Planning an event — whether it's a conference, seminar, trade show, or product launch — requires more than just coordination; it demands robust tools to manage ticketing, audience engagement, speaker coordination, promotions, and on-the-day logistics. Event management software has evolved significantly, offering everything from virtual event hosting to real-time analytics. Among these tools, Zoho Backstage stands out, especially for businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem.
In this blog, we’ll explore how Zoho Backstage compares to leading platforms like Eventbrite, Cvent, Bizzabo, Accelevents, Whova, Eventzilla, and Showpass — and help you decide which one is best for your event needs.
What is Zoho Backstage?
Zoho Backstage is a comprehensive event management platform designed for organizing in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. It is part of the Zoho ecosystem and integrates tightly with Zoho CRM, Zoho Campaigns, Zoho Meeting, and more. The platform supports end-to-end event planning, including:
Event website builder
Agenda planning and speaker management
Custom registration forms and ticketing
Sponsor management
Virtual event hosting
Mobile app for attendees
Real-time analytics
Post-event surveys
Why Zoho Backstage?
Zoho Backstage appeals to event marketers, SMBs, and enterprises looking for a cost-effective, integrated solution that syncs with their CRM and marketing automation. Unlike standalone tools, Backstage is part of the Zoho ecosystem—making it easy to share attendee data with Zoho CRM, send email campaigns through Zoho Campaigns, and manage post-event follow-ups. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to design branded event websites, set up ticketing, and create detailed agendas without needing technical skills. The platform supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, making it flexible for evolving needs. With powerful analytics, multilingual support, and a dedicated mobile app for attendees and organizers, Zoho Backstage delivers a modern event experience from registration to feedback—ensuring better engagement, operational efficiency, and measurable ROI.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Event Website and Branding
Zoho Backstage: Offers drag-and-drop event site builder with custom domain support, multilingual pages, and agenda visibility.
Eventbrite: Limited customization; branding is secondary to ticketing.
Cvent: Highly customizable but primarily suited for enterprise-level branding.
Bizzabo & Whova: Strong branding capabilities with customizable event apps.
Eventzilla & Accelevents: Decent customization with themes and templates.
Showpass: Limited website tools, primarily for ticketing.
Verdict: Zoho Backstage offers more flexibility than Eventbrite and Showpass and rivals Whova and Bizzabo in terms of branding options.
Ticketing and Registration
Zoho Backstage: Supports tiered ticketing, early bird discounts, promo codes, and group booking. Integrates with Zoho CRM for lead capture.
Eventbrite: Industry leader in ticketing. Intuitive interface but higher per-ticket fees.
Cvent: Enterprise-grade registration tools but expensive and complex.
Whova: Good for RSVP and ticketed events; lacks flexibility for large-scale ticketing.
Accelevents & Eventzilla: Affordable options with strong ticketing features.
Showpass: Very good for entertainment events; limited for B2B.
Verdict: Zoho Backstage offers competitive ticketing features with seamless CRM integration — ideal for B2B or lead-focused events.
Virtual/Hybrid Event Hosting
Zoho Backstage: Integrates with Zoho Meeting and other platforms. Offers virtual stage, screen sharing, and attendee chat.
Bizzabo & Cvent: Excellent for hybrid events with advanced virtual features.
Whova: Tailored for virtual conferences with session replay and attendee networking.
Accelevents: Affordable option with built-in streaming.
Eventbrite: Limited native capabilities; relies on Zoom or third parties.
Eventzilla: Supports virtual events, but less intuitive.
Verdict: For mid-scale virtual events, Zoho Backstage delivers a solid experience. Cvent and Bizzabo lead here, but at a higher price.
Speaker & Agenda Management
Zoho Backstage: Easily manage multiple tracks, session types, speaker bios, time slots, and digital agendas.
Whova: Excellent agenda and speaker tools with live Q&A and polling.
Bizzabo & Cvent: Top-notch features for managing complex events.
Eventbrite & Showpass: Basic support; best for simpler events.
Accelevents & Eventzilla: Moderate agenda management.
Verdict: Zoho Backstage is very strong in agenda and speaker management — ideal for conferences and knowledge-sharing events.
Mobile App
Zoho Backstage: Dedicated attendee and organizer apps. Real-time updates, personalized agenda, alerts.
Whova: Highly rated mobile app for engagement, networking, and gamification.
Bizzabo: Feature-rich app with branding options.
Eventzilla & Accelevents: Functional mobile apps but limited customization.
Showpass: Event ticket access only; lacks interactivity.
Verdict: Zoho Backstage holds its own with Bizzabo and Whova, especially when using the Zoho ecosystem.
CRM, Marketing & Automation
Zoho Backstage: Seamlessly integrates with Zoho CRM, Campaigns, and other apps for automated email marketing, contact segmentation, and lead tracking.
Eventbrite: Exports to Mailchimp and CRMs but no native CRM integration.
Cvent: Offers integration with Salesforce and marketing tools — expensive.
Bizzabo: Built-in CRM and marketing automation.
Whova & Accelevents: Light CRM functions; marketing tools are basic.
Verdict: Zoho Backstage is unmatched for those already using Zoho CRM or Campaigns.
Pricing Comparison
| Platform | Entry-Level Price (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Backstage | $83/month (per organizer) | SMBs, startups, Zoho users |
| Eventbrite | Free + ticketing fees | Simple public events, community gatherings |
| Cvent | Custom quote (high) | Enterprise-scale events |
| Bizzabo | Premium | Large, global conferences |
| Whova | Custom quote | Virtual/hybrid academic or corporate events |
| Eventzilla | $1.50/ticket or flat fee | Budget-conscious planners |
| Accelevents | $500/event (virtual) | Fundraisers, webinars |
| Showpass | Commission-based | Concerts, nightlife |
Why Zoho Backstage is Ideal for Businesses in the Middle East & India
Cost-effective: Affordable pricing compared to Cvent and Bizzabo
GDPR Compliant: International data privacy ready
Multi-language Support: Great for events in Arabic, Hindi, English
Integrated with WhatsApp, Razorpay, and regional payment tools
Support for hybrid and offline trade shows or summits
Zoho Backstage Implementation by AppsTech Soft
How AppsTech Soft Helps You Get Started
As a certified Zoho Partner with 4+ years of experience, AppsTech Soft brings deep knowledge of implementing Zoho Backstage in real-world business settings.
Our services include:
🎯 Event Strategy Consulting
🛠 Zoho Backstage Setup
🔌 Integration with Zoho CRM, Campaigns, Books, WhatsApp
🌐 Multi-language customization
📱 Mobile App Setup & Branding
🎓 Organizer Training & Support
Whether you're planning corporate summits in Dubai, educational events in Bangalore, or product launches across borders, AppsTech Soft will help you launch your events smoothly with the right digital foundation.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right event management platform depends on your event complexity, budget, team size, and whether you want CRM + automation built in. Zoho Backstage provides powerful features, seamless Zoho integrations, and affordability — making it a great choice for small to medium enterprises, especially across India and the Middle East.
If you're looking for a complete event tech stack that helps you manage events from start to finish — while also improving your marketing and sales ROI — Zoho Backstage with AppsTech Soft is your go-to combination.