Swoogo and Whova are both event management platforms that event organizers use to plan, manage, and host events. These platforms support in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats, offering tools for registration, engagement, analytics, and more.
Swoogo was founded in 2015 and is recognized for its complex customization options. It is often selected by larger teams managing events that require branded experiences and integrations with multiple business systems.
Whova, launched in 2013, focuses on simplicity and attendee engagement. It offers an all-in-one platform that is quick to set up and easy to use.
Accelevents was intentionally built from the ground up with a single, consistent data model, creating a seamless experience across the platform for event organizers, attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. With 1,847 customers worldwide, Accelevents is known for its ease of use, highly customizable features, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7.
Platform | Primary Event Types | Best For | Founded | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Swoogo | In-person, virtual, hybrid | Custom-branded, large-scale, enterprise events | 2015 | Complex registration, drag-and-drop website editor, analytics, SSO |
Whova | In-person, virtual, hybrid | Associations, nonprofits, and businesses | 2013 | Mobile app included, community boards, gamification, live polls |
Accelevents | In-person, virtual, hybrid | Enterprises, associations, agencies, nonprofits, mid-market | 2015 | Seamless data model, drag-and-drop event website builder, badge printing, real-time analytics, white-label, 24/7 support team |
Key Features and Benefits Compared
When choosing between Swoogo, Whova, and Accelevents, understanding their core features helps you pick the right tool for your events. Let’s look at what each platform offers.
1. Registration and Ticketing
Swoogo offers customizable registration forms where you can create different ticket types and pricing rules. Some users mention that the registration setup can be confusing for first-time users, especially when managing complex ticketing scenarios.
Whova provides registration pages with options for different ticket types.
Accelevents’ highly customizable ticketing and event registration platform features drag-and-drop customization for event pages, forms, and badges, unlimited ticket types, discount codes, and reusable templates. Event organizers benefit from one-click registration forms, seamless payment processing, and full conversion tracking. Group registration is streamlined using ticket bundles, allowing multiple ticket purchases and flexible attendee info collection. Conditional logic in forms supports tailored workflows for different attendee types.
Form flexibility: Swoogo allows complex registration logic; Whova is more template-based; Accelevents offers drag-and-drop customization and conditional logic for any attendee type.
Payment options: All three platforms support major payment gateways; Accelevents includes seamless payment processing and conversion tracking.
Group handling: Swoogo and Accelevents provide advanced group registration tools; Accelevents simplifies with ticket bundles and flexible attendee info collection.
2. Event Websites and Branding
Swoogo includes a drag-and-drop website builder for full control over your event’s online presence, though some users report a learning curve.
Whova offers ready-to-use event pages that are faster to set up using templates.
Accelevents’ event website builder provides drag-and-drop functionality, customizable layouts, colors, fonts, and supports custom code. With full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual environments, organizers can ensure every digital touchpoint aligns with their brand.
Setup speed: Whova’s templates are fastest; Accelevents balances speed and customization with reusable templates and a drag-and-drop interface.
Customization depth: Swoogo and Accelevents both offer deep design control; Accelevents adds white-label branding and modular widgets.
Mobile optimization: All three platforms deliver mobile-friendly sites; Accelevents’ builder is optimized for any device.
3. Attendee Engagement Tools
Swoogo provides customizable networking features, Q&A tools, and content suggestions based on attendee interests. Some reviewers note that setup for engagement tools can be complex.
Whova includes built-in community boards, gamification features, and live polling in its standard package, accessible through its mobile app and web interface.
Accelevents delivers attendee engagement tools such as live Q&A, polls, chat, and matchmaking, all natively integrated across web and mobile. Gamification features drive participation, and networking modules facilitate meaningful connections for in-person, hybrid, and virtual events.
Networking: Swoogo and Accelevents offer customizable networking; Whova includes community boards.
Gamification: Whova and Accelevents provide gamification features; Accelevents supports custom challenges and rewards.
Mobile engagement: All three platforms support mobile engagement, with Accelevents offering a unified experience across devices.
4. Mobile Apps
Swoogo offers a mobile app as an additional feature, which can be branded and configured for each event.
Whova includes its mobile app in all plans at no extra cost, offering agenda viewing, messaging, announcements, and sponsor visibility.
Accelevents provides a fully branded mobile app experience, including personalized schedules, interactive maps, session check-in, lead capture, and engagement tools. Organizers can manage app content through a unified platform interface, with seamless integration to onsite and virtual modules.
Availability: Whova includes the app in all plans; Swoogo and Accelevents offer branded mobile apps with custom features.
User experience: All three offer strong mobile experiences; Accelevents stands out for seamless integration between mobile, web, and onsite.
Customization: Swoogo and Accelevents deliver branding options; Accelevents supports modular app features and white-labeling.
5. Analytics and Reporting
Swoogo provides analytics dashboards showing registration trends, session attendance, and engagement metrics. Reports can be customized, but some users report limitations in sharing or exporting data.
