Micepad vs Cvent
The Affordable Cvent Alternative for Event Check-in
Looking for a Cvent OnArrival alternative? Cvent requires custom enterprise quotes ($15,000-$50,000+/year). Micepad starts at $475/event with a free tier. Same QR check-in and badge printing. Or use Micepad alongside Cvent for on-site only.
Start for FreeTop reasons organizers switch
Published pricing — no sales calls
Cvent requires custom quotes through their sales team. Micepad publishes every price online: <a href="/pricing/">$475/event for check-in</a>, $600 with badges. Sign up and see exactly what you'll pay.
Same-day setup vs. weeks of procurement
Cvent's implementation timeline typically spans weeks or months. Micepad is self-service — import your attendee list and test check-in this afternoon.
Works alongside your existing Cvent registration
Don't rip and replace. Export your Cvent attendee list as CSV, import into Micepad, and upgrade your on-site check-in and badge printing without changing your registration workflow.
Use Micepad Instead of — or Alongside — Cvent
Cvent's full platform typically runs $15,000-$50,000+/year. It covers registration, marketing, venue sourcing, and on-site tools via Cvent OnArrival. But if you only need check-in and badge printing, you're paying for a platform you'll barely use. Micepad gives you fast QR check-in, self check-in kiosks, and on-demand name badge printing at $475/event. Already using Cvent for registration? Export your attendee list as CSV, import into Micepad, and use our on-site tools. No API setup, no IT department needed.
Micepad vs Cvent OnArrival: Feature Comparison
See how Micepad stacks up against Cvent OnArrival on the features that matter for on-site event operations.
| Feature | Micepad | Cvent OnArrival |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Check-in | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Service Kiosk Mode | Yes | Yes |
| On-Demand Badge Printing | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Badge Templates | Yes | Yes |
| Walk-in Registration | Yes | Yes |
| Session-Level Check-in | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Transparent Pricing | From $475/event | Custom quote only |
| Free Tier | Yes — 50 attendees | No |
| Self-Service Sign-up | Instant — no sales call | Requires demo & quote |
| CSV Import from Other Platforms | Yes | Cvent ecosystem only |
| Works with Cvent Registration | Yes — via CSV import | Yes |
| Time to First Check-in | Same afternoon | Weeks (sales + procurement) |
| Contract Required | No — pay per event | Annual contract typical |
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing and features subject to change.
The Real Cost of Cvent: Why Pricing Is Hidden
Cvent is one of the largest event management platforms in the world. Their software covers registration, email marketing, venue sourcing, attendee management, and on-site tools through Cvent OnArrival. For large organizations running dozens of events annually with dedicated event teams, this all-in-one approach can work well. But that comprehensiveness comes at a cost.
Cvent doesn't publish pricing. You can't visit their website and see what you'll pay. Instead, you fill out a form, wait for a sales representative to contact you, sit through a demo, and eventually receive a custom quote. Based on publicly available customer reports, typical Cvent contracts range from $15,000 to $50,000+ per year, with implementation fees, training costs, and annual commitments.
Here's the problem: if you only need on-site check-in and badge printing, you're paying for registration software, marketing automation, venue databases, and analytics dashboards you'll never open. It's like renting a full office building when you just need a desk.
Micepad takes the opposite approach. We do one thing — on-site check-in and badge printing — and we do it extremely well. Our pricing is published on our website. Check-in starts at $475/event. Badge printing adds $125. There's a free tier for events under 50 attendees. No sales calls, no custom quotes, no implementation timeline. You can literally be checking in test attendees 30 minutes from now.
On-Site Capabilities: Micepad Matches Cvent OnArrival
Let's compare what actually happens at your event. Both Cvent OnArrival and Micepad offer QR code check-in, badge printing, self-service kiosks, session tracking, walk-in registration, offline mode, and real-time dashboards. The core on-site feature set is functionally identical.
Where they differ is everything around the on-site tools. Cvent bundles them into a $15,000+ annual platform with modules you may not need. Micepad sells them as standalone tools at $475-$600 per event. Same QR scanning. Same badge printing on thermal printers. Same kiosk mode. Same offline capability. Same real-time sync.
Micepad has actually checked in 15,000+ attendees for MongoDB across 10 APAC cities. Standard Chartered and HSBC use it for enterprise events. The on-site infrastructure is proven at scale — just without the enterprise platform overhead.
The honest truth: If you need Cvent's full platform — registration, marketing, venue sourcing, and on-site tools in one system — the price might be justified. But if you already have a registration solution (or don't need one) and just want professional on-site check-in, Micepad delivers the same capabilities at roughly 3% of the cost.
Using Micepad Alongside Cvent
This is the approach most of our Cvent customers take. They keep Cvent for registration, email marketing, and attendee management — the things Cvent does well. Then they export their Cvent attendee list as a CSV file and import it into Micepad for on-site check-in and badge printing.
The handoff is simple. Export from Cvent. Import into Micepad. The platform handles deduplication, standardizes names, and flags bad email addresses automatically. Design your badge template in the visual builder. Set up your kiosk stations. On event day, attendees check in through Micepad kiosks and receive their printed badges. All their registration data from Cvent flows through seamlessly.
This hybrid model gives you the best of both worlds: Cvent's enterprise registration and marketing capabilities, plus Micepad's faster, more affordable on-site tools. And because Micepad works via CSV import, you can switch your on-site tool anytime without affecting your Cvent registration workflow.
