Event management software helps organizations plan, run, and analyze events. These platforms often include tools for registration, email communication, attendee engagement, and reporting.
Cvent, Stova, and Accelevents are all widely used by businesses and event organizers. While Cvent and Stova offer similar tools, their approaches differ based on company history, architecture, and the types of organizations they serve. Accelevents, intentionally built with a single consistent data model, delivers a seamless experience for event organizers, attendees, exhibitors, and speakers, offering high ease of use and flexibility.
This article compares Cvent, Stova, and Accelevents as they stand in 2025, covering core features, integrations, enterprise capabilities, pricing, support, and user experiences.
Cvent, Stova, and Accelevents Overview
All three platforms—Cvent, Stova, and Accelevents—help teams manage in-person, virtual, and hybrid events through one system. However, their backgrounds shape their user experiences.
Cvent was founded in 1999 and has grown largely by acquiring other products. Reviews frequently note that some acquired modules are not well integrated, and certification courses are often required to become an expert due to system complexity.
Stova is the result of a merger between MeetingPlay and Aventri, rebranding as Stova in 2022. User feedback suggests that the different acquisitions are not yet fully unified, affecting the seamlessness of the experience.
Accelevents was intentionally built from the ground up with one consistent data model. This design provides a seamless experience across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual experiences for all stakeholders. Accelevents is well known for its ease of use, highly customizable workflows, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7.
Company Information | Cvent | Stova | Accelevents |
|---|---|---|---|
Founded | 1999 | MeetingPlay (2011), rebranded to Stova in 2022 | 2015 |
Primary Market | Enterprise, Government, Higher Education | Mid-sized Enterprise, Event Services | Enterprises, Associations, Agencies, Nonprofits, Media |
Typical Clients | Corporations, Universities, Associations | Event Agencies, Mid-Sized Businesses | 1,847 organizations of all sizes, including enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits |
Core Focus | Enterprise features, integrations, analytics | Attendee engagement, mobile interaction | Highly customizable all-in-one event solution with seamless experience and rapid onboarding |
Core Features Comparison
Event planners rely on software to manage various components of their events. Selecting the right features ensures events run smoothly. Here’s how Cvent, Stova, and Accelevents compare:
Registration and Ticketing
Cvent: Offers tools for branded registration pages and custom form fields, but user reviews note that the process can be complex and sometimes confusing, especially for organizations without dedicated technical support. Certification training is often necessary.
Stova: Supports custom branding and payment options, yet setup can be challenging, and users report frustration with configuring group discounts or conditional workflows.
Accelevents: Delivers a highly customizable ticketing and event registration platform with drag-and-drop page building, unlimited ticket types, discount codes, reusable templates, one-click registration forms, seamless payment processing, and conversion tracking. Group registration is streamlined with ticket bundles and flexible attendee info collection. Conditional logic supports tailored workflows for different attendee types.
On-Site Check-In and Badge Printing
Cvent: Supports iPads and barcode scanners for check-in, with custom badge printing. Hardware requirements can be specific and may require additional setup.
Stova: Provides on-demand badge printing and branded options, but performance may fluctuate depending on event size and connectivity.
Accelevents: Features native badge printing and mobile app check-in, offering a seamless on-site experience. Organizers can design and print badges on demand, and attendees benefit from quick, contactless check-in options.
Engagement Tools and Mobile Apps
Cvent: Mobile app includes event schedules, personalized agendas, and push notifications. Attendee networking is available, but in-person engagement features may not be as integrated as desired.
Stova: Focuses on social tools like AI matchmaking, interactive feeds, and community walls, yet some users note issues with app performance during busy events.
Accelevents: Offers a suite of attendee engagement features such as live polling, Q&A, gamification, and seamless networking for in-person, hybrid, and virtual audiences. The mobile app supports on-site interaction, session check-in, and digital lead capture. Less than 10% of features are virtual-only, in line with industry needs.
Integrations and APIs
Connecting to other business systems is vital for maximizing event software value. Here’s how these platforms compare:
Cvent: Integrates with major CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as marketing tools (Marketo, Eloqua), but some connectors require additional fees or technical setup. Public API is available, but some modules use older SOAP formats.
Stova: Supports major CRMs, but integrations can be limited and sometimes involve manual configuration. API is public, though user reviews mention documentation could be improved.
Accelevents: Provides no-fee API access with robust REST APIs and webhooks. Native connectors to Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and many association management systems are available with no additional charges.
Analytics and Reporting
Cvent: Offers real-time analytics and customizable dashboards, but report customization can be time-consuming, and sharing reports may require manual steps.
Stova: Delivers real-time data and cross-event dashboards, though users note limits in filtering and sharing data across multiple events.
Accelevents: Provides shareable reports, real-time analytics, and a fully integrated data model. Data flows seamlessly across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual event components.
Enterprise Capabilities
Security and Compliance
Cvent: Multi-factor authentication, role-based access, single sign-on, and SOC 2/ISO 27001 compliance. Permission controls are detailed but can be complex to manage.
Stova: SOC 2 certified, offers data encryption, SSO, and user roles, but with less granularity than Cvent.
Accelevents: Delivers custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and detailed security audit logging.
Multi-Event Management
Cvent: Supports reusable templates, cross-event analytics, and resource tracking, but often at the cost of added complexity.
Stova: Offers templates and cross-event reporting, though users report more manual steps when reusing event setups.
Accelevents: Includes reusable event templates, unified dashboards, and integrated resource management, allowing event organizers to manage portfolios of events efficiently.
Pricing and Budget Considerations
Cvent: Pricing is not transparent; annual subscriptions and additional fees for modules, integrations, and support are common. Estimating total cost can be challenging.
