Quick Overview
- 1#1: AllSeated - Creates interactive 3D event layouts, seating charts, and venue visualizations with AR previews and client collaboration.
- 2#2: Cvent - Provides professional diagramming tools for event floor plans, seating, and venue mapping integrated with full event management.
- 3#3: Vectorworks Spotlight - Delivers CAD-based event design for lighting, staging, rigging, and detailed floor plans used by professional event producers.
- 4#4: Planning Pod - Offers drag-and-drop floor plan creation and seating charts within an all-in-one event planning platform.
- 5#5: Perfect Table Plan - Generates optimized seating plans and table layouts for weddings, banquets, and events with guest management features.
- 6#6: SketchUp - Enables intuitive 3D modeling for custom event layouts, stages, and venue designs with extensive plugin support.
- 7#7: AutoCAD - Provides precise 2D and 3D drafting for complex event floor plans and technical drawings.
- 8#8: Floorplanner - Allows quick creation of 2D and 3D floor plans for events with drag-and-drop furniture and export options.
- 9#9: RoomSketcher - Designs professional 2D and 3D floor plans and event layouts with high-quality renders and 360 views.
- 10#10: Sweet Home 3D - Free open-source tool for designing 2D floor plans and 3D event previews with furniture libraries.
Tools were chosen for their robust features, technical quality, usability, and value, evaluating factors like 3D modeling capabilities, collaboration tools, integration potential, and support for both professionals and casual users.
Comparison Table
Choosing the ideal event layout software is essential for creating functional, visually striking spaces; this comparison table examines tools like AllSeated, Cvent, Vectorworks Spotlight, and more. Readers will discover key features—such as drag-and-drop design, integration capabilities, and attendee flow tools—to identify which solution aligns with their event size, type, or budget, simplifying the selection process for conferences, weddings, or other gatherings.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AllSeated Creates interactive 3D event layouts, seating charts, and venue visualizations with AR previews and client collaboration. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Cvent Provides professional diagramming tools for event floor plans, seating, and venue mapping integrated with full event management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Vectorworks Spotlight Delivers CAD-based event design for lighting, staging, rigging, and detailed floor plans used by professional event producers. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Planning Pod Offers drag-and-drop floor plan creation and seating charts within an all-in-one event planning platform. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Perfect Table Plan Generates optimized seating plans and table layouts for weddings, banquets, and events with guest management features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | SketchUp Enables intuitive 3D modeling for custom event layouts, stages, and venue designs with extensive plugin support. | creative_suite | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | AutoCAD Provides precise 2D and 3D drafting for complex event floor plans and technical drawings. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 5.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 8 | Floorplanner Allows quick creation of 2D and 3D floor plans for events with drag-and-drop furniture and export options. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | RoomSketcher Designs professional 2D and 3D floor plans and event layouts with high-quality renders and 360 views. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | Sweet Home 3D Free open-source tool for designing 2D floor plans and 3D event previews with furniture libraries. | other | 6.7/10 | 6.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Creates interactive 3D event layouts, seating charts, and venue visualizations with AR previews and client collaboration.
Provides professional diagramming tools for event floor plans, seating, and venue mapping integrated with full event management.
Delivers CAD-based event design for lighting, staging, rigging, and detailed floor plans used by professional event producers.
Offers drag-and-drop floor plan creation and seating charts within an all-in-one event planning platform.
Generates optimized seating plans and table layouts for weddings, banquets, and events with guest management features.
Enables intuitive 3D modeling for custom event layouts, stages, and venue designs with extensive plugin support.
Provides precise 2D and 3D drafting for complex event floor plans and technical drawings.
Allows quick creation of 2D and 3D floor plans for events with drag-and-drop furniture and export options.
Designs professional 2D and 3D floor plans and event layouts with high-quality renders and 360 views.
Free open-source tool for designing 2D floor plans and 3D event previews with furniture libraries.
AllSeated
specializedCreates interactive 3D event layouts, seating charts, and venue visualizations with AR previews and client collaboration.
Photorealistic 360-degree walkthroughs with AR integration for client approvals
AllSeated is a leading 3D event planning platform that allows users to create photorealistic floor plans, seating charts, and immersive venue layouts for weddings, corporate events, and more. It features a massive library of over 1 million furniture, decor, and venue items, enabling drag-and-drop design with real-time collaboration. The software supports 360-degree walkthroughs, AR previews, and seamless vendor integrations to bring event visions to life efficiently.
Pros
- Extensive 3D asset library with millions of scalable items
- Real-time collaboration and client sharing tools
- Immersive AR/VR previews and photorealistic renders
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
- Higher pricing tiers may overwhelm small-scale planners
- Limited offline functionality
Best For
Professional event planners, wedding coordinators, and venue managers needing high-fidelity 3D visualizations and team collaboration.
Pricing
Freemium model: Free basic plan; Pro at $25/user/month; Team/Enterprise custom pricing from $99/month.
Cvent
enterpriseProvides professional diagramming tools for event floor plans, seating, and venue mapping integrated with full event management.
