Boomset Review: Overview, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2025

Long lines ruin your event’s first impression.

If you’re evaluating event management software, you know how tough it is to ensure smooth check-in, attendee tracking, and last-minute badge printing without chaos at the entrance.

I get it—lost time and stressed-out staff sap your energy every time you rely on outdated manual solutions or half-baked check-in tools.

That’s why I dove deep into Boomset’s platform—before it was sunsetted—to see how its fast guest-list check-in, RFID management, and on-demand badge printing actually fixed those common frustrations.

In this review, I’ll break down how Boomset made event entry nearly effortless, saving you time and giving your attendees a way better first experience.

You’ll find everything you need in this Boomset review—including features that matter for real events, honest pricing breakdowns, and the best alternatives now that Boomset is discontinued.

You’ll leave with the features you need to compare and decide confidently.

Let’s get started.

Boomset Overview

Based in New York City, Boomset launched in 2011 with a clear mission: to take the stress and chaos out of on-site logistics for professional event organizers.

They quickly found their groove with mid-market and enterprise clients who needed robust, reliable technology for high-stakes events. What set them apart was a deep focus on the attendee journey, not just another back-end management portal.

The company’s trajectory shifted dramatically following its 2021 acquisition by Hopin. I’ll break down what that strategic move means for you through this Boomset review.

Unlike broader platforms like Cvent that can feel overwhelming, I always felt Boomset’s strength was its laser focus on day-of-event execution. You can tell it was designed by people who’ve actually managed a chaotic registration desk.

They worked with a wide range of organizations hosting large-scale conferences and trade shows—any event where seamless badge printing and accurate attendee tracking are mission-critical.

Following the acquisition, the Boomset brand was sunsetted by Hopin. However, its innovative technology set a high bar, making its legacy a fantastic benchmark for what you should demand from event solutions today.

Now, let’s dive into its features.

Boomset Features

Struggling with slow event check-ins?

Boomset features were designed to streamline on-site operations and enhance attendee experiences. Here are the five main Boomset features that addressed critical event management pain points.

1. Guest List and Kiosk Check-in

Long lines are a terrible first impression.

Manual check-in processes or clunky systems can create frustrating queues that delay event entry and upset attendees.

Boomset offered a sleek interface and a fast integrated guest list app, which ensured quick, seamless check-in. From my testing, the self-check-in kiosk stations were a game-changer for attendee flow, allowing photo capture and signature collection. This feature really made arrivals smooth.

This means you could significantly reduce wait times, ensuring a positive attendee experience right from the start.

2. On-Demand Badge & Wristband Printing

Wasting money on pre-printed badges?

Last-minute attendee changes or unexpected walk-ins often lead to wasted pre-printed materials and logistical headaches.

A standout feature was Boomset’s ability to print customized badges or wristbands on-site in as little as 3 seconds. What I found impressive was how this eliminated wasted materials from pre-printing, allowing instant adjustments. This feature ensures everyone gets an accurate badge efficiently.

So you could effortlessly handle real-time changes and improve your event’s sustainability by only printing what’s needed.

3. RFID Management and Session Tracking

Can’t track attendee engagement effectively?

Understanding where attendees go and which sessions they prefer is crucial for event ROI, but manual tracking is nearly impossible.

Boomset leveraged RFID technology for automated data collection, giving organizers insights into session attendance and overall engagement. Attendees could have schedules displayed on their badge, and their movement could be tracked to understand popular sessions. This feature really simplifies post-event analysis.

This means you get robust data on attendee flow, helping you optimize future event layouts and content strategies.

4. Lead Retrieval

Exhibitors struggling with lead follow-up?

Collecting leads manually or with disconnected systems can lead to disorganized follow-up and lost sales opportunities for exhibitors.

Boomset offered a lead retrieval solution allowing exhibitors to collect and prioritize leads using their own mobile devices. What I love about this feature is how exhibitors could instantly send themselves personal reports with notes, streamlining their post-event process.

This means your exhibitors could drastically improve their lead qualification and accelerate their sales cycle directly from the event floor.

5. Cashless Payments

Managing cash at events causes headaches?

Dealing with physical cash can be slow, insecure, and create friction for both attendees and staff during transactions.

Boomset facilitated cashless payments, promoting spending and managing gift and voucher systems directly from secure attendee badges or wristbands. From my evaluation, this feature really simplified transactions for attendees and staff, reducing the need for physical cash handling.

This means you could speed up purchases, enhance convenience for everyone, and boost overall event revenue by making transactions seamless.

These Boomset features worked together to create a unified event management platform, automating processes and providing real-time data.

Boomset Pricing

What will Boomset pricing mean for your event budget?

Boomset pricing offered several tiered plans with clear annual costs, providing a transparent structure for various event needs, making it easier to see your potential investment upfront.