See exactly what you'll pay
No custom quotes, no sales calls. Micepad's transparent pricing starts at $475/event.
Why Choose Micepad Over Cvent for On-Site Check-in
Micepad is purpose-built for on-site event check-in and badge printing.
Transparent Pricing
See our prices right now: $475/event for check-in, $600 with badges. No 'contact sales' page, no custom quotes, no waiting.
Start in Minutes, Not Weeks
Sign up, import your attendee list, and set up check-in kiosks in one afternoon. No procurement process, no implementation timeline.
Works Alongside Cvent
Keep using Cvent for registration if it works for you. Export your attendee list, import into Micepad via CSV, and get better on-site tools at lower cost.
No Vendor Lock-in
CSV import means Micepad works with any registration platform — Cvent, Eventbrite, Luma, or your own system. Switch anytime.
Purpose-Built for On-Site
Micepad does one thing well: on-site check-in and badge printing. You get a focused tool instead of a platform with 50 features you'll never open.
Proven at Scale
MongoDB used Micepad to check in 15,000+ attendees across 10 APAC cities. Standard Chartered and HSBC trust Micepad for their events.
When to Choose Micepad Over Cvent
Micepad is the better choice when you need affordable, fast on-site check-in without a full event management platform.
You Only Need On-Site Tools
If you just need check-in and badge printing — not a full registration/marketing platform — Micepad does it better for less.
You Already Use Cvent for Registration
Keep Cvent for registration and use Micepad's faster, more affordable on-site tools via CSV import.
You're Paying for Features You Don't Use
Cvent's full platform runs $15,000-$50,000+/year. If you only use the on-site check-in tools, that's expensive overkill. Micepad starts at $475/event.
Your Event Is in 2 Weeks
Cvent's sales cycle takes weeks or months. With Micepad, sign up now, import your attendee list this afternoon, and test check-in before you leave the office.
You Run Events on Multiple Platforms
Some events on Cvent, some on Eventbrite, some on Luma? Micepad works with all of them via CSV import.
You Want Transparent Pricing
See exactly what you'll pay before signing up. Every price is on our website. No custom quotes, no surprise fees.
Micepad or Cvent: Which should you choose?
Both platforms handle on-site check-in well. The difference is cost, flexibility, and what else you need.
Micepad is best if you...
- Only need on-site check-in and badge printing
- Want transparent, published pricing
- Need to launch quickly without procurement
- Run events on multiple registration platforms
- Prefer pay-per-event with no annual contract
- Want self-service setup without IT involvement
Cvent OnArrival is best if you...
- Need a full event management platform
- Want registration, marketing, and on-site in one system
- Have budget for $15,000-$50,000+/year
- Run large event programs with dedicated teams
- Need venue sourcing and supplier management
- Want enterprise-grade reporting and analytics
Many teams use both: Cvent for registration and marketing, Micepad for on-site check-in and badge printing. Export your Cvent attendee list and import into Micepad in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Export your Cvent attendee list as a CSV file and import it into Micepad. You'll keep using Cvent for registration and event marketing, while using Micepad's more affordable on-site check-in and badge printing tools.
Micepad starts at $475/event for check-in (250 attendees) or $600 with badge printing. There's a free tier for small events. Cvent's full platform typically runs $15,000-$50,000+/year and requires custom quotes through their sales team.
Cvent is a full event management platform covering registration, marketing, venue sourcing, and more. Micepad focuses on on-site check-in and badge printing. If you only need on-site tools, Micepad has what you need at a fraction of the cost. If you need registration too, Micepad's Event Hub plan ($750/event) covers that.
Yes. Micepad has checked in 15,000+ attendees for <a href="/customers/mongodb-case-study/">MongoDB</a> across 10 APAC cities. Multiple kiosk stations, offline mode, and real-time sync ensure reliable check-in at any scale.
No. Sign up online, import your attendee list, and start setting up check-in. The whole process is self-service. You can be checking in test attendees within 30 minutes of creating your account.
Export your attendee list from Cvent as a CSV file. Import the CSV into Micepad (takes seconds). Set up your badge templates and kiosk stations. You're ready for check-in. The whole process takes less than an hour.
Yes. Micepad uses enterprise-grade encryption for data storage and transmission. We work with enterprise clients including MongoDB, Standard Chartered Bank, and HSBC.
Cvent OnArrival is Cvent's on-site check-in and badge printing module, typically bundled with their enterprise platform at $15,000-$50,000+/year. Micepad provides the same core on-site capabilities — QR check-in, self check-in kiosks, on-demand badge printing — starting at $475/event with a free tier. The key difference: Micepad is self-service (no sales call needed) and works as a standalone tool or alongside Cvent via CSV import.
Cvent is an enterprise platform with full event management. Eventbrite is primarily a ticketing and registration tool with basic check-in. Micepad is purpose-built for on-site operations: fast QR check-in, self check-in kiosks, and custom name badge printing. You can import attendee lists from both Cvent and Eventbrite via CSV and use Micepad for superior on-site check-in at a fraction of the cost.
Try Micepad free with your next event
Sign up, import your Cvent attendee list, and set up check-in in one afternoon. Your first event is on us. No sales call, no contract.
Start for Free — No Sales Call