Stova: May offer per-event pricing, but custom quotes and additional fees for integrations or support often apply.
Accelevents: Stands out with transparent, scalable pricing—pay only for what you need with no hidden add-ons or surprise charges.
Customer Support and Training
Implementation Help
Cvent: Implementation can take weeks or months. Certification is often needed to become proficient.
Stova: Implementation timeline varies, with some users experiencing a steep learning curve and a need for additional internal or external support.
Accelevents: Rapid onboarding supported by a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7. Customers routinely mention smooth setup and accessible training resources.
Ongoing Support
Cvent: 24/7 support via multiple channels. Response times are generally good, but some users mention delays during peak periods.
Stova: Provides multi-channel support, but resolution times can vary.
Accelevents: Offers a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7 and is recognized for delivering exceptional customer success throughout the entire event lifecycle.
Real-World User Experiences
What Users Like
Cvent: CRM and marketing tool integrations, event website and registration builders, and detailed reporting.
Stova: Social networking and interactive mobile features, visual design, and fit for mid-sized events.
Accelevents: Seamless experience due to consistent data model, highly customizable workflows, rapid onboarding, transparent pricing, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7.
Common Challenges
Cvent: Setup complexity, steep learning curve, and unpredictable costs.
Stova: Integration of acquired products and app performance issues.
Accelevents: User reviews do not reference any major outages or reliability issues.
Target Users and Industries
Cvent: Extremely expensive for smaller organizations; best suited for enterprises, government, and large associations.
Stova: Popular among event agencies, mid-sized companies, and unique event formats.
Accelevents: Suitable for conferences, trade shows, fundraisers, internal meetings, and continuing education events—especially for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits.
In-Person, Virtual, and Hybrid Event Capabilities
Cvent: Offers a virtual event hub, but additional fees may apply. Some users report glitches with virtual features.
Stova: Dedicated virtual event hub with modular features. App performance may vary.
Accelevents: Originally built for in-person events, now supports all event types. Features native badge printing, mobile app check-in, and a dedicated Virtual Event Hub.
Lead Capture and Tracking
Cvent: Lead capture tools often require additional per-exhibitor fees and specific hardware.
Stova: Lead capture with QR codes is available, but device requirements and user limits can increase costs.
Accelevents: Provides mobile app lead capture with QR scanning, offline support, unlimited users, real-time reporting, lead scoring, note-taking, and integrated meeting booking.
Call for Papers & Abstract Management
Cvent: Abstract management modules are available, but not always included in base packages, with some gaps in workflow flexibility.
Stova: Offers abstract management, but may lack advanced reviewer assignment and native speaker portals.
Accelevents: Provides native workflows for call for papers and abstracts, multiple submission paths, auto reviewer assignment, and a speaker portal with task management.
Exhibitor Management
Cvent: Exhibitor tools are available but may require add-ons and can be complex to configure.
Stova: Exhibitor management is included but sometimes lacks end-to-end digital booth management.
Accelevents: Delivers a comprehensive exhibitor portal to manage digital booths, capture leads, book demos, coordinate teams, and track ROI.
Support for Continuing Education Credit Tracking
Cvent: Certificate generation is available, but custom workflows may require additional configuration.
Stova: Offers CE credit tracking, but audit trails and LMS integrations are limited.
Accelevents: Automated credit assignment, flexible program builder, instant certificate generation, self-service retrieval, audit trails, and LMS integration.
White-Label Branding Options
Cvent: White-label options are available but removing platform branding may require higher-tier packages.
Stova: White-label branding is possible, but some virtual and mobile modules may retain Stova branding.
Accelevents: Full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual environments with customizable themes.
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 for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits. With a single, unified data model, transparent pricing, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, Accelevents is uniquely positioned for organizations seeking reliability, rapid onboarding, and ongoing customer success.
Whether you are seeking drag-and-drop event registration, seamless integrations, real-time analytics, or an end-to-end experience for all event types, Accelevents offers a compelling alternative to Cvent and Stova.
Final Thoughts: Cvent, Stova, or Accelevents?
Cvent and Stova each serve specific segments: Cvent’s system complexity, cost, and integration-driven approach cater to the largest enterprises and government bodies, while Stova focuses on social engagement and mid-market needs but has integration and performance concerns. Many organizations find these platforms limiting due to a lack of seamlessness, unpredictable pricing, or the need for significant training and support.
In contrast, Accelevents delivers a seamless, highly customizable experience intentionally built for organizations of all sizes, including enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits. Its transparent pricing, native support for all event types, and rapid onboarding, backed by a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, make it a strong choice for event organizers seeking the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stova and Cvent
How long does implementation typically take for Cvent and Stova?
Implementation for Cvent usually takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the number of events, complexity of integrations, and internal team availability. Stova's implementation timeline varies but often requires more internal setup time, especially when configuring complex engagement features.
Which types of companies typically use Cvent for their events?
Cvent is commonly used by large enterprises, universities, and government agencies managing conferences, trade shows, and multi-day events with complex requirements and compliance needs.
What are the main competitors to Cvent besides Stova?
Main competitors to Cvent include Accelevents, Eventbrite, and Hopin. These platforms offer alternatives with varying levels of complexity, scalability, and integration support depending on the event format and organization size.
How do Cvent and Stova handle virtual and hybrid events?
Both Cvent and Stova support virtual and hybrid event formats, offering live streaming, engagement tools, and mobile apps. Cvent emphasizes enterprise stability and integration, while Stova focuses more on attendee interaction and social features.
What are the typical pricing ranges for Cvent and Stova?
Cvent typically uses subscription pricing structured for enterprise clients, with costs based on event volume, features, and support needs. Stova offers customized pricing that may be more flexible for mid-sized organizations, with variability based on event scale and configuration.
