The 12 best free event planning software tools to simplify your event.

Planning an event can feel like juggling a hundred things at once (guest lists, vendors, schedules, budgets) the list goes on.

But what if there was a way to make it all easier without breaking the bank? 

That’s where free event planning apps and platforms come in. 

With 85% of event planners using event management software, having the right tools is key to staying on top of every detail—whether you're organizing a small conference, an incentive trip abroad, or a large corporate event.

Free tools like these work well for smaller, single-track events. But once you're managing a multi-day conference most free plans hit a wall fast, missing SSO, no white-labeling, and registration caps are the most common breaking points. See how GoGather handles enterprise event technology and logistics.

What are the best free event planning software tools?

Here's our list of the 12 best free event planning software tools that can help simplify your event planning:

Although not all of these software options are entirely free, they provide free trials, helpful resources, or limited plans to get you started.

The first nine on our list offer free plans, directories, and tools that we highly recommend for your event planning.

The last three companies on this list are "free-ish platforms," which require payment for the recommended tools after their free trials. 

1. Monday.com

Monday.com is a cloud-based platform designed to help teams manage projects and track daily tasks. Event managers love it because it’s great for organizing and staying on top of multiple events at once.

The Free Plan gives you access to the platform’s core features, making it perfect for simple project organization. 

Here’s what you get with the Free Plan:

• Two users: You can add one other person to your account.
• Main boards: These are visible to your entire team and you can create as many as you need. However, there’s a limit on the number of items you can add.
• In-context communication: Easily chat with your team using @mentions inside the platform.
• Simple search: Use board filters to quickly find tasks or specific info.
• Column center access: Most columns are available, but features like formulas and time tracking aren’t included.
• 500MB of storage to keep things running smoothly.

Enterprise readiness: SSO is Enterprise-only. White-labeling starts at the Pro plan. Forms cap out at the board's 10,000-item limit, so it's not built for large-scale event registration.

If you're looking for a straightforward way to organize your projects, monday.com's Free Plan is a great place to start.

2. Asana

Asana is a cloud-based task management tool that makes it easy for event planners to organize, collaborate, and manage their projects. It’s particularly handy for managing multiple events at once.

The Personal Plan is free and designed for individuals or small teams looking to stay on top of their tasks. With this free plan, you’ll get:

• Collaboration with up to 10 teammates
• Unlimited tasks, projects, messages, and activity logs
• Unlimited file storage (up to 100MB per file)
• Ability to assign tasks and set due dates
• Project views in List, Board, and Calendar formats
• Basic search filters

Enterprise readiness: SSO (SAML) is available on the Advanced plan and up. No white-labeling. Not built for event registration.

Asana is a popular choice, especially since its free version has few limitations. It’s perfect for teams, and the user-friendly interface makes it easy to get started.

One of its standout features is the "Home" overview, where you can see all your pending tasks across different projects in one place. The global calendar is another great time-saver, giving you a clear view of tasks from every project at once. These features are particularly helpful if you’re planning multiple events at once.

Although Asana may not have as many features as some competitors, its simplicity allows you to dive right in without a steep learning curve.

3. Airtable

Airtable is a cloud-based project management tool that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database. 

Think of it as a more advanced version of Excel, but way more flexible and visually appealing. 

It lets you organize your workflow, data, and records without any coding—perfect for event planners looking for something more dynamic than a typical spreadsheet.

Airtable's free plan is a solid option for individual users or small teams. Here’s what it offers:

• Unlimited bases
• One workspace
• Up to 1,000 records per base
• 1 GB of attachments per base
• 100 monthly automations
• 2-week revision and snapshot history
• 6 work views
• Up to 5 editors and 50 commenters

Enterprise readiness: SSO is limited to the Enterprise Scale plan. No white-labeling. The Free plan caps at 1,000 records per base.

We’ve heard Airtable is a total game changer for event planners who used to rely on Google Sheets and are looking for a more advanced platform. It’s especially great for team collaboration and managing multiple projects at once.

You can create detailed columns, assign tasks to team members, and manage your event budget with ease. It’s a fantastic tool for organizing all the moving parts of event management!

4. Zoho Backstage

Zoho Backstage is a dedicated event management platform covering the full event lifecycle. Has drag-and-drop event website builder and RSVP management, session scheduling, check-in, badging, and even built-in webcasting. It is built for events, with no commission taken on ticketing even on the free plan.

