For curated, invite-only events, Luma builds the cleanest event pages and handles guest management end to end. For large public events where discovery matters, Eventbrite’s built-in audience and multiple ticket tiers do more work. Canva handles the visuals, ChatGPT does the planning and strategy, and Notion tracks every detail in between — a full stack that runs about $10/month beyond the tools you already pay for.
Quick Verdict
- Best overall: Luma for curated events
- Best for large ticketed events: Eventbrite
- Best for design: Canva
- Best for planning & strategy: ChatGPT
- Best for project management: Notion
What You Need to Know
| Tool | Core Use | Quick Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Luma | Guest management & clean event pages | Best for curated events |
| Eventbrite | Ticketed events & discovery | Best for large events |
| Canva | Visuals & design | Best for design |
| ChatGPT | Planning & strategy | Best for strategy |
| Notion | Project management | Best for tracking |
| Google Forms | Alternative RSVP | Free fallback |
How I Evaluated This
I judged this on which tool owns which part of the event workflow — guest management, ticketing, design, planning, or tracking — rather than ranking every tool against every other one, since most events need several of these working together. Every price below was re-verified in July 2026.
1. Luma — Best Event Pages and Guest Management
Pricing: Free (5% fee on paid events) / Plus $59/month billed annually ($69/month month-to-month, 0% fee, more features)
Why it’s #1: Luma creates the cleanest event pages I’ve seen. Share a link, people RSVP, and you have a guest list with communication tools built in. Email, SMS, push notifications, even WhatsApp… all from one dashboard.
For LATT3 events, I create the event page in Luma, share the link, and manage RSVPs without spreadsheets or email chains. The check-in feature on the day of the event works from a phone. Scan guests in as they arrive.
What I like:
- Beautiful event pages that look professional with zero design effort
- Guest management with email, SMS, and WhatsApp communication
- Free tier is genuinely usable (unlimited events and guests)
- Check-in feature for day-of management
- Calendar integration for recurring events
- API access and Zapier integration on Plus plan
What I don’t like:
- 5% fee on paid events (free tier)… adds up for expensive tickets
- Plus at $59/month (annual) is steep for occasional event planners, and jumps to $69/month if you pay month-to-month
- Less well-known than Eventbrite (some guests haven’t heard of it)
- Limited marketing tools compared to Eventbrite
Best for: Premium events, community gatherings, and curated experiences where the event page quality matters. If your events are invite-only or curated (like mine), Luma’s clean aesthetic matches.
2. Eventbrite — Best for Large Ticketed Events
Pricing: Free (for free events) / 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket + 2.9% payment processing
Why it’s here: Eventbrite is the default for ticketed events. Everyone knows it. Your guests know how to use it. The search engine and discovery features can bring new attendees you didn’t market to directly.
For larger events where you need multiple ticket tiers (early bird, VIP, general admission), built-in marketing, and robust analytics, Eventbrite handles the complexity.
What I like:
- Free for free events (no fees at all)
- Multiple ticket tiers and pricing options
- Built-in email and social media marketing
- Event discovery brings new attendees organically
- Comprehensive analytics on sales and attendance
- Established trust (guests feel comfortable buying tickets)
What I don’t like:
- Fees on paid events add up (about 6.6% + $1.79 per ticket total)
- Event pages look more generic than Luma
- The platform can feel heavy for small, intimate events
- Pro plans ($15-100/month) needed for advanced marketing features
Best for: Public ticketed events, workshops, conferences, and any event where discovery matters. If you want strangers to find your event through search, Eventbrite’s built-in audience helps.
3. Canva — Best for Event Design
Pricing: Free / Pro $10/month
Why it’s here: Every event needs visuals. Invitations, social media announcements, day-of signage, post-event recap graphics. Canva handles all of it with templates designed specifically for events.
For LATT3, I create the event announcement graphics in Canva using our brand colors and style. The AI features (Magic Design, Magic Write) speed this up dramatically. I describe the event and Canva generates a complete invitation design. Tweak the details, export, share. Five minutes.
What I like:
- Event-specific templates (invitations, social announcements, signage, programs)
- Magic Design generates complete designs from text prompts
- Brand Kit keeps all event materials consistent
- Easy to create multiple sizes (Instagram story, feed post, Facebook event, email header)
- Free tier handles basic event design
What I don’t like:
- Background Remover and Brand Kit require Pro ($10/month)
- Templates can look similar to other events using the same ones
- Not an event management tool (just design)
Best for: Every event planner. Regardless of which event platform you use, you need Canva for the visuals.
