RainFocus and Splash are two leading event management platforms, but they serve different needs. RainFocus is an enterprise-grade, end-to-end event management platform built for complex, large-scale programs, while Splash is a design-forward event marketing and registration tool focused on branded experiences. In this event management software comparison, RainFocus is typically chosen by enterprise event teams, whereas Splash is favored by marketing teams running frequent, branded events. As you evaluate options, Accelevents is a modern alternative that blends power with ease of use.
RainFocus and Splash Overview
Understanding these platforms starts with knowing what each was built to accomplish. RainFocus launched in 2014 from Lehi, Utah, focusing on enterprise-scale event portfolios that need centralized control. Splash started in 2011 from New York City, targeting marketing teams who run frequent branded events and need fast deployment.
The key difference lies in their approach to event management software. RainFocus operates like a unified command center for large, complex events such as conferences and trade shows. Splash works more like a creative studio for marketing events, emphasizing beautiful design and quick setup.
Team fit varies significantly:
RainFocus users: Enterprise event teams with IT support, operations staff, and data analysts
Splash users: Marketing teams, agencies, and field marketing professionals who prioritize brand consistency
Think of it this way, if you are managing a 5,000-person conference with exhibitors, sponsors, and multiple tracks, RainFocus provides the infrastructure you need. If you are launching 20 branded roadshow events across different cities, Splash gives you the speed and templates to make that manageable. RainFocus caters to the world’s largest companies due to system complexity and cost, and certification training is typically needed.
By contrast, Accelevents was intentionally built with one consistent data model, creating a seamless experience across the platform for event organizers, attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. It prioritizes ease of use and flexibility, and is backed by a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7.
Where Accelevents can benefit enterprises and associations
Accelevents bridges complex enterprise features and ease of use, delivering a balanced, highly customizable, all-in-one event solution. Teams can quickly launch branded sites using the event website builder, configure registration flows, and manage speakers and sponsors with unified data that powers consistent reporting.
Event Registration and Attendee Management Features
Both platforms handle event registration, but their approaches reflect their different philosophies. RainFocus treats registration as part of a larger enterprise system, while Splash treats it as a marketing touchpoint.
RainFocus registration capabilities:
Complex form logic: Conditional fields, approval workflows, and custom validation rules
Enterprise integrations: Connections with CRM systems and marketing automation platforms
Advanced pricing: Group discounts, member rates, and multi-tier pricing structures
Splash registration capabilities:
Design control: Mobile-responsive forms that match your brand
Quick deployment: Template-based setup that can go live in minutes
Marketing focus: Built-in tracking for campaign attribution and conversion metrics
For large conferences with complex attendee types, RainFocus handles scenarios like member pricing, group registrations, and approval workflows naturally. For marketing events where visual appeal and speed matter most, Splash delivers strong results with less setup time, though reviewers sometimes cite confusion with deeper configuration and data handoffs to other systems.
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. It includes 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, and conditional logic in forms supports tailored workflows for different attendee types. Onsite operations are streamlined with native badge printing and fast check-in.
Virtual and Hybrid Event Technology
The virtual event landscape has changed how platforms approach online experiences. RainFocus built native virtual event capabilities into its platform, while Splash focuses on branded communications and relies on integrations for virtual delivery. Accelevents was originally built for in-person and now supports all event types, including a dedicated Virtual Event Hub with modular features, while keeping on-site experiences like mobile check-in and session scanning front and center.
Marketing and Branding Tools
This area showcases the biggest difference between these event management platforms. Splash was built by marketers for marketers, while RainFocus was built by event professionals for event operations.
Splash provides design control through drag-and-drop editors, professional templates, and brand asset management. You can create event websites, email campaigns, and social media assets that look professionally designed without hiring a designer.
RainFocus offers branding capabilities, but within a more structured framework. The approach works well for enterprises with established brand guidelines and approval processes, but offers less creative freedom than Splash.
Email marketing comparison:
Splash: Visual email builder, A/B testing, segmentation, and campaign automation
RainFocus: Template-based emails, automated workflows, and integration with existing marketing systems
Accelevents gives teams control over branding while maintaining governance. Organizers can tailor layouts and components with event customization, ship polished sites with the event website builder, and remove vendor branding with white-label options across web, mobile, and virtual environments.
