Updated for 2026.

Finding the right event registration platform is critical for nonprofits working with limited staff, tight budgets, and big goals. The best tools make it easy to manage sign-ups, collect payments or donations, check in attendees, and present a polished, branded experience—without adding extra complexity to your workflow.

The best event registration platforms for nonprofits include Guidebook, Givebutter, RegFox, Ticket Tailor, Eventbrite, Cvent, and OneCause. Each offers different advantages depending on your event type, budget, and whether you need fundraising tools, mobile apps, badge printing, or marketing features.

In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for in nonprofit event registration software, and get a comparison of top platforms so you can make the best choice for your organization.

What To Look For In Nonprofit Event Registration Software

Your nonprofit’s needs may vary, but the following features consistently make a difference in event success, attendee experience, and staff workload.

Mobile-friendly experience

As more people manage every aspect of their life on the mobile devices, you should expect that a portion of your attendees will register on their phone or tablet.

So, you need a platform that takes a mobile-first approach. This will save you from spending extra time and effort on mobile-friendly customizations.

Also, keep in mind that mobile-friendliness should extend beyond registration to include onsite check-in, QR scanning, and mobile ticket access.

QR code self-check-In

To speed up arrivals, look for platforms that offer QR code self-check-in. This allows attendees to check in to the event simply by scanning a QR code with their mobile device.

Not only does this functionality improve the attendee experience (no waiting in line), but it also reduces the need to have staff manually checking in attendees.

At Guidebook, we make it easy for attendees to check-in with QR codes, while also providing event organizers with the reporting they need to track who actually showed up. Learn more about self-check-in and attendance verification.

Event marketing website

In order to increase event attendance and boost donations, you need to market your event.

While there are multiple aspects to event marketing - such as posting on social media and email marketing - none of this will produce results if you don’t have an event marketing website.

This website is a dedicated landing page that serves as a one-stop shop for people to learn about your event. As such the website should include information like:

• Event details (what, when, where, why)
• Photos, videos, and testimonials from past events, if available
• List of speakers
• List of sponsors
• Agenda
• Clear call-to-action to register for the event (or collect emails if you’re doing pre-registration, which we highly recommend).

At Guidebook, we offer fully branded event marketing websites that you can use to promote your event — and you can start building one at no cost. Learn more here.

Badge printing

When choosing a registration platform, look for one that has built-in capabilities for badge printing. 

Having this functionality built into the registration platform means you won’t have to juggle another system (which will ultimately save time and reduce errors).

With built-in badge printing functionality, you can:

• Design custom badges
• Print badges on site or at home
• Include scannable, attendee-specific QR codes that facilitate networking, session check-in and more.

To learn more about this important feature, read more about Guidebook's three flexible badge printing options.

Mobile event app

What’s better than having an event registration platform that caters to the needs of nonprofits? Having one that seamlessly integrates with your event mobile app.

When your registration data connects directly to your event app, you can manage your event from one central hub. And that means you spend less time trying to get different systems to play nice with each other.

In addition, an event app is an effective tool for recognizing and engaging donors and sponsors. For example, you can highlight sponsors with banners ads and sponsored posts. You can also give VIP donors a more personalized experience with tailored content.

Guidebook’s event app technology gives you the above features — and so much more — so you can delight attendees, attract high-quality sponsors or donors, and manage registration all in one place.

Custom branding

Your nonprofit has its own unique story and mission, both of which should be reflected in your registration experience.

So, look for a platform that allows you to customize the look and feel of your registration experience. This means you should be able to:

• Display your logo, not the platform’s, on the registration page.
• Customize the colors to match your nonprofit.

By leading with your logo and brand colors, you create a cohesive experience and build trust with potential attendees, potential donors, and community members.

Nonprofit-friendly pricing

Nonprofits are often tasked with the difficult task of doing life-changing work with limited budgets. And a limited budget means fewer resources to spend on software.

That’s why nonprofit-friendly pricing matters.

Depending on the company, this type of pricing will show up in different ways, such as:

• a flat discount for verified nonprofits.
• a free pricing tier with basic functionality.
• flexible pricing that lets nonprofits pass costs on to donors.

Different pricing options work for different organizations. So, in this article we’ve included notes on each company’s pricing method. This will allow you to evaluate what makes the most sense for you.

Reporting and analytics

Clear reporting is essential for nonprofits, especially when event outcomes need to be shared with leadership teams, grant funders, or boards of directors.

