Works with screen readers
Works with the screen reader on every phone, and follows Apple and Google's guidelines, so students who navigate by voice or touch aren't left out.
4.7/5 (3.7k reviews)
Guidebook vs. Cvent: How We Compare
Still looking for a Cvent alternative? See why Guidebook stands above Cvent in terms of customer support, pricing, and customer feedback.
Are your 'per-attendee' fees continuously rising? With Guidebook, you get an event management platform with the industry's leading event app for your attendees, with one fixed-fee invoice. No more per-attendee pricing, and helpful US and UK-based support when you need it.
4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
All features included - no hidden fees
| Features |  |  |
|---|---|---|
EDU First | ✓ | ✗ |
Event Registration | ✓ | ✓ |
Engagement Leaderboard | ✓ | ✓ |
Schedule Tracks | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Open API | ✓ | ✗ |
Social feed | ✓ | ✗ |
Offline access | ✓ | ✗ |
QR code check-in | ✓ | ✓ |
Mobile first | ✓ | ✗ |
Surveys and polls | ✓ | ✓ |
Small event pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
Detailed mobile app metrics dashboard | ✓ | ✗ |
Unlimited downloads | ✓ | ✗ |
Unlimited event pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
Unlimited content upload | ✓ | ✗ |
Event badges | ✓ | ✓ |
Cvent is a comprehensive enterprise platform built for complex, large-scale event lifecycles with modules spanning venue selection, abstract management, and exhibitor tools.
Cvent's strengths include:
- Advanced analytics and third-party integrations for high-volume conferences
- Extensive module library covering the full event lifecycle
However, this comes with tradeoffs:
- Consultative pricing without published rates
- Complexity requiring significant training
- Packages that may include more features than needed
Guidebook evolved from a mobile-first pioneer to an integrated event management platform while keeping intuitive usability at its core.
Key Guidebook advantages:
- Transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden add-ons
- No-code, drag-and-drop interface that lets teams build branded registration, event apps, and websites in minutes
- Customer support that consistently earns praise, with real people available in the US and UK
For growth-oriented teams, Guidebook delivers advantages in setup speed through visual workflows, full white-label customization, and support that responds quickly. Organizations planning recurring events benefit from automatic feature rollouts to all customers without price increases.
While Cvent serves enterprise complexity well, teams prioritizing efficient execution, transparent costs, and responsive partnership typically find stronger long-term value with Guidebook.
Guidebook is a top-rated leader on G2 for Event Apps
Streamline your attendee engagement with this app
"It is easy to build and navigate. Minimal training is needed, as this app is easy to self teach.
The premium version makes it a one-stop shop for all conference related items. We really enjoyed the QR Code Scavenger Hunt game feature."
Easy manage and user experience!
"I really like the manage-end of Guidebook. The ease of uploading all of my events at one time and being able to edit easily in real time takes the stress out of the management of events with many moving parts.
I also like that you can customize as much or little as you want and the app experience for the user still looks cleans and welcoming."
Great product and easy to use
"It is very user friendly and easy to use. I like that they are affordable compared to other competitors and does not charge based on number of attendees, exhibitors, or company."
VS
Cvent Attendee Hub - Complex admin roles and non-intuitive interface
It took a long time to learn. We needed to give admin access to many more staffers than I would have liked because the roles are not well-defined -- so everyone had to be an admin to do some helpful things (onsite, for example). This tool took a long time to learn, and we had many calls with support. Support is very structured, so we needed to go through the call center or book time with folks to get things moving.
Cvent Attendee Hub - Difficult to understand features without training
Without complete training or deep diving into the capabilities, it is sometimes difficult to understand which features are the most beneficial for your event. Still, there is a variety of options to choose from.
Cvent Attendee Hub - Expensive and difficult to learn
It is an expensive choice. It can also be difficult to learn.
Why do 1,000’s of customers trust Guidebook?
Event planners choose Guidebook because it gives them clarity. Instead of juggling tools or chasing updates, they get one platform that’s simple, flexible, and backed by real people who care.
Whether you're managing a small workshop or a global conference, Guidebook helps you stay in control — without overwhelm.
Flexible Pricing and Ease of Use
Guidebook was built to make event organizers and attendees lives easier–we believe in fair, simple prices that don’t keep going up. If you have small events, we have a plan for that!
Ease of Use
Customers say it’s surprisingly easy to learn to build an app with Guidebook, see for yourself how easy it is to build an app and what that looks like for attendees here.
Superior Support
Whatever you need, our award-winning team is here to help. With real people available in the US and UK (and no robots), you get quick responses from people who care.
Customization and Flexibility
Your app is fully customizable and simple to update. Add your colors, logos, fonts, images, and publish to the stores. Invite as many collaborators to help you as required, and publish unlimited changes.
