Choosing an event management platform can be a complex task, especially when comparing two widely used tools like EventsAir and Cvent. Each offers a range of features designed to help organizations plan, manage, and analyze events, but they approach this goal in different ways. Accelevents stands out as a strong alternative, blending enterprise-grade features with genuine ease of use and a seamless experience for event organizers and attendees alike.
This guide outlines how EventsAir and Cvent compare in 2025, based on current data, while highlighting where Accelevents can benefit enterprises and associations seeking an all-in-one, highly customizable solution. It is intended for event professionals, marketing teams, associations, and anyone evaluating software to streamline their event operations.
The sections ahead will cover everything from registration tools and pricing models to analytics and support quality. This comparison begins with a clear overview of where each platform stands in the market today and how Accelevents bridges complex enterprise needs with an easy-to-use, integrated platform.
EventsAir, Cvent, and Accelevents Overview
EventsAir was launched in 1990 by Centium Software, an Australian-based company focused on providing event management solutions for professional conference organizers and associations. Cvent, founded in 1999 in the United States, has grown largely by acquisition. Reviews often indicate that some acquired modules within Cvent are not fully integrated, leading to a learning curve, and certification courses are often required to become an expert. Cvent now serves over 17,000 customers, predominantly large enterprises and global corporations, while EventsAir serves around 850 clients, generally among mid-sized organizations and associations.
In contrast, Accelevents was intentionally built with one consistent data model, creating a seamless experience across the platform for event organizers, attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. With 1,847 customers worldwide, Accelevents is recognized for its quality of support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, ease of use, and flexibility. This approach enables organizations of all sizes to manage every aspect of event planning, from event websites and registration to badge printing, networking, and analytics, without the headaches of disjointed systems.
Key Differences in Event Registration and Onsite Tools
1. Registration Flow
EventsAir and Cvent both offer digital tools for setting up event registration, though users report some confusion with complex registration rules and workflows, particularly in Cvent, which can require significant setup time. EventsAir provides quicker setup but may lack some deep configuration options.
Accelevents elevates the experience with a highly customizable ticketing and event registration platform. Features include drag-and-drop customization for event pages, forms, and badges; unlimited ticket types and discount codes; reusable templates; one-click registration forms; seamless payment processing; and conversion tracking. Group registration is simple with ticket bundles and tailored workflows using conditional logic in forms. This empowers event organizers to design registration flows for any use case, with minimal friction for attendees.
Feature | Cvent | EventsAir | Accelevents |
|---|---|---|---|
Form builder flexibility | Multi-step builder with complex logic | Real-time builder with drag-and-drop tools | Drag-and-drop customization, unlimited ticket types, conditional logic, reusable templates |
Payment processing | Multiple options but may have regional limits | Works with global providers; easier setup | Seamless payment integration, conversion tracking, global currencies |
Custom branding | White-label support, but some branding remains in modules | Custom themes, logos, and full template control | Full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual |
Registration logic | Extensive conditional logic available | Built-in logic with fewer setup steps | Conditional workflows for any attendee type |
Mobile experience | Mobile-optimized, responsive forms | Mobile-first design with simplified fields | Mobile-first, with instant check-in and badge pickup |
2. Onsite Check-In and Badge Printing
Both platforms offer tools for checking in attendees and printing badges, but with different approaches. Cvent provides touchscreen kiosks for branded self-check-in but often requires specific hardware. EventsAir offers tablet-based kiosks with real-time updates and more hardware flexibility. However, users report some limitations with offline check-in in Cvent.
Accelevents delivers native badge printing, mobile app check-in, and support for onsite and hybrid formats. The badge printing solution works with standard printers and includes one-click check-in, attendee lookup, and real-time status updates—even offline. This ensures a smooth onsite experience for attendees and staff.
Pricing Structures and Scalability
1. Contract Types and Hidden Fees
Cvent typically charges an annual license fee with additional per-registrant costs. Reviews note that costs can increase unexpectedly due to add-ons and optional modules. EventsAir follows a tiered pricing structure, often based on usage, and generally includes most core features. Both require direct contact for quotes.
Accelevents stands out with transparent, scalable pricing and pay-only-for-what-you-need modules, ensuring there are no surprise add-ons. This makes it easier for organizations to budget and scale their event programs with confidence.
2. Handling Large or Multiple Events
For organizations running multiple events, Cvent offers a central dashboard but may require separate configurations for each event. EventsAir provides templates for copying settings between events. Both offer granular user permissions.
Accelevents provides seamless multi-event management, templating, and agenda building for simple duplication and role-based access. The platform is known for reliability, with no references to outages in reviews, and supports many concurrent users for busy registration periods and live events.
Virtual and Hybrid Event Capabilities
1. Video Streaming and Engagement
Both Cvent and EventsAir support streaming and engagement tools. However, Cvent may charge additional fees for virtual event features, and some users report occasional glitches. EventsAir offers a broadcast studio and built-in activities for engagement.
Accelevents was originally built for in-person but now supports all event types. Its dedicated Virtual Event Hub features modular components for streaming, networking, gamification, and sponsor engagement. The platform offers onsite and virtual gamification for both in-person and hybrid audiences, as well as a networking suite with 1:1 meetings and group chats. Native mobile app check-in and badge printing are included at no extra cost, ensuring a reliable and engaging experience across formats.
