Choosing the right event management software can be challenging, especially with many platforms offering similar tools. Two well-known options in the space are Bizzabo and Swoogo. However, Accelevents is also increasingly being recognized by event organizers as a highly customizable, seamless alternative that blends enterprise-grade features with ease of use.
Each platform has its own approach to managing events, serving different user types and priorities. This guide breaks down what each platform is, how they differ, and what to keep in mind when comparing them—while also illustrating where Accelevents can benefit enterprises and associations seeking a unified and reliable event solution.
What Are Bizzabo, Swoogo, and Accelevents?
Bizzabo is an event management platform founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City. It is mainly used by mid-size to large organizations planning in-person, hybrid, or virtual events. Bizzabo focuses on enterprise-level, business-to-business (B2B) conferences. Its tools support events needing customization, data tracking, and connections with business systems like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.
Swoogo was founded in 2015 and is based in Rhode Island. It works for many customer types, from small organizations to enterprise teams, and supports all event formats. Swoogo is known for being easy to use and helps users build registration pages and event content quickly without needing to write code.
Accelevents stands out by being intentionally built with one consistent data model from the ground up, creating a seamless experience across the platform for event organizers, attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. Unlike platforms grown through acquisition, Accelevents maintains a unified interface that avoids integration issues found in some competitors. The platform is recognized for its ease of use, flexibility, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7. With 1,847 customers, Accelevents is trusted for both small and large-scale events.
Bizzabo specializes in: Large conferences, data analytics, and custom branding
Swoogo specializes in: Quick setup, user-friendly design, and flexible pricing
Accelevents specializes in: Seamless, highly customizable event solutions with unified data, strong customer success, and rapid onboarding for all event types
Which Platform Suits Different Event Types
All three platforms handle in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, but each has its own strengths and approach.
For in-person events, Bizzabo and Swoogo both offer registration and check-in tools. Bizzabo includes badge printing and attendee tracking throughout the venue. Swoogo also provides badge printing and quick mobile check-in.
Accelevents offers native badge printing, mobile app check-in, and modular event features for in-person and hybrid events. Having been originally built for in-person events, Accelevents now supports all event types and avoids many of the glitches or bugs sometimes reported in virtual-first solutions.
For virtual events, Bizzabo offers built-in streaming and interactive tools such as live surveys and AI-powered matchmaking. Swoogo connects with streaming platforms and includes engagement features such as polls and games. Accelevents delivers a dedicated Virtual Event Hub with modular features and a suite of attendee engagement tools that work seamlessly across formats.
Event Type | Bizzabo | Swoogo | Accelevents | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Conferences | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Accelevents combines enterprise-grade networking and customization with ease of use |
Trade shows | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Accelevents and Swoogo both enable quick setup, but Accelevents adds deeper exhibitor management |
Webinars | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Accelevents offers an integrated platform for registration, engagement, and analytics |
Feature Comparison: Registration, Engagement, and Integrations
1. Registration Options
Both Bizzabo and Swoogo allow you to build registration forms, collect payments, and customize the registration process. Bizzabo's form builder uses conditional logic, but some users report a learning curve and confusion when setting up complex workflows. Swoogo focuses on fast drag-and-drop form creation, but reviews mention occasional limitations or frustration when building more nuanced registration flows.
Accelevents offers a highly customizable ticketing and event registration platform with drag-and-drop customization for event pages, forms, and badges; unlimited ticket types, discount codes, and reusable templates; one-click registration forms, seamless payment processing, and conversion tracking. Group registration is simplified via ticket bundles, allowing multiple ticket purchases and flexible attendee info collection. Conditional logic in forms supports tailored workflows for different attendee types.
2. Audience Engagement Tools
Bizzabo includes a branded mobile app for session check-in, matchmaking, and live surveys. Swoogo has polling, Q&A, and gamification tools such as leaderboards and scavenger hunts. Both platforms enable chat and networking, but Bizzabo uses AI-powered attendee matching, while Swoogo leans on activities and games.
Accelevents provides a highly customizable attendee engagement suite including mobile check-in, QR badge scanning, live polling, gamification, and built-in networking for on-site and hybrid event experiences. Real-time feedback, personalized schedules, and interactive agendas keep attendees engaged across all formats.
