Cvent vs EventsAir: the short answer
Cvent vs EventsAir is a choice between a broad enterprise platform and a specialist built for complex conferences. Here is how they compare on features, pricing, setup and fit.
Choose Cvent if you want one of the largest event platforms, with registration, venue sourcing, onsite, an attendee app and cross-event reporting, and you have the admin capacity to run it. Choose EventsAir if you run complex conferences, association meetings or agency-managed events and want registration, onsite, travel, abstracts and hybrid delivery on a single subscription, with a smaller vendor and typically a shorter setup.
The pricing logic differs. EventsAir charges a subscription by plan: Single, Multi or Enterprise, which differ by number of events and platform users, and registrations are not metered. Cvent licenses modules separately on a quote. Neither publishes prices.
| Cvent | EventsAir | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Enterprise programs, many events a year | Complex conferences, associations, PCOs and agencies |
| Origin | Founded 1999 (US) | Founded 1990 as Centium Software (Australia), per a competitor article |
| Pricing model | Quote; Registration, Attendee Hub and OnArrival licensed separately | Subscription by plan: Single, Multi, Enterprise |
| Published prices | None | None |
| Signature strengths | Venue sourcing, approvals, scale, reporting | Rules-based registration, onsite, travel and accommodation, abstracts, broadcast studio |
| Watch out for | Add-ons, per-registrant fees, renewal uplift | Add-on services, extra payment processing fees, security details not public |
Cvent vs EventsAir: feature by feature
Registration
EventsAir describes its registration as rules-based, so pricing, access and form fields change depending on who the attendee is. Cvent Registration supports multiple attendee types, approvals, purchase orders and conditional logic. Both handle complex scenarios. Cvent has more governance features for large organizations; EventsAir is often favored where registration rules are the hard part of the event.
Onsite
EventsAir covers check-in, kiosks and badge printing within its platform. Cvent sells OnArrival as a separate solution. Ask both for the hardware list, how offline mode works, and a reference event of your size.
Mobile app and engagement
EventsAir includes a mobile event app and networking. Cvent’s Attendee Hub adds chat and Q&A, polling, gamification, AI-driven agenda building, exhibitor and sponsor activation, and live or on-demand video. If a rich attendee app is the main reason to buy, compare the two with your own agenda.
Virtual and hybrid
EventsAir lists streaming and a broadcast studio as part of the platform. Cvent delivers virtual through Attendee Hub. Check what each charges for streaming and who produces the broadcast.
Operations beyond registration
EventsAir lists travel and accommodation, payment processing, abstract and speaker management and sponsor and exhibitor lead capture as modules. Cvent covers venue sourcing, budgeting and reporting across a portfolio. This is the clearest split: EventsAir is built around running one complex event well; Cvent is built around managing a program of events.
AI
EventsAir markets AI assistants under the name Air Intelligence. Cvent advertises AI agenda building. Neither claim is independently tested here; ask for a live demo and for details on what data the AI uses.
Integrations
EventsAir sells Smart Connectors as an add-on. Cvent Enterprise includes API access and SSO. List the systems you must connect and ask each vendor to show the data flowing, not only to confirm that an integration exists.
Cvent vs EventsAir pricing in 2026
Neither vendor publishes a price, so any dollar figure you read comes from a quote someone else received.
EventsAir sells a monthly subscription in three plans. Single includes one event (more available), unlimited registrations under fair use, up to three platform users and unlimited meetings under 100 attendees. Multi includes up to three events and unlimited users. Enterprise offers unlimited events and users. All plans include in-person, virtual and hybrid features. Add-ons priced on request: Custom Domains, Smart Connectors, Event Build, Enterprise Support and Additional Payment Gateways. EventsAir Pay carries extra processing fees.
