Planning an event is exciting — until you’re knee-deep in RSVP spreadsheets, design tools, and group chats. Whether you’re organizing a corporate mixer, a birthday bash, or a community meetup, the platform you use to invite and engage your guests makes a huge difference.
We tested 7 other popular (and free!) tools to help you find the right fit. From slick invite designs to real-time RSVP tracking, each platform brings its own flair. Here’s the breakdown by use case — no fluff, just facts.
1. Eventbrite – Great for Ticketed, Public Events
Best for: Workshops, conferences, concerts, panels
Why use it:
Built-in audience via Eventbrite’s network
Paid ticketing & promo tools
Decent analytics
Watch out for:
Not very customizable for branding
Too formal for personal/private events
2. Partiful – The Gen Z Favorite
Best for: Private parties, house events, social gatherings
Why use it:
Gorgeous invite pages with music, animations
Social handles, message boards, + vibe curation
Watch out for:
Lacks CRM or analytics features
Not built for professional or ticketed events
3. Jotform – Custom Form Control
Best for: RSVP with specific custom fields
Why use it:
Logic-based forms, payment integration
Useful for corporate or detailed guest lists
Watch out for:
Not visually exciting
No native event features like reminders
4. Punchbowl – Kid- and Family-Friendly Invites
Best for: Birthdays, baby showers, family events
Why use it:
Themed digital cards + invites
Child-focused aesthetic
Watch out for:
Branding feels dated
Not suitable for professional use
5. Google Forms – No-Frills RSVP
Best for: Internal team events, small-scale meetups
Why use it:
100% free and fast to create
Tracks responses in a spreadsheet
Watch out for:
No visuals or customization
Can feel impersonal
6. Luma – Built for Tech & Finance Bros
Best for: Recurring events, memberships, virtual sessions
Why use it:
Combine events with email list + calendar
Collect payments, send reminders
Watch out for:
Limited visual customization
May feel “techy” for some audiences
7. Canva – Design-Lovers’ Dream
Best for: Branded digital invites
Why use it:
Fully custom visuals, animations
Great for weddings, launches, high-design brands
Watch out for:
Needs external RSVP form (like Google Forms or Jotform)
Manual follow-up
Localista
Best for: Branded digital invites for private, high-touch events
Why use it:
Fully custom visuals and layouts
Supports animations, logos, and brand-first design
Great for weddings, product launches, and aesthetic-forward brands
Built-in guest list intelligence for post-event follow-up
Watch out for:
No built-in event marketplace — you'll drive your own guest traffic
You'll still need to design your own e-card (for now)
How to Choose the Right One for Your Event
Do you need to sell tickets for big festival and need the traffic? → Eventbrite
Are you planning a personal event and to make it feel vibey? → Partiful
You need just a form logic? → Jotform
Hosting a baby shower or birthday? → Punchbowl
You just can't be asked? → Google Forms
You're in the tech, finance or crypto world? → Luma
You have great design skills and want to throw together an e-card? → Canva
