Planning Pod is an all-inclusive online event management software. It provides tools for handling attendees, vendors, budgets, tasks, and schedules. Additional features include floor plan design and guest list management. Perfect for event planners, venues, and businesses, it simplifies the planning process and promotes collaboration. As a web-based software, it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

  • 01Pros and cons from reviewers
  • 02Main features
  • 03What is Planning pod?
  • 04How Planning pod compare to similar software?
  • 05Who is Planning pod best for according to our reviewers?
  • 06Planning pod Reviews

What is Planning pod?

Planning Pod is an online event management software designed to simplify the event planning process for professionals. It offers over 30 integrated tools such as event registration, floor plan design, attendee management, and task tracking. The software provides a centralized platform for managing budgets, schedules, contracts, and vendor communications. It also allows for the creation of custom event websites and guest list management. Planning Pod's collaborative features enable teams to work together in real-time, ensuring efficient coordination and execution of events. The cloud-based software can be accessed from anywhere at any time and is suitable for all types of events, from corporate meetings to weddings. Special promotions are currently available on Planning Pod and similar event management software.

Pros from reviewers

  • Consolidation of tools: Planning Pod offers a range of features including integrated invoices, proposals, a calendar that syncs with Google, lead forms, questionnaires, and floor plans, allowing users to eliminate other software programs and consolidate everything into one

  • Effective budget and timeline management: Planning Pod allows users to efficiently manage their client's budget and timelines, making it a valuable tool for event planning

  • User-friendly and constantly improving: The software is easy to use and is regularly updated based on customer feedback, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of its users

  • Customizable and adaptable: The software is highly customizable and adaptable, making it suitable for a variety of catering needs and allowing users to tailor it to their specific requirements

  • Excellent customer support: Planning Pod offers unmatched customer support, with a team that is quick to respond and friendly, ensuring users get the help they need when they need it.

Cons from reviewers

  • Limited design capabilities of event webpages: The event webpage tool is more focused on RSVP/registration collection, which is why it may lack design capabilities compared to tools like Wix

  • Inefficient task management: Users have to use a task list within the event to set a task and would prefer to go to one area that has all their clients in it, set their follow-up tasks for each client at once, and then receive an email reminder

  • Confusing for clients: While the team enjoys using Planning Pod, clients find the features too confusing and complicated.

  • Incomplete customer service: The customer service representatives seemed unfamiliar with the platform and often gave incomplete answers to queries

  • Inability to delete pre-made templates: After subscribing to a paid membership, users can't delete the pre-made templates, contrary to what they were initially told

Main features

Starting Price

N/A

Free Plan

No

Event Management

Task Management

Supplier Management

Budgeting Tools

Reporting Features

Who is Planning pod best for according to our reviewers?

  • Event Planners: Professionals who manage multiple events and need a tool to streamline their processes, track budgets, and manage timelines. They may not use all features but appreciate the constant improvements and user-friendly interface

  • Wedding Planners: Professionals who manage wedding events and need a tool to consolidate client information, manage tasks, and collaborate with clients. They may not use all features but appreciate the timeline feature and the ability to customize certain aspects

  • Catering Businesses: Particularly those with unique needs such as food trucks or buffet-style services. They find the software adaptable and appreciate the ability to customize BEO's and automate reservation processes

  • Venue Managers: Individuals or teams managing a venue who need to consolidate various software programs into one. They appreciate the ability to work on multiple events simultaneously and track all communication

  • Non-profit Organizations: Groups who need to manage events and track budgets while keeping costs low. They appreciate the user-friendly interface and the ability to pass credit card fees onto clients.

  • Planning pod Reviews

    4.5

    Planning pod rating

    4.5

    Ease of use

    4.5

    Customer service

    4.5

    Value for money

    4.5

    Likelihood to recommend

    4.2

    Features

    19 Planning pod Reviews

    4.5 (19 reviews)
    Leave a review
    • Billy R

      Responsive and Helpful Customer Support: A Key Strength of Planning Pod

      Lastly, the customer support team deserves a mention. They've been responsive and helpful whenever I've had questions or encountered issues. Overall, I highly recommend Planning Pod to any professional in need of a comprehensive project management tool.