Cvent quotes each solution separately: Registration, Attendee Hub and OnArrival. The Professional tier includes 15 user logins. Enterprise adds SSO, API access, MFA and budget management. Third-party roundups put Cvent at roughly $19,600 to $79,000+ a year, and a competitor’s comparison says to ask for the per-registration rate, overage terms and renewal escalation in writing.
| What drives cost | Cvent | EventsAir |
|---|---|---|
| Core unit | Modules licensed, registrants | Number of events and users on the plan |
| Registrations | Per-registrant fees reported | Not metered (fair use) |
| Extras | Implementation, hardware, premium support, add-on modules | Event Build, Smart Connectors, Enterprise Support, payment gateways |
| Payments | Processing fees | EventsAir Pay processing fees |
| Renewal | Uplift reported; negotiate a cap | Ask for the cap |
How to compare
- Write down your scenario: events per year, attendee counts, languages, currencies, onsite needs, and number of staff who need logins.
- Ask each vendor for an itemized quote for that scenario, including implementation or build services and payment processing.
- For EventsAir, ask which plan your event volume forces and what the next plan costs. For Cvent, ask which modules are in the base quote.
- Get the renewal terms in writing before you sign.
If you run few, very large and complex events, EventsAir’s flat subscription may be easier to forecast. If you run many events across teams and need venue sourcing and cross-event reporting, Cvent’s model can pay off. Test both against your numbers.
Implementation, support, security and AI
Implementation. A competitor’s comparison claims EventsAir onboarding typically takes under four weeks and Cvent six or more. Treat that as a claim, not a benchmark. On both platforms, the time goes into registration rules, payment testing, integrations and onsite rehearsal, not into the software install. EventsAir offers Event Build as a paid service; Cvent has an implementation services team and partners.
Support. Cvent lists a client services team of 1,800+. Ask each vendor for support hours and response times during your event week, and whether onsite support is included.
Security. EventsAir’s public pages name no certifications and link to a separate Support & Security section. Ask both vendors for their current SOC 2 report or equivalent, data residency options, SSO and MFA availability, and data retention and deletion terms. On Cvent, SSO, API and MFA are in the Enterprise tier.
Scale and track record. EventsAir says it has run 400,000+ events and shows 4.5 stars on G2 and Capterra. Cvent shows 4.3 stars from 437 G2 reviews and says it manages 8.3 million events. Both are vendor-reported; check G2 and Capterra directly.
Switching. Moving between the two means exporting attendees, sessions, speakers and registrations and rebuilding forms, emails and agendas. Migrate events that are open for registration first and start months ahead of your contract end.
Which should you choose?
- Pick Cvent if you run many events a year across teams, need venue sourcing, approvals and cross-event reporting, and want SSO and API access.
- Pick EventsAir if your events are large and complex, with rules-heavy registration, travel and accommodation, abstracts, onsite and hybrid delivery, and you prefer a subscription that is not metered by registrations.
- Either way, get itemized quotes for the same scenario and ask for security documents before the demo, not after.
FAQ
Is EventsAir cheaper than Cvent? Neither publishes prices. EventsAir does not meter registrations; Cvent reportedly adds per-registrant fees. Compare itemized quotes for your own scenario.
Who owns EventsAir? Its site shows a Centium Software copyright. A competitor article says it began as Centium Software in Australia in 1990. Confirm current ownership with the vendor.
Does EventsAir have a mobile app? Yes, a mobile event app with networking is part of the platform.
Does Cvent have a broadcast studio? Cvent delivers virtual through Attendee Hub with live and on-demand video. EventsAir lists a broadcast studio.
Which is easier to implement? A competitor article claims EventsAir is faster to onboard. Ask both for a written timeline for your scope.
Can I switch? Yes, with a data export and a rebuild of forms and agendas. Start months ahead.
Need help choosing or setting up?
AttendeeGain implements Cvent and can advise on how it compares with other platforms. Tell us your event volume and complexity and we will recommend what fits. See our Cvent expertise, platform integration and onsite solutions, or contact us.
Sources: Cvent pricing, EventsAir pricing.