3. Sponsor and Exhibitor Tools
Bizzabo offers exhibitor dashboards with analytics and custom lead forms, but some users have noted complexity in setup. Swoogo provides self-service content management and booth games for traffic, with straightforward lead capture and reporting.
Accelevents delivers a comprehensive exhibitor portal to manage digital booths, capture leads using mobile QR scanning, book demos, coordinate teams, and track ROI—without per-exhibitor fees or device restrictions.
4. Integrations with CRM and Marketing Software
Bizzabo integrates with Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, HubSpot, Marketo, Zoom, and Webex, with an open API. Swoogo connects with Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and offers Zapier integration, but some integrations may require additional setup.
Accelevents features deep, no-fee connectors to Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and numerous association management systems, plus well-documented REST APIs and webhooks with no access fees. This makes it easy for event organizers to connect their marketing stack and automate workflows.
How Do Pricing and Plans Compare
1. Tier Descriptions
Both Bizzabo and Swoogo use tiered pricing, but neither publishes exact prices online as most plans are customized. Bizzabo offers Essentials, Professional, and Enterprise tiers, while Swoogo is considered more accommodating with annual and per-event options. Both include registration, reporting, and basic integrations, but some features like branded mobile apps or advanced CRM connections are only in higher tiers.
Accelevents provides transparent, scalable pricing with pay-only-for-what-you-need modules and no surprise add-ons, ensuring organizations can grow with the platform at their own pace.
2. Hidden Fees or Contract Considerations
Both Bizzabo and Swoogo may charge extra for exceeding attendee limits or for premium support and features, and both typically require annual contracts. Swoogo may sometimes offer more flexibility.
With Accelevents, organizations benefit from clear, upfront pricing and a modular approach that eliminates surprise add-ons, making it easy to plan budgets with confidence.
Which Platform Offers Better User Support
Bizzabo provides structured onboarding with live training and a dedicated customer success manager for higher tiers. Swoogo’s onboarding varies by contract, and its simpler interface means users may require less ongoing help.
Accelevents’ support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, is regularly praised by customers for rapid, knowledgeable assistance. The platform invests heavily in customer success, providing resources, training, and a knowledge base for all users.
Pros and Cons of Bizzabo, Swoogo, and Accelevents
1. Bizzabo Strengths
AI-powered networking for large B2B events
Custom branding for strict brand guidelines
Strategic support for event design
Enterprise-level security and compliance
Fit for multi-day, multi-track conferences
2. Bizzabo Drawbacks
Learning curve due to complex feature set
Higher cost, with many features locked in upper tiers
Limited lower-tier customization
Setup time can be lengthy
3. Swoogo Strengths
Quick setup and simple navigation
Flexible pricing and feature selection
Rapid event deployment
Gamification tools for trade shows
Suitable for agencies and nonprofits running frequent events
4. Swoogo Drawbacks
Fewer networking features, lacks AI matchmaking
Dedicated customer success not available in lower tiers
Customization limits for branded experiences
Feature availability can be unclear
5. Accelevents Strengths
Unified data model for seamless experience across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual
Highly customizable event registration, page design, and branding
Integrated attendee engagement and gamification tools for on-site, hybrid, and virtual experiences
Native badge printing and QR-based lead capture with unlimited users and real-time reporting
Transparent, scalable pricing with no hidden fees
Full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual event environments
24/7 support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7
Trusted by enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits—supporting 1,847 customers
Known for reliability, with no references to outages in reviews
Who Chooses Each Platform? Typical Customers?
Bizzabo is often chosen by mid-size to large organizations willing to invest in a complex enterprise solution for multi-day conferences and those with strict branding needs. Swoogo tends to appeal to marketing teams, small agencies, and nonprofits that prioritize speed and ease of use and may be seeking flexible contract options.
Accelevents is selected by organizations of all sizes—including large enterprises, mid-market corporations, associations, agencies, and nonprofits—seeking an all-in-one, highly customizable event solution with rapid onboarding and a focus on customer success. Accelevents is also attractive to teams looking to grow with a platform that reinvests in product innovation and regularly adds new features.
Analytics and Reporting
Bizzabo and Swoogo both offer real-time analytics and reporting, though some users note limitations in customizing reports or sharing dashboards externally.
