Banqetly is a web-only booking tool with no iOS app, no Android app, no WhatsApp, no AI, and a βΉ10,000 non-refundable deposit just to get started. Here's how NextEvent compares β feature by feature.
A feature-by-feature look β so you can decide with confidence.
πΈ The βΉ10,000 Question
Banqetly requires a non-refundable βΉ10,000 deposit before you can use their software. NextEvent doesn't. No deposit. No lock-in.
| Feature | NextEvent | Banqetly |
|---|---|---|
| iOS app | Yes | No |
| Android app | Yes | No |
| Desktop app | Yes | Web only |
| Non-refundable deposit | None | βΉ10,000 upfront |
| GST-compliant invoicing | Yes | No |
| WhatsApp reminders | Yes | No |
| AI business assistant | Yes | No |
| AI-powered follow-ups | Yes | No |
| Catering management | Yes | No |
| Muhurtham date tracking | Yes | No |
| Offline data sync | Yes | No |
| Daily data backups | Yes | No |
| Free trial (no deposit) | Yes | βΉ10k deposit required |
| Customer support | Instant, 24/7 | Contact form only |
| IIT Madras backed | Yes | No |
Banqetly is web-only β meaning your staff can't use it from a phone at the venue, check bookings while out, or manage anything without a laptop open. NextEvent works natively on iOS, Android, and desktop, so your whole team stays connected from anywhere β floor, office, or on the road.
iOS app β available now
Bookings, invoices, AI from your iPhoneAndroid app β available now
Full feature parity on AndroidDesktop app β available now
For front desk and office teamsBanqetly requires a non-refundable βΉ10,000 one-time deposit on top of monthly charges β and if you cancel, you lose it. NextEvent has no deposit, no lock-in, and no hidden upfront fees. You pay for what you use, and you can leave anytime. Your money stays yours until you're convinced NextEvent is right for you.
Zero deposit. Zero risk. Start today on WhatsApp β
NextEvent β No deposit
Start immediately, cancel anytimeBanqetly β βΉ10,000 deposit
Non-refundable, even if you cancelFree staff training on day one
NextEvent onboards your team for freeNextEvent auto-calculates GST on every booking and sends the invoice directly on WhatsApp in seconds. Banqetly's billing has no GST compliance β meaning more manual work at month-end β and with zero WhatsApp integration, every confirmation and reminder still needs to be sent manually by your staff.
βΉ2,45,000 + 18% GST
Auto-calculated, PDF readySent to Ravi Kumar
WhatsApp Β· 2 mins agoβΉ1,14,100 pending
Reminder scheduled for tomorrowAsk AI answers questions about your revenue, peak booking days, and pending payments instantly. It also sends automated follow-ups to every enquiry β converting leads while you focus on running your hall. Banqetly has no AI features whatsoever β every task is manual, from follow-ups to business insights.
Which Saturdays are still open?
You asked3 Saturdays available in July
Muhurtham on 12 Jul β high demand8 follow-ups sent automatically
2 enquiries converted today"I almost went with Banqetly β until I found out about the βΉ10,000 deposit that they don't refund if you cancel. NextEvent had no such thing. And within a week I realised why β the product is far better."
Harish GoudBanquet Hall Owner, Hyderabad"My staff manages bookings from their phones. Banqetly doesn't even have an Android app. NextEvent's mobile app is something I use every single day β it's the first thing I open in the morning."
Sunitha RaoFunction Hall Manager, Vijayawada"The AI follow-ups alone paid for the subscription. Leads we used to lose because nobody followed up in time are now converting automatically. Banqetly has nothing like this β it's completely manual."
Rajesh PillaiWedding Lawn Owner, Kochi"I needed GST invoices automatically. Banqetly doesn't do that. With NextEvent, every booking generates a GST-compliant PDF and sends it on WhatsApp before the customer even asks."
Meena SharmaConvention Center Manager, JaipurNextEvent includes iOS and Android apps, GST-compliant invoicing, WhatsApp reminders, AI automation, catering management, Muhurtham tracking, offline sync, and daily backups β none of which Banqetly offers. NextEvent also has no upfront deposit, while Banqetly requires a non-refundable βΉ10,000 payment before you can use the software. NextEvent is backed by IIT Madras and provides 24/7 multilingual support.
No. Banqetly is a web-only platform with no iOS app and no Android app. NextEvent is available natively on iOS, Android, and desktop β so your team can manage bookings, send invoices, and check availability from any device, anywhere.
Banqetly charges a mandatory βΉ10,000 one-time deposit on all plans, which is non-refundable even if you cancel. NextEvent has no deposit requirement β you start using the software immediately with no money locked away upfront.
No. Banqetly handles billing and payments but does not offer GST-compliant invoicing. NextEvent auto-calculates GST on every booking and generates a compliant PDF invoice shareable directly on WhatsApp.
No. Banqetly has no WhatsApp integration. NextEvent sends automated booking confirmations, payment reminders, and AI follow-ups directly on WhatsApp β the channel your customers already use every day.
No. Banqetly has no AI features. NextEvent includes Ask AI β which instantly answers questions about your bookings, revenue, and peak dates β and automated AI follow-ups that convert enquiries without any manual effort from your team.
Yes. Our team migrates your existing data and trains your staff on day one β for free. Most venues are fully live in under 20 minutes. And unlike Banqetly, we don't ask for a deposit to get you started.
Yes. NextEvent works offline and syncs automatically when your connection returns β useful during site visits or events in low-network areas. As a web-only platform, Banqetly requires a live internet connection at all times.
iOS app, Android app, GST invoicing, WhatsApp reminders, AI follow-ups β everything Banqetly doesn't have.