Venue Source integration for instant access to interactive, scalable floor plans from thousands of venues
Cvent is a comprehensive event management platform with robust Event Diagramming tools that enable users to create detailed floor plans, seating charts, and room layouts using drag-and-drop functionality. It integrates seamlessly with venue sourcing, attendee registration, and other event modules for end-to-end planning. The software supports real-time collaboration, capacity calculations, and export options, making it suitable for complex events.
Pros
- Extensive venue database with pre-built diagrams
- Real-time collaboration and automatic capacity calculations
- Seamless integration with full event management suite
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- High enterprise-level pricing with custom quotes
- Overkill for small-scale or simple events
Best For
Large enterprises and professional planners managing complex, multi-venue conferences and trade shows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $5,000+ per event or annual subscriptions from $10,000+ based on scale.
Vectorworks Spotlight
enterpriseDelivers CAD-based event design for lighting, staging, rigging, and detailed floor plans used by professional event producers.
Comprehensive, certified libraries of thousands of real-world lighting fixtures, truss, and staging objects with intelligent parametric behaviors.
Vectorworks Spotlight is a professional CAD/BIM software designed specifically for the entertainment and live events industry, enabling precise 2D drafting and 3D modeling of stages, lighting rigs, scenery, and rigging systems. It offers extensive manufacturer-certified libraries for fixtures, truss, and staging components, along with tools for generating professional paperwork like magic sheets and instrument schedules. The software integrates seamlessly with previsualization tools like Vision and supports collaboration across event production workflows.
Pros
- Vast, parametric libraries of industry-standard fixtures and rigging
- Robust 2D/3D tools with automated documentation generation
- Strong integrations with lighting consoles and pre-vis software
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to CAD complexity
- High subscription or perpetual licensing costs
- Performance can lag on very large, complex files
Best For
Professional lighting designers, technical directors, and event production teams handling complex live events and theater productions.
Pricing
Annual subscription starts at $3,045 USD per user; perpetual licenses around $3,045 with required annual maintenance (~20% of license cost).
Planning Pod
specializedOffers drag-and-drop floor plan creation and seating charts within an all-in-one event planning platform.
Dynamic floor plans that automatically sync seating assignments with RSVP data and guest management
Planning Pod is a comprehensive event management platform with robust event diagramming and floor planning tools tailored for creating detailed layouts, seating charts, and venue diagrams. It features a drag-and-drop interface with an extensive library of symbols, templates, and scalability options for various event sizes. The software integrates layout capabilities seamlessly with guest management, vendor tracking, and budgeting, providing an all-in-one solution for event professionals.
Pros
- Powerful drag-and-drop diagramming with extensive symbol libraries and templates
- Seamless integration of floor plans with guest lists, RSVPs, and other event modules
- Real-time collaboration and sharing capabilities for teams
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to the platform's breadth of features
- Limited 3D rendering and advanced visualization compared to specialized tools
- Higher pricing may deter solo planners or small businesses
Best For
Mid-sized event planning agencies and venues seeking an integrated platform with strong diagramming tied to full event workflows.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month (billed annually) for Basic plan; Pro at $79/user/month and Enterprise custom pricing.
Perfect Table Plan
specializedGenerates optimized seating plans and table layouts for weddings, banquets, and events with guest management features.
Intelligent auto-seating engine that optimizes assignments based on guest compatibility, allergies, and diversity rules
Perfect Table Plan is a dedicated seating planner software designed for events like weddings, banquets, and conferences, enabling users to create detailed table layouts and assign guests efficiently. It supports importing guest lists from spreadsheets or email, offers drag-and-drop interface for venue design with various table shapes, and includes algorithms for automatic seating based on relationships, preferences, and constraints. The tool excels in producing professional outputs like place cards, seating charts, and invitations across multiple export formats.
Pros
- Advanced auto-seating algorithms considering guest relationships and preferences
- Cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Extensive export options including PDF, images, and web pages
Cons
- Paid-only with no perpetual free tier beyond trial
- Interface appears somewhat dated and less modern
- Limited advanced 3D venue modeling compared to competitors
Best For
Professional event planners and wedding coordinators handling medium to large events requiring precise seating arrangements.
Pricing
Single-user license starts at $49; multi-user and venue editions up to $499 with volume discounts; 30-day free trial available.
SketchUp
creative_suiteEnables intuitive 3D modeling for custom event layouts, stages, and venue designs with extensive plugin support.
3D Warehouse integration providing instant access to millions of pre-built, customizable models for rapid event prototyping
SketchUp is a versatile 3D modeling software widely used for creating detailed spatial designs, including event layouts by modeling venues, stages, seating, and decor. It allows users to import 2D floor plans, extrude them into 3D, and populate spaces with furniture and props from its extensive 3D Warehouse library. While not exclusively designed for events, its powerful visualization tools make it effective for planning and presenting immersive event setups. Extensions can add functionality like rendering and measurements tailored to event needs.
