Event planners spend their days helping other people network, so it’s easy to neglect your own. The best networking apps for event planners do two jobs. Some give your attendees a better way to meet, while others help you build the client, vendor and peer relationships that make every event easier to run.
Grow your own network between events. On Kradoz, you match with professionals by goals and interests, from sponsors and speakers to mentors, and a chat opens only when both of you say yes. Free on Android.
Kradoz is our app, and it isn’t an event platform. We’ve included it for your own networking, and we’ve reviewed the main attendee apps separately below.
Two kinds of networking apps event planners need
It helps to split the list in two:
- Apps for your own network. Places to meet clients, vendors, venues, sponsors, speakers and fellow planners.
- Apps for your attendees. The platforms that power matchmaking, meetings and community at your events.
Your own network grows your career. Attendee apps, on the other hand, shape how people judge your event, because networking is often the main reason they come.
How we chose these networking apps for event planners
Every app here was live on Google Play in October 2026, recently updated and free for the people who download it. For attendee platforms, we focused on what attendees actually experience: how they find people, how they book meetings and what happens to contacts afterward. For your own network, we looked for apps where clients, vendors and fellow planners already spend time. As a result, the best networking apps for event planners on this list cover both sides of the job.
The best networking apps for event planners at a glance
| App | Who it’s for | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kradoz | You | Sponsors, speakers, partners, mentors | Free, no paid tier |
| You | Clients, sponsors and industry visibility | Free, with Premium plans | |
| Eventbrite | You and attendees | Ticketing, discovery and industry events | Free app; fees on paid tickets |
| Meetup | You and attendees | Recurring community events | Free to join; organizers pay |
| Facebook Groups | You | Peer and vendor communities | Free |
| Slack | You | Industry communities | Free to join communities |
| Whova | Attendees | Community board and meetups | Free for attendees |
| Cvent Events | Attendees | Many events in one app | Free for attendees |
| Swapcard | Attendees | AI-powered matchmaking | Free for attendees |
| Brella | Attendees | One-to-one meeting scheduling | Free for attendees |
| Grip | Attendees | Mutual-interest matchmaking | Free for attendees |
| Luma | Attendees and hosts | Invites, tickets and check-in | Free app; some events charge |
Apps for your own network
1. Kradoz: sponsors, speakers and mentors who opt in
Kradoz matches professionals by goals and shared interests, and a chat opens only when both sides say yes. For planners, that’s useful for the relationships behind an event. You might set “looking for fintech speakers for a summit in Riyadh” or “seeking a mentor who runs a conference business”.
Best for: speakers, sponsors, partners and mentors.
The catch: Android only for now, and it isn’t an event management tool.
2. LinkedIn: clients, sponsors and visibility
LinkedIn is where corporate clients, association leaders and sponsors look you up. Share event wins, such as a smooth hybrid summit or a strong attendee survey, and tag partners who helped. That keeps you visible to the next client without a sales pitch.
Best for: winning clients and sponsors.
The catch: posting takes steady effort, so aim for one useful post a week.
3. Eventbrite: ticketing and industry events
Eventbrite is one of the best-known ticketing and discovery platforms. Planners use it to sell tickets and reach new attendees, and it’s also a quick way to find industry workshops and mixers near you.
Best for: public events and finding local industry meetups.
The catch: fees apply on paid tickets, so check how they affect your pricing.
4. Meetup: community events that repeat
Meetup suits recurring community events. Organizers pay to run groups, while members join and RSVP for free. For planners building a community brand, a monthly Meetup group keeps people coming back between bigger events.
Best for: recurring meetups and community building.
The catch: members now need Meetup+ to see full attendee lists, which can affect how people network at your events.
5. Facebook Groups: peers and vendors
Facebook Groups host many communities for event professionals, wedding planners, venue managers and local vendors. They’re useful for quick questions, such as “Who’s a reliable AV supplier in Lisbon?”, and for sharing leads.
Best for: vendor recommendations and peer support.
The catch: group quality varies, and promotion rules differ, so read them first.
6. Slack: industry communities
Some event industry communities run on Slack. Channels for virtual events, venues, sponsorship and careers help you swap ideas with peers worldwide.
Best for: ongoing peer conversations and shared resources.
The catch: you’ll need an invite, and free workspaces only show recent messages.
Event apps for your attendees
7. Whova: community board and meetups
Whova gives each attendee a profile and lets them message others and schedule private meetings before and after the event. Its community board is where attendees organize meetups, share rides and post job openings. It can also scan paper business cards into contact profiles.
Best for: events that want an active attendee community, such as associations and academic conferences.
What to check: how you’ll encourage early activity on the community board.
8. Cvent Events: many events in one app
Cvent Events shows the agenda, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors, and lets attendees connect with each other. Attendees can access several events from the same app, which suits organizations running many events a year.
Best for: corporate and member events already using Cvent.
What to check: which networking features you’ll switch on, since they depend on setup.
