Event management software streamlines event operations and bookings and can boost venue sales at your restaurant and event space. Advanced features include ticketing, scheduling, and analytics, all of which help businesses acquire more customers and increase brand reach.
However, different event spaces and event managers have different event management technology needs. Caterease is a capable option with a lot of loyal users–but it might not be the right fit for you.
If Caterease’s event management system doesn’t have what you need for your business to thrive, don’t stress! Here are 8 awesome Caterease alternatives worth your time and money.
What is Caterease?
Caterease is a premier event management company that launched its event management software in 1991. The software is a favorite among small, medium, and large restaurants and event companies.
The event management platform was built with the help of event planners and managers, who provided input on sales and catering software needs.
While the software has advanced a lot over the last 3 decades, its mission is still to provide simple but effective event management services that automate and optimize event calendars. According to Caterease, their event management suite increases productivity and sales and reduces time wasting.
Today, Caterease event management software helps over 50,000 users across the globe manage their event calendars.
Best Caterease Alternatives
Caterease is a popular event management software option but it won’t be the perfect fit for everyone. If you’re looking for an alternative worth your time and money, consider our picks for the best Caterease alternatives.
Perfect Venue
Perfect Venue tops our list of Caterease alternatives for a host of reasons. The event management software provides a centralized organization dashboard that lets users streamline workflows and increase profits.
The user interface is straightforward and showcases all relevant event data: active events, leads, balances due, proposals sent, etc. It also features team tasks, payment features, and task automation for faster work and less stress.
Both simple and powerful, Perfect Venue offers smaller event spaces affordable tools that let them compete with even the biggest venue chains.
Main Features
- Cloud-based platform
- Centralized dashboard
- Mobile accessibility
- Event schedule tracker
- Custom software branding
- Team task management
- Task automation
- Email templates
- AI chat/email reply
- Payment processing
YesEvents
Our next pick for best Caterease alternatives is YesEvents. YesEvents differentiates itself by offering robust event management for the entire event lifecycles, including attendee and client acquisition.
Its most popular features include a reservation suite for users to create custom registration forms, a favorite among event companies that host conferences and corporate events. That being said, it still works great for restaurant events–mostly large ones.
Alongside attendee acquisitions and marketing, the software also offers interactive floor plans for event planning, sponsor management, and white glove service options.
Main Features
- Cloud-based platform
- Event registration software suite
- Custom online registration forms
- E-Marketing
- Reporting and event feedback
- Exhibition and sponsor management
- Mobile app
Total Party Planner
As the name suggests, Total Party Planner is a catering management software that helps event venues plan parties and events.
While it is a catering management software, it also doubles as an event management platform. According to the company’s mission statement, they hope to automate event planning and financials and move away from paper event management.
It’s a web-based platform, which means it’s accessible from any device as long as it has an internet connection. It’s also known for its easy setup and importing functions.
Main Features
- Event management system
- Catering management
- Web-based
- Food cost calculator
- Credit card processing
- Reporting and analytics
- Google account integration
- E-signatures
Tripleseat
One of the most well-known event management software on the market right now, Tripleseat is a guest and event management platform focusing on the hospitality industry. Because it’s built specifically for restaurants, hotels, and other service industries, it offers tailored features better suited to event planners' and event managers' needs.
Even better, it offers a range of event management solutions for specific service industries. For example, they offer a restaurant event management option with a centralized booking platform, catering services, and restaurant-specific sales and reporting.
Main Features
- Web-based platform
- Centralized event calendar
- Automatic cross-company calendar updates
- Event marketing
- Payment processing
- E-signatures
- Automate tasks
- Reporting and analytics
- Document branding
Event Temple
Event Temple is a venue management software with many of the same features as Caterease. While it’s mostly used by hotels, it also works as a restaurant venue management software.
With Event Temple, users can automate the event sales pipeline with drag-and-drop sales templates. They take on average 30 seconds to generate. With the built-in CRM software, users can also track and manage events, workflows, tasks, emails, client proposals, and customer relationships.
All those features aside, the biggest benefit of Event Temple over Caterease is the software flexibility. Users have more customization options for a more native management experience.
Main Features
- Cloud-based software
- Event management
- Catering management
- Inventory management
- Proposal templates
- CRM software
- Email marketing
Planning Pod
Planning Pod is a cloud-based venue and event management software with over 20 online tools for faster and more effective event booking and management. According to Planning Pod, users save on average 62 hours a month using their all-in-one platform over traditional Excel and pen-and-paper venue management.
Beyond the event management tools, Planning Pod also offers lead acquisition software to find clients and streamline event billing and communication.
It’s worth noting that Planning Pod is only available on the web and isn’t compatible with IOS or Android.
Main Features
- Cloud-based platform
- Client acquisition tools
- Automated and intuitive tasks
- Centralized email platform
- Business management tools
- Event booking management
- Catering services
- Inventory tracking
RSVPify
RSVPify is an event management and registration platform with a focus on optimizing and automating the event process, from inception to launch.
Suitable for both big and small events, RSVPify is similar to the other event management software options on this list. It provides simple but effective event management software, all from the comfort of your centralized management dashboard.
Where it differs is its guest management features. RSVPify provides ticketing, registration, and custom data collection to manage the event process.
Main Features
- Cloud-based platform
- Centralized dashboard
- Event management
- Guestbook management
- Payment processing
- Reporting and analytics
- Event ticketing and tracking
- Customizable reports
Idloom.events
Idloom.events is a cloud-based event management system perfect for the modern event manager. It specializes in in-person, virtual, and hybrid event management. While it’s meant to manage all types of events, it also works well as an event management solution in the service industry.
Like RSVPify, Idloom.events manages the entire event process, including ticketing, event registration, payment processing, and refunds. It also features a unique badges system, whereby users can create specific badges for specific event attendees.
While Idloom.events is a good event management software, it’s worth noting the price tag. Users can expect charges starting at $450 a month.
Main Features
- Cloud-based software
- Event calendar management
- Reporting and analytics
- Badge management
- Email marketing
- Event ticketing
- Customizable templates
Conclusion
Caterease is a popular event management software with a host of useful features. But, as any event manager will tell you, management needs differ across the industry.
From Perfect Venue’s simple but powerful event calendar to Planning Pod’s customer acquisitions software, these Caterease alternatives might be better suited to your needs.
Choose the event management software with the features your event company needs and enjoy better management and higher profits.
If you’re still unsure, go for our #1 pick: Perfect Venue. Simple, affordable, and highly effective, Perfect Venue has everything you need to stay organized, streamline event management, and make more money. Start your free trial today!
