seatplan.io Alternative: SeatPlanning Compared Feature by Feature
Key Takeaways
- Both products import a guest spreadsheet, offer AI floor-plan import from a photo or PDF, and export PDF and Excel.
- seatplan.io's free tier has no saving or export; its Pro plan is a £8 one-time payment with saving and export for 90 days.
- SeatPlanning's editor is free without an account, and a free account saves up to 5 tables and 40 seats.
- seatplan.io lists round and rectangular tables; SeatPlanning also has serpentine and half-round tables and rows of chairs.
- seatplan.io offers Apple and Google Wallet seat passes; SeatPlanning offers QR codes and QR check-in.
Last checked October 2026.
Who seatplan.io is best for
seatplan.io is a capable competitor, and for some events it is the better pick. Its site lists a drag-and-drop designer for tables, chairs and staging, AI floor-plan import from a photo or PDF, spreadsheet guest import with dietary notes, PDF export (including A3 for print), Excel seat lists for catering, printable name cards, and a progressive web app for any device. Guests can scan a QR code to find their seat or get Apple or Google Wallet seat passes that update when seats change.
Price is its strongest argument: the full designer is free with no signup, and Pro is a £8 one-time payment. If you have one event, a simple room and want the cheapest way to save and export, that is hard to beat. Approved charities and non-profits get Event Manager free for a year, per its site.
Where SeatPlanning differs
- Table shapes. seatplan.io's page lists round and rectangular tables. SeatPlanning also has serpentine and half-round tables, rows of chairs, walls, text, icons, images and room areas.
- A free tier that saves. seatplan.io's free tier does not save or export. SeatPlanning's editor needs no account, and a free account saves charts up to 5 tables and 40 seats.
- Guest communication. SeatPlanning includes RSVP and invitation emails, groups and parties. seatplan.io's page lists none of these.
- Automatic seating. SeatPlanning offers automatic guest seating (three questions, preview, apply, undo) on paid plans. seatplan.io's page does not list it.
- Galas. SeatPlanning has Table Reservations for galas and charity dinners at $249 per event.
- Door tools. SeatPlanning has QR check-in at the door on Event Pass Max ($99 one-time) and subscriptions.
- Wallet passes. seatplan.io lists Apple and Google Wallet seat passes; SeatPlanning does not.
Side by side
| seatplan.io | SeatPlanning | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Full designer, no saving or export | Free editor without account; free account 5 tables / 40 seats saves |
| Paid | Pro £8 one-time (90 days); Collaborate £14 one-time; Event Manager £40/month billed annually | Event Pass $29 one-time per event; Event Pass Max $99; Premium $39/month; Professional $89/month |
| Table shapes | Round, rectangular | Round, rectangular, serpentine, half-round; rows of chairs |
| AI floor-plan import | Photo or PDF; 1 free trial, 3/month Pro and Collaborate, 10/month Event Manager | Photo or PDF; 1 free trial, monthly on paid |
| Guest import | Spreadsheet, dietary notes | Spreadsheet, groups and parties, dietary notes |
| RSVP emails | Not listed | Yes |
| Export | PDF (A3), Excel, name cards | PDF, Excel, alphabetical list |
| Guest lookup | QR; Apple and Google Wallet passes | QR codes; QR check-in on Max and subscriptions |
| Collaboration | Real-time; 2 collaborators on Collaborate | Collaborators; view-only link |
| Phone | Progressive web app | Works on phones |
When to switch, and how to move your list
Stay on seatplan.io if one event, round or rectangular tables and the lowest price describe you. Switch to SeatPlanning if you need curved tables, RSVPs, automatic seating, a gala workflow, or a free tier you can keep. Export the Excel seat list from seatplan.io, confirm one row per guest with a table or group column, and import it into SeatPlanning. Table layouts do not carry over, so run AI floor-plan import on your venue PDF or start from a template. See the best seating chart makers in 2026 for the wider field and the software comparison.
Sources checked October 2026: "Free Seating Chart Maker for Weddings & Events | SeatPlan.io" (seatplan.io home page). Its /pricing path returned 404, so all prices are from the home page, in GBP as listed there.
Frequently asked questions
Is seatplan.io free?
Its free tier is the full designer with no signup, but no saving or export, per its site. Pro is a £8 one-time payment with saving and export for 90 days.
Does SeatPlanning have AI floor plan import like seatplan.io?
Yes. Both turn a photo or PDF of a venue into a starting layout. seatplan.io gives free users one trial import, and 3 a month on Pro and Collaborate; SeatPlanning gives one free trial import and monthly imports on paid plans.
Which one has more table shapes?
seatplan.io lists round and rectangular. SeatPlanning has round, rectangular, serpentine and half-round tables plus rows of chairs, walls and room areas.
Which is cheaper for one wedding?
For a single event, seatplan.io Pro at £8 undercuts SeatPlanning's $29 Event Pass. SeatPlanning's free account is the cheaper route only if your chart fits 5 tables and 40 seats.
Can I move from seatplan.io to SeatPlanning?
Export the Excel seat list from seatplan.io, check it has one row per guest with a table column, and import it into SeatPlanning. Rebuild the table layout in the editor.
Do both support collaboration?
seatplan.io lists real-time editing on Collaborate (£14, up to 2 collaborators) and unlimited collaborators on Event Manager. SeatPlanning supports collaborators and a view-only share link.
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