VolunteerLocal
VolunteerLocal is a cloud-based volunteer management software that simplifies how you recruit, schedule, and communicate with your workforce for events and ongoing programs of any size.
Whova
Whova is an all-in-one event management software designed to increase attendee engagement and simplify logistics for organizers hosting in-person, hybrid, and virtual conferences or community events worldwide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | VolunteerLocal | Whova |
|---|---|---|
| Website | volunteerlocal.com | whova.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2003 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Des Moines, USA | San Diego, USA |
Overview
VolunteerLocal
VolunteerLocal is a flexible management platform designed to take the headache out of coordinating people. Whether you are running a massive music festival or a local food bank, you can create custom registration forms and shift schedules that live directly on your website. This eliminates the back-and-forth of manual sign-ups and spreadsheets, allowing your volunteers to self-select the roles and times that work best for them.
You can track hours automatically, send mass communications via email or SMS, and generate detailed reports on your impact. The platform scales with your needs, offering a free version for simple events and robust paid tiers for organizations requiring background checks, check-in kiosks, and advanced database management. It is built to save you time on administrative tasks so you can focus on your mission.
Whova
Whova helps you create engaging event experiences while taking the stress out of logistics. Whether you are planning a local workshop or a massive international conference, you can manage registrations, build complex agendas, and facilitate networking through a single, unified platform. You can easily transition between in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats without losing your data or attendee momentum.
The platform focuses heavily on community building, allowing you to spark discussions and help attendees connect before the event even starts. You can save hours of manual work by using automated check-in tools, name badge generation, and real-time announcement features. It is a go-to choice for academic institutions, non-profits, and corporate planners who need a reliable way to keep their audience active and informed.
Overview
VolunteerLocal Features
- Custom Registration Create branded sign-up pages that match your website and collect the exact information you need from every volunteer.
- Self-Service Scheduling Let your volunteers pick their own shifts and tasks online, reducing your administrative workload and preventing double-bookings.
- Automated Communications Send automated shift reminders and thank-you messages via email or SMS to keep your team informed and engaged.
- On-site Check-in Kiosk Turn any tablet or laptop into a check-in station to track attendance and hours in real-time during your event.
- Background Check Integration Protect your organization by screening volunteers directly through the platform using integrated third-party background check services.
- Reporting and Analytics Generate instant reports on volunteer hours, demographics, and attendance to share your organization's impact with stakeholders.
Whova Features
- Mobile Event App. Give your attendees a digital guide where they can view agendas, speaker profiles, and floor maps right from their smartphones.
- Attendee Networking. Break the ice with community boards and attendee profiles that let your guests message each other and set up meetups.
- Online Registration. Set up your ticket sales in minutes and track your revenue in real-time with integrated payment processing and custom forms.
- Live Polling and Q&A. Keep your audience involved during sessions by letting them submit questions and vote in live polls directly through the app.
- Exhibitor Management. Empower your sponsors to collect leads digitally and showcase their products with virtual booths and promotional tools.
- Name Badge Generation. Design and print professional name badges for all your attendees with just a few clicks using your registration data.
Pricing Comparison
VolunteerLocal Pricing
- Unlimited volunteers
- Unlimited jobs and shifts
- Online sign-up pages
- Email communication
- Basic reporting
- Everything in FREE, plus:
- Custom profile fields
- Document uploads
- Credit card processing
- Enhanced email tools
- Priority support
Whova Pricing
Pros & Cons
VolunteerLocal
Pros
- Extremely easy for volunteers to sign up without accounts
- Highly responsive and helpful customer support team
- Clean and intuitive interface for both admins and users
- Flexible scheduling options handle complex multi-day events well
Cons
- Annual billing may be difficult for small budgets
- Mobile app functionality is limited for administrators
- Reporting tools can feel restrictive for very complex data
Whova
Pros
- High attendee engagement through the community board
- User-friendly interface for both organizers and guests
- Excellent customer support during live event days
- Streamlined badge printing and check-in processes
Cons
- Pricing is not transparent on the website
- Occasional notification delays on older mobile devices
- Limited customization for the app's visual branding