• Unlimited events
• Drag-and-drop event website builder
• RSVP management
• Session management tools (up to 3 sessions per event, 45 minutes each)
• Basic event analytics
• Check-in and badging
• Built-in webcasting
• Mobile apps for organizers and attendees
• Capped at 100 attendees and 300 RSVP invites per event

Enterprise readiness: no SSO mentioned on any plan, including the top-tier Ultimate. White-labeling is available, but only on Ultimate, a fully white-labeled attendee mobile app. Registration caps scale with the plan: 100 attendees free, up to 1,000 on Premium, up to 5,000 on Ultimate, with custom pricing beyond that.

5. Bizzabo

Bizzabo offers a range of event planning tools and it's especially known for its networking features and event marketing tools.

While Bizzabo’s comprehensive Event Experience Operating System requires an annual subscription, you can still tap into some great free features:

• Event Directories: These are available at no cost and cover virtual, in-person, and hybrid events. Just keep in mind that Bizzabo can’t guarantee every submitted event will make it into the directory.
• Event Registration: You can use Bizzabo’s paid ticket options, along with registration widgets and contactless check-in.
• Event Website Creation: Build a website effortlessly with Bizzabo’s no-code templates. You can create a site that integrates registration, agendas, and streaming without needing any coding skills.

Enterprise readiness: SSO is available as a premium add-on. White-labeled event apps are a genuine strength. There's no free plan, pricing starts at $499/user/month.

6. TicketLeap

TicketLeap is a user-friendly event management platform that makes it easy for organizers to create, promote, and manage events. It’s free for free events, including no ticketing, sign-up, or monthly maintenance fees.

It's an excellent choice for event planners seeking a straightforward solution for ticketing.

With TicketLeap, you can:

• Create a Branded Event Page: Design a customized page that reflects your event’s style and details.
• Launch Online Ticket Sales: Set up and manage ticket sales efficiently.
• Welcome Attendees: Streamline the check-in process and engage with your guests.
• Get Paid Quickly: Enjoy fast and reliable payment processing.
• Market Your Event: Use tools like email campaigns, integrated analytics, and post-purchase messaging to boost visibility.
• Manage Your Venues: Keep track of venue details and logistics.
• Issue Ticket Exchanges and Refunds: Handle ticket modifications with ease.
• Assign Role-Based Permissions: Control access for different team members.
• Collect Sales Tax: Automatically add sales tax as a separate line item at checkout.
• Integrate Google and Apple Pay: Allow attendees to purchase tickets directly from their phones.

Enterprise readiness: no SSO found in public docs. No white-labeling, TicketLeap's own branding stays on event pages. No confirmed limits on bulk ticket orders.

7. Eventbrite

Eventbrite is one of the most recognized event ticketing and registration platforms, with a forever-free plan for publishing events and a marketplace of 90M+ ticket buyers built in. It's a strong fit for public-facing registration, though the free tier comes with real trade-offs once you're past a small event.

• Publish events at no cost
• Access to Eventbrite's 90M+ ticket buyer marketplace
• Basic ticketing tools
• Event creation and customization
• Eventbrite branding appears on your event pages and communications
• Support limited to community forums or email, with longer response times
• Transaction fees apply on paid tickets (3.5% + $1.59 per ticket), even on the free plan

Enterprise readiness: no native SSO found for organizer accounts. No white-labeling — Eventbrite's own branding stays on your event pages and emails at every tier, including paid plans. No explicit attendee cap on the free plan, but per-ticket transaction fees apply the moment you're selling paid tickets, which adds up fast at enterprise scale.

8. Google Workspace

You might already be using Google tools like Gmail and Google Drive, but Google Workspace can be great for your event planning. It’s a fantastic way to keep everything organized and in one place.

Here’s how you can use Google Workspace for free event planning:

• Shared Google Calendars: Set up a calendar specifically for your event and share it with your team. This way, everyone stays on the same page about important dates and deadlines.
• Google Forms for RSVPs: Create a custom RSVP form to manage guest lists and track responses. It’s an easy way to collect information and keep your attendee list organized.
• Google Sheets for Budgeting: Use Google Sheets to manage your event budget, track expenses, and plan financials. 
• Google Docs for Collaboration: Write and share event documents with your team in real time. 
• Google Drive for File Storage: Store and share all your event-related files in Google Drive. 
• Google Meet for Virtual Meetings: Schedule and hold virtual meetings with your team or stakeholders using Google Meet. It’s perfect for coordinating logistics and discussing plans without having to be in the same room.

Enterprise readiness: SSO is included on every paid edition, even Business Starter. No white-labeling. Google Forms has no practical response cap, but it lacks real registration features like group codes.

All these features are included in Google Workspace’s free plan, which means you can manage your event without any extra costs. 

