Cvent Alternative
ShoSoft vs. Cvent
Which is better for venue operators?
ShoSoft is for operators that need to run their venue, not just market it.
Cvent's venue-side products are built for lead generation, not venue operations. ShoSoft gives independent venues everything they need to run and grow their business in one platform, from a booking calendar to staff management.
- Intuitive and simple UI, Included
- All-in-one platform, Included
- Calendar and booking, Included
- Inventory management, Included
- Workforce management, Included
- Accounting and invoicing, Included
- Ticketing, Included
- Floor plan design, On the roadmap
- Exhibitor booth sales, Included
- AI features, Included
9 included · 1 on the roadmap
- Intuitive and simple UI, Not included
- All-in-one platform, Partly
- Calendar and booking, Partly
- Inventory management, Not included
- Workforce management, Not included
- Accounting and invoicing, Partly
- Ticketing, Included
- Floor plan design, Included
- Exhibitor booth sales, Partly
- AI features, Included
3 included · 4 partly · 3 not included
- Included
- Partly
- Not included
- On the roadmap
| Compare | | |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Best for | Independent event venues | Corporate event planners and marketers |
| Pricing | Free forever · Paid plans from $99/mo | Quote-only; typically $10K-$50K+/yr |
| Setup time | Under 1 hour | Weeks to months; training required |
| Core platform | ||
| Intuitive and simple UI | Included | Not included. Steep learning curve widely cited |
| All-in-one platform | Included | Partly. Built for planners, not venues |
| Calendar and booking | Included | Partly. Sourcing focused, not venue ops |
| Inventory management | Included | Not included |
| Workforce management | Included | Not included |
| Accounting and invoicing | Included | Partly |
| Ticketing | Included | Included |
| Events and beyond | ||
| Floor plan design | On the roadmap | Included |
| Exhibitor booth sales | Included | Partly. Supplier network only |
| AI features | Included | Included |
When Cvent may be a better fit
Cvent is built for organizations running large event programs: registration, event marketing, mobile apps, and onsite check-in. If you're a hotel that wants corporate group business, the Cvent Supplier Network is where 155,000+ planners source venues, and Passkey is category-leading for room blocks. If enterprise event programs or hotel group sales is your world, Cvent is the better fit. Many venues use both: Cvent for lead flow, ShoSoft to run the operation.
Why venues choose ShoSoft over Cvent
Cvent markets your venue. ShoSoft runs it. Where Cvent focuses on lead generation (supplier listings, RFP responses, room blocks), ShoSoft handles the full operation: calendar, bookings, inventory, workforce, ticketing, and invoicing in one place. Paid ShoSoft plans start at $99/month with a 60-day free trial, not a $21K annual contract.
Trusted by conference centers, performing arts venues, creative spaces, and more nationwide.
Brands that have hosted events at Magic Box
Frequently asked questions
Talk to our teamYes, for event venues specifically. ShoSoft is venue-first: calendar, bookings, quotes, workforce, inventory, ticketing. Cvent is registration-first: corporate event programs, attendee hubs, badging at scale. They solve different problems. If you own or operate the space, ShoSoft is the right tool. If you're producing events at other people's spaces, Cvent fits better.
The information presented on this page is provided solely for general informational and comparative purposes to assist prospective customers in evaluating event management software solutions. Comparisons are based on publicly-available information, product documentation, pricing pages, customer-facing materials, and industry sources. Product features, functionality, integrations, pricing, service offerings, implementation timelines, support offerings, and product roadmaps may change at any time and may vary based on subscription tier, customer requirements, configuration, implementation, or other factors. ShoSoft makes no representation or warranty regarding the completeness, accuracy, or current status of any third-party information. Prospective customers should independently evaluate and verify all information.