When planning large-scale events, choosing the right event management software can shape how seamlessly your event unfolds and how efficiently your team works. Two options often compared are EventsAir and Stova. However, Accelevents is increasingly recognized by event organizers for bridging complex enterprise features and ease of use, delivering a balanced, highly customizable, all-in-one event solution for events of all sizes.
All three platforms support in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. Each offers a range of features tailored for specific organizational needs. This comparison details how EventsAir, Stova, and Accelevents differ in functionality, usability, pricing, and audience fit—providing a clear, side-by-side perspective for professionals exploring their options.
Summary of Companies
EventsAir was founded in 1990 by Centium Software and has expanded as an event management platform for conferences, meetings, and trade shows. Stova, meanwhile, was formed in 2022 via the merger of Aventri, MeetingPlay, and eventcore. Reviews suggest the Stova acquisitions are not always well integrated, leading to occasional confusion and fragmented workflows for users. Stova primarily targets enterprise-level organizations with complex event portfolios. In contrast, EventsAir is known for structured workflows and focus on usability.
Unlike platforms grown through acquisition, 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, Accelevents is recognized for its ease of use, highly customizable tools, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7. This unified approach ensures a consistent experience and reduces friction for teams of any size.
EventsAir: Focus on usability and structured workflows for a range of event types and sizes.
Stova: Built for complex enterprise events, but reviews note integration challenges due to its merger-based growth.
Accelevents: Intentionally designed as a unified platform, delivering a seamless, highly customizable solution with industry-leading customer support and rapid onboarding.
Key Differences In Event Management Features
While EventsAir and Stova deliver many core event management features, their approaches differ. EventsAir focuses on streamlined workflows and templates. Stova emphasizes customization for enterprise clients, but the depth of options can be overwhelming and often requires technical expertise. Accelevents blends complex enterprise-grade features with usability, making it accessible for teams of all backgrounds.
Registration and Ticket Tools
User reviews indicate that EventsAir’s registration can be confusing for first-time users, with some limitations in customizing attendee flows. Stova boasts deep configuration, but setup can be complex and overwhelming, leading to frustration and a steeper learning curve. In contrast, Accelevents offers a highly customizable ticketing and event registration platform featuring drag-and-drop design for event pages, forms, and badges. Users benefit from unlimited ticket types, discount codes, reusable templates, and seamless payment processing. Group registration is simplified through ticket bundles and flexible attendee information collection, while conditional logic enables tailored workflows for different attendee types.
Registration Feature | EventsAir | Stova | Accelevents |
|---|---|---|---|
Form Customization | Pre-built templates with field editing | Fully customizable, but setup can be complex | Drag-and-drop builder with conditional logic and reusable templates |
Payment Processing | Integrated with major gateways, no per-registration fees | Multiple payment options, custom invoicing workflows | Seamless payment processing with conversion tracking |
Attendee Management | Centralized dashboard for attendee data | Segmented journeys, tracking tools | Unified dashboard, flexible data collection, easy group management |
Engagement and Networking
EventsAir includes built-in engagement tools like polling, Q&A, and gamification, but some users desire more modern networking capabilities. Stova offers branded lounges and AI-powered recommendations, but feedback notes a learning curve with setup and branding. Accelevents delivers attendee engagement through built-in gamification, matchmaking, and networking modules, supporting both in-person and hybrid experiences. Gamification is integrated with the mobile app, and networking tools allow attendees to connect, meet, and share information easily. Less than 10 percent of engagement features are virtual-only, keeping the focus on in-person and hybrid interactions.
EventsAir: Polling, Q&A, gamification, matchmaking
Stova: AI-based networking, branded lounges, real-time feedback
Accelevents networking: AI-powered matchmaking, interactive chat, appointment booking, and robust engagement features for on-site and virtual attendees
Mobile Apps and Virtual Tools
All three platforms provide mobile apps for onsite check-in and attendee engagement. EventsAir’s native app focuses on preconfigured tools, while Stova’s branded app supports deeper design changes but may require technical oversight. Accelevents' mobile app supports badge printing, session tracking, lead capture, and engagement—designed for rapid deployment and ease of use. The dedicated Virtual Event Hub offers modular tools for virtual sessions and networking, but the core app is optimized for on-site performance and smooth hybrid experiences.
Ease Of Use And User Interface
EventsAir delivers guided workflows and templates to help users set up events, but some users have reported confusion navigating certain modules. Stova’s user interface is highly customizable, but with this depth comes system complexity, and certification training is often required for mastery. Accelevents stands out for a seamless, unified interface built on a single data model. Its drag-and-drop tools and logical workflows make it accessible to both technical and non-technical users, supporting rapid onboarding and minimizing training requirements. Extensive documentation and video resources are available, supported by a customer success team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7.
EventsAir: Guided workflows, templates, some user confusion reported
Stova: Customizable UI, certification often needed due to system complexity
Accelevents: Unified interface, minimal learning curve, rapid onboarding, and top-rated support
Pricing Models and Support Options
EventsAir uses tiered pricing, with predictable costs based on event size and features, and no per-registration fees. Stova’s pricing is custom quoted, often varying widely based on complexity, attendee numbers, and integration needs. Some users report difficulty projecting costs and identifying hidden fees with Stova, especially as add-ons accumulate.
Accelevents offers transparent, scalable pricing, allowing organizations to pay only for the modules they need—without surprise add-ons or hidden fees. Its 24/7 support team is consistently highlighted in reviews for rapid, helpful responses, and customer success is a core focus. All clients receive multi-channel support, ensuring every event runs smoothly from start to finish.