9. Slack

Slack isn't an event planning tool. What it's useful for is internal team communication before and during an event. A place where you can keep your planning team, vendors, and stakeholders coordinated without a growing email thread. Pair it with an actual event platform rather than expecting it to run the event itself.

Here’s how you can use Slack for your event communication:

• Event-Specific Channels: Create channels dedicated to different aspects of the event, like “#event-planning,” “#logistics,” “#marketing,” and “#vendors.” This keeps all related conversations and files organized and easily accessible.
• File Sharing: Upload and share event documents, schedules, and plans directly in Slack. You can also integrate with file storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox to manage and access files.
• Task Management: Use Slack’s built-in features or integrate with task management apps like Trello or Asana to assign and track tasks.
• Reminders and Alerts: Set up reminders for deadlines or important tasks using Slack’s built-in reminder feature or bots like Polly.
• Calendar Integration: Sync Slack with calendar tools to keep track of event dates and meetings.
• Event Day Coordination: Use Slack for real-time updates and coordination during the event, ensuring everyone is informed about any changes or issues.

Enterprise readiness: basic login is available on Pro, but true SAML SSO doesn't start until Business+. No white-labeling. Not built for event registration.

When you're juggling multiple events, communication is key. Even though Slack might just seem like a messaging app, it can be a valuable tool for your event planning.

10. Cvent

Cvent is a great option if you're looking for a free event planning tool to test out. 

They offer a free trial of their event management services, which gives you access to some convenient features like registration tools, a drag-and-drop site designer, personalized registration paths, and even advanced styling options.

Cvent's free trial for event management software allows you to build and design events for as long as you want. However, if you don't log in to your account for 90 days, Cvent will notify you via email and give you a last chance to use it.

You can launch as many events as you want during the trial and send out test invites or capture test registrations—no strings attached.

Beyond that, Cvent also provides some awesome free resources. 

• Their Cvent Supplier Network lets you browse over 300,000 hotels and venues worldwide for free. 
• They even offer free certifications and training through Cvent Academy, so you can sharpen your event planning skills. 
• Plus, they have a course that covers everything from mobile app setup to invite management and reporting.

Enterprise readiness: SSO and bulk/group registration are both built in and well documented. There's no free tier, enterprise pricing only.

And with their acquisition of Social Tables, they’ve made event space management easier than ever. Cvent Event Diagramming, which is Social Tables, lets planners and venues collaborate on event design in real time. 

The free Social Tables tools include: 

• Diagram software: Create 3D diagrams, store files, and share or print floor plans 
• Floor plan app: Create customizable floor plans for sales, event visualization, and client updates
• Event file cloud storage: Free storage for event teams and venues 
• Floor plan uploads: Upload your own floor plans for free 

11. Basecamp

Basecamp is a handy project management and collaboration tool that keeps teams in sync and organized. It helps you track tasks, deadlines, files, discussions, and announcements all in one place.

In short, Basecamp is perfect for managing multiple clients and projects.

While it’s not free after the 30-day trial, you can test it out with no credit card required. If you decide to stick with it, the regular plan costs just $15 a month and gives you access to unlimited projects, task boards, scheduling, timesheets, to-do lists, and checklists. 

One of our favorite features of this platform is how each project is neatly organized on a single page, making it easy to find everything you need and keep your team on the same page.

Enterprise readiness: no native SSO on any plan. No white-labeling. Not built for event registration.

12. Commingly

While Commingly isn’t free, it starts at just $9 a month, and you can test it out with a free 14-day trial.

We’ve included Commingly on our list because it is one of the best tools for creating and managing event calendars that are not only easy to share but also update. 

You can embed interactive calendars directly on your website or share them through social media, which is a big upgrade from static sheets and desktop apps. 

It also offers customizable layouts and the flexibility to manage both public and private events, making it a versatile choice for most event planning needs.

It’s handy for consolidating all your events, workshops, or other activities in one place. Plus, it’s mobile-friendly and user-friendly, requiring minimal setup—ideal for busy event planners.

Both the Premium ($99/month) and Pro ($29/month) plans come with a 14-day free trial, so you can see which one fits your needs best.

Enterprise readiness: no SSO on either plan. White-labeling is included starting on the Premium plan. Not built for large-scale registration.

Related: Managing complex event logistics? Here are the top 10 event logistics companies to consider.

Ready to plan your next event?

Consider working with a professional event management agency to help lighten the load and allow you to dedicate more time to critical tasks. They can help alleviate your stress and prioritize what matters.

Let's talk about how GoGather can manage every aspect for you.