Plan	Price & Features
On-Demand	$0/year • Unlimited group members & events • Custom notifications & email confirmations • Guest list check-in app • On-demand badge/wristband printing • Kiosk self-check-in
Introduction	$1200/year • All On-Demand features • Kiosk self-check-in with custom branding • Event registration page • Ideal for enhanced branding
Professional	$3000/year • All Introduction features • RFID Management • Advanced attendee tracking • Access control for events
Enterprise	$6000/year • All Professional features • Comprehensive event management • Designed for large organizations • Extensive event needs

1. Value Assessment

Your event budget, simplified.

From my cost analysis, Boomset offered a tiered pricing structure that scaled with event complexity. What stood out about their pricing approach is how the higher tiers added tangible value like RFID management, justifying the increased cost for larger events requiring advanced features.

This means your budget aligns with specific event needs, ensuring you only pay for the features crucial to your operations.

2. Trial/Demo Options

Evaluate before you commit.

Boomset also offered a free trial, which is excellent for testing features like guest list check-in or on-demand badge printing. What I found valuable is how you could experience the platform firsthand to see if it truly streamlines your event operations, minimizing financial risk before investing in their pricing plans.

This allows you to assess the platform’s suitability without any upfront financial commitment, ensuring a confident decision.

3. Plan Comparison

Choosing the right plan.

For basic needs, the On-Demand plan provided core functionality at no cost, which is great for small events. However, for organizations needing branded experiences or advanced tracking, upgrading to Introduction or Professional offers significant benefits. The Enterprise plan targets large-scale event operations with its comprehensive features.

This tiered Boomset pricing structure helps you match your investment to your event’s specific scale and feature requirements.

My Take: Boomset’s pricing model was transparent and scaled well, offering good value for event organizers from small, basic needs to large, complex operations requiring advanced features.

Overall, Boomset pricing offered clear options for varying event needs.

Boomset Reviews

What do real customers actually think?

This customer reviews section analyzes real user feedback, drawing insights from multiple Boomset reviews to provide you with a balanced understanding of actual experiences with the software.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users generally express high satisfaction.

From my review analysis, Boomset reviews often highlight a positive overall experience, especially for its core on-site event management functionalities. What I found in user feedback is how streamlined check-in processes frequently lead to praise and high ratings for efficiency and ease of use, particularly in busy event environments.

This suggests you can expect a significant improvement in your event entry operations.

2. Common Praise Points

The check-in process consistently earns praise.

Users repeatedly laud Boomset for its seamless check-in and on-demand badge printing capabilities. From my analysis, customers noted how the system revolutionized their registration process, making it incredibly fast and efficient for both staff and attendees. Review-wise, this feature is a game-changer.

This means you can dramatically reduce queues and improve first impressions at your events.

3. Frequent Complaints

Some technical issues cause frustration.

While generally positive, several Boomset reviews mention challenges, particularly “huge issues with API calls” that caused disruptions during shows. What stands out in customer feedback is how initial technical glitches created significant headaches, even if later resolved, impacting early user experience.

These issues suggest you should factor in thorough testing and potential support needs for integrations.

Overall, Boomset reviews reflect strong user satisfaction with its core functionalities, despite some technical integration pain points.

Best Boomset Alternatives

Which alternative best suits your event needs?

The best Boomset alternatives offer diverse strengths, each designed for specific event scales, types, and budget considerations, beyond just on-site features.

1. Cvent

Need enterprise-level event management capabilities?

Cvent excels when you require comprehensive event registration, website creation, and robust reporting for large-scale conferences. From my competitive analysis, Cvent offers broader enterprise-level functionalities than Boomset, although its pricing and interface can be more complex for new users.

Choose Cvent for extensive event ecosystem management, especially for larger conferences with complex requirements.

2. Whova

Looking for a strong attendee networking app?

Whova provides a powerful mobile event app with robust networking tools and attendee-centered features, perfect for fostering engagement. Alternative-wise, Whova is praised for its strong attendee engagement and mobile experience, whereas Boomset focused more on physical event logistics.

Consider Whova when maximizing attendee interaction and providing a comprehensive mobile app are your top priorities.

3. Eventbrite

Prioritizing broad event promotion and ticketing?

Eventbrite is ideal for widespread event promotion and streamlined ticket sales, leveraging its massive user base for reach. What I found comparing options is that Eventbrite excels in marketing and ticket distribution for a wider array of events, making it less specialized than Boomset.

Choose Eventbrite for its widespread recognition and ease of use in promoting events and selling tickets quickly.

4. Webex Events (Formerly Socio)

Focusing on comprehensive virtual and hybrid event experiences?

Webex Events offers a strong platform for managing both virtual and hybrid events, complete with detailed analytics and interactive features. From my analysis, Webex Events provides robust virtual event capabilities, making it a more comprehensive event management alternative than Boomset’s on-site focus.

Consider Webex Events for an all-encompassing virtual or hybrid event solution, especially if analytics are key.