EventsAir: Tiered, predictable pricing, no per-registration fees
Stova: Custom, complexity-based pricing with variable add-ons
Accelevents: Transparent, module-based pricing, no hidden fees, rapid and reliable support
Analytics & Reporting
EventsAir and Stova both offer real-time analytics and dashboards. However, EventsAir’s reporting tools can be difficult to share externally, and Stova’s most powerful analytics are often reserved for higher-tier packages, leading some users to feel limited by their plan. In contrast, Accelevents provides shareable reports with real-time data, leveraging its unified data model across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual event components. This enables better insights and more informed decision-making for your team and stakeholders.
Advanced Integrations and Customization
EventsAir and Stova both offer integrations with CRM and marketing automation tools. EventsAir connects with Salesforce (basic data sync) and other systems typically via middleware. Stova supports more complex custom integrations, but these often come with additional fees and require technical resources for setup and maintenance.
Accelevents provides deep native connectors to Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and popular association management systems—all without extra integration charges. The platform offers robust REST APIs and webhooks, well documented for developer use, and never imposes fees for API access. This empowers organizers to automate workflows and sync data across their ecosystem without technical or financial barriers.
Integration / API | EventsAir | Stova | Accelevents |
|---|---|---|---|
Salesforce | Basic connection, middleware required for custom | Bidirectional, custom fields, fees apply | Native, bidirectional, no fees |
HubSpot/Marketo | Middleware, limited features | Direct, campaign support, fees may apply | Native, deep connectors, included |
API Access | Limited docs, some restrictions | Custom, fees for access, SOAP in some cases | REST API and webhooks, no fees, well documented |
Onsite Check-In and Hybrid Functionalities
EventsAir and Stova both offer self-service kiosks for onsite check-in and badge printing. EventsAir’s setup uses pre-configured tablets and printers, while Stova supports more hardware options, but configuration can be complex. Both platforms provide hybrid event features, such as live streaming, but users report occasional glitches in virtual modules, and additional fees may apply for hybrid or virtual capabilities.
Accelevents was originally built for in-person events and has evolved to support all event types. It provides native badge printing, mobile app-based check-in, and a dedicated Virtual Event Hub with modular features. The platform is known for reliability, with no references to outages in reviews, and offers seamless onsite and hybrid solutions without the technical headaches often reported on other platforms.
Target Users and Industries
EventsAir is typically used by associations, public sector teams, and higher education institutions with recurring events and compliance needs. Stova attracts enterprise organizations managing global, complex event portfolios and agencies running large events with complex integration requirements. However, Stova’s complexity and cost may be prohibitive for smaller teams or those without dedicated IT support.
Accelevents is suitable for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits organizing conferences, trade shows, fundraisers, internal meetings, and continuing education events. Its highly customizable platform and rapid onboarding make it accessible to organizations of all sizes, with scalability to support both simple and complex use cases. Accelevents customers benefit from a platform that continually reinvests in product innovation and feature development.
Additional Feature Comparisons
Lead Capture & Tracking: Accelevents mobile app supports QR scanning, offline lead capture, unlimited users, real-time reports, lead scoring, and integrated meeting booking—without per-exhibitor fees or device restrictions.
Call for Papers & Abstract Management: Accelevents offers native CFP and abstract workflows, multiple submission paths, auto reviewer assignment, and a speaker portal with task management.
Exhibitor Management: Accelevents' exhibitor portal enables digital booth management, lead capture, demo bookings, team coordination, and ROI tracking.
Continuing Education Credit Tracking: Accelevents includes automated credit assignment, a flexible program builder, instant certificate generation, self-service retrieval, audit trails, and LMS integration.
White-Label Branding: Accelevents provides full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual environments, with customizable themes.
Role-Based Access & Compliance: Custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and detailed audit logging are included in Accelevents’ security suite.
Where Accelevents Fits In
Where Accelevents can benefit enterprises and associations is in its ability to bridge the gap between the deep functionality needed by complex organizations and the ease of use required by lean teams. The platform’s consistent data model, highly customizable features, and seamless integration make it an attractive alternative to both EventsAir and Stova, delivering a unified experience for event registration, attendee engagement, lead management, and analytics. Its support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, and transparent pricing model further set it apart as a future-proof choice.
Final Thoughts: Considering Accelevents as a Strong Alternative
EventsAir and Stova each address specific market segments, but both present challenges—whether that’s the confusion of navigating multiple acquisitions, system complexity, or unpredictable costs. Accelevents stands out as a unified, modern platform built for today’s event organizers, supporting 1,847 customers across enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits. With highly customizable tools, rapid onboarding, industry-leading customer success, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, Accelevents delivers a seamless, scalable solution for organizations seeking to elevate their event experiences.
Experience the difference for yourself—request a demo and discover how Accelevents can simplify your event management process.
FAQs About EventsAir and Stova
How long does it typically take to implement EventsAir versus Stova?
EventsAir typically takes less time to implement because it offers pre-configured templates and guided workflows. Stova often requires a longer setup due to its complex customization options and enterprise-level features.
Which platform offers better sponsor and exhibitor management tools?
Stova offers more complex sponsor and exhibitor tools, including lead capture and branded exhibitor portals. EventsAir includes exhibitor and sponsor features but focuses more on usability and standard configurations.
Can EventsAir and Stova both handle international events with multiple languages?
Yes, both platforms support international events and offer multilingual capabilities for attendee interfaces and registration pages.
How do the analytics and reporting features compare between EventsAir and Stova?
Both platforms provide real-time analytics and event performance dashboards. Stova includes more complex reporting with customizable metrics and deeper integrations with enterprise systems.
What types of events work best with each platform?
EventsAir works well for conferences, trade shows, and meetings of various sizes. Stova is often used for large-scale, complex enterprise events that require complex workflows and integrations.