Open Integrations
Unlike Cvent and other event technology products, Guidebook has a free open-API available to all customers–and out-of-the-box integrations with products like Cvent, Splash, Eventbrite and more.
Mobile First
The Guidebook platform has been built for mobile since 2011, based on the belief that an event is an experience and mobile is the technology which can have the biggest impact on attendees having a happy, successful experience.
Event builder
Your all-in-one solution for every event
- Inclusive & consistent pricing: When new features are added to the platform, they're instantly available to all Guidebook customers. No extra costs, no delays, and no more having to pay for things you don't want or need. Continuous price hikes? No, thank you.
- Drag & Drop: Unlike other app builders, Guidebook allows you to quickly and easily pick what features you need, upload content using simple templates or uploads, and publish edits in seconds. Want to use what you did last year as a base? Clone it in seconds and save hours.
- Detailed Mobile Metrics: Monitor app usage and engagement, review which content is resonating with your audience (and what isn't!), share ROI data with sponsors, and use all of this to build better future events.
- Award-winning support: Should you need it, Guidebook has teams in the US and UK ready to assist you, taking the time to understand your needs and goals to provide consultative support.
- Offline access: Your audience can access the important content they need, even if they don't have an internet connection.
Security and Compliance
The power of your brand in your app, from first visit to alumni.
Build trust
Attendees download your app, not ours. Your name, colors, and crest in the stores.
.avif)
One place for the whole event
Schedules, maps, registration, and updates in one branded hub - not five tools.
Stand out
A branded app is what people keep on their phone after the printed program is in the recycling.
Accessible for every student on campus
Accessibility isn't an add-on. Guidebook is built so every student can find their way, read their schedule, and stay connected, whatever tools they rely on to use their phone.
FAQs
What's the difference between Guidebook and Cvent?
Cvent is an enterprise event platform built for large, complex conference lifecycles, with modules for venue sourcing, abstract management and exhibitor tools. Guidebook is built for the events universities run to yield and retain students: Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, Orientation and Welcome Week.
Cvent sells modules you configure. Guidebook gives your team one branded mobile app you build yourself.
Cvent sells modules you configure. Guidebook gives your team one branded mobile app you build yourself.
How does Guidebook's pricing compare to Cvent's?
Guidebook is one fixed fee. Cvent prices consultatively, with no published rates and per-attendee costs that climb as your events grow.
With Guidebook there's no per-attendee calculation, no setup or implementation fee, and no charge when new features ship. Every customer gets them the day they launch. If you're renewing with Cvent and the number keeps rising, that's the difference you're feeling.
With Guidebook there's no per-attendee calculation, no setup or implementation fee, and no charge when new features ship. Every customer gets them the day they launch. If you're renewing with Cvent and the number keeps rising, that's the difference you're feeling.
Is Guidebook a good Cvent alternative for universities?
Yes, and higher education is the reason Guidebook exists. Cvent runs conferences. Guidebook runs your enrollment year.
Admissions and orientation teams own it end to end: no implementation consultant, no six-month IT project, and SSO is the only thing IT touches. Because one app carries a student from Open House through Welcome Week, you're not rebuilding for every event on the calendar.
Admissions and orientation teams own it end to end: no implementation consultant, no six-month IT project, and SSO is the only thing IT touches. Because one app carries a student from Open House through Welcome Week, you're not rebuilding for every event on the calendar.
Can attendees use Guidebook without an internet connection?
Yes. Guidebook stores your schedule, maps and content on the phone, so it keeps working when the venue WiFi doesn't. Cvent's app depends on a connection.
Event WiFi failing is almost a rite of passage. In a packed residence hall or a basement ballroom, offline access is the difference between students knowing where to be and students asking your staff.
Event WiFi failing is almost a rite of passage. In a packed residence hall or a basement ballroom, offline access is the difference between students knowing where to be and students asking your staff.
How long does it take to switch from Cvent to Guidebook?
Most teams have their first event live in about two weeks, and some move faster.
There's no implementation phase, no deployment window and no consultant to wait on. Onboarding is included in every plan. You upload your schedule, pick your features and publish. If your Open House is six weeks out, you're fine.
There's no implementation phase, no deployment window and no consultant to wait on. Onboarding is included in every plan. You upload your schedule, pick your features and publish. If your Open House is six weeks out, you're fine.
Does Guidebook do everything Cvent does?
No, and that's deliberate. Cvent covers venue sourcing, hotel contracting and large-scale trade show logistics. Guidebook doesn't.
What Guidebook does is the student-facing side: registration, a branded mobile app, schedules, maps, check-in, engagement and the analytics you can take to a dean. If you need venue procurement, keep a tool for it. If you need students to show up and feel like they belong, that's us.
What Guidebook does is the student-facing side: registration, a branded mobile app, schedules, maps, check-in, engagement and the analytics you can take to a dean. If you need venue procurement, keep a tool for it. If you need students to show up and feel like they belong, that's us.