The right registration platform should give you more than just basic headcounts; it should offer insights that help you understand what worked, identify opportunities, and demonstrate the impact of your event.

Look for reporting tools that allow you to:

• Track registrations in real time, so you always know how many attendees to expect.
• Monitor actual attendance with accurate check-in data, not estimates.
• Measure engagement, such as session participation or app activity.
• Export data easily for grant reports, internal presentations, or donor follow-up.
• Identify trends, such as most popular sessions or which marketing channels drove registrations.

Payment processing options

If your nonprofit sells tickets or collects donations during registration, the payment processing setup matters just as much as the registration form itself. The right platform should make payments simple, secure, and transparent.

Look for payment processing that offers:

• Clear, upfront fees so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
• Secure and proven payment processors like Stripe.
• Multiple payment methods to reduce friction for attendees.
• Fee pass-through options that let registrants cover transaction fees.
• Easy reporting and reconciliation so you’re not piecing together payments manually.
• Reliable payout schedules that ensure funds reach your organization quickly.
• Secure, compliant processing to protect attendee and donor information.

Choosing a platform with strong payment tools helps your nonprofit maximize revenue while keeping the registration experience smooth for attendees.

Sponsor and donor visibility tools

Many nonprofit events rely on sponsorships or donor recognition to meet fundraising goals. If that's relevant for you, your registration platform should make it easy to highlight supporters in a way that feels natural to attendees and valuable to sponsors.

Look for tools that allow you to:

• Showcase sponsor logos or tiers on registration pages, event websites, or confirmation emails.
• Feature sponsors inside an event app through banners, profiles, or promoted content.
• Give VIP donors personalized experiences, such as custom content or priority information.
• Track engagement so you can show sponsors the visibility they received.

With strong sponsor and donor visibility features, you'll be able to deliver on sponsorship commitments and build long-term relationships with supporters.

Data security and privacy

As a nonprofit, you’re often entrusted with sensitive information, from attendee details to donor records.

People support your mission because they believe in your work, and they trust you to handle their information responsibly. And this means your registration platform should help you protect that trust.

As you evaluate tools, look for platforms that offer:

• Secure, PCI-compliant payment processing.
• Data encryption to keep information safe.
• Clear privacy practices so you always know how attendee data is handled.
• Role-based access controls to prevent the wrong people from viewing sensitive data.
• Reliable uptime and infrastructure to minimize the risk of losing important information.

In this case, strong security doesn’t just check a box; it reinforces the confidence your community already has in your organization.

Session tracking and CEU management

If your nonprofit runs trainings, workshops, or educational events, you know how important it is to track which sessions people attend.

Maybe you’re offering CEUs, or maybe you simply want to understand what content resonates most with your audience. Either way, a

A good registration platform should make this process seamless. Look for tools that support:

• Quick QR or badge scanning at the door.
• Session tracking tied to each attendee.
• Easy-to-export reports for CEUs, grants, or internal evaluations.
• Flexible check-in options for staff-led or self-service setups.
• In-app workflows that simplify the experience on event day.

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7 Best Event Registration Solutions For Nonprofits: Free and Paid

1. Guidebook

As a fully integrated event management platform, Guidebook makes it easy for nonprofits to:

• manage registration for free and paid events.
• design and print badges .
• create an event marketing website.
• build an event app.

It’s a strong choice for nonprofits that want to enhance the attendee experience with a seamless, professional appearance across all touch points.

Pricing: With Guidebook, you can build and publish your event registration for free—no upfront charges or long-term contracts.

In addition, there are no fees when you sell tickets for a free event.

For paid events, Guidebook charges:

• 2% + $0.79 per registrant for customers using registration + a branded event app.
• 2.5% + $0.99 per registrant for customers using registration only (no branded app).
• Standard credit card processing fees apply for all paid events, as determined by Stripe.

This structure gives nonprofits flexibility and cost transparency while keeping fees lower than many alternatives.

Notable features:

• Custom branded registration page.
• Event marketing website.
• Fully branded, native event app.
• Flexible QR check-in (self scan or staff-assisted)
• Badge printing

2. RegFox

RegFox positions itself as an affordable event registration tool for a variety of events (such as conferences, workshops, camps and more).

The platform allows you to control the registration experience, from branding to pricing to form layout and more.

Pricing:For free tickets, RegFox charges $0.99 per registrant and for paid tickets, they charge a flat $0.99 + $1 per registrant (never to exceed $4.99 per registrant).