Whova offers reporting on attendance and engagement, with a focus on mobile app usage and session popularity. Data exports are available.
Accelevents offers real-time analytics and reporting with shareable reports and a fully integrated data model across registration, onsite, mobile, and virtual components. Organizers can track attendee engagement, ROI, and session performance instantly, supporting data-driven decisions for future events.
Analytics Feature | Swoogo | Whova | Accelevents |
|---|---|---|---|
Attendance tracking | Real-time, session-level, badge scans | Session check-in, app usage logs | Real-time, session-level, badge scans, mobile and virtual tracking |
Engagement metrics | Custom tracking, content popularity | Polls, chat activity, community board | Live Q&A, polls, networking, gamification, content popularity |
ROI measurement | Sponsor lead tracking, registration ROI | Sponsor visibility, booth visits | Lead capture, sponsor ROI, exhibitor analytics, conversion tracking |
Custom reports | Flexible report builder, multiple formats | Standard reports | Shareable, real-time reports, exportable in multiple formats |
Pricing Structures and Hidden Costs
Swoogo uses a team-based pricing model. Their Professional plan starts around $11,800 per year for one user, with costs increasing as you add more team members. Some users have noted that costs can escalate quickly with additional features or users.
Whova prices on a per-event or annual license basis.
Accelevents offers transparent, scalable pricing, with pay-only-for-what-you-need modules and no surprise add-ons. Organizers can select features based on event requirements, making it cost-effective for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits.
Swoogo: Registration, website builder, basic analytics, custom branding
Whova: Registration, mobile app, community boards, website builder
Accelevents: Registration, badge printing, mobile app, analytics, white-label, networking, and more—modules can be added as needed
Integrations and Setup Experience
1. CRM and Marketing Connections
Swoogo connects directly with major CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Marketo, allowing registration data to flow into marketing and sales systems.
Whova offers integrations with Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Eventbrite.
Accelevents provides deep connectors to Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and numerous association management systems with no charges for native integrations. Its API is REST-based, well documented, and free to access, supporting automation and custom workflows for enterprises and associations.
2. On-Site Tools for In-Person Events
Swoogo supports check-in via QR codes, manual lookup, and badge printing. It works with professional badge printers and offers offline mode for poor internet locations.
Whova handles check-in through its mobile app with QR code scanning. Badge printing is available.
Accelevents delivers native badge printing, mobile app check-in, and real-time attendee tracking. Its badge printing supports custom layouts, on-demand printing, and offline support, making it ideal for high-volume in-person or hybrid events.
3. Virtual Event Capabilities
Swoogo works with streaming platforms like Zoom and Vimeo, allowing for custom virtual venues and backstage speaker areas.
Whova includes built-in streaming, virtual sponsor booths, session chat, and networking spaces, all within a unified interface.
Accelevents, originally built for in-person, now supports all event types. Its dedicated Virtual Event Hub offers modular features, including session streaming, networking lounges, and sponsor booths, all integrated with registration and analytics for a seamless hybrid or virtual experience.
Support and Onboarding
Swoogo provides support via email, chat, and phone during business hours. Enterprise customers receive expanded support hours and dedicated account managers.
Whova offers support through in-app chat and email, with an extensive online help center. Users consistently rate their support team highly for responsiveness.
Accelevents is known for reliability, with no references to outages in reviews, and an award-winning support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7. Its customer success team provides rapid onboarding, live training, and ongoing guidance to ensure every event is a success.
Who Chooses Each Platform? Typical Customers?
Swoogo is often chosen by large enterprises and event agencies that require complex workflows and deep integrations. Some organizations find the cost high for small or infrequent events.
Whova is well suited for associations, nonprofits, and organizations seeking a simple, all-in-one solution.
Accelevents serves organizations of all sizes—including large enterprises, mid-market corporations, associations, agencies, and nonprofits—seeking an all-in-one, highly customizable solution with rapid onboarding and strong customer success. Its platform is especially attractive to customers looking to grow with a provider that reinvests in the product and frequently adds new features.
Target Users and Industries
Swoogo is geared toward enterprises, agencies, and organizations running large, complex events.
Whova is popular for member pricing and continuing education events.
Accelevents is suitable for conferences, trade shows, internal meetings, and continuing education events especially for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits.
Where Accelevents Fits In
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. Its consistent data model, modular feature set, and rapid support make it a strong alternative to both Swoogo and Whova for organizations seeking reliability and scalability.
API, Integrations, and Lead Capture
Swoogo and Whova both offer API access. Some platforms charge fees for API usage or restrict access.
Accelevents provides robust REST APIs and webhooks with no fees, and its documentation is public and thorough. For lead capture, Accelevents’ mobile app supports QR scanning, offline lead capture, unlimited users, real-time reporting, lead scoring, note-taking, and integrated meeting booking—all without per-exhibitor fees or device restrictions.
Call for Papers, Abstract Management, and Exhibitor Tools
Swoogo and Whova offer submission and exhibitor management tools.
