Micepad vs. Cvent OnArrival: Which Event Check-In Software Is Right for You in 2026?
Table of Contents
- The Core Difference
- Pricing: What You Actually Pay
- Setup Time and Ease of Use
- Check-In and Badge Printing
- Features Side by Side
- Who Each Platform Is Built For
- When to Choose Micepad
- When to Choose Cvent OnArrival
- FAQs
You're evaluating event check-in software and Cvent OnArrival keeps coming up. So does Micepad. Both handle QR code check-in and badge printing. Both work for professional events. But they are built for very different situations, and choosing the wrong one costs you either money or capability.
This comparison covers pricing, setup, badge printing, and ideal use cases so you can make the call without wading through sales calls and demo requests.
The Core Difference
Cvent OnArrival is the enterprise standard. It's deeply integrated with the broader Cvent ecosystem, built for large organizations with dedicated event teams, and priced accordingly. If you're running a 10,000-person annual conference with a six-figure event budget, it makes sense.
Micepad is built for the organizer who needs professional-grade check-in and badge printing without the enterprise overhead. You can set up QR check-in, custom badges, and a self-service kiosk in one afternoon. No specialized training. No year-long contract. No sticker shock.
The gap between them isn't just price. It's philosophy.
Pricing: What You Actually Pay
This is where the comparison gets stark.
Cvent OnArrival starts at $5,000+ per year. That's the entry point for a platform that requires a sales conversation, a contract negotiation, and often additional fees for setup, training, or add-ons. Pricing is not published publicly.
Micepad uses per-event pricing with a free tier:
| Plan | Price | Attendees | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 50 | QR check-in, seating chart, basic reports |
| Starter | $300/event | Up to 1,000 | Badge printing, data export, attendee management |
| Pro | $500/event | Up to 1,000 | Registration forms, email campaigns, kiosk mode, custom badge designer |
| Enterprise | Custom | 3,000+ | API access, dedicated support |
For an organizer running 4 events per year at the Pro tier, that's $2,000 annually, with no annual commitment and full pricing transparency upfront. Compare that to $5,000+ minimum with Cvent, and the math is straightforward.
The free tier is also genuinely useful. Up to 50 attendees, unlimited events, QR check-in included. You can run a small internal event or test the platform before spending anything.
Setup Time and Ease of Use
Cvent OnArrival is a powerful platform. It's also complex. Setup typically requires training, coordination with your Cvent account team, and time to configure the system to your event's needs. For organizations with a dedicated event operations team, that's manageable. For everyone else, it's friction you don't need three days before your event.
Micepad is designed to be operational in one afternoon. You import your attendee list via CSV (from Cvent, Eventbrite, Luma, or any spreadsheet), configure your badge design, and activate kiosk mode. The check-in flow is browser-based, no proprietary hardware required, though you can rent a SmartKiosk if you want a polished self-service setup.
If you've ever spent an evening before an event troubleshooting software you barely understand, the setup speed difference matters more than any feature list.
Check-In and Badge Printing
Both platforms support QR code check-in. The experience at the kiosk is where they diverge.
Cvent OnArrival handles high-volume events well. It has strong offline capabilities and integrates with venue management systems, important for a 5,000-person conference where connectivity might be unreliable.
Micepad processes each guest in under 3 seconds. The attendee scans their QR code, the badge prints automatically, and they're through. No staff required at the kiosk. For events in the 100 to 1,000 attendee range, that speed is more than enough, and the self-service model reduces your staffing costs.
On badge printing specifically: Micepad treats badges as a core feature, not an afterthought. You get a custom badge designer, on-demand printing triggered at check-in, and compatibility with Brother and Zebra thermal printers. Cvent OnArrival supports badge printing but it's part of a much larger system; customization options depend on your contract tier.
Features Side by Side
| Feature | Micepad | Cvent OnArrival |
|---|---|---|
| QR code check-in | Yes | Yes |
| Self-service kiosk mode | Yes | Yes |
| Custom badge printing | Yes (built-in designer) | Yes (enterprise tier) |
| Badge printing speed | Under 3 seconds | Varies |
| CSV import from other platforms | Yes (Cvent, Eventbrite, Luma) | Limited |
| Registration forms | Yes (Pro plan) | Yes |
| Email campaigns | Yes | Yes |
| WhatsApp campaigns | Yes | No |
| Lead capture for exhibitors | Yes (badge QR scan + CRM export) | Limited |
| Virtual event hosting | Yes (Zoom, YouTube, RTMP) | No |
| Offline check-in | Limited | Strong |
| Transparent public pricing | Yes | No |
| Free tier | Yes (up to 50 attendees) | No |
| API access | Enterprise plan | Yes |
One feature worth noting for exhibitors: Micepad's lead capture lets you scan a badge QR code, add notes and tags on the spot, and export a CRM-ready CSV after the event. That's a practical alternative to expensive lead retrieval hardware rentals at tradeshows.
