Guidebook is a template-led, fixed-fee builder that now leads with campuses; Whova is an engagement app with abstract tools. Associations running a recurring programme should price both on a multi-event basis.
At a glance
Facts as of 19 Oct 2026; publisher: Sociana. Guidebook: San Francisco, California, USA. Whova: San Diego, California, USA. “Not listed” means not found on the vendor’s site that day.
What each is best at
Guidebook
- Fixed-fee licensing with no per-attendee charge, a real advantage for large audiences. (source)
Whova
- Most-reviewed attendee app in this comparison set: 4.8 stars from about 253,000 ratings on the US App Store (19 Oct 2026) and 4.8 on G2 as cited by learn.g2.com. (source)
Comparison table: 12 rows
| Dimension | Guidebook | Whova |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Fixed-fee, not per attendee. (source) | Quote-only. (source) |
| Attendee app | Platforms: iOS, Android, Web. (source) | Platforms: iOS, Android, Web. (source) |
| Networking | Not verified in our review as of 19 Oct 2026. (source) | Yes: listed on whova.com; no detail recorded (checked 19 Oct 2026). (source) |
| Gamification | Not listed on guidebook.com as of 19 Oct 2026. (source) | Yes: Gamification and leaderboards are listed on the app. (source) |
| Hospitality | Not listed on guidebook.com as of 19 Oct 2026. (source) | Not listed on whova.com as of 19 Oct 2026. (source) |
| Check-in | Yes: Session and QR check-in are listed. (source) | Yes: Kiosk self check-in is listed. (source) |
| Polls | Partly: Forms and surveys are listed. (source) | Yes: listed on whova.com; no detail recorded (checked 19 Oct 2026). (source) |
| Exhibitors | Partly: Interactive maps are listed. (source) | Yes: Lead retrieval by QR or business-card scan. (source) |
| Rupee billing | No rupee billing was found. (source) | No rupee billing was found. (source) |
| Not listed on guidebook.com as of 19 Oct 2026. (source) | Not listed on whova.com as of 19 Oct 2026. (source) | |
| Support model | Managed or account support: A dedicated account manager is listed. (source) | Managed or account support: managed delivery team included. (source) |
| Status and ownership | Guidebook pages, showcase and compare hub were live on 19 Oct 2026. (source) | Whova pages and app listings were live and updated when checked on 19 Oct 2026. (source) |
Guidebook vs Whova pricing
Budget lens: Guidebook describes its pricing but shows no figure; Whova quotes on request. No like-for-like total has been run.
Where they differ
- Networking: only Whova lists it; Guidebook shows nothing we could confirm.
- Gamification: only Whova lists it (Yes: Gamification and leaderboards are listed on the app); Guidebook shows nothing we could confirm.
- Both list: attendee app, check-in, polls, exhibitors, managed support.
- Neither confirmed on the pages we read: hospitality, WhatsApp, rupee billing.
- Not verified for at least one of them: networking.
Who should choose which
Choose Guidebook for campuses, universities and associations that want a fixed-fee app with a template-led build. No single row on public pages separates it from Whova.
Choose Whova when your brief leans on networking, gamification, where Guidebook showed nothing we could confirm.
Where Sociana fits
Sociana is our product. We differ from both by running one branded app across several occasions with group-scoped content and WhatsApp campaigns, but we do not offer Whova’s abstract submission.
FAQ
How do Guidebook and Whova pricing compare?
They differ in shape before size. Guidebook: published. Whova: quote-only. Checked 19 Oct 2026; compare quotes on one scenario.
Who is Guidebook for, and who is Whova for?
Guidebook: campuses, universities and associations that want a fixed-fee app with a template-led build. Whova: conferences and academic or association meetings that want a proven, widely installed attendee app. Public pages differ most on networking.
Do Guidebook or Whova support rupee billing, GST invoices and WhatsApp?
Guidebook shows no rupee billing and does not list WhatsApp; Whova shows no rupee billing and does not list WhatsApp. GST invoicing could not be confirmed from public pages.
What do people use instead of Guidebook and Whova?
See Guidebook alternatives and Whova alternatives, or Best event apps in India.
Sources and disclosure
Publisher: Sociana, a competing vendor unaffiliated with Guidebook or Whova; both names belong to their owners. Corrections: report a correction or email hello@sociana.in; we correct or reply within five working days.