Accelevents features native workflows for call for papers and abstracts, multiple submission paths, automatic reviewer assignment, and a speaker portal with task management. Its exhibitor portal supports digital booths, lead capture, demo booking, team coordination, and ROI tracking.
Continuing Education Credit Tracking
Whova and Swoogo both offer continuing education tracking.
Accelevents automates credit assignment, offers a flexible program builder, instant certificate generation, self-service retrieval, audit trails, and LMS integration for seamless continuing education management.
White-Label Branding, Role-Based Access, and Compliance
Some competitors limit removal of platform branding or restrict white-label features to higher tiers.
Accelevents delivers full white-label branding across web, mobile, and virtual environments with customizable themes. Permission controls include custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and detailed security audit logging.
Which Platform Is Right For Your Events?
Choosing between Swoogo, Whova, and Accelevents depends on your event requirements and organizational priorities.
Swoogo: Best for large enterprises or agencies needing complex workflows and custom integrations.
Whova: Fast setup and strong mobile engagement.
Accelevents: Combines the best of both worlds—seamless data model, highly customizable features, rapid onboarding, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7. Suitable for enterprises, associations, agencies, and nonprofits looking for an all-in-one, scalable event platform.
Decision-Making Checklist
1. Identify Your Event Format
In-person events: All platforms support these, but Accelevents offers native badge printing and mobile check-in with real-time tracking.
Virtual events: Whova’s all-in-one approach is simple; Swoogo offers customization; Accelevents provides a dedicated Virtual Event Hub with modular features.
Hybrid events: All support hybrid, but Accelevents integrates onsite, mobile, and virtual experiences into a single platform.
Recurring events: Swoogo and Accelevents both offer reusable templates and event cloning.
2. Plan Your Budget
Base platform fees: Swoogo is typically more expensive; Whova offers per-event pricing; Accelevents offers transparent, scalable pricing with no surprise add-ons.
Add-on features: Check for mobile app, analytics, integrations; Accelevents offers modular pricing so you only pay for what you need.
Contract terms: Multi-year agreements may offer savings, but Accelevents’ modular pricing ensures flexibility.
3. Consider Your Integration Needs
Marketing automation: All three connect with email platforms; Accelevents provides deep connectors to Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and association management systems.
CRM systems: Swoogo and Accelevents offer complex CRM integrations; Whova offers CRM integrations.
Single sign-on and permissions: Swoogo and Accelevents offer SSO and custom roles; Accelevents adds MFA and compliance certifications.
Unlock Your Event Potential with a Different Approach
While comparing Swoogo and Whova, you might find that neither perfectly matches your needs. Accelevents offers an alternative that combines the strengths of both platforms, bridging complex enterprise features and ease of use. With a consistent data model, highly customizable modules, and a support team that responds in less than 21 seconds, 24/7, Accelevents is trusted by 1,847 organizations worldwide.
Key features include real-time badge printing, role-based permissions, integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot, continuing education tracking, and exhibitor lead capture. For event organizers who value customer success, reliability, and a balanced all-in-one solution, Accelevents stands out as a strong alternative to Swoogo and Whova.
Request a demo to explore how Accelevents can simplify your event management process.
FAQs About Swoogo and Whova
Which platform works better for conferences that require attendee engagement?
Whova is generally preferred for conferences requiring attendee engagement because it includes mobile engagement tools, session tracking, and an interface that's easy for both organizers and attendees to use. Swoogo provides more customization, while Accelevents delivers a unified engagement experience across web, mobile, and onsite.
How do Swoogo and Whova compare on pricing for small events?
Whova's per-event pricing model includes the mobile app and community tools at no extra cost. Swoogo's team-based pricing is often more expensive for one-off small events but may be cost-effective for organizations running multiple events. Accelevents offers transparent, modular pricing that scales for any event size.
Can all three platforms effectively support hybrid events?
Yes, Swoogo, Whova, and Accelevents all support hybrid events with tools for managing in-person and virtual experiences. Accelevents integrates in-person, mobile, and virtual modules for a seamless hybrid experience.
What are the main differences between Swoogo and Whova's mobile apps?
Whova includes its mobile app in all plans, providing access to agendas, messaging, and engagement tools without additional cost. Swoogo's mobile app is available as an add-on and offers more branding customization. Accelevents provides a branded mobile app with integrated engagement, lead capture, and badge scanning for onsite and hybrid events.
How do Swoogo and Whova handle integration with Salesforce?
Swoogo offers a more complex Salesforce integration with configurable data mapping and automation options. Whova also integrates with Salesforce. Accelevents delivers deep, no-fee Salesforce connectors and supports marketing automation workflows.
What security features do these platforms offer for enterprise events?
Swoogo includes enterprise security features like single sign-on (SSO), role-based permissions, and custom security configurations. Whova follows standard security practices. Accelevents offers custom roles, SSO, MFA, SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance, and security audit logging.
