{"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": "2026-10-22T23:00:00Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/event-management-software-small-businesses-2026-10-22", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/event-management-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Eventbrite", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Luma", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "RSVPify", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Tripleseat", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Tripleseat/Perfect Venue", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Perfect Venue", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Stripe", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Luma Plus", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Ticket Tailor", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Zoho", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Zoho Backstage", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "all-in-one", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Eventzilla", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "Whova", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "Cvent", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "Bizzabo", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 17, "brand": "Splash", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 18, "brand": "Swoogo", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 19, "brand": "HoneyBook", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://university.posh.vip/university/post/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026", "domain": "university.posh.vip", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://hi.events/eventbrite-fee-calculator", "domain": "hi.events", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://help.lu.ma/p/luma-vs-eventbrite", "domain": "help.lu.ma", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.tickettailor.com/eventbrite-fees-and-cost", "domain": "tickettailor.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://rsvpify.com/compare/luma-vs-rsvpify", "domain": "rsvpify.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.zoho.com/backstage/event-management-software/best-platforms.html", "domain": "zoho.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/p/149712/Whova/pricing/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/products/cvent/pricing", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/resources/best-event-management-software-for-small-business/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "## Short answer\n\n**Eventbrite** if you're selling tickets to the public, **Luma** if you want something cheap and modern, **RSVPify** if it's invite-only guest lists, and **Tripleseat/Perfect Venue** if you're actually a venue or caterer *selling* events rather than hosting them.\n\nHere's the order I'd actually recommend, with why:\n\n### For ticketed, public-facing events\n\n**1. Eventbrite** - the default, and usually the right default. Free to use for free events, and the paid tiers run roughly $0 / ~$15 / ~$50 / ~$100 per month depending on email volume. The real cost is the per-ticket fee - about 3.5-3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket, plus ~2.9% processing - which is ~11-15% on a cheap ticket. You pay that premium for one genuine thing competitors can't match: Eventbrite's marketplace actually sends you strangers. If discovery matters, start here. One real drawback: payouts typically land *after* the event, which hurts if you need to pay vendors up front. ([pricing breakdown](https://university.posh.vip/university/post/eventbrite-fees-explained-2026), [fee calculator](https://hi.events/eventbrite-fee-calculator))\n\n**2. Luma (lu.ma)** - what I'd pick for meetups, workshops, dinners, comm", "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"}}