Drupal

Self-Hosted

Open-source CMS for building custom conference management platforms

Overview

Drupal is an open-source content management system (CMS) ideal for creating tailored conference management solutions. It supports event registration, session scheduling, speaker profiles, attendee tracking, and payment gateway integration for ticket sales. Its modular architecture lets you extend functionality with event-specific modules like Event Registration or Schedule Builder. Deploy via self-hosted servers, Docker containers, or managed hosting. Perfect for small meetups to large conferences, it offers full control over data privacy and branding not always available in proprietary tools.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  drupal:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: drupal
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Custom conference registration workflows
Session & speaker management with scheduling tools
Payment gateway integration for ticket purchases
Modular design to add event-specific features
Full data ownership and privacy controls

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Drupal hard to install for conference management?

Basic installation is straightforward via web installer or Docker, but setting up conference-specific features requires configuring modules (e.g., Event Registration) or light custom code. Users with CMS experience adapt faster; beginners may need tutorials or community support.

? Is it a good alternative to Eventbrite for conferences?

Yes—Drupal offers full control over branding and data (unlike Eventbrite’s limited customization). It’s ideal for conferences needing unique workflows (multi-track sessions, VIP access) but requires more setup effort than Eventbrite’s drag-and-drop interface.

? Is it completely free?

Drupal core and most event modules are free (GPL license). Costs may include hosting, premium modules (rare), or custom development for advanced features not covered by existing modules.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Conference Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ Highly customizable for unique conference needs
⊕ No recurring licensing fees

Cons

⊖ Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
⊖ Requires server maintenance (if self-hosted)
⊖ May need custom development for advanced workflows