Whova alternative

All the conference features.
Without the per-event invoice.

Whova charges $1,500–$3,500 per event. CompleteEvent is $49/month for unlimited events. Abstract submission, multi-track scheduling, speaker portals, QR check-in, and attendee networking — one flat subscription regardless of how many conferences you run.

No per-event pricing No sales call required 20% academic & nonprofit discount

The pricing model difference

Whova charges per event. That cost compounds quickly for organizations running multiple conferences a year.

Whova

$1,500–$3,500

/event (typical quote)

  • Per-event pricing — costs multiply per conference
  • Pricing not published — requires sales call
  • 2 conferences/year: $3,000–$7,000
  • 3 conferences/year: $4,500–$10,500

CompleteEvent

$39.20

/month (Pro with 20% discount)

  • Flat monthly subscription — run unlimited events
  • Pricing published publicly — no sales call
  • 2 conferences/year: $470.40 total
  • 3 conferences/year: $470.40 total

Annual cost at Pro with 20% discount: $470.40/year — vs. $3,000–$10,500+ with Whova's per-event pricing.

Feature comparison

FeatureWhovaCompleteEvent
Attendee registration
Abstract submission (CFP)
Peer review with scoring rubrics
Multi-track session scheduling
Speaker portals
QR code check-in
Certificates of attendance (CPE)
Post-event surveys
Attendee networking (profiles + messaging)
Mobile app (iOS + Android)
Free plan
Flat monthly subscription
Transparent public pricing
No sales call required
20% nonprofit / academic discount

Whova feature data based on public documentation and user reports. Whova's dedicated native mobile app and in-app networking capabilities are more mature than what is reflected in this table — see the "What you give up" section below.

Who switches from Whova to CompleteEvent

Academic and medical society conferences

Annual meetings with abstract submission and peer review. Per-event pricing from Whova makes budgeting unpredictable. A flat subscription aligns better with annual budget cycles.

Professional associations running multiple events

When you run two or three conferences per year, Whova's per-event model charges you two or three times. CompleteEvent's monthly subscription covers all of them.

Nonprofits and educational institutions

Organizations that need professional conference software but cannot justify $3,000+ per event. The 20% nonprofit and academic discount brings Pro to $39.20/month.

Organizers who want to start without a sales call

Whova requires a quote from sales. CompleteEvent has public pricing, a free plan, and self-serve signup. You can have a registration page live before a Whova quote arrives.

What you give up

Whova has areas where it is genuinely stronger. Here is an honest comparison.

Polished dedicated native mobile app

Whova's iOS and Android apps are purpose-built conference apps with a refined attendee experience. CompleteEvent ships a PWA and Capacitor-based native apps — functional, but Whova's app has more polish and a longer track record for large in-person conferences.

In-app networking — meetups, virtual tables, and gamification

Whova has a richer networking layer: attendee meetup scheduling, group discussions, a community board, and networking leaderboards. CompleteEvent has a directory, profiles, and direct messaging, but not that full suite of networking features.

Enterprise integrations for large trade shows

Whova has integrations and workflows built for large trade shows and exhibitor management at scale. If you are running a show with 50+ exhibitors, Whova has more purpose-built tooling in that area.

Pricing

Free plan for events up to 100 attendees. Academic and nonprofit discount applied at checkout. Month-to-month on all plans.

Free

$0

Up to 100 attendees

Starter

$19/mo

$15.20/mo

with 20% discount

Pro

$49/mo

$39.20/mo

with 20% discount

Annual cost at Pro with discount: $470.40 — not $3,000–$10,500 per year in per-event fees.

Frequently asked questions

What does Whova cost?

Whova does not publish pricing publicly. Based on user reports and procurement records, Whova typically quotes $1,500–$3,500 per event for conferences in the 200–1,000 attendee range. Larger events or multi-event packages may run higher. You must contact Whova sales for a quote — there is no self-serve pricing page. For an organization running two or three conferences per year, that adds up to $3,000–$10,000+ annually.

Does CompleteEvent have a mobile app?

Yes. CompleteEvent ships a progressive web app (PWA) that works on any smartphone browser, plus native iOS and Android apps built with Capacitor. Attendees get an app icon on their home screen, offline access to the agenda and their personal schedule, and push notifications for announcements. Whova has a more polished dedicated native app with richer in-app networking — that is the main area where Whova's mobile experience has an edge.

Does CompleteEvent have attendee networking features?

Yes. Registered attendees can view a networking directory, see each other's profiles, and send direct messages. CompleteEvent does not have Whova's meetup scheduling, virtual meeting rooms, or gamified networking leaderboard. If those specific features drive your attendee experience, Whova is the stronger choice for networking. For most conferences, the directory and messaging cover the core need.

What is the actual annual cost difference?

At CompleteEvent Pro with the 20% academic or nonprofit discount, you pay $39.20/month — $470.40 for a full year, covering unlimited events. At Whova's typical per-event pricing of $1,500–$3,500, two conferences cost $3,000–$7,000. Three conferences cost $4,500–$10,500. The monthly subscription model means your cost stays flat whether you run one event or ten in a year.

Is there a discount for nonprofits and academic institutions?

Yes. Nonprofits (501(c)(3)), 501(c)(6) trade associations, and accredited educational institutions receive 20% off all paid plans. Starter drops to $15.20/month and Pro drops to $39.20/month. The discount is self-certified at checkout — no documentation or approval process required.

Can CompleteEvent handle academic and medical society conferences?

Yes. CompleteEvent includes abstract submission with blind peer review, scoring rubrics, CFP settings, a program builder, speaker portals for bio and slide uploads, multi-track scheduling, and certificates of attendance for CPE tracking. These features cover the standard workflow for academic, medical, and professional association conferences. See the live counselors conference demo at completeevent.app/demos/counselors-conference.

How long does setup take?

Most organizers have a registration page live in under an hour. Configuring abstract submission, reviewer assignments, and a multi-track schedule takes most organizers one to two days. There is no onboarding call requirement, no vendor provisioning delay, and no implementation partner. You sign up and start building immediately.

Conference software without the per-event invoice.

Free plan to start. 20% discount for academic institutions and nonprofits. No sales call, no per-event pricing, no surprise invoices.

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