2. Post-Event On-Demand Access
EventsAir and Cvent both provide post-event access to recordings, but Cvent may require additional setup to organize recorded content. Both offer tracking for session views and engagement analytics.
Accelevents makes post-event content management seamless, with session-level organization, flexible access controls, and real-time analytics on who viewed which sessions. This is fully integrated with registration and mobile components, making reporting easy and actionable.
Analytics and Integrations
1. CRM and Marketing Automation
Cvent connects with Salesforce and HubSpot but may require additional setup or fees for certain integrations. EventsAir also connects to Salesforce and HubSpot, focusing on real-time data, but some integrations may be less configurable.
Accelevents includes native, no-charge integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and numerous association management systems. For developers, the platform offers well-documented REST APIs and webhooks with no additional fees, making it easy to connect to any CRM or marketing automation stack.
2. Real-Time Reporting
Cvent and EventsAir both provide real-time reporting and attendance tracking, with varying degrees of customization. Some Cvent users report limitations in sharing or customizing reports.
Accelevents delivers real-time, shareable analytics across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual components, powered by a unified data model. Reports can be shared with stakeholders instantly, and data visualization is fully integrated for actionable insights before, during, and after the event.
Which Platform Suits Different Types of Events
1. Corporate Events
Cvent is widely used for corporate events, especially among large enterprises with complex security and branding needs. Certification training is often recommended. EventsAir serves mid-sized organizations and associations, with built-in features for member pricing and session management.
Accelevents is suitable for organizations of all sizes—including large enterprises, mid-market corporations, associations, agencies, and nonprofits—seeking a highly customizable, all-in-one solution with rapid onboarding and strong customer success. The platform is ideal for conferences, trade shows, internal meetings, continuing education events, and more.
2. Membership Associations
EventsAir includes tools for member pricing, CE credits, and abstract management. Cvent can support these with extra configuration or modules.
Accelevents natively supports continuing education credit tracking, automated credit assignment, instant certificate generation, and LMS integration. Abstract management and speaker management are built in, with multiple submission paths and reviewer workflows.
3. Trade Shows and Expos
Cvent offers exhibitor management and lead capture, but often with per-exhibitor fees and hardware requirements. EventsAir includes QR lead capture but some users want more customization.
Accelevents provides a comprehensive exhibitor portal for digital booths, unlimited lead capture with QR scanning, real-time reports, lead scoring, note-taking, and integrated meeting booking—all accessible via mobile with unlimited users.
Support Quality and Training
EventsAir offers 24/7 support globally, with dedicated account managers in standard packages. Cvent provides tiered support, with premium fees for faster responses, and often requires certification courses for mastery due to system complexity. Training times differ: EventsAir typically onboards customers in under four weeks, while Cvent setups can take six weeks or longer.
Accelevents is recognized for its support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, and provides visual guides, step-by-step instructions, and direct access to experts. Rapid onboarding and a unified experience ensure customer success, whether for a single event or a global program.
Why Consider Alternatives
When comparing EventsAir and Cvent, organizations often encounter limitations around cost predictability, setup complexity, and integration. Cvent’s mix of annual and per-registrant fees can make budgeting difficult, while EventsAir’s features depend on plan level. Both can require considerable onboarding and technical knowledge.
Accelevents bridges complex enterprise features and ease of use, delivering a balanced, highly customizable, and all-in-one event solution. Its transparent pricing, rapid onboarding, and seamless integrations make it a strong alternative for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits seeking a platform that grows with their needs.
Request a demo to see how Accelevents can simplify your event management process and empower your team: https://www.accelevents.com/request-a-demo
FAQs About EventsAir and Cvent
Which platform offers better value for money?
EventsAir uses tiered pricing with no per-registration fees, making costs more predictable. Cvent combines annual licensing with per-registrant charges, which can increase total costs for larger or more frequent events. Accelevents offers transparent, scalable pricing with no surprise add-ons, helping organizations stay on budget while accessing all core features.
How do EventsAir and Cvent handle data security?
Both platforms meet industry standards for data protection, including GDPR compliance and data encryption. Cvent holds several third-party security certifications, while EventsAir follows ISO security frameworks. Accelevents offers custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and detailed security audit logging.
Can small teams use either platform without technical expertise?
EventsAir is generally more user-friendly for smaller teams with limited technical resources. Cvent includes more complex options that may require additional time or support to set up properly. Accelevents is designed for ease of use by teams of any size, with drag-and-drop tools and responsive support.
Which platform provides better mobile event app experiences?
Cvent offers a customizable mobile app with complex features that may require additional setup. EventsAir provides a pre-configured app with built-in engagement tools. Accelevents offers native mobile check-in, badge printing, and attendee engagement tools for seamless onsite and hybrid experiences.
How do EventsAir and Cvent compare for international events?
Both platforms support multiple languages and time zones. EventsAir includes global payment options in its core platform, while Cvent provides regional payment support based on your specific configuration. Accelevents supports international events with multi-currency processing and global compliance, making it suitable for conferences and trade shows worldwide.
