Event Espresso
Event Espresso: A flexible WordPress ticketing plugin with a free plan and practical paid upgrades. Ranked #50 of 181 in Event Management Software by our editors (4.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for wordPress organizers needing low-cost ticketing.
At a glance
- Editor score4.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWordPress organizers needing low-cost ticketing
- Free planYes
- Paid from$129/yr
- Event formatsIn-person
- Founded2009 · Washington, Utah, United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes unlimited events, registrations, and ticket sales
- Paid plans add custom forms, tracking, scanning, and add-ons
- Supports PayPal, Stripe, Square, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp
Where it doesn't
- Requires installation on the customer's own WordPress website
- The documented focus is in-person event management
- No AI features are included
Our verdict on Event Espresso
Event Espresso is a self-hosted WordPress event management plugin for organizations, businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and independent event planners. It handles event calendars, publishing, configurable registration forms, free and paid ticket sales, payment processing, attendee and staff emails, attendance tracking, CSV exports, and mobile check-in. Its WordPress installation model suits organizers who want event operations connected to their own website rather than a separate hosted event page. The product is centered on in-person events, with recurring events, waitlists, and advanced workflows available through add-ons.
Pricing is structured around one free annual plan and two paid annual licenses. Decaf costs $0 per year and includes unlimited events, registrations, and ticket sales, basic registration forms, PayPal payments, and community support. Core costs $129 per year and adds custom registration forms, multi-day event tickets, attendance tracking, email support, and use on one live site plus staging sites. All Access costs $399 per year and includes Decaf and Core features, all add-on plugins, mobile ticket scanning, premium support, and mobile app branding customization. This makes Decaf a practical starting point for simple ticketing, while Core is the clearer fit for organizers needing more control over registration and attendance.
Its ecosystem is strongest when an organization already works with WordPress and wants payment, accounting, CRM, or email connections. Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, Square, QuickBooks, Authorize.net, Keap, and Mailchimp, while a REST API and developer hooks support custom connections. Mobile scanning and check-in extend the workflow beyond online registration, and CSV exports help with attendance handling. Choose Event Espresso for WordPress-based, in-person events that need ticketing and registration without a high starting license cost. Organizations seeking a broader event platform should look for tools with stronger support for other event formats or specialized exhibitor and attendee experiences.
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Event Espresso pricing
All 3 Event Espresso plans and prices →
Event Espresso fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $129/yr |
| Event formats | In-person |
| Registration forms | Yes |
| Ticketing | Yes |
| Onsite check-in | Yes |
| Attendee app | Yes |
| Attendee email | Yes |
| Exhibitor tools | Not verified |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | GDPR |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: PayPal, Stripe, Square, QuickBooks, Authorize.net, Keap (Infusionsoft) … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | eventespresso.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Event Espresso integrations
Event Espresso lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Square
- QuickBooks
- Authorize.net
- Keap (Infusionsoft)
- Mailchimp
Alternatives to Event Espresso
- CventA broad event platform for enterprise teams managing complex, integrated event programs.9.4
- EventsAirA broad event platform for teams running complex programs across multiple formats.8.6
- EventbriteA practical choice for public ticketed events and straightforward registration.7.9
See all Event Espresso alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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