Notable Features:

• Event add-ons (such as products and merchandise)
• Check-in app
• Event app
• Custom branded registration page

3. Givebutter

This all-in-one fundraising platform is built specifically for nonprofits and includes tools for ticketing, donations, peer-to-peer campaigns, email marketing, and donor management.

The company positions itself as a platform for “changemakers,” with an emphasis on ease of use and modern fundraising features.

Pricing: Givebutter has a free plan that is made possible through optional donor tips at checkout. As long as tips are enabled, their core features are free to use. If tipping is disabled, their fees vary, from 1% (for donation forms) to 5% (for events and auctions).  

Standard payment processing fees also apply for all payment methods and pledge transactions incur a 1.5% fee.

Lastly, there’s a paid plan called Givebutter Plus, with advanced functionality for workflows, reporting and more.

Notable features: 

• CRM for donor management
• Marketing tools for email, text and direct mail
• Peer-to-peer and team fundraising
• Embed livestreams on campaign pages

4. Ticket Tailor

Ticket Tailor positions itself as a registration platform for what they call “event creators” — a broad term that includes charities, museums, community groups and more. As a certified B corporation, the company emphasizes ease-of-use, affordability and ethical business practices.

Pricing:The free plan is limited to 5,000 free tickets per year. In addition, there’s a credit-based plan (starting at $0.28 per ticket) and a pay-as-you-go option at $0.75 per ticket. Overall, their pricing offers flexibility based on number of attendees and budget.

Notable features: 

• Memberships
• Products
• Event website
• Check-in app

5. Eventbrite

Eventbrite is one of the most recognizable registration and ticketing platforms, best known for its events marketplace. It’s often a go-to option for nonprofits that are hosting fundraising events, community drives or volunteer drives.

Pricing: 

• Free for free events
• Paid events incur standard fees: 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket, plus a 2.9% payment processing fee per order
• No nonprofit discount on the above fees for paid events
• Some donation ticket types may have reduced fees, based on geographical region
• Nonprofits can apply for a 50% discount on the Pro plan (ticketing fees will still apply) 

Notable features:

• Public event listing and marketplace discoverability
• Check-in app
• Sponsored listings
• Email marketing add-on

6. Cvent

While it’s not specifically designed for nonprofits, this enterprise-level event management platform may be a good fit for larger nonprofits that want to manage registration and other phases of the event lifecycle.

Pricing:Pricing information is not published on their website but special rates are available for nonprofit organizations (via an inquiry form).

Notable features:

• Badge printing and onsite services 
• Event marketing website
• Event app
• Session tracking
• Venue sourcing

7. OneCause

OneCause offers a fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits, allowing them to run in-person and virtual events, peer-to-peer fundraising and even, text donations.

Pricing:Plans are grouped into three categories (pricing available via an inquiry form):

• Online fundraising and Text2Give®
• Auction & event fundraising
• Peer-to-peer fundraising

Notable features:

• QR code check-in
• Ticketing and fundraising management in one place
• Tools for in-person and virtual fundraising events
• Donation collection via text (Text2Give®)

Comparison Table: Nonprofit Event Registration Software

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FAQs About Event Registration for Nonprofits

What is the cheapest event registration software for nonprofits?

‍Givebutter is typically considered a low-cost option because it offers free plans when donor tipping is enabled. Ticket Tailor also provides affordable per-ticket pricing.

Can nonprofits charge for events?

Yes, nonprofits can charge for events and many do as a way to raise money. In fact, from a legal perspective, a nonprofit can charge for goods or services, as long as 100% of the funds generated go towards its mission.

What are the best alternatives to Eventbrite for nonprofits?

Even though Eventbrite is one of the most popular event registration platforms, it may not be the best option for every nonprofit (especially one that is looking for lower fees).

Alternatives like Guidebook, Givebutter, and Ticket Tailor may offer lower costs or more customization options.

Final Thoughts on Registration and Ticketing Tools for Nonprofits

As with all software, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for nonprofit event registration. As you explore your options, think about the features that matter most to your team:

• Do you need donation tools or peer-to-peer fundraising?
  
• Do you need a fully branded registration experience?
  
• Do you want to manage everything — registration, event app, event marketing, badge printing — in one place?
  

There’s a platform out there for every type of nonprofit.

Hopefully, this list helps you narrow things down and find the right fit for your next event.

And if you’re looking for a solution that pairs registration with a beautifully branded mobile app, we invite you to explore what we offer here at Guidebook.