      August 10, 2024

    • Larry J

      Planning Pod: A Mix of Excellent and Room-for-Improvement Features

      I appreciate Planning Pod for its assistance in budgeting and invoicing. It's simple to create an event budget and invoices for each event, and I appreciate its ability to store and manipulate contact information. However, I'm disappointed that I can't link invoices to the budget or store receipts in the budget due to the absence of an upload feature. I also wish I could add pages to the invoices for extra information. The vendor responded to my concerns, stating that their system isn't designed for comprehensive accounting, but they plan to integrate with Quickbooks and Xero in Q2 2018. They also plan to add the capability to attach images and documents to invoices.

      August 6, 2024

    • Christian A

      Game Changer: Transforming Operations with Planning-Pod

      Planning-Pod has been a transformative tool for me. Initially, I found the training sessions insufficient, but they were more than happy to provide extra learning time. They were very open to my feedback and made modifications to the platform based on my suggestions. They had no problems implementing things onto the platform, even changing code for something as simple as font sizes on event orders. They are a fantastic company to collaborate with and have contributed to my success. I especially value the automatic payment and communication features, as well as the integration with calendars and lead management. However, I believe the system's search function could be improved.

      July 29, 2024

    • Timothy M

      Effortless Project Planning: Embracing the Fantastic Timeline Feature

      The timeline feature is fantastic. It allows me to map out project timelines with ease, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks

      July 20, 2024

    • Pamela Williams

      Effortless Event Planning with Guest List Management

      The guest list management feature has been a lifesaver during event planning. It's made managing RSVPs and seating arrangements so much simpler

      July 13, 2024

    • Scott Jones

      Game-Changing Budgeting Tool: Keeping Expenses in Check and Projects on Track

      The budgeting tool has been a game-changer for me. It's helped me keep track of expenses and ensure projects stay within budget

      July 8, 2024

    • Una

      Exceptional Reporting Capabilities: A Comprehensive Project Status and Performance Overview

      I've been particularly impressed with the software's reporting capabilities. They provide a clear overview of project status and performance metrics

      June 29, 2024

    • Abigail F

      Top Value with Maximum Features

      I appreciate the clean layout and easy navigation of Planning-Pod. My team enjoys using it, but my clients find the features too confusing and complicated. Compared to other similar programs, I believe it best meets my team's needs. I value the flexibility of PDF reports, on-screen reports, and customization. However, the calendar sync feature was not working properly, making it useless for scheduling appointments. The vendor responded to my feedback, suggesting I limit the tools my clients see to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. They also mentioned recent improvements to their PDF reports and dashboards. They checked the calendar syncing feature in my account and assured me it's now working fine. They asked me to inform them if I still encounter issues with it. This response was given in March 2018.

      June 22, 2024

    • Finnegan D

      Utilizing Planning Pod for Streamlined Wedding Management and Client Tracking

      I used to have my client information scattered across various platforms like Google Docs and Excel, but now, thanks to Planning-Pod, everything is consolidated in one place. This has significantly improved my organization and efficiency. I particularly appreciate the timeline feature and the ability to customize certain aspects. It's great that my clients can collaborate with me on their events and manage their own task lists. The Planning-Pod team is very responsive to user suggestions, which is a big plus. The software is easy to use for event planning, but for weddings, there are many features I don't use, like ticket sales. It's been useful for managing basic daily client follow-up tasks through the client contact area. However, I don't like that I have to use a task list within the event to set a task. I'd prefer to go to one area that has all my clients in it, set my follow-up tasks for each client at once, and then receive an email reminder. The vendor responded to my feedback.

      June 17, 2024

    • Gregory

      Efficient Invoicing and Payment Tracking

      The invoicing feature is another standout. It's made billing clients and tracking payments incredibly straightforward

      June 8, 2024

    • Jesse

      Transforming Event Management at Our Venue with Planning Pod!

      I found Planning Pod to be a crucial addition to our organization. After researching and testing other software, I was confident that I made the right choice with Planning Pod. The customer support is unmatched and the program consistently releases updates to enhance the user experience. It has streamlined all aspects of event management into one easy-to-use program, enabling me to work on multiple events simultaneously and track all communication from start to finish. It replaced the 4-5 programs we were previously using to manage our venue. The only downside I encountered was with the credit card processing, which changed when our initial processing company was no longer available. Previously, we could add the credit card fee to an invoice as a line item, making it easier to pass the cost onto the client, which was crucial as we are a non-profit organization. I chose Planning Pod after testing several other software because it best met my objectives. It's user-friendly, easy to navigate, and offers more features than other programs.

