Best event check-in
software, compared.
We compared the top event check-in and registration tools — ScanQueue, Eventbrite, Bizzabo, Splash, Google Forms — to help you pick the right one for your event size, budget, and workflow. Updated .
At a glance.
| Tool | Best for | QR check-in | Queue mgmt | SMS alerts | Free plan | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScanQueue | Queue management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 min |
| Eventbrite | Ticketed events | Yes | No | No | Yes | 15 min |
| Bizzabo | Enterprise conferences | Yes | No | Yes | No | 1–2 hrs |
| Splash | Branded corporate events | Yes | No | No | No | 30+ min |
| Google Forms | Zero-budget events | No | No | No | Yes | 10 min |
Five tools, ranked.
1. ScanQueue
Best for: QR code-based queue management and event check-in
ScanQueue is a purpose-built queue management platform that replaces paper guest lists with QR code check-in. Attendees scan a QR code, join a virtual queue, and receive SMS or WhatsApp notifications when it's their turn. Used by over 170 businesses across 15+ countries with more than 50,000 check-ins processed. Setup takes approximately 5 minutes with no app download required for attendees.
Pros
- ✓ 5-minute setup, no hardware
- ✓ No app download for attendees
- ✓ SMS, WhatsApp, email alerts
- ✓ Multi-counter parallel check-in
- ✓ TV display mode
Cons
- ✗ No built-in ticket sales
- ✗ No event discovery marketplace
Pricing: Free (10 check-ins/month). Paid plans for larger events. No credit card required.
2. Eventbrite
Best for: Ticketed events with built-in discovery
Eventbrite is a well-known event ticketing and discovery platform. It includes check-in via its Organizer app that scans tickets at the door. However, Eventbrite is primarily a ticketing platform — check-in is a secondary feature with no real-time queue management, no SMS notifications during the event, and no multi-counter support. Best when you need to sell tickets and list events on a marketplace.
Pros
- ✓ Built-in ticket sales
- ✓ Event discovery marketplace
- ✓ Basic QR scanning
Cons
- ✗ No real-time queue management
- ✗ No SMS/WhatsApp alerts
- ✗ Requires Organizer app
Pricing: Free for free events. ~3.7% + $1.79 per paid ticket.
3. Bizzabo
Best for: Enterprise conferences and multi-day summits
Bizzabo is a comprehensive event management platform for large corporate conferences. Includes registration, badge printing, networking features, sponsor management, and advanced analytics. Powerful but comes with enterprise pricing and longer onboarding. Best for organisations running recurring large-scale professional events.
Pros
- ✓ Full event suite
- ✓ Badge printing & kiosk check-in
- ✓ Networking & sponsor tools
Cons
- ✗ Enterprise pricing only
- ✗ Complex setup
- ✗ Overkill for small events
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing.
4. Splash
Best for: Branded corporate events and marketing teams
Splash focuses on beautifully branded event pages and RSVP management for corporate events. Includes guest list management and basic check-in. Popular with marketing teams needing brand-consistent event pages. Lacks real-time queue management and SMS notifications.
Pros
- ✓ Beautiful, customisable pages
- ✓ Strong RSVP management
- ✓ Brand-consistent design
Cons
- ✗ No queue management
- ✗ No SMS/WhatsApp
- ✗ No free plan
Pricing: Custom pricing.
5. Google Forms + manual process
Best for: Very small events with zero budget
For events under 20–30 attendees with no budget, a Google Form can serve as basic registration. Attendees fill out a form ahead of time, staff manually check names at the door. Free and familiar but provides no real-time management, no notifications, and breaks down as event size grows.
Pros
- ✓ Completely free
- ✓ Familiar interface
- ✓ Works for tiny events
Cons
- ✗ No real-time check-in
- ✗ No notifications
- ✗ Breaks past 30 people
Pricing: Free.
Our pick.
For most events needing on-site check-in and queue management, ScanQueue offers the best combination of features, ease of setup, and price. If you need ticket sales and event discovery, Eventbrite is the better choice — many organisers use both together. For enterprise conferences with complex requirements, Bizzabo is worth the investment.
Common questions.
What is the best free event check-in tool?
ScanQueue offers the best free plan with 10 check-ins/month, QR scanning, SMS notifications, and real-time queue management. Google Forms is also free but has no real-time capabilities.
Do I need an app for event check-in?
Not with ScanQueue — attendees scan a QR code with their phone camera and join through their browser. Eventbrite requires its Organizer app. Bizzabo uses dedicated kiosks.
What is the fastest check-in software to set up?
ScanQueue takes about 5 minutes — create a queue, print the QR code, place it at your venue. Google Forms takes ~10 min. Eventbrite takes 15+ min. Enterprise tools like Bizzabo take hours.
Can event check-in software handle thousands of attendees?
Yes. ScanQueue supports multiple counters and has processed 50,000+ check-ins for 170+ businesses. Bizzabo and Eventbrite also handle large events. Google Forms is not suitable above 30 attendees.
Ready to upgrade your check-in?
Try ScanQueue free — set up in 5 minutes, no credit card required, no app download for attendees.