7 Apps Every Event Planner Must Use

1. Trello

Free with paid upgrades | Available on iOS, Android, and Desktop

Trello is a visual task management system that helps you organise everything — from vendor outreach to final run-throughs. With its drag-and-drop interface, you can turn your to-do list into a living timeline. As far as planning tools for corporate events go, this one's a classic.

It's also a solid part of any tech stack for event professionals who need visibility across teams.

2. Canva

Free with paid upgrades | Available on iOS, Android, and Desktop

Need polished marketing assets without a designer? Canva is your shortcut. Use it to build everything from branded signage to Instagram teasers and post-event reports. Its templates are ideal for both social and print.

Think of it as your unofficial event marketing automation tool, especially when you're tight on time and budget.

• Bonus tip: Pressed for artwork at the eleventh hour? An AI poster generator can whip up high-impact banners and event posters in seconds—drop the draft straight into Canva for brand tweaks, then roll it out across socials, email headers, or on-site signage.

3. Airtable

Free with paid upgrades | Available on iOS, Android, and Desktop

Airtable sits somewhere between a spreadsheet and a full-on event management software platform. You can build dynamic databases for guest list management, track invoices, and even manage production timelines, all in one place.

It's one of the most flexible budget tracking for events tools out there, without overwhelming you with features you won't use.

4. Social Tables

Paid | Available on Desktop

When you're handling complex seating charts or room layouts, Social Tables is a must-have. Used by venues and planners alike, it's one of the best venue sourcing platforms that also lets you design floor plans and assign seats visually.

It also doubles as an excellent event scheduling tool when coordinating breakout rooms or staggered arrivals.

5. Slack

Free with paid upgrades | Available on iOS, Android, and Desktop

Slack is far more than office chatter — it's one of the most efficient collaboration apps for teams working across departments, vendors, and locations. Create dedicated channels for AV, catering, client communication, and even emergency contacts.

In fast-paced environments, it beats long email threads every time.

If you're looking to complement team communication with structured learning, consider white label courses platforms. They enable event companies to create branded learning environments for staff onboarding and ongoing professional development.

6. Boomset

Paid | Available on iOS and Desktop

Boomset handles registration, check-ins, badge printing, and attendance tracking — all the essentials for keeping things smooth on-site. Especially helpful at conferences or corporate expos, it simplifies guest list management and improves the attendee experience.

It also integrates well with other event scheduling tools and virtual event software.

7. Whova

Free for attendees, paid for organisers | Available on iOS, Android, and Desktop

Whova is a full-stack solution built for today's hybrid and virtual-first world. As a powerful hybrid event tool, it includes agenda management, attendee networking, sponsor features, and real-time updates all in one app.

If you're looking for apps for event organisers that cover both live and online components, Whova delivers.

8. GuestCam

GuestCam turns your event attendees into your content crew. It’s a crowdsourced photo-and-video platform built for private and corporate gatherings, letting guests capture and instantly upload media in real time to a secure event gallery. With GuestCam’s QR code event photo sharing (link that phrase to https://guestcam.co), guests scan once to join a private gallery—no app or login—and start uploading snaps and 10-second clips in real time.
Ideal for planners who want authentic, on-the-ground moments for post-event wrap-ups or internal comms, GuestCam allows for custom branding, upload moderation, and high-res downloads for later use across campaigns or recap reports.

Bonus use case: Pair GuestCam with your Social Media Wall to blend the polished and the spontaneous into one dynamic visual stream.

Wrapping Up

There's no single app that does it all, but the right combination of tools for event planning can take your workflow from reactive to proactive. The most successful planners build a custom tech stack for event professionals that aligns with their event size, style, and team structure.

Whether you're focused on budget tracking for events, finding smart venue sourcing platforms, or exploring virtual event software to scale, these apps offer real-world value — without the fluff. Try a few, tweak your system, and find what clicks.

Because the best events aren't just planned, they're powered by the right tools.