Integration and Data Management
Both platforms recognize that event data needs to flow into other business systems, but they handle integrations differently. RainFocus emphasizes bi-directional connections with enterprise systems, while Splash focuses on marketing tool connections.
Integration Type | RainFocus | Splash | Accelevents |
|---|---|---|---|
Salesforce | Native, bi-directional sync | Standard API connection | Native connector, no charges for the integration |
HubSpot | Field mapping and sync | Marketing-focused integration | Native connector, marketing and sales data sync included |
Marketo | Enterprise connection | Campaign and lead sync | Native connector, program member and activity sync |
Microsoft Teams | Calendar and meeting sync | Basic calendar integration | Supported workflow via calendaring and SSO options |
RainFocus integrations tend to be deep because enterprise customers need detailed data synchronization. Splash integrations center on marketing workflows and campaign attribution, which aligns with its user base. Accelevents pairs native CRM and MAP connectors with a fully integrated data model so reporting spans registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual components in real time, and these reports are shareable across stakeholders.
Pricing and Implementation Considerations
Understanding the true cost of event technology goes beyond the platform fee. Both RainFocus and Splash use quote-based pricing, but their cost structures reflect different target markets.
RainFocus typically requires higher upfront investment because it is designed for complex, high-value events. Implementation often includes professional services, data migration, and staff training, and teams frequently pursue certification to unlock the full system.
Splash offers lower entry points and faster implementation, making it accessible for smaller teams and frequent events. The trade-off can appear when you need deeper features or handle very large attendee volumes.
Hidden costs to consider:
Training time: RainFocus has more initial learning, Splash is faster to set up
Professional services: RainFocus often needs implementation help, Splash can be self-implemented
Integration costs: Both may charge extra for certain API or custom integrations
Accelevents features transparent, scalable pricing with pay-only-for-what-you-need modules and no surprise add-ons. For large conferences, the conference solution supports complex agendas, sponsors, and exhibitors without the drawn-out deployments typical of heavy enterprise systems.
Choosing Between RainFocus and Splash
The right choice depends more on your team structure and event portfolio than on feature lists. Here is how to think through the decision:
Choose RainFocus when you have complex events that require deep functionality. This includes multi-day conferences, trade shows with exhibitors, or event programs where detailed reporting and governance matter more than creative control.
Choose Splash when you run frequent marketing events where brand consistency and speed matter most. This includes roadshows, product launches, customer events, or any program where the marketing team leads event planning.
Decision factors that matter most:
Event complexity: Simple branded events favor Splash, complex conferences favor RainFocus
Team structure: Marketing-led teams prefer Splash, operations-heavy teams prefer RainFocus
Technical resources: Limited IT support favors Splash, strong IT teams can leverage RainFocus better
If you want the control of enterprise systems with faster time to value, Accelevents brings scheduling, check-in, and reporting together with an event agenda builder that scales from single-track programs to multi-track conferences.
Uptime and Reliability
RainFocus and Splash are used by organizations with high expectations for performance. While no vendor guarantees perfection, Accelevents is known for reliability in published reviews, with no references to outages in reviews.
Target Users and Industries
RainFocus is geared toward very large enterprises that need governance, permissioning, and complex data models across global portfolios. The platform’s cost and complexity align to large-scale programs with dedicated operations and IT resources.
Splash serves marketing teams that run frequent branded events, roadshows, product unveilings, and customer meetups. It is widely used by field marketing, demand generation, and agencies executing high-volume campaigns.
Accelevents suits enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits running conferences, trade shows, fundraisers, internal meetings, and continuing education events. Agencies benefit from repeatable templates and multi-client control in the solutions for agencies, and media and publishing teams can adapt the platform to press events and screenings using the media industry solution.
Additional Capabilities Comparison
API
RainFocus provides APIs aligned to enterprise programs, often gated by services. Splash offers APIs aimed at marketing workflows. Accelevents includes no fees for API access, with REST APIs and webhooks that are well documented.
