Best Event App for Shopify Top 5 Compared

Overview

The best event app for shopify depends on whether you sell tickets, run classes, take appointments, or manage recurring events. This article compares five real Shopify app options that store owners commonly use to run events and bookings from their stores: BookThatApp (Zetya), Sesami, Eventbrite integration, POWR Events & Tickets, and Tipo Booking & Forms. We evaluate them on event types supported, Shopify checkout integration, ticketing and capacity controls, calendar and availability management, POS and customer data sync, customization, and price.

Key decision criteria: event type (single-ticket events vs classes vs appointments), level of Shopify-native checkout integration, ticket scanning / QR code support, inventory/availability sync, analytics and reporting, customization (themes/tickets/emails), and cost. Quick summary: BookThatApp and Tipo are strong for class-style events and flexible booking flows; Sesami is simple and lightweight for appointments; Eventbrite integration is best if you already use Eventbrite for discovery and ticketing; POWR is a lower-cost option for simple calendars and ticket widgets.

This guide gives side-by-side comparison tables, pricing breakdowns, and a decision checklist so you can pick the best option for your store and use case.

Best Event App for Shopify:

Quick Picks

• BookThatApp (Zetya) - Best for complex classes, rentals, and multi-resource scheduling where advanced rules and staff assignments are required.
• Sesami - Best for appointment-heavy stores that want a lightweight, Shopify-native booking experience and easy POS sync.
• Eventbrite (official integration) - Best if you rely on Eventbrite for event discovery and want to sync ticket sales into Shopify for merchandising.
• POWR Events & Tickets - Best for budget-conscious stores needing a simple calendar and basic ticketing widget.
• Tipo Booking & Forms - Best for stores wanting flexible booking forms, booking funnels, and subscription-style bookings at a lower cost.

Bookthatapp (Zetya)

Overview and Positioning

BookThatApp by Zetya is one of the longest-standing booking apps in the Shopify ecosystem. It is built for merchants who need flexible booking types: single events, recurring classes, rentals, multi-resource bookings (rooms, seats, instructors), and complex availability rules. BookThatApp focuses on fully configurable booking flows that can connect product inventory with calendar rules.

Key Features and Strengths

• Multiple booking types: classes, appointments, rentals, ticketed events.
• Resource allocation: assign inventory or staff to time slots.
• Strong calendar interface and multiple display widgets (calendar, list, grid).
• Shopify product integration: bookable products behave like regular products in Shopify, supporting discounts, shipping, and checkout.
• Robust rules engine: minimum/maximum attendees, lead time, blackouts, and multi-day bookings.
• Exportable bookings and CSV reports; email notifications and templates.
• Supports custom forms on booking to collect additional customer data.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• Configuration complexity: advanced features require time to set up and test; steeper learning curve.
• The UI is functional but not the most modern; merchants may need to customize templates for visual match to store theme.
• Add-on features or customizations may need developer help for deep integration or styling.

Pricing and Value (as of June 2024)

• Free trial available.
• Typical plans (approximate and subject to change): Starter $19/month, Pro $29/month, Advanced $79/month. Higher tiers increase booking limits and include priority support and extra features.
• Value: Good ROI for merchants running regular classes, rentals, or events where capacity, resources, and custom rules matter.

Best For

Merchants running recurring classes (yoga, workshops), rental businesses (equipment, rooms), multi-instructor scheduling, or stores that need advanced booking rules and Shopify-native checkout for ticket sales.

Sesami

Overview and Positioning

Sesami is an appointments-focused app that emphasizes a lightweight, Shopify-native booking experience with storefront and POS integration. It is designed to feel part of Shopify rather than an external booking tool, providing in-checkout bookings and staff assignment for bookings.

