{"question": "best event management software for small businesses", "category": "event-management-software", "category_name": "event management software", "audience": "small-businesses", "audience_name": "small businesses", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-10-13T00:52:44Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/event-management-software-small-businesses-2026-10-13", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/event-management-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Eventbrite", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Professional", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Bending Spoons", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Evernote", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "WeTransfer", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "TicketSpice", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Whova", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "G2", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Swoogo", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Skip Cvent", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Cvent", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Hopin", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "RingCentral", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "HoneyBook", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "Planning Pod", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "Dubsado", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 17, "brand": "Acuity Scheduling", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 18, "brand": "SimplyBook.me", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 19, "brand": "SuperSaaS", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-event-management-software-for-small-business/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://g2.com/categories/event-management-platforms/small-business", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.billboard.com/pro/eventbrite-acquisition-bending-spoons-500-million/", "domain": "billboard.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.ticketnews.com/2026/03/bending-spoons-finalizes-purchase-of-eventbrite/", "domain": "ticketnews.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/bending-spoons-cuts-eventbrite-staff-rolls-out-product/", "domain": "globalbankingandfinance.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://posh.vip/university/post/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026", "domain": "posh.vip", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nunify.com/blogs/whova-vs-cvent", "domain": "nunify.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/compare/cvent-vs-eventbrite/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/swoogo-vs-whova", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/02/hopin-ringcentral", "domain": "techcrunch.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.honeybook.com/blog/tools-for-event-planners", "domain": "honeybook.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://occasion.app/blog/the-best-booking-software-for-classes-workshops-and-events-in-2026", "domain": "occasion.app", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "\"Event management software\" splits into two different product categories depending on which you mean, so here's both - but the short answer for most small businesses is **Eventbrite**, with real caveats.\n\n## If you're running your own events (tickets, registration, attendees)\n\n**1. Eventbrite** - the default, and still the right starting point. Free plan with no subscription, built-in discovery (people actually browse Eventbrite, which no competitor really offers), and free events cost nothing. Paid tiers run roughly $15-$100/mo for the marketing tools. Per-ticket fees are around 2% + $0.79 on the free tier, climbing to ~3.5% + $1.59 on Professional, plus ~2.9% payment processing - though sources disagree on exact current numbers, so check the pricing page before you commit.\n\n⚠️ One thing to know: Eventbrite was taken private by **Bending Spoons** (Italian holding company) in a $500M deal that closed March 10, 2026. They cut staff in April and are running a \"leaner team.\" Bending Spoons' pattern with Evernote, Meetup, and WeTransfer has been aggressive monetization after acquisition. I'd still recommend Eventbrite, but I wouldn't build deep dependency on it right now without watchi", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}