Comparison

Eventsential vs COST Events

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Eventsential

Enhance your event experience with this comprehensive mobile application. Access schedules, connect with attendees, and manage event details before, during, and after the event. Features include interactive maps, note-taking, and personalized agendas.

Highlights
  • Personalized dashboard with schedule and reminders
  • Interactive maps and floor plans
  • Attendee directory and messaging
  • Session and exhibitor note-taking
  • Event timeline for idea sharing
  • Push notifications for updates
Features
Read full description

Eventsential is the official mobile app for your events. Before, during, and after the event, you’ll have exclusive access to everything you need to amplify your event experience. Eventsential supports syncing across multiple devices, so you can view your selections across your smartphone and tablet. The best way to experience Eventsential is to jump in and explore: • Dashboard — See your schedule/agenda, reminders and event updates • Timeline — View and swap ideas, photos and lessons learned • Schedule/Agenda — Search sessions and speakers, create your own itinerary, download handouts, take notes, and make appointments • Directory — Create your profile and search for and message other attendees/delegates • Exhibitors/Sponsors — Search, filter, mark companies to visit, contact and take notes • Maps — View floorplans, exhibit hall maps and city maps • Notebook — Take session and exhibitor/sponsor notes and export to share or reference later • Notifications — Receive important event announcements and updates • Twitter — Engage with others by viewing and posting to the event stream • Custom Menu Items — Access destination information, complete surveys, and more Custom Menu Items — Access destination information, complete surveys, and more For app administrators, Eventsential provides: • Branding — Manage your app logos/icons, colors, features, and menu text to meet your specific needs • Backoffice Portal — Manage all app branding and content through a responsive web portal complete with “how to” tutorials and marketing resources • Revenue Generation — Leverage paid ad banners, push notifications, and beacon opportunities to pay for your app and generate revenue

About

COST Events

This app provides attendees of state tax conferences with essential event information. Access schedules, session materials, speaker details, and networking opportunities in one place. Stay updated with breaking announcements and navigate event spaces easily.

Highlights
  • Conference Schedule
  • Session Materials
  • Attendee Roster
  • Speaker Information
  • Exhibitor Listing
  • Meeting Space Floor Plan
  • Breaking Announcements
Features
Read full description

The Council On State Taxation (COST) is the premier state tax organization representing business taxpayers. COST is a nonprofit trade association consisting of approximately 600 multistate companies engaged in interstate and international business. COST's objective is to preserve and promote equitable and nondiscriminatory state and local taxation of multijurisdictional business entities. COST offers its members high quality education, including conferences, schools, regional meetings and special symposia, featuring the hottest topics, delivered by the nation's most recognized experts, at a price well below comparable programs. Attendees at our conferences find a relaxed atmosphere in which to network with professional peers, free from solicitation pressures by tax consultants. The majority of COST programs qualify with state boards of accountancy and state bar associations for continuing education credits. The COST Event App enables attendees to make the most of a conference while staying up-to-date with the latest information. The following features are conveniently accessible within the app: • Conference Schedule • Session Materials • Attendee Roster • Speaker Information • Exhibitor Listing • Meeting Space Floor Plan • Twitter Feed • Breaking Announcements • and MORE... Use this app for fingertip access to all the pertinent information for COST events.

Screenshots

Eventsential3 screens
COST Events3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Eventsential at none against COST Events's shown. Eventsential also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (25 vs 1). COST Events's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.5). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

COST Events holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Eventsential has 25 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Eventsential ships an update every 5 weeks, COST Events every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Eventsential versus COST Events: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEventsentialCOST Events
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (25 ratings)4.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings25 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperResults DirectCouncil On State Taxation

Customer experience

Eventsential

All ratings24 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

COST Events

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Eventsential

No in-app purchases

None

COST Events

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Eventsential free?
Eventsential is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is COST Events free?
COST Events is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Eventsential or COST Events?
COST Events is rated higher. Eventsential averages 3.5 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while COST Events averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Eventsential or COST Events have ads?
COST Events shows ads; Eventsential does not.
Which is updated more often, Eventsential or COST Events?
Eventsential ships an update every 5 weeks, and COST Events every 5 months. Most recently, Eventsential was updated on October 23, 2026 and COST Events on October 9, 2026.

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