Organizer guide
Best card show software in 2026
The best card show software puts vendor booking, table payments, the floor map, tickets and check-in in one place, so a table sale shows up on the map the moment it happens. VendorDex does all of that and is free for organizers, with free hands-on setup help. Here is what to look for and how the common options compare.
What card show software needs to do
- Sell vendor tables online: open booking (vendors pick and pay for a table) or applications you approve first.
- Show a live, interactive floor map that updates when a table is sold, reserved or moved.
- Take booth payments with a deadline, send reminders, and free up unpaid tables on their own.
- Sell admission tickets and check people in by QR code at the door.
- Let attendees see which vendors are coming and what they carry.
- Repeat weekly or monthly shows without rebuilding the map each time.
How the options compare
| VendorDex | Treasure | Trade-show floor plan tools | Spreadsheet + ticketing site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for card shows | Yes | Yes | No (built for trade shows) | No |
| Cost to the organizer | Free | Basic free; Starter $10-15/mo; Pro $35-50/mo | Paid plans or quotes | Ticketing fees per sale |
| Publish an interactive floor map | Free on every show | Needs Starter or Pro | Yes | No (a picture of a map) |
| Vendors book and pay for tables online | Yes, with payment deadlines and reminders | Yes | Some | No |
| Attendees search vendors' cards | Yes, by card name, walked to the table | Vendor listings, not card-level | No | No |
| Tickets and QR check-in | Yes, scan from the iOS app | Yes | Usually separate | Ticketing site only |
| Recurring shows | Weekly, every two weeks or monthly, map copied | Not compared here | Varies | Rebuild each time |
| Setup help | Free hands-on setup by the VendorDex team | One map on Pro | Varies | None |
Treasure plan prices as of Nov 2026, from ontreasure.com/pricing. Trade-show tools differ a lot; check each one's current pricing.
Sources, as of Nov 2026: ontreasure.com/pricing · docs.ontreasure.com/account/pricing.
Why VendorDex is our pick for most card shows
- Free for organizers: unlimited events, co-organizers and staff. Vendors and buyers pay a small service fee at checkout; you keep your full booth and ticket price.
- Booth payments go straight to your own Stripe or Square account, with AutoPay, 24-hour payment holds and automatic reminders.
- A drag-and-drop floor map with vendor logos on tables, a scale ruler, and a "how many tables fit" preview.
- Attendees search every vendor's inventory by card name, then follow the map to the table.
- Tickets, QR check-in, giveaways, polls and messages to vendors and attendees, from the website or the iOS app.
- Free hands-on setup: the VendorDex team will build your floor map, tables and booth types for you.
When a general trade-show tool is enough
Floor plan tools made for trade shows draw good maps, but they don't know about card games, card search, or table-by-table vendor booking at the price points card shows use. If your event is a card show, comic con or collectibles show, a tool built for those events saves setup time.
Common questions
What is the best software for running a card show?
VendorDex is free for organizers and covers vendor booking, table payments, a live floor map, tickets and QR check-in in one place, with free setup help. Treasure is the other platform built for card shows; its free plan can't publish a floor map.
Is there free card show software?
Yes. VendorDex is free for organizers: unlimited events and staff, a published floor map on every show, and setup help. Vendors and buyers pay a small service fee at checkout; you keep your full booth and ticket price.
Can vendors pick and pay for their own table?
Yes. With open registration on VendorDex, vendors pick a table on the floor map and pay online; the table shows as sold right away. Or use applications and approve each vendor first.
Does it work for comic cons and other shows?
Yes. VendorDex runs card shows, comic cons, anime cons, toy shows, gaming events and markets. Vendors can list cards and other items like comics, Funko and art.
Can someone set up my show for me?
Yes. The VendorDex team will set up your floor map, tables, booth types and show for free.
Run your next card show on VendorDex
Floor maps, vendor booking, booth payments and tickets. Free for organizers.
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Last updated 2026-11-11.