Best Zoho Backstage Alternatives in 2026
The top Zoho Backstage alternatives are Fourwaves, Sched and ConfTool: 15 event scheduling software our editors would look at instead of Zoho Backstage, in our ranking order.
Zoho Backstage: A broad event platform covering registration, programming, engagement, and hybrid delivery. Where it falls short: free events are limited to 100 attendees.
Switching from Zoho Backstage? For most event scheduling software buyers the best Zoho Backstage alternative is Fourwaves, built for research and hybrid conferences. On a budget, Event Calendar App starts at $39/mo. BagEvent offers the most attendee limit (1000 attendees).
Why People Look for a Zoho Backstage Alternative
- Free events are limited to 100 attendees
- Free plan allows only 3 sessions and 3 speakers per event
- Advanced tiers are needed for larger events and white labeling
- Attendee limit: 200 attendees — up to 1000 attendees with BagEvent
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFourwaves8.8
Research and hybrid conferences
Visit Fourwaves - Lowest priceEvent Calendar App7.9
Paid plans from $39/mo
Visit Event Calendar App - Best free optionFourwaves8.8
Has a free plan
Visit Fourwaves - Most attendee limitBagEvent8.5
1000 attendees
Visit BagEvent
All 15 Zoho Backstage Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forResearch and hybrid conferences
A strong fit for research conferences needing submissions, scheduling, and hybrid event tools.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Fourwaves -
Best forFeature-rich event scheduling
- Better than Zoho Backstage:
- Attendee limit: 500 attendees vs 200 attendees
A feature-rich event platform for schedules, reservations, check-in, and mobile apps.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Sched -
Best forAcademic conferences
A conference-focused system for reviewing, scheduling, registration and hybrid event workflows.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ConfTool -
Best forOrganizations needing operational controls
- Better than Zoho Backstage:
- Attendee limit: 1000 attendees vs 200 attendees
A strong operational platform for complex events, without an attendee app or hybrid support.
- Session tracks
- Speaker management
- Room scheduling
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit BagEvent -
Best forEstablished academic conferences
A broad conference workflow platform for academic events, with quote-based pricing.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Ex Ordo -
Best forSpeaker-led community events
A strong fit for speaker-led events that need submissions, scheduling, and attendee apps.
- Attendee mobile app
- Session tracks
- Speaker management
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Sessionize -
Best forSelf-hosted institutional events
A free, open-source choice for structured, self-hosted institutional events.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Indico -
Best forOpen-source CFP scheduling
A capable open-source choice for CFPs, reviews, speakers, and conference scheduling.
- Session tracks
- Speaker management
- Room scheduling
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit pretalx -
Best forMembership organizations
A broad association platform for complex events, with pricing suited to established organizations.
- Session tracks
- Speaker management
- Room scheduling
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit MemberRun -
Best forSmall businesses selling tickets from their websites
A website-embedded event tool for ticket sales, RSVPs, and attendee management.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Event Calendar -
Best forConstraint-heavy schedule planning
A focused scheduler for complex agendas, with strong constraints and practical exports.
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
- Speaker management
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit PragmaPlanner -
Best forOrganizers running onsite, virtual or hybrid events
- Better than Zoho Backstage:
- Attendee limit: 400 attendees vs 200 attendees
Broad event tools, from a free agenda and check-in tier to paid networking and lead capture.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Agorify -
Best forConference organizers seeking low entry cost
A broad conference platform with a €49 monthly base fee and usage-based charges.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Speaker management
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Converia -
Best forFree events up to 500 attendees
- Better than Zoho Backstage:
- Attendee limit: 500 attendees vs 200 attendees
A capable web-based event platform with a generous free attendee limit.
- Session tracks
- Speaker management
- Room scheduling
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Gythr -
Best forLarge, polished event programs
- Better than Zoho Backstage:
- Attendee limit: 500 attendees vs 200 attendees
A broad event platform for teams running polished, multi-part programs.
- Attendee mobile app
- Hybrid event support
- Session tracks
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Eventation
Zoho Backstage Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Zoho Backstage?
Fourwaves: #2 in our Event Scheduling Software ranking, with an editor score of 8.8 out of 10. A strong fit for research conferences needing submissions, scheduling, and hybrid event tools.
Is there a free alternative to Zoho Backstage?
Yes. Fourwaves, ConfTool, Sessionize, Indico and pretalx have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Zoho Backstage?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Event Calendar App starts lowest, at $39/mo.
Why do people look for Zoho Backstage alternatives?
Free events are limited to 100 attendees; Free plan allows only 3 sessions and 3 speakers per event; Advanced tiers are needed for larger events and white labeling.
Which Zoho Backstage alternative has the most attendee limit?
BagEvent, with 1000 attendees.
How do I switch from Zoho Backstage?
Export your data from Zoho Backstage (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Zoho Backstage.
How to Switch from Zoho Backstage
- Export your data from Zoho Backstage (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Zoho Backstage.
Zoho Backstage vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Session tracks | Room scheduling | Speaker management | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zoho Backstage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 1 | Fourwaves | Yes | $899/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 2 | Sched | $500 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 3 | ConfTool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 4 | BagEvent | No | $99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 5 | Ex Ordo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 6 | Sessionize | Yes | $499 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 7 | Indico | Yes | Free | 8.2 | |||
| 8 | pretalx | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 9 | MemberRun | No | $199/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 10 | Event Calendar App | No | $39/mo | 7.9 | |||
| 11 | PragmaPlanner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 12 | Agorify | Yes | €119/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 13 | Converia | No | €49/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 14 | Gythr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 15 | Eventation | No | $1,990/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
Head-to-Head
- Zoho Backstage vs Fourwaves
- Zoho Backstage vs Sched
- Zoho Backstage vs ConfTool
- Zoho Backstage vs BagEvent
- Zoho Backstage vs Ex Ordo
- Zoho Backstage vs Sessionize
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update