Who Cvent Is a Good Fit For
Cvent is an enterprise event platform, and it is a sensible choice for large event departments that run many complex programs and want a broad suite managed through a sales relationship. Pricing is typically quote-based, arranged through its sales team, which suits organizations that budget for event technology across the year. If that describes you, it may be the right tool.
Why Small Planning Teams Pick Shoal
A price you can read
Shoal publishes one flat price per event, set by how many people register. Your first 2 events of up to 50 people are free during our launch, and there is no sales call, subscription or contract.
Set up in an afternoon
Sign up yourself, build your event for free and publish when you are ready. Registration, agenda, check-in and badges are all in one place, so a small team can run the whole event.
No cut of your ticket sales
Connect your own Stripe account and ticket money goes straight to you. You pay Stripe's normal card fees, and Shoal takes nothing on top.
Every feature at every size
You never unlock features by paying more. The branded attendee app, private events, waitlists, reports and API access come with every event, including free ones.
A game built in
Turn on the Game and attendees earn points for checking in, meeting people by scanning badges, finding secret codes and answering trivia, with teams, prizes and a leaderboard for the big screen. It comes with every event.
Private by default
Internal conferences stay invite-only and out of search engines until you choose otherwise. Only the people you invite can register.
Shoal and Cvent at a Glance
| Shoal | Cvent | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published flat price per event; first 2 events up to 50 people free during our launch | Typically quote-based, through sales |
| Getting started | Self-serve: sign up and build today | Usually arranged with a sales team |
| Best suited to | Small teams running their own events | Large event departments |
| Ticket sales | Paid through your own Stripe account; Shoal takes no cut | Check their current terms |
| Attendee app | Opens in the browser from the ticket link, no download | Check their current offering |
| Engagement game | Points, secret codes, trivia, teams, prizes and a big-screen leaderboard, included | Check their current offering |
| Features by size | All features at every size | Check their current plans |
Cvent is a trademark of its owner; Shoal is not affiliated with Cvent. Comparison based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Plans and prices change, so check Cvent directly for current details.
Shoal Pricing, Per Event
Priced by how many people register, with every feature included at every size.
Up to 50 people
Free
Launch offer: free for your first 2 events created before January 1, 2027, a $149 value.
Up to 250 people
$399
Per event.
Up to 750 people
$899
Per event.
Up to 2,000 people
$1,599
Per event.
Questions
Is Shoal a good Cvent alternative?
It is if you are a small team that wants a published price and a tool you can set up yourself. Larger event departments with complex, multi-program needs may be better served by an enterprise platform.
Do I have to talk to sales to use Shoal?
No. You can sign up, build an event for free and publish it yourself. You can write to us any time if you have questions or run very large events.
Where can I check what Cvent offers today?
On their own website. We keep this comparison broad because their plans and pricing change, so confirm any detail with them directly.
Comparing other platforms? Read about Shoal as an alternative to Whova, Eventbrite, Bizzabo or Swoogo.
Plan Your Next Event on Shoal
Your first 2 events of up to 50 people are free if you create them before January 1, 2027. Set up in an afternoon.