Pros
- Vast 3D Warehouse library with millions of free event-related models (tables, chairs, stages)
- Intuitive push-pull tools for quick 3D extrusion from 2D plans
- Strong rendering and walkthrough capabilities for client presentations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with 3D modeling
- Lacks built-in event-specific features like automated seating charts or capacity calculations
- Performance can lag with large, complex venue models
Best For
Experienced event designers and architects needing professional-grade 3D visualizations for custom event layouts.
Pricing
Free web-based version; SketchUp Pro at $349/year; SketchUp Studio (with advanced rendering) at $699/year.
AutoCAD
enterpriseProvides precise 2D and 3D drafting for complex event floor plans and technical drawings.
Architecture toolset with automated 2D/3D floor plan generation, walls, doors, and spaces tailored for layout efficiency
AutoCAD is a professional-grade CAD software from Autodesk, renowned for precise 2D drafting and 3D modeling, adaptable for event layout through detailed floor plans, seating charts, stage designs, and venue configurations. It offers specialized toolsets like Architecture and MEP for automating walls, doors, furniture blocks, and electrical layouts essential for complex events. While versatile across industries, its event applications shine in high-precision scenarios requiring custom parametric elements and BIM integration.
Pros
- Exceptional precision with parametric constraints and snapping tools for accurate event layouts
- Vast libraries of customizable blocks for furniture, stages, and fixtures
- 3D modeling and rendering for immersive event visualizations and walkthroughs
Cons
- Steep learning curve requires significant training for non-CAD users
- High cost may not justify use for simple or one-off event planning
- Lacks intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces found in dedicated event software
Best For
Experienced architects, engineers, and professional event designers needing CAD-level precision for large-scale, custom venue layouts.
Pricing
Subscription: $2,365/year or $235/month (standalone); included in AEC Collection at $3,575/year.
Floorplanner
otherAllows quick creation of 2D and 3D floor plans for events with drag-and-drop furniture and export options.
Photorealistic 3D walkthroughs for immersive event space previews
Floorplanner is a web-based floor plan creation tool that enables users to design 2D and 3D layouts for various spaces, including event venues. It features a drag-and-drop interface with an extensive library of furniture, fixtures, and event-specific items like stages, bars, and seating arrangements. While versatile for general planning, it supports event layouts through customizable templates and high-quality visualizations, making it suitable for visualizing crowd flow and setups.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick layouts
- Vast object library including event furniture and decor
- Impressive 2D/3D rendering and walkthrough capabilities
Cons
- Lacks advanced event-specific tools like capacity calculations or integrations
- Free plan limited by watermarks and project caps
- Collaboration features are basic compared to specialized event software
Best For
Freelance event planners or small venues needing affordable, visual floor plans without complex simulations.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Plus ($5/user/month); Pro ($19/user/month) billed annually, with HD exports and unlimited projects on higher tiers.
RoomSketcher
otherDesigns professional 2D and 3D floor plans and event layouts with high-quality renders and 360 views.
360-degree 3D walkthroughs for immersive event space previews
RoomSketcher is a user-friendly floor plan software that allows users to create 2D and 3D layouts for event spaces, including furniture placement, staging, and decorations. It features a drag-and-drop interface with a vast library of customizable 3D models suitable for weddings, conferences, parties, and venue setups. While versatile for basic event diagramming, it excels more in static visualizations rather than dynamic event management tools.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick layouts
- Extensive library of 3D furniture and decor models
- High-quality 2D/3D renders and export options
Cons
- Limited real-time collaboration and sharing for teams
- Lacks event-specific tools like seating capacity calculations or AV integration
- Free version includes watermarks and limited features
Best For
Solo event planners or small venues needing simple, visually appealing floor plans without complex event management needs.
Pricing
Free plan with watermarks; Pro starts at $49/month or $99/year per user; higher tiers for teams and advanced features.
Sweet Home 3D
otherFree open-source tool for designing 2D floor plans and 3D event previews with furniture libraries.
Seamless real-time 3D preview from 2D plans without rendering waits
Sweet Home 3D is a free, open-source interior design application that enables users to draw 2D floor plans and visualize them in real-time 3D. It supports dragging and dropping furniture from a built-in library or imported models to layout rooms and spaces. While not specialized for events, it can handle basic event floor plans like seating arrangements or stage setups through custom object placement.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick layouts
- Real-time 2D/3D switching for immediate visualization
Cons
- Limited library of event-specific items like stages or AV equipment
- No built-in collaboration or sharing tools for teams
- Basic rendering lacks photorealism and advanced lighting
Best For
Solo event planners or hobbyists needing a simple, cost-free tool for basic floor plan sketches.
Pricing
Entirely free (open-source) with optional donations; no paid tiers.
Conclusion
The top event layout tools deliver standout value, with AllSeated leading as the premier choice for its interactive 3D designs, AR previews, and client collaboration. Cvent follows closely, integrating professional diagramming with full event management, while Vectorworks Spotlight excels with CAD precision for technical production needs. Each tool offers distinct strengths, ensuring a fit for diverse planning goals.
Elevate your event designs—dive into AllSeated to create dynamic, visual layouts that bring your vision to life with ease and collaboration.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison