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. WebEx Events (formerly Socio): How We Compare
Still looking for a WebEx Events alternative?
Are your costs jumping significantly? With Guidebook, you won't be forced into costly enterprise plans. And you don't have to pay for features you don't need. Instead, you get an event app with everything your audience wants, one fixed-fee invoice–and helpful support when you need it.
4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
All features included - no hidden fees
| Features |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Personalized schedules | ✓ | ✓ |
Interactive maps | ✓ | ✓ |
Social feed | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
Leaderboards | ✓ | ✓ |
Event registration | ✓ | ✗ |
QR code check-in | ✓ | ✓ |
Offline capability | ✓ | ✓ |
Surveys and polls | ✓ | ✗ |
Self-guided tours | ✓ | ✗ |
Unlimited event pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
Award-winning support | ✓ | ✓ |
Event badges | ✓ | ✗ |
Guidebook and Webex Events (formerly Socio) both position themselves as comprehensive platforms for in-person, hybrid, and virtual events, but their approaches reflect different philosophies around complexity and control.
Webex Events emerged from Cisco's acquisition of Socio and offers:
- Enterprise-grade solution with robust Cisco collaboration tool integrations
- Advanced analytics for ticket sales, sponsorship, and attendee engagement
- Strong capabilities for multi-track agendas, badge printing, and livestreaming with translations
- 24/7 support responsiveness and concierge-style professional services
Guidebook evolved from mobile app pioneer into a full event management platform while preserving its signature strength: intuitive, no-code design with exceptional branding control.
Key Guidebook advantages:
- Drag-and-drop interface with control over more than 100 discrete design elements, unlimited color variations, and custom icon uploads
- Faster implementation compared to Webex Events' more structured six-month planning framework
- Transparent per-device pricing with inclusive features and no hidden add-ons (vs. Webex Events' enterprise custom quotes without public pricing)
- Free open API access for all customers alongside out-of-box integrations with major registration platforms
For growth-oriented teams prioritizing mobile experience quality, implementation speed, and predictable costs, Guidebook delivers practical advantages through visual workflows, complete brand ownership, and pricing that scales transparently as organizations expand.
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
WebEx Events - Steep learning curve for setup
There is a large learning curve to setup your first Events but one you have it all worked it, it works well.
WebEx Events - Expensive pricing with usage estimates
The platform is expensive and you need to provide estimates of usage before you actually use it, which means you might sometimes end up overpaying if you overestimate the number of attendees your upcoming events will have.
WebEx Events - System limitations and duplicate management issues
I really dislike that there are so many parts of the platform that need work. It makes it very difficult when there are duplicates in the system. There is no way to delete them. It's also very difficult when something has been refunded; there is no way to change that in the numbers, which makes them incorrect as an end result. I also dislike that you can't change the kind of ticket that it may have been put into the system originally. Things change; this should be something that can change also.
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 everyone. No extra costs, no delays, and no more having to pay for things you don't want or need. Unexpected price hikes? No, thank you.
- Drag & Drop: Unlike other app builders, Guidebook allows you to quickly and easily pick what 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.
- 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.
- Digital badges: Make check-in, networking, and session attendance verification even easier with simple QR badges on phones.
- 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 Webex Events (formerly Socio)?
Webex Events is Cisco's enterprise event platform, strongest when you already run Cisco collaboration tools and need livestreaming, translations and multi-track conference logistics.
Guidebook is built for student-facing campus events and for teams who want to launch without a structured six-month plan. You build the app yourself, publish it under your institution's name, and it works offline.
Guidebook is built for student-facing campus events and for teams who want to launch without a structured six-month plan. You build the app yourself, publish it under your institution's name, and it works offline.
How does Guidebook's pricing compare to Webex Events?
Webex Events quotes enterprise pricing with no public rates. Guidebook publishes a fixed fee with features included.
There are no enterprise tiers to climb into and nothing to buy twice. Unlimited event pricing, surveys and polls, event badges and registration are in the plan rather than on a quote. You're not paying for a conference platform's full catalog to run an Open House.
There are no enterprise tiers to climb into and nothing to buy twice. Unlimited event pricing, surveys and polls, event badges and registration are in the plan rather than on a quote. You're not paying for a conference platform's full catalog to run an Open House.
How long does implementation take compared with Webex Events?
Most Guidebook teams are live in about two weeks. Webex Events runs a more structured planning framework, typically around six months.
There's no implementation fee and no consultant in the middle with Guidebook, because the team running the event builds the app. Onboarding is included in every plan, and we're on the calls that help.
There's no implementation fee and no consultant in the middle with Guidebook, because the team running the event builds the app. Onboarding is included in every plan, and we're on the calls that help.
What happened to Socio?
Cisco acquired Socio and folded it into Webex Events. The product carries the Webex name now and sits inside Cisco's enterprise collaboration portfolio.
For teams that originally bought Socio for a straightforward branded event app, that shift is usually what starts the search for something lighter.
For teams that originally bought Socio for a straightforward branded event app, that shift is usually what starts the search for something lighter.
Do we need to be a Cisco shop to use Webex Events?
Not strictly, but Webex Events is at its strongest integrated with Cisco's collaboration tools, and it's priced and scoped as enterprise software.
Guidebook has no stack requirement. SSO is the only thing your IT team touches, and the open API is free if you want to connect anything else.
Guidebook has no stack requirement. SSO is the only thing your IT team touches, and the open API is free if you want to connect anything else.
Is Guidebook a good Webex Events alternative for universities?
Yes. Guidebook builds only for higher education, so the product is shaped around Admitted Student Days, Orientation, Welcome Week and campus tours rather than corporate conferences.
Self-guided tours, offline access, QR badges and unlimited event pricing are included. Your admissions and orientation teams own the app, and support answers from the US and UK.
Self-guided tours, offline access, QR badges and unlimited event pricing are included. Your admissions and orientation teams own the app, and support answers from the US and UK.