9. Swapcard: AI-powered matchmaking
Swapcard uses AI-powered matchmaking to suggest participants with shared professional interests. Attendees can book in-person meetings, tag contacts, add notes and export them later. It also offers personal agendas, interactive floor plans and session Q&A.
Best for: trade shows and B2B events where meetings drive value.
What to check: which features to enable, because organizers can switch some off.
10. Brella: meetings first
Brella centers on one-to-one meetings. Attendees discover contacts, book meetings and plan their agenda before the event. Some events also publish their own branded version of the app.
Best for: startup, investor and B2B events built around scheduled meetings.
What to check: meeting slot length and table logistics on site.
11. Grip: matchmaking that waits for both sides
Grip asks attendees to join interest communities, then shows them relevant people. Each person swipes anonymously, choosing “interested” or “later”, and a mutual yes becomes a “handshake”. Suggestions also improve as people use it.
Best for: large events where attendees need help finding the right few people.
What to check: how you’ll define interest communities, since they shape every suggestion.
12. Luma: invites, tickets and check-in
Many tech, startup and community events run on Luma. The Luma app holds attendees’ ticket QR codes and lets them message people they met, join group chats and keep track of connections. Hosts can also use the separate Luma Events Check In app at the door.
Best for: community, startup and tech events that want simple, stylish invites.
What to check: whether you need deeper matchmaking, which Luma doesn’t focus on.
How event planners should choose an attendee networking app
Before you sign with a platform, ask these questions:
- How does matchmaking work? One-way requests, AI suggestions or mutual opt-in all feel different to attendees.
- Can attendees book meetings easily? Look at slot length, locations and reminders.
- What happens to contacts afterward? Export options matter to sponsors and sales-focused attendees.
- How is privacy handled? Attendees should control their profile and who can contact them.
- Is a branded app available? Some events prefer their own name in the app store.
Then run a small pilot, and survey attendees about the networking experience, not just the sessions.
Measuring networking at your events
If networking is a big reason people attend, measure it like any other goal. Simple signals work well:
- Profile completion rate, since complete profiles get more meeting requests.
- Meeting requests sent and accepted, which shows whether matchmaking is working.
- Meetings that actually happened, using check-ins or a quick follow-up poll.
- One survey question: “Did you meet at least one person worth following up with?”
Track these from event to event. Then you’ll know whether a new platform, a better onboarding email or more meeting space made the difference.
Accessible networking for every attendee
Great networking includes everyone. So offer a quiet area for one-to-one meetings, let attendees control what their profile shows and who can message them and run a short first-timers’ meetup early in the program. Language options and clear signage help international audiences too. These small choices make the best networking apps for event planners work better, because more people feel comfortable using them.
A pre-event email that boosts app adoption
Most attendees decide whether to use the event app in the week before. So send a short, friendly nudge:
“Hi Maria, our summit starts Tuesday. Download the event app now, add a photo and one line on what you want to learn, and book up to five meetings before the doors open. Attendees who set up early usually get the best time slots.”
Keep it to one clear action, and repeat it the day before the event.
What sponsors expect from event networking apps
Sponsors and exhibitors often judge an event by the meetings it produces. So talk to them about networking before the event, not after. Ask which attendee roles they want to meet, then make sure the app’s interest categories or communities include those roles. After the event, share simple numbers, such as meetings booked and profile views, where your platform provides them. Planners who prove networking value tend to keep sponsors year after year, and those sponsors become part of your own network too.
Networking tips for event planners at industry events
When you’re the attendee, a few habits help:
- Swap vendor lists with peers. A trusted caterer in one city is gold for a planner from another.
- Talk to venues before you need them. Relationships help when dates get tight.
- Ask other planners what their attendees liked. Real feedback beats any sales demo.
- Follow up within 48 hours. Our guide on how to follow up after networking has templates.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best networking apps for event planners?
For your own network, the best networking apps for event planners include Kradoz, LinkedIn, Eventbrite, Meetup, Facebook Groups and Slack. For attendees, Whova, Cvent Events, Swapcard, Brella, Grip and Luma are well-known options, each with a different style.
Which event app has the best matchmaking?
It depends on your event. Swapcard uses AI-powered suggestions, Grip waits for mutual interest, Brella is built around booked meetings and Whova shines for community activity. Pick the style that fits your attendees’ goals.
Are networking apps free for event planners?
Attendee apps are free for attendees, while organizers typically pay for the platform. Kradoz is free with no paid tier, and LinkedIn, Facebook Groups and Slack communities are free to use.
How do event planners network with each other?
Through industry events, online communities and direct introductions. Giving first, such as sharing a great vendor, builds trust quickly. Our post on the golden rule of networking explains why.
The bottom line on the best networking apps for event planners
The best networking apps for event planners help on both sides of your work. Choose an attendee platform whose matchmaking style fits your audience, and test it before a big event. Then grow your own network with Kradoz, LinkedIn and the communities where planners swap ideas. Your next client, sponsor or venue partner is usually one good conversation away.
Want to understand the attendee side better? See the best networking apps for sales professionals and the best networking apps for investors, two groups who rely on event networking. Promoting your events? Read about the best networking apps for marketers.
