Events are how small nonprofits build community, raise funds, and recruit volunteers. But managing registrations, ticketing, communication, and follow-up across spreadsheets and email is a recipe for missed details and exhausted staff. The right event management software turns chaos into a workflow.
We compared the top event platforms for small nonprofits on pricing (including nonprofit discounts), ease of use, and features that matter for galas, 5Ks, workshops, and volunteer events.
Quick Comparison
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Free Plan | Ticketing | Nonprofit Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | Best for public events and discoverability | Free | Yes | Yes (free events) | Yes (fees reduced for nonprofits) |
| Givebutter | Best for fundraising events | Free (tip model) | Yes | Yes | No (already free) |
| Bloomerang Events | Best integrated with donor CRM | Custom | No | Yes | No |
| TicketTail | Best low-fee ticketing | $0.99/ticket | Yes (5 free events) | Yes | No |
| WildApricot | Best for membership-based nonprofits | $48/mo | Yes (free for 50 contacts) | Yes | No |
1. Eventbrite — Best for Public Events and Discoverability
Eventbrite is the most widely known event platform, and its biggest advantage is discoverability. When you list a public event on Eventbrite, it appears in search results and can attract attendees who weren’t on your radar. For nonprofits running public events (community 5Ks, open workshops, public fundraisers), that visibility matters.
Pros:
- Largest event marketplace — your events get found
- Easy setup for any event type
- Free events are completely free to list
- Built-in ticketing and registration
- Discount codes and early bird pricing
- Attendee check-in app
- Email communication with attendees
- Integrates with most CRMs and marketing tools
- Strong mobile app for day-of management
Cons:
- Processing fees on paid events (3.7% + $1.79 per ticket for nonprofits)
- Eventbrite brand dominates the registration experience
- Limited customization of registration forms
- No donor management or CRM features
- Free tier only for free events; paid events carry fees
- Attendee data belongs to Eventbrite’s ecosystem
- Not ideal for private or invite-only events
- Customer support can be slow
Pricing: Free for free events; paid events: 3.7% + $1.79/ticket (nonprofit rate) or 5.7% + $1.79 (standard)
Best for: Nonprofits running public events where discoverability and easy registration matter more than branding or donor management.
2. Givebutter — Best for Fundraising Events
Givebutter combines event management with fundraising in one free platform. Galas, peer-to-peer campaigns, ticketed events, and donation pages all live in the same system. If your event is primarily a fundraiser, Givebutter eliminates the need for separate event and giving platforms.
Pros:
- Free platform (donor tip model)
- Event registration + ticketing + fundraising in one
- Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns
- Donation pages alongside event pages
- Custom event pages with your branding
- Live stream integration for virtual/hybrid events
- Text-to-give and QR code giving at events
- Donor CRM included
- No monthly subscription
Cons:
- Tip model can confuse some attendees
- Processing fees are standard if tips don’t cover them
- Event features are less mature than Eventbrite’s
- Limited attendee management (no waitlists, limited seating)
- No event discoverability marketplace
- Branding customization requires paid plan
- Less robust check-in tools than Eventbrite
Pricing: Free; processing 2.9% + $0.30 (donor tip model offsets platform costs)
Best for: Fundraising events (galas, campaigns, peer-to-peer) where ticketing and donations need to work together.
3. WildApricot — Best for Membership-Based Nonprofits
WildApricot is built for membership organizations — associations, clubs, chambers, and nonprofits with dues-paying members. Event management is part of a broader platform that includes membership management, dues renewal, a website builder, and email marketing.
Pros:
- Membership management + events + website + email in one
- Member-only and public events with different pricing
- Online membership application and renewal
- Member directory
- Email marketing built in
- Event registration with member vs. non-member pricing
- Payment processing included
- Good for organizations where events serve members
Cons:
- Event features are secondary to membership features
- More expensive than standalone event platforms
- Interface is functional but not modern
- Limited event customization compared to Eventbrite
- Learning curve for the full platform
- Not ideal for one-off events (better for recurring member events)
- Pricing scales by contact count (gets expensive)
Pricing: Free (under 50 contacts); $48/mo (up to 500 contacts); $78/mo (up to 2,500); $118/mo (up to 10,000)
Best for: Membership-based nonprofits that need events, dues, and member management in one platform.
4. TicketTail — Best Low-Fee Ticketing
TicketTail charges a flat $0.99 per ticket instead of a percentage. For events with higher ticket prices (galas at $100+/ticket, conferences), this saves significant money compared to percentage-based platforms.
Pros:
- Flat $0.99/ticket fee (regardless of ticket price)
- Saves money on high-ticket events ($100 ticket = $0.99, not $5+)
- Clean, modern event pages
- Discount codes and reserved seating
- Attendee check-in app
- Good reporting
- 5 free events per year on free plan
- Integrates with Stripe for payment processing
Cons:
- No event discoverability marketplace
- No fundraising or donor features
- No membership management
- Limited email marketing
- No nonprofit-specific features
- Stripe processing fees on top of TicketTail fees
- Less brand recognition than Eventbrite
Pricing: Free plan (5 events/year); Pro $0.99/ticket + Stripe processing (2.9% + $0.30)
Best for: Nonprofits running ticketed events (galas, conferences, workshops) where ticket fees are the primary concern.
How to Choose
1. What type of event?
Public community event → Eventbrite. Fundraiser/gala → Givebutter. Member event → WildApricot. High-ticket event → TicketTail.
2. Do you need donor management too?
Yes → Givebutter (includes CRM). Yes, and you have a donor CRM already → integrate Eventbrite with your CRM. No → Eventbrite or TicketTail.
3. What’s your budget?
Free → Givebutter or Eventbrite (free events). Under $50/month → WildApricot (small org). Lowest ticket fees → TicketTail.
4. Is discoverability important?
Yes (public events) → Eventbrite. No (private/invite-only) → Givebutter or TicketTail.
Our Top Pick
For fundraising events, Givebutter is the best choice — ticketing and donations in one free platform. For public events where you want new attendees to find you, Eventbrite. For membership organizations, WildApricot. And for high-ticket events where fees matter, TicketTail‘s flat pricing saves real money.
SoftDecide helps churches, nonprofits, and small organizations find the right software. Our comparisons are independently researched. We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you.