Key Features and Strengths

• Native Shopify app experience with embedded booking blocks and product setup.
• Appointment scheduling with staff assignment, buffer times, and working hours.
• POS compatible: create and view bookings from Shopify POS.
• Simple calendar view for merchants and customers.
• Integration with Shopify checkout and discount codes.
• SMS and email notifications available via integrations.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• Focus is on appointments rather than ticketed events; not the best fit for high-volume ticketed events requiring QR code scanning.
• Less flexible than BookThatApp for rentals, multi-day events, or complex resource allocation.
• Advanced features like waitlists or complex recurring class pricing are limited or require third-party integrations.

Pricing and Value (as of June 2024)

• Free tier available with limited bookings and features.
• Paid plans typically start at around $29/month for small teams, with mid-tier and enterprise plans rising to $99+/month for higher booking volumes and features.
• Value: Good for service providers (salons, consultations, local services) and merchants needing an integrated booking flow without heavy config.

Best For

Retailers offering appointments (consultations, fittings), merchants who need POS bookings, and stores that want a simple, Shopify-integrated appointment tool.

Eventbrite Integration (Official Eventbrite App)

Overview and Positioning

Eventbrite is a leading event discovery and ticketing platform. The Eventbrite integration for Shopify syncs Eventbrite ticket sales and attendee data into your Shopify store, enabling you to sell merchandise alongside tickets and manage fulfillment from one place. This option is focused on merchants who already use Eventbrite or want its marketplace reach.

Key Features and Strengths

• Leverage Eventbrite’s marketplace and promotional tools for discovery and SEO.
• Sell tickets via Eventbrite and sync attendee lists and sales into Shopify.
• Eventbrite handles ticketing specifics: QR codes, scanning, attendee management, and payments (including ticket fees).
• Minimal setup in Shopify; keeps ticketing workload on Eventbrite side.
• Useful for large public events where discoverability matters.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• Tickets and attendee management happen primarily in Eventbrite; Shopify is secondary for merchandising.
• Eventbrite fees per ticket apply (service and payment fees), which can reduce margins.
• Less control over checkout branding and direct Shopify cart-based ticketing; attendee data sync may be limited compared to native Shopify booking apps.

Pricing and Value (as of June 2024)

• The Eventbrite app for Shopify is free to install, but Eventbrite charges per-ticket fees: Free events no charge, paid events incur service fees (varies by country) plus payment processing fees (often 2.5% + $0.99 or similar, depending on pricing tier or promoter-paid vs buyer-paid).
• Value: Best when you need Eventbrite’s discoverability and robust ticketing features and accept per-ticket fees as the cost of marketing and functionality.

Best For

Organizers of public shows, concerts, festivals, and large workshops that want Eventbrite’s distribution and ticketing features while keeping merchandise sales in Shopify.

POWR Events & Tickets

Overview and Positioning

POWR Events & Tickets is part of the POWR suite of plugins. It is positioned as an affordable, easy-to-install events calendar with ticketing widget options. POWR is aimed at merchants who need a basic calendar, simple ticket purchase flow, and visual widgets without the complexity of full booking systems.

Key Features and Strengths

• Drag-and-drop widget builder for event listings and forms.
• Basic ticketing capabilities: single or multiple ticket types, price, and quantity limits.
• Easy embed in pages via app blocks and widgets.
• Lower cost compared to fully featured booking platforms.
• Good for one-off events, pop-ups, and small community events.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• Not as feature-rich: lacks complex resource allocation, staff scheduling, and advanced booking rules.
• Checkout integration is via Shopify products and widgets but may require workarounds for certain flows (e.g., waitlists, deposits).
• Reporting and attendee management are relatively basic.

Pricing and Value (as of June 2024)

• Free plan with POWR branding and limited features.
• Paid plans start around $4.49/month for a single plugin and can go up to $17.49/month for multiple plugins or premium features.
• Value: Good low-cost option if you need a simple calendar and modest ticketing without heavy admin needs.

Best For

Stores running occasional events, pop-up shops, trunk shows, or community meetups that need an inexpensive calendar and basic ticket sales widget.