The best Boomset alternatives truly depend on your specific event type and primary focus rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Compare Boomset With Alternatives →

Boomset Setup

Concerned about implementation complexity for your next event?

Boomset setup involves configuring event specifics, integrating hardware, and training staff. This Boomset review provides a realistic look at what it takes to get up and running smoothly.

• 🎯 Bonus Resource: While we’re discussing event specifics, understanding how to manage contributions effectively is crucial. My guide on donation management software explores further.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

It’s more than just a quick download.

Boomset implementation requires configuring guest lists, designing badges, and integrating with other event platforms like Eventbrite or HubSpot. From my implementation analysis, initial setup often involves fine-tuning, especially for larger events, so don’t expect instant perfection.

You’ll want to plan for dedicated time to configure all event parameters and troubleshoot minor issues upfront.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

Expect some hardware and integration work.

Your team will deal with setting up iPads for check-in, QR code scanners, and on-demand badge printers. What I found about deployment is that complex API integrations can present initial challenges when connecting to specific CRM or event management systems.

Prepare for IT involvement to handle hardware provisioning, network configurations, and data synchronization for a seamless rollout.

3. Training & Change Management

User training is key for on-site success.

Event staff will need clear training on operating check-in kiosks, badge printers, and lead retrieval devices to ensure smooth attendee flow. From my analysis, proper staff training is crucial for large-scale events to avoid bottlenecks and maximize the system’s efficiency on-site.

Invest in hands-on training for your event team to ensure confident operation and quick issue resolution during live events.

4. Support & Success Factors

Vendor support makes a huge difference.

Boomset’s customer support, with 24/7 remote monitoring and a global help desk, is a significant advantage during implementation and live events. What I found about deployment is that their highly praised support team minimizes disruption when technical issues inevitably arise on-site.

You’ll want to leverage their proactive support and knowledgeable staff to ensure your event technology runs flawlessly from start to finish.

Implementation Checklist

• Timeline: Weeks for initial setup; ongoing for specific event configuration
• Team Size: Event lead, IT support, and on-site event staff
• Budget: Hardware purchases (iPads, printers) and potential professional services
• Technical: Hardware setup, API integrations, and network stability
• Success Factor: Thorough staff training and strong vendor support utilization

Overall, the Boomset setup demands practical planning for hardware and staff training, but its robust features and strong support empower successful event execution.

Get Boomset Setup Support →

Bottom Line

Boomset: Your go-to for seamless on-site events?

This Boomset review provides a detailed look at who the platform served best and why, helping you understand its value proposition for your specific event needs.

1. Who This Works Best For

Event organizers prioritizing flawless on-site experiences.

Boomset was ideal for mid-market to enterprise organizations, event managers, and marketing professionals focused on streamlining in-person and hybrid events. From my user analysis, businesses with high attendee volumes and complex check-in needs would find its robust features invaluable for large conferences, trade shows, and corporate gatherings.

You’ll succeed if your main challenge is efficient on-site management, fast badge printing, and advanced attendee tracking.

2. Overall Strengths

Unmatched efficiency in on-site event operations.

The software excelled at delivering seamless check-in, rapid on-demand badge printing, and robust attendee tracking via RFID and QR codes. From my comprehensive analysis, Boomset’s ability to revolutionize the check-in process was consistently highlighted by users, drastically reducing wait times and improving attendee satisfaction at scale.

These strengths directly translate into smoother event execution and enhanced professionalism for your in-person components.

• 🎯 Bonus Resource: Before diving deeper, you might find my analysis of grant management software helpful for simplifying your organizational processes.

3. Key Limitations

Specialized focus might require broader ecosystem integration.

While powerful for on-site, Boomset had a more specialized focus compared to platforms offering extensive virtual event or pre-event marketing tools. Based on this review, some users reported initial API call issues, though largely resolved, indicating potential integration complexities for highly customized setups.

I’d say these limitations meant it wasn’t a one-size-fits-all, requiring careful consideration if your needs extend far beyond the physical event.

4. Final Recommendation

Boomset was a highly recommended solution for its niche.

You should choose Boomset if your primary goal is to optimize the physical event experience with fast entry, efficient badge printing, and advanced data capture. From my analysis, your success depended on prioritizing on-site efficiency over broad marketing or virtual features in a standalone platform.

My confidence level is very high for organizations focused on delivering a superior in-person event attendee journey.

Bottom Line

• Verdict: Recommended for specialized on-site event management
• Best For: Event organizers focused on optimizing in-person attendee experience
• Business Size: Mid-market and enterprise-level organizations with high attendee volumes
• Biggest Strength: Seamless check-in and on-demand badge printing efficiency
• Main Concern: Specialized on-site focus, less emphasis on broader event marketing
• Next Step: Contact sales for a demo to assess your on-site needs

This Boomset review demonstrates strong capabilities for specific event management scenarios, providing clear guidance for your software decision.

See If Boomset Fits Your Needs →