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Head-to-head · Event Management Software

pretix vs Zoho Backstage

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score pretix #4 in Event Management Software 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit pretix
Zoho Backstage #5 in Event Management Software 7.4/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Zoho Backstage

pretix leads on 0 checks, Zoho Backstage on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorepretix · 7.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Zoho Backstage
  • Most featurespretix · 5 of 6

pretix scores higher on our rubric for event management software: 7.6 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

pretix is the better fit for open-source ticketing and onsite operations. Zoho Backstage is the better fit for zoho users and smaller events.

  • pretix fits best

    Open-source ticketing and onsite operations

  • Zoho Backstage fits best

    Zoho users and smaller events

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Side by side

Feature pretix 7.6/10 Visit ↗ Zoho Backstage 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.6 7.4
Ranking #4 in Event Management Software #5 in Event Management Software
Best for Open-source ticketing and onsite operations Zoho users and smaller events
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €0.50/unit usage-based —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 15 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features pretix 5/6 · Zoho Backstage 0/6
Registration forms ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Ticketing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Onsite check-in ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Attendee app — Not checked yet
Attendee email ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Exhibitor tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Event formats In-person Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free self-hosted Community edition with unlimited ticket volume
  • Online and offline check-in with scanning and badge printing
  • Broad tools for ticketing, emails, exhibitors, POS, and reporting
  • Free plan includes unlimited events and organizer and attendee mobile apps
  • Supports registration, ticketing, webcasting, check-in, and analytics
  • REST API plus Zoho, Google Analytics, Zoom, and WhatsApp integrations
Cons
  • Designed for in-person events rather than multiple event formats
  • Hosted pricing is tied to ticket revenue instead of a fixed monthly fee
  • Enterprise pricing varies by annual order and revenue scale
  • Free plan limits sessions and speakers per event
  • Paid plan prices are not published here
  • Some advanced features require higher tiers
Our verdict

pretix is an event ticketing and management platform for conferences, festivals, exhibitions, workshops, museums, swimming pools, and other in-person events. It combines configurable online ticket shops, registration data collection, paid…

Read the review →

Zoho Backstage is event management software for businesses, associations, educational institutions, nonprofits, agencies, and independent organizers. It covers event websites, registration and ticketing with payment support, agenda and…

Read the review →
  1. pretixEvent Management Software 7.6Free plan
  2. Zoho BackstageEvent Management Software 7.4Free plan · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • pretix — where it wins

    • Free self-hosted Community edition with unlimited ticket volume
    • Online and offline check-in with scanning and badge printing
    • Broad tools for ticketing, emails, exhibitors, POS, and reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for in-person events rather than multiple event formats
    • Hosted pricing is tied to ticket revenue instead of a fixed monthly fee
    • Enterprise pricing varies by annual order and revenue scale

  • Zoho Backstage — where it wins

    • Free plan includes unlimited events and organizer and attendee mobile apps
    • Supports registration, ticketing, webcasting, check-in, and analytics
    • REST API plus Zoho, Google Analytics, Zoom, and WhatsApp integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits sessions and speakers per event
    • Paid plan prices are not published here
    • Some advanced features require higher tiers

More comparisons

All event management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update