Works with screen readers
Works with the screen reader on every phone, and follows Apple and Google's guidelines, so students who navigate by voice or touch aren't left out.
4.7/5 (3.7k reviews)
Guidebook vs. Sched: How We Compare
Still looking for a Sched alternative? See why Guidebook stands above Sched in terms of customer support, customization, and customer feedback.
Are your 'per-participant' fees continuously rising? With Guidebook, you get an event management platform with the industry's leading event app for your attendees, with one fixed fee invoice. No more per-attendee pricing, and helpful US and UK-based support when you need it.
4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
All features included - no hidden fees
| Features |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Award-winning support (US East Coast and UK) | ✓ | ✓ |
Personalized Schedules | ✓ | ✓ |
Your own app in the App Stores | ✓ | ✗ |
Interactive maps | ✓ | ✓ |
QR code attendee check-in | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited downloads | ✓ | ✗ |
Surveys and polls | ✓ | ✓ |
Comprehensive networking features | ✓ | ✗ |
Engagement Leaderboard | ✓ | ✗ |
Event Registration | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited event pricing | ✓ | ✓ |
Small event pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
Event badges | ✓ | ✓ |
Guidebook and Sched serve different segments of the event technology market with distinct operational philosophies.
Sched positions itself primarily as a session scheduling and agenda management tool, offering:
- Straightforward calendar views and speaker profiles
- Session filtering for multi-track conferences
- Easy implementation for basic scheduling needs
However, Sched's simplicity is both its strength and limitation:
- Minimal branding customization beyond logo placement and limited color adjustments
- Feature set narrowly focused on scheduling rather than comprehensive event management
- Requires integrations or separate tools for registration, engagement, networking, exhibitor management, and analytics
Guidebook evolved from mobile app pioneer into a full event management platform that encompasses scheduling alongside a complete toolkit:
- Registration, branded mobile apps, attendee networking, live polling, sponsorship activation, and real-time analytics under one unified system
- Drag-and-drop creation with control over more than one hundred discrete design elements
- Unlimited color variations and custom icons for complete brand consistency
- Transparent, predictable pricing without hidden add-ons
While Sched serves straightforward agenda needs effectively, Guidebook delivers sustainable value for growth-oriented teams requiring scalable infrastructure, professional branding control, responsive support, and the flexibility to expand capabilities as their event programs mature without platform migration.
Guidebook is a top-rated leader on G2 for Event Apps
Streamline your attendee engagement with this app
"It is easy to build and navigate. Minimal training is needed, as this app is easy to self teach.
The premium version makes it a one-stop shop for all conference related items. We really enjoyed the QR Code Scavenger Hunt game feature."
Easy manage and user experience!
"I really like the manage-end of Guidebook. The ease of uploading all of my events at one time and being able to edit easily in real time takes the stress out of the management of events with many moving parts.
I also like that you can customize as much or little as you want and the app experience for the user still looks cleans and welcoming."
Great product and easy to use
"It is very user friendly and easy to use. I like that they are affordable compared to other competitors and does not charge based on number of attendees, exhibitors, or company."
VS
Sched - Steep learning curve for advanced features
While it has many features for registered attendees to make the event customized to their intended attendance, it does take a bit to learn how to navigate it and use all the features beyond basic event attendance management.
Sched - Limited customization and agenda organization
You can customize the colors but the overall structure is not editable. I was not able to customize the design of my agenda and the organization of it. Breakout sessions are presented all together at the same timing, you cannot decide the order and for some users this layout is a bit confusing.You can manage only the agenda using sched (Sessions, speakers, exhibitors). If you need a tool to let your attendees interact during the event you will need to find a more complete tool.
Sched - Skyrocketing pricing and limited integrations
We would still like to use it, but their pricing has skyrocketed! Some of features cannot be justified as selling points, like their website. The prices are literally three times as much as what we used to pay.Also - Having Eventbrite as the only ticketing integration is shortsighted. Most do not use Eventbrite after they priced all SMEs out of their product. Having a ticketing solution integrated that is also integrated with Stripe is far more clever for folks like us!
Why do 1,000’s of customers trust Guidebook?
Event planners choose Guidebook because it gives them clarity. Instead of juggling tools or chasing updates, they get one platform that’s simple, flexible, and backed by real people who care.
Whether you're managing a small workshop or a global conference, Guidebook helps you stay in control — without overwhelm.
Flexible Pricing and Ease of Use
Guidebook was built to make event organizers and attendees lives easier–we believe in fair, simple prices that don’t keep going up. If you have small events, we have a plan for that!
Ease of Use
Customers say it’s surprisingly easy to learn to build an app with Guidebook, see for yourself how easy it is to build an app and what that looks like for attendees here.
Superior Support
Whatever you need, our award-winning team is here to help. With real people available in the US and UK (and no robots), you get quick responses from people who care.
Customization and Flexibility
Your app is fully customizable and simple to update. Add your colors, logos, fonts, images, and publish to the stores. Invite as many collaborators to help you as required, and publish unlimited changes.
Open Integrations
Unlike Cvent and other event technology products, Guidebook has a free open-API available to all customers–and out-of-the-box integrations with products like Cvent, Splash, Eventbrite and more.
Mobile First
The Guidebook platform has been built for mobile since 2011, based on the belief that an event is an experience and mobile is the technology which can have the biggest impact on attendees having a happy, successful experience.
Event builder
Your all-in-one solution for every event
- Inclusive & consistent pricing: When new features are added to the platform, they're instantly available to all Guidebook customers. No extra costs, no delays, and no more having to pay for things you don't want or need. Continuous price hikes? No, thank you.
- Drag & Drop: Unlike other app builders, Guidebook allows you to quickly and easily pick what features you need, upload content using simple templates or uploads, and publish edits in seconds. Want to use what you did last year as a base? Clone it in seconds and save hours.
- Rich Feature Set: 14 years into our journey, the Guidebook platform is rich with features for all types of events, and our product has been shaped by feedback from thousands of EDU customers.
- Award-winning support: Should you need it, Guidebook has teams in the US and UK ready to assist you, taking the time to understand your needs and goals to provide consultative support.
- Offline access: Your audience can access the important content they need, even if they don't have an internet connection.
Security and Compliance
The power of your brand in your app, from first visit to alumni.
Build trust
Attendees download your app, not ours. Your name, colors, and crest in the stores.
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One place for the whole event
Schedules, maps, registration, and updates in one branded hub - not five tools.
Stand out
A branded app is what people keep on their phone after the printed program is in the recycling.
Accessible for every student on campus
Accessibility isn't an add-on. Guidebook is built so every student can find their way, read their schedule, and stay connected, whatever tools they rely on to use their phone.
FAQs
What's the difference between Guidebook and Sched?
Sched is a scheduling tool. Guidebook is the platform the whole event runs on.
Sched does agendas well: calendar views, speaker profiles and session filtering for multi-track programs. For registration, networking, engagement, maps, check-in, sponsorship and analytics you'll need other tools. Guidebook includes all of it, plus your own branded app in the app stores, under one fixed fee.
Sched does agendas well: calendar views, speaker profiles and session filtering for multi-track programs. For registration, networking, engagement, maps, check-in, sponsorship and analytics you'll need other tools. Guidebook includes all of it, plus your own branded app in the app stores, under one fixed fee.
How does Guidebook's pricing compare to Sched's?
Guidebook charges one fixed fee. Sched charges per participant, so a bigger Open House costs you more.
With Guidebook, growth doesn't create an invoice. Unlimited events, unlimited downloads and unlimited content are in the plan, and there's a small event option when the program is modest. You can budget in January and still be right in October.
With Guidebook, growth doesn't create an invoice. Unlimited events, unlimited downloads and unlimited content are in the plan, and there's a small event option when the program is modest. You can budget in January and still be right in October.
Can Sched do more than scheduling?
Not much more, and that's by design. Sched is focused on agendas, which it handles simply.
The question is what sits around it. Most teams end up with a registration tool, a separate app, a survey tool and a spreadsheet for check-in. Guidebook replaces that stack: one app your team builds, one login for students, one set of numbers at the end.
The question is what sits around it. Most teams end up with a registration tool, a separate app, a survey tool and a spreadsheet for check-in. Guidebook replaces that stack: one app your team builds, one login for students, one set of numbers at the end.
Is Guidebook a good Sched alternative for universities?
Yes. Fourteen years in, Guidebook's product has been shaped by feedback from thousands of higher education teams, and higher education is the only market we build for.
A schedule is one piece of an Admitted Student Day. Guidebook covers the rest: registration, maps and self-guided tours, QR check-in, engagement, and the attendance data your dean asks for.
A schedule is one piece of an Admitted Student Day. Guidebook covers the rest: registration, maps and self-guided tours, QR check-in, engagement, and the attendance data your dean asks for.
Can we get our own app in the app stores with Sched?
No. Sched gives you a web schedule with limited branding, mostly a logo and a few color choices.
Guidebook publishes a native app in the iOS and Android stores under your institution's name, with more than one hundred design elements, unlimited colors and custom icons. Students download your app, not a vendor's.
Guidebook publishes a native app in the iOS and Android stores under your institution's name, with more than one hundred design elements, unlimited colors and custom icons. Students download your app, not a vendor's.
What do we need alongside Sched that Guidebook includes?
Typically registration, a branded mobile app, interactive maps, QR check-in, surveys and polls, networking, an engagement leaderboard and event badges.
Each one is a separate purchase, a separate login and a separate export. Guidebook includes them in one plan, which is usually where the real cost comparison lands.
Each one is a separate purchase, a separate login and a separate export. Guidebook includes them in one plan, which is usually where the real cost comparison lands.