Tipo Booking & Forms

Overview and Positioning

Tipo is a flexible booking and form builder that serves a broad set of use cases, from appointment scheduling to event ticketing and custom booking funnels. It focuses on ease of use, form customization, and affordability for small and growing stores.

Key Features and Strengths

• Drag-and-drop booking form builder with custom fields and conditional logic.
• Supports group bookings, paid bookings, deposits, and multi-slot bookings.
• Sync with Shopify products and checkout; allows custom redirects and thank-you flow.
• Affordable plans with generous limits and a free tier to test.
• Integrations with Google Calendar, Zoom, and Zapier for event flows.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• For very large event volumes or complex resource assignments, it can be less powerful than BookThatApp.
• Some advanced reporting or staff scheduling features may be limited compared to purpose-built scheduling apps.
• UI and templates are improving but may require customization for perfect theme fit.

Pricing and Value (as of June 2024)

• Free plan with basic features and limited bookings.
• Paid plans commonly start around $9.99/month (Basic), $29.99/month (Plus), and $49.99/month (Pro), with higher tiers for more bookings, features, and branding removal.
• Value: Strong for merchants who want flexible booking forms and a cost-effective entry point.

Best For

Small event hosts, instructors, and merchants who need customizable booking forms, group bookings, or simple paid tickets without high monthly costs.

How to Choose

Use this 5-point checklist to pick the right app:

1. Define primary event type: Are you selling tickets (one-off public events), recurring classes, equipment rentals, or 1:1 appointments? If tickets and discovery matter, consider Eventbrite. For classes and rentals, prefer BookThatApp or Tipo. For appointments, Sesami is ideal.

2. Shopify-native checkout vs external ticketing: Do you need tickets processed directly in Shopify checkout (so tickets are regular Shopify products) or are you okay with external platforms (Eventbrite) handling ticketing and fees? Shopify-native provides better store UX and fewer redirects.

3. Capacity and resource complexity: If you need multi-resource assignments (rooms, instructors), complex capacity rules, or multi-day bookings, BookThatApp is stronger. For simple seat limits or single-resource events, POWR or Tipo is sufficient.

4. Budget and scaling: Set a monthly budget plus per-ticket fees. POWR and Tipo are more budget-friendly; BookThatApp and Sesami cost more but scale into higher-volume needs. Eventbrite adds per-ticket fees even if the app is free.

5. Operational needs: Do you need QR code scanning, onsite check-in, POS integration, or staff scheduling? Eventbrite and BookThatApp offer scanning and check-in tools; Sesami integrates with POS for appointments.

Decision example: If you run weekly workshops with instructor assignments and need client lists and rescheduling, choose BookThatApp. If you run salon appointments and need POS bookings, choose Sesami. If you host large public concerts and want marketplace reach, choose Eventbrite.

Quick Comparison

Feature | BookThatApp | Sesami | Eventbrite | POWR Events | Tipo — | —: | —: | —: | —: | —: Primary focus | Classes, rentals, complex bookings | Appointments & POS | Public ticketing & discovery | Calendar + basic ticket widgets | Custom booking forms & tickets Shopify-native checkout | Yes | Yes | Partial (sync; primary on Eventbrite) | Yes (via widgets) | Yes QR code / check-in | Add-on / export tools | Limited | Yes (Eventbrite native) | Basic / manual | Via integrations (Zapier) Staff / resource assignment | Advanced | Basic staff assignment | No (managed in Eventbrite) | No | Limited Typical starting price | $19/month | Free tier; $29+/month | App free; Eventbrite ticket fees apply | Free tier; $4.49+/month | Free tier; $9.99+/month Best for | Classes, rentals, resource-heavy events | Appointments, POS-driven bookings | Large public events, discoverability | Low-cost event listings and pop-ups | Flexible small-to-mid bookings and custom forms

Pricing Breakdowns and Examples

• BookThatApp: If you run 50 bookings/month, a Pro plan at $29/month is usually enough. For multiple locations or heavy booking volume, Advanced at $79/month unlocks more bookings and priority support. Example: 10 classes per week with 10 seats = 400 bookings/month potential; higher plans needed.

