Zoho Backstage review

Zoho Backstage is the only tool here with a permanent free plan that includes check-in and badging. Free covers unlimited events with up to 100 attendees each, three sessions of up to 45 minutes, a drag-and-drop website builder, RSVP management, built-in webcasting and mobile apps for organizers and attendees. Paid plans lift the caps: Essentials allows 200 attendees per event and adds commission-free ticketing, sponsorship management, scheduled emails and Zoom integration; Premium raises the cap to 1,000 and adds exhibitor management, lead capture, a floor planner, AI matchmaking, custom domains and Zoho CRM integration; Ultimate allows 5,000 and adds a white-labeled attendee app and certificates. Extra attendees can be bought per head. Pricing from our location appeared only in EUR and GBP, so we have not listed a USD price. Teams already on Zoho One or Marketing Plus should check which Backstage plan they already have.

Who it is for

Small teams and Zoho users who want a free plan and subscription pricing with no ticketing commission.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending): free plan; Essentials, Premium and Ultimate shown in EUR from our location.

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Free plan with unlimited events, 100 attendees per event, check-in and badging and organizer and attendee apps
• Drag-and-drop website builder with bilingual sites on Essentials and multilingual sites on Premium
• 0% commission event ticketing on paid plans
• Exhibitor management, lead capture, floor planner and AI matchmaking on Premium
• Zoho CRM, Zoom and Zoho Meeting integrations

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Permanent free plan for small events
• Strength: 15-day Premium trial
• Strength: No commission on ticket sales
• Weakness: Plans cap attendees per event, from 100 on Free to 5,000 on Ultimate
• Weakness: USD prices were not shown from our location
• Weakness: White-labeled attendee app only on Ultimate

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, 100 attendees per event
• Free trial: 15 days of Premium
• Attendee caps: 200 Essentials, 1,000 Premium, 5,000 Ultimate
• Ticketing commission: 0%

Where it ranks

Zoho Backstage is No. 8 in our Best Event Management Software verdict.