4. ChatGPT — Best for Event Planning and Strategy
Pricing: Free / Plus $20/month
Why it’s here: ChatGPT is the best brainstorming partner for event planning. I use it for:
Timeline creation: “I’m hosting a 50-person dinner event on April 15. Create a detailed planning timeline starting from today with all the tasks I need to complete, organized by week.”
Vendor research: “I need a DJ, a caterer, and a photographer in Austin for a premium morning event. What should I budget for each, and what questions should I ask when vetting them?”
Guest list strategy: “I’m curating a list of 30 people for an investor dinner. I want a mix of tech founders, investors, and real estate professionals. Help me think through the ideal balance and what makes a good mix.”
Day-of logistics: “Here’s my event timeline. Walk through every possible thing that could go wrong and tell me how to prevent each one.”
Post-event follow-ups: “Draft a personalized thank-you email for each category of guest at my event: speakers, sponsors, VIPs, and general attendees.”
The key to using ChatGPT for events is specificity. “Help me plan an event” gives you generic advice. “Help me plan a 30-person investor dinner at a private venue in Austin with a $5,000 budget and a focus on AI technology” gives you actionable plans.
Best for: The thinking and planning phase. ChatGPT doesn’t manage your event… it helps you think through every detail before you start executing.
5. Notion — Best for Event Project Management
Pricing: Free / Plus $10/month / Business $20/month
Why it’s here: Once the event plan exists, every detail needs tracking. Notion is where I manage:
- Event database: Every event with date, venue, budget, status, and post-event notes
- Task tracking: Vendor confirmations, design deadlines, guest list finalization, logistics checklist
- Guest management: Who’s invited, who confirmed, dietary preferences, special requests
- Vendor contacts: DJ, caterer, photographer, venue… all details in one place
- Budget tracking: Line items, actual spend vs planned, vendor invoices
- Post-event review: What worked, what didn’t, lessons for next time
A principle I keep coming back to: everything should have a home. Event planning has a hundred details. Without a central system, things fall through cracks. Notion is that system.
Best for: Anyone planning events regularly who needs a central hub for all details. The database structure handles the complexity that spreadsheets struggle with.
My Event Planning Stack (Actual Setup)
Here’s what I use for LATT3 and other events:
- ChatGPT — brainstorm the concept, plan the timeline, think through logistics
- Notion — track every task, vendor, and detail
- Canva — create all visual materials (invitations, social, signage)
- Luma — create the event page, manage RSVPs, communicate with guests
- Lindy agent — automated follow-up emails after the event
Total cost: $10/month (Canva Pro) + tools I already pay for (ChatGPT, Notion, Luma free tier, Lindy)
The key principle from my event experience: price events to attract the right audience. Quality over quantity in attendees. And never let yourself be the default operator… delegate logistics so you can focus on curation, which is the part that actually matters.
The $0 Event Planning Stack
- ChatGPT free — planning and brainstorming
- Notion free — task and detail tracking
- Canva free — basic event graphics
- Luma free — event page and RSVPs (5% fee if charging)
- Google Forms — alternative for RSVPs if you want to avoid Luma fees
This handles everything a small event needs without spending a dollar.
FAQ
Luma or Eventbrite?
Luma for curated, premium events where the page aesthetic matters. Eventbrite for large, public events where you want discovery and multiple ticket tiers. For most small to medium events, Luma’s free tier is the better starting point.
Do I need a separate event management tool?
For small events (under 50 people), Notion + Luma covers everything. For large events (100+), you might want dedicated event management software. But for most AE readers hosting workshops, meetups, or small gatherings, the stack above handles it.
How far in advance should I start planning?
For a simple gathering: 2-3 weeks. For a premium dinner or workshop: 6-8 weeks. For a conference or large event: 3-6 months. ChatGPT can generate a reverse timeline from your event date to tell you exactly when each task needs to happen.
What about virtual events?
Add Zoom or Google Meet for the platform. Luma handles virtual event RSVPs and calendar invites natively. The rest of the stack (planning, design, project management) works the same whether the event is in-person or virtual.
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