Cvent costs $49/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to Cvent, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Cvent is Hi.Events (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 3 self-hostable tools are available (including Hi.Events and Pretix). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $2,940/year compared to Cvent's $49/mo subscription.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cvent.
Cvent vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $49/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi.Events | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 4.1k | Cvent vs Hi.Events → |
| Pretix | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 2.6k | Cvent vs Pretix → |
| Chobble Tickets | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 37 | Cvent vs Chobble Tickets → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Hi.Events
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host4.1knov 2026Hi.Events is a comprehensive platform for event management and online ticket sales, offering features like QR code check-in, custom ticket types, and embeddable widgets.
The catch vs CventRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cvent.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/HiEventsDev/hi.events or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Pretix
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host2.6knov 2026Full-stack ticketing platform covering online shop, point of sale, access control, and hardware for events of any size or industry.
The catch vs CventRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cvent.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/pretix/pretix or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Chobble Tickets
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host37nov 2026Sell tickets for £50/year with payments, QR check-in, refunds, reporting, and a hosted booking site. Self-hostable under AGPL-3.0.
The catch vs CventRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cvent.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/chobbledotcom/tickets or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Cvent Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 3 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Cvent open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Cvent?+
The top free alternative to Cvent is Hi.Events (open source, Open Source). Hi.Events is a comprehensive platform for event management and online ticket sales, offering features like QR code check-in, custom ticket types, and embeddable widgets. Other popular Cvent replacements include Pretix, Chobble Tickets.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Cvent?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to Cvent, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Hi.Events (Open Source), Pretix (Open Source), Chobble Tickets (Open Source).
How much does switching from Cvent to a free alternative save?+
Cvent starts at $49/month per seat ($588/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Hi.Events saves $2,940 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Cvent clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Cvent is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Cvent or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 3 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Hi.Events.
What is the catch when switching from Cvent to Hi.Events?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cvent.