      June 4, 2024

    • Roy Jones

      Planning Pod: The Key to Organized and Savvy Event Planning

      I utilize Planning Pod for planning, organizing, scheduling, and collecting payments all in one location. I am able to plan our client's entire event, schedule their monthly tasks, and communicate with our team via the platform. Our clients have the ability to input and update their guest lists, work on seating charts, and assign meals. I can create, send, and sign contracts with our clients, and collect both current and scheduled payments with just a few clicks. I particularly enjoy the ability to create an event itinerary and include a list of creatives on it. I appreciated the vendor's response to my feedback in March 2018.

      May 25, 2024

    • John Rodriguez

      The Effectiveness of the Floor Plan Tool for Event Spaces

      As a frequent user of the floor plan tool, I can attest to its effectiveness in visualizing event spaces. It's saved me countless hours of manual sketching

      May 18, 2024

    • Judith S

      Transform Your Food Truck Catering with Planning-Pod!

      I find the Planning Pod software incredibly adaptable to any catering needs. As a wood fired pizza caterer who operates a food truck and serves buffet style, I also have to coordinate with bartenders, servers, and other vendors for most events. The ability to customize BEO's to each vendor's needs is amazing. It's fantastic to have everyone and all communications between multiple parties, family members, and vendors linked to the one event they are involved in. This is a huge time saver! The automation of our reservation and final check-in process has allowed us to double our volume this year. This is hands down the best software. I have no complaints at all. The product is fantastic and even their customer support is excellent. I chose Planning Pod because it's much more customizable. Being a food truck and mobile, it's hard to find a good product that can either be adaptable or easy to use for food truck catering.

      May 13, 2024

    • Laura F

      Streamlining Event Planning with Planning Pod's Task Management Feature

      I've been using Planning Pod for several months now and it has greatly simplified my event planning process. The software's task management feature is top-notch, allowing me to assign tasks to team members and track their progress in real-time

      May 4, 2024

    • Deborah Miller

      Battling the Beast: Planning-Pod!

      I had a disappointing experience with Planning Pod. The customer service representatives seemed unfamiliar with the platform and often gave incomplete answers to my queries. They didn't guide me through the modules, instead suggesting that I watch the videos and take the tests or email them with any questions. While I appreciated having a platform for each event and the ability to link templates and forms to individual events, I encountered numerous glitches that affected my productivity. I was also upset to find out that I couldn't delete the pre-made templates after subscribing to a paid membership, contrary to what I was initially told. The invoices section lacked a clear method to delete an amount or invoice, and every email I sent from the system showed up in my main Planning Pod inbox as a new email. The learning process was also frustrating as I had to watch the videos in a specific order and pass each test with a 100% score before proceeding to the next module, even if I didn't need to learn about certain features.

      April 27, 2024

    • Peter D

      Boosting Productivity with Intuitive Features

      its intuitive interface and robust features have significantly improved my productivity. The event management feature, for instance, has made coordinating large-scale events a breeze

      April 20, 2024

    • Sophia G

      Our Business's Essential Tool: Planning Pod

      I am extremely satisfied with the discovery of Planning Pod software. I have tried using Dubsado, Honeybook, TripleSeat and even demoed a few others, but none of them can compare to Planning Pod. It provides everything our organization needs - integrated invoices, proposals, a calendar that syncs with Google, lead forms that integrate with our website, questionnaires, and floor plans. We managed to eliminate three other software programs we were using and consolidate everything into one. Our team uses it daily and it has become the lifeline of our business. We appreciate the aesthetically pleasing BEO's, floor plans and timelines that we print and hang on our bulletin board for every event. The software is very user-friendly and the onboarding process was quick and easy. The support team at Planning Pod is always quick to respond and friendly. We particularly liked the communications feature that wasn't available on other platforms, as well as the ability to use it with multiple team members. The invoice and proposal features are also excellent.

      April 16, 2024

    • Celeste D

      Streamlining Workflow with Planning Pod: A Project Manager's Perspective

      As a project manager, I've found Planning Pod to be an invaluable tool for streamlining my workflow

      April 14, 2024