Attend vs spreadsheets and WhatsApp groups
Spreadsheets and WhatsApp are free and everyone knows them. They stop working when you run several clients at once. Here is where the line falls.
Our verdict
you run one event at a time, with a short guest list and a handful of vendors you know well.
you run several clients at once and want budgets, RSVPs, vendors and messages in one place your whole team can see.
Side by side
| Job | Spreadsheets and WhatsApp | Attend |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | One file per client, formulas copied by hand | Budget per event by category, alerts near the limit |
| Guest list | Replies spread across chats and calls | RSVPs update one list in real time |
| Vendors | Contacts in your phone, status in your head | Saved once, status booked, pending or paid per event |
| Messages | Group chats, easy to miss or mix up | WhatsApp, SMS or email sent from the event (Pro) |
| Check-in | Printed list and a pen | QR code or name search with staff logins |
| Team | Whoever has the latest file | Co-hosts see the same data |
| Client report | Built by hand afterwards | Attendance and engagement data ready to pull |
| Cost | Free | Free for up to two events; Pro $29 a month |
When spreadsheets are enough
If you run one event at a time, with a short guest list and a few vendors you know well, a spreadsheet and a WhatsApp group can do the job. Attend Basic is free for up to two events if you want to try the alternative without paying.
When it is time to switch
- You are running three or more clients at once.
- You have lost an RSVP or a vendor update in a chat.
- Someone on your team worked from an old version of the budget.
- A client asked for numbers after the event and you had to rebuild them.
Start with the free event budget template if you want to tidy your spreadsheet first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Attend better than a spreadsheet for event planning?
For one small event a spreadsheet is fine. For several clients, Attend keeps budgets, guest lists, vendors and messages for each event together and up to date for your whole team.
Can I still use WhatsApp with Attend?
Yes. On Pro and Custom you can message guests, clients and vendors by WhatsApp, SMS or email from Attend.
How much does it cost to switch?
Attend Basic is free for up to two events at a time. Pro is $29 a month.