Lead Capture and Tracking
RainFocus typically bundles exhibitor lead capture for large shows, which can involve per-exhibitor fees and dedicated devices. Splash relies on integrations or third-party tools for lead scanning at scale. Accelevents includes mobile app lead capture with QR scanning, offline support, unlimited users, real-time reports, lead scoring, note-taking, and integrated meeting booking, complemented by on-site attendee engagement tools.
Integrations and API
Watch for integration fees and data limits with enterprise and marketing platforms. Accelevents charges no fees for native integrations and maintains deep connectors to Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and numerous association management systems to keep CRM and MAP data aligned.
Call for Papers and Abstract Management
RainFocus supports enterprise-grade session workflows, though some reviewers note setup complexity. Splash does not specialize in end-to-end speaker workflows. Accelevents offers native workflows for CFP and abstracts, multiple submission paths, auto reviewer assignment, and a speaker management portal with task management.
Exhibitor Management
RainFocus includes exhibitor tools suitable for large expos, yet setup and training can be significant. Splash focuses on attendee marketing rather than exhibitor operations. Accelevents provides a comprehensive exhibitor portal to manage digital booths, capture leads, book demos, coordinate teams, and track ROI, with attendee-to-exhibitor connections powered by networking features.
Support for Continuing Education Credit Tracking
RainFocus can align attendance with credits in enterprise deployments, which may require configuration services. Splash typically leaves CE tracking to integrations. Accelevents delivers automated credit assignment, a flexible program builder, instant certificate generation, self-service retrieval, audit trails, and LMS integration, with sessions organized through the event agenda builder.
White-Label Branding Options
Some platforms limit removal of vendor branding on certain pages or mobile components. Accelevents supports full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual environments with customizable themes.
Role-Based Access and Compliance
RainFocus offers enterprise permissioning, SSO, and audit tools aligned to global programs. Splash includes role management designed for marketing teams. Accelevents provides custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and detailed security audit logging.
Alternative Event Management Solutions
While RainFocus and Splash represent two different approaches to event management software, other platforms blend elements of both. Accelevents offers enterprise-grade capability with user-friendly design, transparent pricing, and flexibility for both large conferences and marketing events. With 1,847 customers, Accelevents supports rapid onboarding, and organizations appreciate strong customer success throughout launch and scale.
Unlike the complexity often associated with enterprise platforms or the limitations of marketing-focused tools, Accelevents provides event management that handles everything from simple setups to complex multi-track conferences so teams can focus on outcomes rather than admin. Features like gamification and attendee engagement keep on-site experiences lively without extra apps or add-ons.
Request a demo to explore how Accelevents can simplify your event management process.
FAQs About RainFocus vs Splash
Which platform works better for large corporate conferences?
RainFocus handles large corporate conferences effectively due to its enterprise-grade attendee management, complex registration logic, and native exhibitor tools. Splash works better for smaller, brand-focused corporate events.
How do RainFocus and Splash handle virtual event experiences differently?
RainFocus provides native virtual event tools including live streaming, virtual booths, and unified reporting across in-person and virtual attendees. Splash relies on third-party integrations for virtual delivery while focusing on branded registration and communications.
What CRM integrations work with RainFocus and Splash?
Both platforms integrate with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Marketo, but RainFocus offers deeper, configurable enterprise integrations including native Eloqua support. Splash focuses on marketing-specific data flows and campaign attribution.
Which platform offers better value for marketing teams running multiple events?
Splash typically provides better value for marketing teams due to its template system, faster deployment, and marketing-focused features. RainFocus is designed for fewer, larger events with complex requirements.
Can both platforms manage hybrid events with in-person and virtual components?
Yes, both handle hybrid events, but RainFocus offers more seamless integration between in-person and virtual experiences with unified attendee tracking. Splash handles hybrid events through integrations while maintaining strong branding control.
How user-friendly are RainFocus and Splash for non-technical coordinators?
Splash is easier for non-technical coordinators due to its templates and visual editors. RainFocus has a steeper learning curve but offers more control for experienced event professionals.
