ReviewAgorify's Self Check-in & On-Demand Badge Printing Kiosk vs. Cvent OnArrival: Which One is Better?
There is almost no person who doesn't get irritated when waiting in lines; events are no exception. In fact, making your attendees wait in lines can often decrease the attendee experience considering that most of the attendees will start their attendee journey on a moody note. This is where robust solutions that streamline the checkin and badge printing process, such as Agorify's Self Check-in & On-Demand Badge Printing Kiosk and Cvent OnArrival join the game. However, although seemingly the two of them have the same function, there are certain features that are quite distinct.
To help event organizers make informed decisions, in this article we will delve into a detailed overview and comparison of these two event self check-in and on-demand badge printing solutions. Keep reading!
Agorify Overview
Agorify is an all-in-one event management platform packed with dozens of features and tools tailored to enhance the event experience for all parties involved, regardless of the format and size of the event. Its Self Check-in & On-Demand Badge Printing Kiosk aims to provide a seamless experience to attendees, allowing them to self check-in and print their badge on-site.
The best of all is that the setup of this kiosk requires only basic technical skills without demanding for organizers to hire a professional technician. All that is needed is Agorify's software license, a good internet network, a Zebra printer, and an iPad that you can purchase on your own. The platform also offers real-time reporting, which is crucial for organizers who need to keep track of attendee data throughout the event.
Cvent Overview
Cvent is another event management platform known for its comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline event planning and execution, particularly for large-scale events. Its Cvent's OnArrival solution facilitates the self check-in and onsite badge printing process either via the mobile app or RFID, giving the event organizers the freedom of choice. However, it's important to note that considering the platform is rather for large-scale events, the setup is a little bit more complex and requires organizers to hire Cvent staff and rent their hardware in order to ensure smooth operations.
| Feature | Agorify | Cvent |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Service Check-In | Quick and easy self-check-in via mobile app, email or organizer-assisted | Self-check-in via mobile app, requires more complex setup and staffing |
| Badge Customization | Preset for the most common badge sizes and formats | Customizable badges, but requires Cvent staff for setup |
| On-Demand Badge Printing | Simple setup using Zebra printer, iPad and a good internet, no additional staff | Badge printing with flexibility but requires rented hardware and Cvent staff |
| Last-Minute Changes | Supports real-time last-minute changes, even on event day | More limited in handling last-minute changes |
| Real-Time Reporting | Instant access to check-in data for easy adjustments | Real-time reporting but requires technical know-how |
| Setup Complexity | Minimal technical skills required, no need for Agorify staff | Requires Cvent staff, rented hardware, and more technical setup |
| Target Event Size | Suitable for any event size, affordable even for small events | Best for large-scale events |
| Cost | €359/month with no long-term commitment. Cancel anytime. Opt for an annual plan and get 2 months free | No public pricing, charges per event, can be more expensive |
| Subscription Model | Monthly or annual subscription | Tailored pricing per event, no monthly subscription info |
Feature Comparison
Self-Service Check-In
Agorify's Self-Service Check-in solution allows attendees to quickly scan their ticket via the Agorify mobile app and check-in independently without having to wait in lines or wait for assistance by the organizer team. Moreover, if you, as an organizer, prefer to check-in attendees on your own, it's totally doable as well! It is perfect for any number of attendees, although where it truly shines is at events with a larger number of attendees.
Cvent's OnArrival also comes equipped with self-check-in letting attendees quickly check in via Cvent's mobile app; however, the setup itself is rather more complex and, therefore, needs more oversight from Cvent's staff. When that is taken into account, expenses might even be higher, which some companies find less cost-effective.
Badge Customization and Printing
Badge customization is an important element of every B2B event for a number of reasons. Branding, attendee information for networking, QR code for lead scanning - just to name a few.
The most beautiful thing about Agorify's customizable badge feature is that it comes with a preset for the most commonly used badge sizes while still giving you the freedom to fix and adjust the style at any time. All that is needed is Agorify's license, an iPad and a printer!
Cvent is also known for offering great freedom when it comes to personalization of badges and printing them on-site; however, due to the need to hire Cvent's staff and rent their equipment, this process might also require more logistical planning. In addition, Cvent also offers the ability to create and print personalized badges on-site, but the process typically involves more logistical planning and reliance on Cvent's staff and equipment. This is why everything needs to be planned beforehand, without much flexibility for last minute changes.
Last-Minute Changes
Attendee lists need to be updated quite frequently in order to avoid mistakes such as new job titles, changes of company, or spelling mistakes, which is why being able to make last-minute changes in the selected event tech solution is of great importance. Agorify not only allows last-minute changes to attendee information right to the start of the event, but even on the day of the event itself.
Cvent's solution does provide robust check-in capabilities, but it doesn't specifically enclose support for last-minute changes - something that should be thought through as it can potentially restrict the event organizer if such changes need to be made.
Real-Time Reporting
Real-time reporting offers valuable insights that can contribute to the overall success of the event. Agorify's check-in system is designed to instantly provide data on who has checked in, letting organizers know the exact number of attendees present in the venue in real time and make informed decisions and adjustments on the fly.
Cvent doesn't come short to Agorify when it comes to providing real-time data, but it definitely requires more technical know-how to maximize its utility.
Fast and Easy Setup
As previously briefly mentioned, the major differentiation between Agorify's Self Check-in & On-Demand Badge Printing Kiosk and Cvent OnArrival lies in their setup. Agorify's business model is self-service; therefore, it is built in a way that it requires minimal technical skills in order to set up the kiosk. No need to hire Agorify technicians; no need to rent Agorify hardware. All that is needed is Agorify's license, a good internet network, an iPad, and a Zebra printer, which you can buy from any store and use for all your events.
Cvent's OnArrival solution is rather more Cvent-dependent. What does this mean? Given that it's targeted towards large-scale events, the solution itself is more complex and requires hiring Cvent's staff and renting their hardware.
Cost and Subscription Model
Agorify's Self Check-in & On-Demand Badge Printing Kiosk is part of its Business and Business Plus licenses that start at only €359/month with the ability to cancel at any time given that Agorify is one of the few event management platforms with a monthly subscription and a cancel-at-any-time policy. You can use it for an unlimited amount of events during the month, making it a perfect solution if you have events for a shorter period of time during the year. In case you run more events throughout the entire year, it's best if you choose its annual licenses that offer 2 months for free, meaning that people get charged for only 10 months instead of 10.
Cvent, on the other hand, does not publicly mention a monthly subscription, discounted pricing of an annual license, or the pricing itself in general for its OnArrival service. However, what is publicly known is that they charge per event and the price is tailored to each and every event specifically. Additionally, the need for additional hardware and staff could make it a more expensive option overall.
To Wrap Up
Both Agorify and Cvent are fantastic all-in-one event management platforms packed with effective event check-in and badge printing solutions. Nevertheless, when compared side to side, they do differ from one another in many aspects. Agorify's Self Check-in & On-Demand Badge Printing Kiosk stands out for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Agorify's ability to adjust last-minute changes, be configured without the need to hire Agorify staff or rent equipment from the provider, and its competitive pricing are ideal for event organizers who are budget-conscious and are more autonomous. The solution itself is very simple, allowing organizers to take care of the setup process on their own, giving them more flexibility to take care of their check-in and badging process just the way they imagined it.
In contrast, Cvent's OnArrival service is a better match for larger events that require more complex check-in options and where the organizers are willing to invest in additional hardware and staffing support.