Who Each Platform Is Built For
Cvent OnArrival is the right fit if you: - Run large-scale conferences with 5,000+ attendees - Already use the Cvent ecosystem for registration and venue management - Have a dedicated event operations team and a substantial technology budget - Need enterprise-grade offline reliability and venue system integrations
Micepad is the right fit if you: - Run 2 to 10 events per year with 100 to 2,000 attendees - Want professional check-in and badge printing without enterprise complexity - Need to set up and run events without specialized training or a large team - Want predictable, per-event pricing rather than an annual contract - Run hybrid or virtual events alongside in-person ones and want one platform for all three
The mid-market gap is real. Most event organizers running corporate conferences, association meetings, or product launches don't need a $5,000/year platform. They need something that works reliably, looks professional, and doesn't require a support ticket to configure.
When to Choose Micepad
You're running a 300-person product launch. You need QR check-in, printed badges with your branding, and a clean attendee list afterward. You have one person managing event ops and three days to get everything ready.
Micepad handles that. Import your attendee list, design your badge, activate kiosk mode. Guests scan in under 3 seconds. You're not babysitting a check-in desk all morning.
The Pro plan at $500 covers up to 1,000 attendees and includes registration forms, email campaigns, and the custom badge designer. If you're running the same event four times a year, you're spending $2,000, with no annual commitment and no surprise fees.
You can start for free at micepad.co to test the platform before your first paid event.
When to Choose Cvent OnArrival
If you're running a 10,000-person industry conference, already have Cvent managing your registration and venue sourcing, and have a team dedicated to event technology, Cvent OnArrival is a defensible choice. The integration with the rest of the Cvent suite is genuinely valuable at that scale, and the offline reliability matters when you're processing thousands of check-ins in a convention center with spotty Wi-Fi.
The $5,000+ price point only makes sense in that context. For anything smaller, you're paying for capability you won't use.
The honest answer to "which is right for you" is usually determined by one question: how many attendees are you managing, and do you have an enterprise event technology budget?
If yes to both, Cvent OnArrival is a known quantity. If no, Micepad gives you professional check-in, fast badge printing, and a platform that's ready in one afternoon, starting free.
See how it works at micepad.co.
FAQs
What is Cvent OnArrival used for? Cvent OnArrival is an enterprise event check-in platform used primarily by large organizations running high-volume conferences. It integrates with the broader Cvent suite for registration, venue management, and analytics.
Is there a free alternative to Cvent OnArrival? Yes. Micepad offers a free tier for events with up to 50 attendees, including QR code check-in and basic reporting. Paid plans start at $300 per event for up to 1,000 attendees with badge printing included.
How much does Cvent OnArrival cost? Cvent OnArrival starts at $5,000+ per year. Pricing is not publicly listed and requires a sales conversation. Costs can increase depending on contract terms and add-ons.
Can Micepad handle events with 1,000 attendees? Yes. Micepad's Starter and Pro plans support up to 1,000 attendees per event. For events with 3,000+ attendees, Micepad offers custom enterprise pricing with API access and dedicated support.
Does Micepad work if you're already using Cvent for registration? Yes. Micepad supports CSV import from Cvent, Eventbrite, Luma, and any other platform. You can export your attendee list from Cvent and import it into Micepad in minutes.
What's the main difference between Micepad and Cvent OnArrival for badge printing? Both platforms support badge printing, but Micepad includes a custom badge designer and prints automatically at check-in in under 3 seconds. Cvent OnArrival's badge printing capabilities depend on your contract tier and are part of a larger enterprise configuration.
Which event check-in software is easier to set up? Micepad is designed to be set up in one afternoon without specialized training. Cvent OnArrival typically requires coordination with an account team and dedicated setup time, making it better suited for organizations with event technology staff.
Micepad Team
Micepad - Enterprise Event Management Software
