EVENT SOFTWARE COMPARISON
Check Cherry vs DJ Event Planner
DJ Event Planner has served DJs for over 20 years and knows the craft. Check Cherry is a modern platform built for DJs and the rest of what event pros do. Here's an honest look at how they compare.
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Check Cherry, rated by real event pros
Built to grow with you
Most Check Cherry businesses started as a side hustle. As they grew, added staff, took on more events, and offered more services, Check Cherry grew with them. The platform has been shaped by ten years of feedback from businesses just like yours.
The day you add a photo booth or a second service, a DJ-only tool can't follow you. Check Cherry already runs DJ, photo booth, bartending, and photography from one account.
Switching systems later is painful, so it's worth getting right the first time. A few dollars a month is small next to your client experience and the hours back in your week. Invest in the system built for where you're headed, not just where you are today.
The differences that actually matter
Both handle the essentials: online booking, contracts, payments, expense tracking, and DJ song and planning tools. Here's where Check Cherry and DJ Event Planner genuinely differ.
| Check Cherry | DJ Event Planner | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Event pros across services | DJs specifically |
| In market since | 2016 | ~2000 |
| Interface | Modern, mobile-friendly | Older, web-based design |
| Native iOS & Android apps | Full business app | Song-charts app only |
| Getting set up | Guided and quick | Heavier, manual setup |
| Connect Claude or ChatGPT | Built in | Not available |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Starting price | From $29/mo | From $20/mo |
Based on publicly available information as of May 2026. DJ Event Planner's plans are priced by number of performers, and its only mobile app is a song-charts companion (the software itself is web-based). Both products update often, so check each company's site for current details.
Which one should you choose?
In short: choose Check Cherry if you want a modern interface and full mobile apps or you run more than DJ work, and choose DJ Event Planner if you only do DJ work and want the lowest entry price.
Choose Check Cherry if
- You want a modern, mobile-friendly interface your clients see too.
- You run more than one service, or plan to grow into one.
- You want full native mobile apps and a faster setup.
- You want to ask Claude or ChatGPT about your bookings, leads, and payments in plain English.
Choose DJ Event Planner if
- You only do DJ work and want a long-standing, DJ-specific tool.
- You lean on its deep music-request and do-not-play features.
- You want the lowest entry price and a long, no-card trial.
A feature list won't tell you the whole story
A lot of event pros run their business across a booking form, a separate contract tool, a spreadsheet for travel fees, a calendar, and a notes app. Check Cherry is the one place where the booking, the contract, the deposit, the travel fee, the staff assignment, and the client's portal all live together and stay in sync.
That's the difference you feel every day, and it's why two tools that both list "contracts" aren't the same thing. When something comes up the week of a big event, you reach a real person who knows event work. It's what customers mention most: everything in one place, and support that actually helps.
Where Check Cherry is different
The honest differences that matter when you're choosing
A modern interface
Check Cherry is built on a modern, mobile-friendly interface your clients see too. DJ Event Planner is a long-running, older web-based tool.
More than DJ work
Run DJ, photo booth, bartending, and photography services from one account. DJ Event Planner is built for DJs only.
Full mobile apps
Native iOS and Android apps to run your business. DJ Event Planner's software is web-based; its only app is a song-charts companion.
Faster to set up
Event-ready out of the box. DJ Event Planner is powerful but commonly described as heavy and manual to set up.
What event pros say
Real reviews from DJs and entertainment companies on Check Cherry
"Their customer support is unmatched by any organization out there. Great interface, great system, well laid-out and incredible build."
"Seriously amazing for my wedding DJ and Photo Booth business. I honestly couldn't live without Check Cherry, and I don't know how I ran my DJ business without it."
"I own a small entertainment company, and this is my favorite and most frequently used service. The amount of stress it saves me just keeps going up as I find more things it can do."
Common questions
Comparing Check Cherry and DJ Event Planner
Is Check Cherry a good DJ Event Planner alternative?
Yes, especially if you want a modern interface, full mobile apps, a faster setup, or you run more than just DJ work. DJ Event Planner remains a solid, DJ-specific choice with deep music tools and a low entry price, so the best fit depends on what you need.
Can I connect Check Cherry to ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Check Cherry includes a built-in AI assistant connection (MCP), so you can ask Claude or ChatGPT about your bookings, leads, and payments in plain English. The Check Cherry API and AI assistant connection are included on every plan.
Does Check Cherry have DJ song request tools?
Yes. Check Cherry includes song requests, do-not-play lists, and planning forms built for DJs and entertainment. DJ Event Planner also has strong music request features, so both cover this well.
Is Check Cherry more expensive than DJ Event Planner?
DJ Event Planner has a lower entry price. Check Cherry starts a bit higher and adds a modern interface, native mobile apps, multi-service support, and a quicker setup. Which is the better value depends on what your business needs.
Will I lose my data if I switch from DJ Event Planner?
No. You can export your clients, contacts, and event history from DJ Event Planner and import them into Check Cherry, and our team will walk you through it. Most businesses are up and running within a day or two, and you can run both systems side by side while you settle in.
Is there a learning curve?
Check Cherry is designed to be intuitive, and most features work the way you'd expect. We also have video tutorials, help articles, and live chat support to help you get up to speed quickly.
How do I claim the 50% switch discount?
Start your free trial, then chat with our team and show your current DJ Event Planner subscription (a screenshot of your billing page works). We'll apply the 50% discount to your first year.
Switch and Save 50%
Already paying for DJ Event Planner? Show us your current plan and we'll take 50% off your first year of Check Cherry, and walk you through moving your data over.
Switching is Easy
We'll help you every step of the way
Start Your Free Trial
Sign up and explore Check Cherry free for 14 days. No credit card required.
Show Us Your Plan
Chat with us and show your current DJ Event Planner subscription to unlock 50% off.
We'll Help You Move Over
We'll walk you through importing your clients, events, and templates, so you're not starting from scratch.
See if Check Cherry fits your business
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