Fourwaves vs Sched

Fourwaves8.8Visit Sched8.7Visit

Higher score Fourwaves #2 in Event Scheduling Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Fourwaves

vs

Sched #3 in Event Scheduling Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Sched

• Fourwaves fits best

  Research and hybrid conferences

• Sched fits best

  Feature-rich event scheduling

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Side by side

Feature	Fourwaves 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Sched 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Event Scheduling Software	#3 in Event Scheduling Software
Best for	Research and hybrid conferences	Feature-rich event scheduling
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$899/yr	$500 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs
Integrations	8 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Fourwaves 5/5 · Sched 5/5
Session tracks	✓	✓
Room scheduling	✓	✓
Speaker management	✓	✓
Attendee mobile app	✓	✓
Hybrid event support	✓	✓
Specs
Attendee limit	Not checked yet	500 attendees
Our review
Pros	Abstract submission, peer review, and conference program scheduling Free Starter plan with unlimited registrations and events Mobile apps, virtual posters, and hybrid-event support	Covers schedules, reservations, capacities, waitlists, and check-in Supports virtual and hybrid events with iOS and Android apps Connects with Eventbrite, Stripe, Zoom, and major calendars
Cons	Academic focus may be narrower than general event platforms Pro uses custom event and submission volumes Some plans have duplicate annual USD price listings	One-time pricing starts at $500 per event Branded native apps and offline support require the Native plan Eventbrite ticket rules and attendee sync begin with Reserve
Our verdict	Fourwaves is a cloud-based event management platform for academic and scientific conferences. It is designed for universities, research organizations, scientific societies, and other groups managing research events. Its scope covers… Read the review →	Sched is event management software for conferences, conventions, festivals, seminars, schools, and professional-development programs. It combines an event website and embeddable schedule with session planning, personalized agendas, speaker… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Fourwaves — where it wins

  • Abstract submission, peer review, and conference program scheduling
  • Free Starter plan with unlimited registrations and events
  • Mobile apps, virtual posters, and hybrid-event support

  Where it doesn't

  • Academic focus may be narrower than general event platforms
  • Pro uses custom event and submission volumes
  • Some plans have duplicate annual USD price listings

• Sched — where it wins

  • Covers schedules, reservations, capacities, waitlists, and check-in
  • Supports virtual and hybrid events with iOS and Android apps
  • Connects with Eventbrite, Stripe, Zoom, and major calendars

  Where it doesn't

  • One-time pricing starts at $500 per event
  • Branded native apps and offline support require the Native plan
  • Eventbrite ticket rules and attendee sync begin with Reserve

• Fourwaves8.8/10 · Free plan

  A strong fit for research conferences needing submissions, scheduling, and hybrid event tools.

  Visit FourwavesFull verdict →
• Sched8.7/10 · Paid

  A feature-rich event platform for schedules, reservations, check-in, and mobile apps.

  Visit SchedFull verdict →