• Sesami: The free tier can support small stores (trial stage). Growing salons often move to a $29-$59/month plan to remove limits and add SMS/email notifications. Example: two stylists with 40 appointments/week might need a mid-tier plan to avoid overage limits.

• Eventbrite: No monthly fee for the Shopify app. For paid events, expect Eventbrite fees (promoter-paid or ticket-buyer-paid) roughly 2%-6% + fixed fee per ticket depending on region and payment setup. Example: $50 ticket with 5% + $1.50 fee results in ~$4.00 in fees.

• POWR Events: Small merchants can use the free or $4.49/month plan. Upgrading to $17.49/month unlocks more customization and removes POWR branding. Example: monthly $17.49 to run an ongoing event calendar with simple ticket options.

• Tipo: Free tier for trials; Basic from $9.99/month supports low-volume bookings. Plus and Pro tiers at $29.99 and $49.99 add more bookings, removal of branding, and integrations. Example: running weekend workshops with 50 bookings/month fits a $29.99 plan.

Note: Prices are approximate as of June 2024. Always verify current pricing and feature limits on each app listing.

Decision Checklist

• Event type match: Ticketed public event (Eventbrite) vs classes/rentals (BookThatApp/Tipo) vs appointments (Sesami).
• Checkout control: Need Shopify checkout branding and discount codes? Favor Shopify-native apps (BookThatApp, Sesami, Tipo).
• Operational tools: Require QR scanning and onsite check-in? Eventbrite or BookThatApp preferred.
• Budget constraints: Low budget and simple needs -> POWR or Tipo free/low-tier. Higher operational complexity -> BookThatApp.
• Growth & integrations: Need calendar syncs, Google Calendar, Zoom, Zapier? Tipo and BookThatApp provide integrations; Eventbrite covers discovery and payments.

FAQ

What is the Best Event App for Shopify If I Sell Tickets and Merchandise Together?

For selling tickets and merchandise with full Shopify checkout control, choose a Shopify-native booking/ticketing app such as BookThatApp or Tipo, which treat tickets as Shopify products and let customers buy merchandise and tickets in one cart. If discoverability and event promotion are primary, use Eventbrite integration and sell merch separately in Shopify.

Can I Scan QR Codes at the Door with These Apps?

Eventbrite includes native QR codes and scanning tools. BookThatApp supports exports and check-in workflows and can integrate with scanning tools or third-party check-in apps; specifics depend on your plan and setup. POWR and Tipo may require additional third-party scanning or manual check-in methods.

Are There per-Ticket Fees with Shopify Booking Apps?

Shopify-native booking apps typically charge a monthly subscription and no per-ticket fees; ticket payments go through your Shopify payment gateway and standard processing fees apply. Using Eventbrite introduces per-ticket fees charged by Eventbrite in addition to payment processing fees.

Which App is Easiest to Set Up for a Small One-Off Event?

POWR Events and Tipo are easiest for simple one-off events. POWR provides quick widgets and a straightforward calendar; Tipo offers simple booking forms and paid bookings. They have free tiers and low-cost plans to test before committing.

Can These Apps Handle Recurring Classes and Memberships?

Yes. BookThatApp is particularly strong at recurring classes, memberships, and multi-session passes with advanced rules. Tipo supports recurring and group bookings with form customization.

Sesami handles recurring appointments but is more appointment-oriented than a class membership system.

How Do I Test and Migrate Bookings Between Apps?

Always start with a small pilot event and export attendee data (CSV) before switching apps. Many apps allow CSV import/export, but field mappings differ. For a live event calendar migration, plan for downtime, test the customer checkout path, and communicate changes to customers.

Further Reading

• Best Shopify Checkout App Guide
• Top Shopify Embedded Apps
• Best Shopify Apps for Store Guide
• Best Shopify App for Pop Ups Comparison