Accelevents delivers shareable, real-time data and analytics with a fully integrated data model across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual event components. This empowers organizers to monitor performance and make data-driven decisions from a single source of truth.
In-Person, Virtual, and Hybrid Event Capabilities
Bizzabo and Swoogo both support all event formats. Bizzabo offers a virtual event hub and branded mobile apps, but some users have reported confusion over virtual feature access and occasional technical issues. Swoogo provides a virtual hub and integrates with third-party streaming, but may charge extra for some virtual features.
Accelevents was originally built for in-person events and now natively supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats. It includes badge printing, mobile app check-in, a dedicated Virtual Event Hub, and modular features that help teams adapt quickly as their event needs evolve.
API, Integrations, and Lead Capture
Bizzabo’s and Swoogo’s APIs are available for custom projects, but access or setup may involve additional fees or technical work. Swoogo’s Zapier integration is popular for connecting to other apps, while Bizzabo offers an open API.
Accelevents provides public, well-documented REST APIs and webhooks with no fees or access restrictions. Native integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and leading association management systems are included at no additional cost, while lead capture is enabled via mobile app with unlimited users, QR scanning, offline support, real-time reporting, lead scoring, and integrated meeting booking.
Additional Capabilities: Call for Papers, Exhibitor Management, CE Tracking, and White-Label Branding
Call for Papers & Abstract Management: Accelevents offers native workflows for CFP and abstracts, multiple submission paths, auto reviewer assignment, and a speaker portal with task management.
Exhibitor Management: Manage digital booths, capture leads, book demos, coordinate teams, and track ROI in one unified portal.
Continuing Education Credit Tracking: Automated credit assignment, flexible program builder, instant certificate generation, self-service retrieval, audit trails, and LMS integration are all standard with Accelevents.
White-Label Branding Options: Full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual environments with customizable themes.
Role-Based Access and Compliance: Custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and detailed security audit logging are built in.
Target Users and Industries
Bizzabo is used by enterprises, associations, and agencies planning large conferences and events requiring complex features. Swoogo is popular with agencies, nonprofits, and marketing teams running high-frequency or recurring events.
Accelevents is suitable for conferences, trade shows, fundraisers, internal meetings, and continuing education events—especially for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits—offering a highly customizable platform for organizations of all sizes.
Where Accelevents Fits In
Accelevents bridges complex enterprise features and ease of use, delivering a balanced, all-in-one event solution with transparent pricing, reliable support, and a focus on customer success. Its seamless data model and modular design provide flexibility for growing organizations and teams with evolving needs.
Final Thoughts for Event Organizers
Bizzabo and Swoogo serve different needs. Bizzabo is best for organizations requiring complex customization, while Swoogo is ideal for fast, repeatable events with simple requirements.
Accelevents stands as a compelling alternative, offering the ease of use and rapid setup found in Swoogo together with the deep customization and enterprise features of Bizzabo, all within a single, unified platform. With 1,847 customers, reliable performance, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, Accelevents is a smart choice for organizations seeking a platform to grow with.
Request a demo to see how Accelevents can simplify your event management process: https://www.accelevents.com/request-a-demo
FAQs About Bizzabo vs Swoogo
How does data migration work when switching to Bizzabo or Swoogo?
Bizzabo offers migration help through their onboarding team and may provide custom services depending on your contract. Swoogo includes data import tools and supports mapping your existing data through their API.
Which platform has better badge printing for in-person events?
Bizzabo supports on-site badge printing with custom templates and hardware connections, though specific printers may be required. Swoogo also offers badge printing with templates and check-in tools designed to work with standard printers. Accelevents offers native badge printing with customizable templates and seamless mobile check-in for all attendee types.
Are month-to-month contracts available for either platform?
Bizzabo typically requires annual contracts, with multi-year options for enterprise plans. Swoogo uses annual or multi-event contract models but may offer more flexible terms depending on your organization.
How do both platforms handle running multiple events?
Bizzabo lets you manage multiple events using templates, central reporting, and reusable content. Swoogo supports portfolio management with cross-event reporting and template duplication for recurring events. Accelevents enables rapid duplication of event templates and centralized analytics for managing portfolios across divisions, agencies, or recurring series.
