Who Whova Is a Good Fit For
Whova is known for its attendee app and engagement features, and it is a good fit for organizers who want attendees to download an app and interact with each other before and during the event. Pricing is typically quote-based. Teams that value a native app experience on the attendee's phone may prefer that approach.
Why Small Planning Teams Pick Shoal
An attendee app with nothing to install
Your attendees open the branded app straight from their ticket link in the browser. Schedule, notifications, venue details and seating are there without visiting an app store.
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, with no subscription or contract.
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.
Private by default, in your branding
Events are private until you choose otherwise, and your logo, colors and fonts carry through the event page, ticket, app and emails. Every feature is included at every size.
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.
Set up in an afternoon
Sign up yourself, build your event for free and publish when you are ready. Registration, agenda, the app, check-in and badges all live in one place.
Shoal and Whova at a Glance
| Shoal | Whova | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published flat price per event; first 2 events up to 50 people free during our launch | Typically quote-based |
| Getting started | Self-serve: sign up and build today | Check their current process |
| Attendee app | Opens in the browser from the ticket link, no download | Known for its attendee app, available from an app store |
| Ticket sales | Paid through your own Stripe account; Shoal takes no cut | Check their current terms |
| Event privacy | Private by default; only public events are listed | 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 |
Whova is a trademark of its owner; Shoal is not affiliated with Whova. Comparison based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Plans and prices change, so check Whova 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 Whova alternative?
It is if you want an attendee app that needs no download, a built-in game and a published per-event price. If a native app store app is the priority, compare them closely against Whova.
Do my attendees need to download anything?
No. The attendee app opens in the browser from the ticket link, and attendees can add it to their home screen if they like.
Where can I check what Whova 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 Cvent, 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.