizing a virtual, in-person, or hybrid event, Brella makes it easy for attendees to schedule one-on-one meetings and build meaningful connections.

• Key Features: AI-powered attendee matchmaking, networking-focused tools, personalized meeting scheduling.
• Why it's a great Stova alternative: Brella’s laser focus on networking elevates it above Stova if interpersonal connections are the highlight of your event. Its smart matchmaking features can distinctly improve attendee satisfaction, making it ideal for B2B events, expos, and conferences aimed at fostering professional connections.

If your event structure prioritizes facilitating meaningful connections between attendees, Brella’s specialized tools provide an edge over broader event management platforms like Stova.

2. EventX

EventX is a go-to choice for event planners, especially in Asia. It’s known for its straightforward, user-friendly design, helping event managers handle core tasks such as registration, ticketing, and check-ins with minimal fuss. For those looking to host hybrid or fully virtual events, EventX shines by offering robust virtual event capabilities, ensuring smooth streaming and engagement. One standout feature is the Lead Finder tool, which automatically captures lead information, helping you make the most out of post-event follow-ups.

EventX’s strong support for both in-person and virtual events makes it one of the more versatile platforms. If you’re leading a hybrid event where accurate check-ins, seamless streaming, and follow-up are crucial, EventX could provide the right solution without unnecessary bells and whistles.

• Key Features: Fast event check-in, event ticketing, strong virtual event platforms.
• Why it’s a good Stova alternative: Seamless virtual event integrations with a solid in-person event framework.

Read more about EventX’s Registration Systems.

3. Cvent

Cvent is a heavyweight when it comes to event management, offering end-to-end solutions for in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. If your primary need is for corporate events or large-scale conferences, Cvent's robust registration tools, event marketing features, and detailed reporting are worth considering. With Cvent, the ability to create custom badges, monitor real-time engagement, and offer personalized attendee experiences makes managing expansive events much easier. The platform also seamlessly integrates with various CRM systems to help manage attendee data and event ROI.

• Key Features: Comprehensive event registration system, strong focus on attendee engagement, custom reporting.
• Why it’s a good Stova alternative: Cvent offers a broader range of advanced features, especially tailored for large corporate or enterprise events. For planners focused on deep analytics and tracking, Cvent edges out Stova in this area.

4. Eventtia

Eventtia is a versatile platform that caters mainly to small and mid-sized businesses. It’s relatively affordable compared to Stova, making it ideal for key stakeholders looking to reduce costs without sacrificing the essential features. The platform shines in simplifying tasks like registration, secure payment processing, and organizing virtual exhibitions.

• Key Features: Virtual exhibitions, event marketing, secure payment processing.
• Why it’s a good Stova alternative: If price is your concern and you want to focus on ease of use, Eventtia offers a simpler, more cost-effective alternative.

5. Whova

Whova is best for organizers interested in mobile-friendly experiences, offering award-winning mobile apps for attendees. The platform covers event check-ins, ticketing, networking, and attendee engagement, but it stands out with its focus on community building in conferences or networking-heavy events.

For attendee engagement, Whova includes features like real-time polls, session Q&A, and even gamification elements to keep participants connected and engaged. Its mobile app is where the platform truly shines, empowering users to customize their schedules, exchange business cards virtually, and interact with others via chat.

• Key Features: Mobile app, real-time community engagement, event ticketing.
• Why it’s a great Stova alternative: If mobile accessibility and community engagement are high priorities for your event, Whova may be better suited than Stova.

6. RingCentral (Formerly Hopin)

Hopin became a game-changer for virtual and hybrid events during the pandemic and has retained its top spot for good reason. The platform recreates in-person experiences with virtual networking lounges, interactive sessions, and live streaming features that make online events feel more engaging. One of its strongest offerings is the ability to host fully immersive virtual events, complete with interactive booths, on-demand content, and real-time updates. Hopin’s flexibility allows you to manage small gatherings or scale up to larger, multi-day conferences.

