CredsNow

CredsNow is an onsite event operations platform for check-in, badge printing, sessions and lead retrieval. It suits teams that need those tasks connected, especially event operations managers, corporate event teams, associations and event agencies. Its free account is unusually open for setup and testing, but paid events bring per-event, per-user and usage fees.

Overview

CredsNow brings attendee check-in, printing, session management and lead retrieval into one event workflow. Users can build branded badge templates, set up check-in screens and import attendee data; QR codes or name lookup support kiosk check-in. A cloud print agent connects printers for on-demand printing across stations, making the platform relevant to events that need more than a digital guest list.

The Session module adds QR scanning, attendance tracking, real-time dashboards, credit tracking and access control. Native integrations include Cvent, Swoogo, Eventbrite, Stova, Jemex, M Tiley Group and Zapier, alongside webhooks and an open API. A service bureau also takes online orders for pre-printed badges, cards and passes.

Key features

Check-in, badges and printing

Self-serve kiosks can find attendees by QR code or name and print badges. Unlimited free badge designs let teams prepare different branded formats without a design-count cap. Distributed printing is useful when an event has multiple stations, though each active printer adds a license charge on the Software Only plan.

Sessions and lead retrieval

Session tools cover scanning, attendance, live dashboards, credit tracking and access control. Lead retrieval can be tested on the free account, but event use is sold separately in bulk licenses. That makes CredsNow more compelling for organizers planning onsite operations and exhibitor workflows together than for teams seeking only session scheduling.

Security and support

CredsNow says it hosts data in the United States on Microsoft Azure and encrypts it in transit and at rest. Its SOC 2 Type 2 status is in progress. The Trust Center says it processes event and attendee data to provide its services and does not process sensitive personal information. Paid technical and onsite support are offered; contact is available at [email protected] or +1 (435) 288-0402.

Pricing

The free account costs nothing. It includes all features for creating unlimited events and badge designs, loading unlimited data, setting up unlimited check-in screens, and testing session scanning and lead retrieval. That is a useful setup and evaluation tier, but it is not a no-cost substitute for operating a paid event: paid options carry event and usage charges.

Lead Retrieval — bulk licenses costs $150, paid once, billed per license, with quantity-based rates: fewer than 50 users (minimum 20) cost $150 each; 50–100 cost $125 each; 101–500 cost $100 each; and 501+ cost $75 each. The exhibitor portal costs $500–$2,500/event. This tier fits organizers who need to equip exhibitors for lead capture; the minimum purchase of 20 licenses makes it a poor fit for a very small group.

Software Only costs $250, paid once for event setup, billed per event, with additional usage-based fees. Each active printer needs a $50 Print Agent license. Attendee fees are $1.00 each for 1–1,000, $0.75 for 1,001–2,500, $0.50 for 2,501–10,000, $0.40 for 10,001–25,000 and $0.25 for 25,000+. This structure can suit teams buying software without event hardware, but the total rises with attendance and printer count.

Session Module Activation costs $250, paid once, billed per event; the Session app license is $100 per license per event. The app must be downloaded on the organizer’s own phones, or phones can be rented. Hardware pricing varies by region, rental period and equipment; regions outside North America may incur a 25% increase on USA hardware prices. Budget accordingly if an event depends on rented equipment.

Platforms

CredsNow supports Android, iOS, web and API access. Its check-in setup is suited to onsite use, while the web platform and API options may fit teams integrating event workflows with other software.

Who it's for

CredsNow is best for event operations teams that need onsite check-in and printing alongside session scanning or exhibitor lead retrieval. Associations, corporate event teams, agencies and event technology providers are among its stated audiences. It is less attractive for organizers seeking a simple, fixed-price event app, since event charges, usage fees and hardware costs can add up.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Unlimited free events, data, check-in screens and badge designs make it possible to prepare event workflows without hitting setup quotas.
• Check-in, distributed badge printing, session management and lead retrieval cover several onsite jobs in one platform.
• Native integrations, webhooks and an open API provide multiple routes for connecting existing event systems.

Cons

• The free account is for setup and testing; operating an event can incur per-event, attendee, printer and license fees.
• Lead retrieval has a 20-license minimum, limiting its fit for small exhibitor groups.
• Hardware costs vary by region, rental period and equipment, and non-North American regions may face a 25% increase on USA hardware prices.

Alternatives

Event Badge Printing Software is a category directory for comparing badge-printing options.

Choose BrioLabel Event Check-In if label quotas and a monthly subscription suit your workflow better: its free Hobby plan includes 200 labels per month, while Studio costs $9/mo for 500 labels per month and Merchant costs $19/m.

Badgy is another web-based freemium option; compare it if you want to assess a different event check-in product.

Choose Eventleaf if you need Android, iOS, web and Windows support and a free Starter plan with 100 attendees per year, unlimited events and users; Basic costs $500 a year.

EventTitans Abstract Management has a free tier for 100 attendees, three sessions and three speakers, with a 2.5% + 1$ ticket-price charge; consider it when those caps fit your event.

Ticketbud offers a free-events plan with complete access to all features, while paid events charge attendees 2% +99c per ticket sold. It may suit organizers whose events are free or whose ticket-based fee structure is preferable.

Conference Badge is a paid alternative for web, Windows, macOS and Linux.

Zoho Backstage has a free plan capped at 100 attendees, 300 RSVP invites, three sessions, three speakers and one event day per event; consider it when those limits suit your event.

EventCreate offers a free plan limited to one event, 50 attendees and one user, with a 5% ticketing fee. It is a fit for a small, single event rather than a multi-event onsite operation.

Verdict

Choose CredsNow if your event team needs check-in and badge printing tied to session tools or lead retrieval, and values generous free setup before committing to event costs. Look elsewhere if you need predictable all-in pricing or only a small lead-retrieval deployment: per-event charges, usage fees and a 20-license minimum can outweigh the convenience of its connected onsite toolkit.