• Key Features: Advanced virtual environments, on-demand content hubs, virtual networking.
• Why it’s an excellent Stova alternative: Hopin offers a more enriched virtual experience compared to Stova. If your focus is primarily on virtual events with strong attendee interaction, Hopin’s platform is hard to beat.

7. Hubilo

Hubilo focuses on crafting deeply immersive and engaging virtual event experiences. Its platform is packed with features that keep attendees involved throughout the event, like gamification, real-time engagement analytics, and virtual booths that allow for interactive, branded spaces. Hubilo’s user-friendly dashboard streamlines event creation and management, making the platform easy to navigate, even for those not overly tech-savvy.

One standout feature is the extensive engagement tools that offer customized polls, Q&A sessions, and even virtual lounges, encouraging participants to connect in meaningful ways. These tools are vital if you want participants to feel present and engaged, even from a remote location.

• Key Features: Gamification, interactive virtual booths, attendee engagement analytics.
• Why it stands out as a good Stova alternative: Hubilo's focus on virtual engagement with tools like real-time analytics and gamified features make it a top pick for organizers aiming to captivate remote audiences—something Stova lacks.

This sets Hubilo apart from Stova, particularly if you’re aiming for a memorable virtual or hybrid event focused on audience interaction.

8. Webex Event (Formerly Socio)

Socio is a modern player in the event management game, and it's quickly gaining popularity for its hybrid event capabilities. With Socio, you can easily manage both virtual and in-person components of your events, whether it’s live streaming sessions or facilitating on-site networking. The platform’s interface is intuitive, allowing you to organize events without hassle, even if you’re bouncing between locations and formats.

Socio offers robust integration options with other tools you may already be using, which helps streamline event execution. Its flexibility makes it a prime choice for organizers who frequently shift from virtual to hybrid setups.

• Key Features: Strong hybrid event offerings, live streaming, flexible integrations.
• Why it’s a noteworthy Stova alternative: If you’re consistently switching between virtual and hybrid events, Socio offers a more streamlined experience that can handle both formats efficiently.

9. Bizzabo

Bizzabo is a popular name in the event tech industry offering extensive tools for enterprise-level events. It’s designed for large conferences that require sophisticated audience engagement features like multi-session management and in-depth analytics. Bizzabo also draws attention with its AI-driven capabilities, which help deliver personalized experiences for attendees. This is especially useful for events with multiple tracks, where attendees have varied interests and engagement activities.

If you're planning sprawling, complex events with different segments, Bizzabo’s platform can handle intricate scheduling, attendee engagement across sessions, and detailed post-event reporting. Its smooth integration with CRM systems is another advantage for businesses relying on lead management and follow-up procedures.

• Key Features: Multi-session management, advanced audience engagement, AI analytics tools.
• Why it’s a great Stova alternative: When you need more advanced tools to handle larger, more complex events, Bizzabo offers features that surpass Stova’s capabilities for intricate event orchestration.

Final Thought

Choosing the right event management platform depends on your event’s unique needs—whether it’s a large conference or a more intimate corporate event. While Stova provides plenty of tools, the alternatives outlined here can offer a more suitable solution depending on your requirements, such as hybrid events, virtual setups, or advanced attendee engagement.

Platforms like EventX, Bizzabo, Cvent, or Hopin each have their strengths. For instance, if you're looking for fast virtual integration, EventX is impressive in that area. On the other hand, if you need customizable large-scale event tools, Bizzabo or Cvent might have the edge over Stova.

Could your next event benefit from networking tools or tailored attendee experiences? Maybe it's time to explore Whova or Brella, both of which excel at community engagement.

Ultimately, the platform you choose should align with your specific vision for the event. Take the time to explore and compare these Stova alternatives to create an event experience that stands out.

Looking to get started? Explore EventX’s cutting-edge solutions today and take your event to the next level.