Comparison
VendorsMap vs FestivalNet
An honest comparison for vendors and organizers. FestivalNet is a long-running online directory of festivals, fairs, and vendor leads.
FestivalNet has been publishing festival listings online since 1996. It uses a paginated directory format and gates its core listings (contact information, application deadlines, and promoter details) behind a paid membership. On VendorsMap, browsing the map and applying to events is free; the optional $39.99/year Membership adds the same kind of organizer contact info plus Scam Protection and AI tools. VendorsMap also uses an interactive map instead of a directory and covers farmers markets and consignment stores in addition to festivals and fairs. The question is which interface and which coverage matches your needs better.
Feature comparison
| Feature | VendorsMap | FestivalNet |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor pricing model | Free to browse · optional $39.99/yr Membership for protection + AI tools | Paid annual membership (check festivalnet.com) |
| Browse the full map free (no trial, no view limit) | Yes: the whole map and every event page, free, no meter. | Limited |
| Map-based event discovery | Yes (interactive map) | No (directory listings) |
| Modern mobile interface | Yes | Limited |
| Farmers markets | Yes | Limited |
| Craft fairs | Yes | Yes |
| Festivals | Yes | Yes (primary focus) |
| Pop-ups | Yes | Limited |
| Scam Protection guarantee | Yes (up to $500/incident, $1,000/yr per member) | No |
| AI-drafted application starter answers | Yes (Application Library + Quick Connect) | No |
| Food truck support | Yes (dedicated filter) | Partial |
| Consignment store directory | Yes (690+ stores) | No |
VendorsMap is better if...
- You want to see events on a map instead of scrolling through a text directory.
- You sell at farmers markets, craft fairs, and pop-ups, not just festivals.
- You want Scam Protection that reimburses up to $500 if a listed event turns out to be a scam.
- You want AI-drafted starter answers for application questions so you can apply to many events fast.
- You want to apply to events directly through a modern online interface, not by digging up contact info from a directory.
FestivalNet is better if...
- You are a festival organizer or vendor who relies on FestivalNet's specific decades-old contact databases.
- You prefer a paginated text directory to a map interface.
- Your established vendor network is already on FestivalNet and changing platforms is not worth the friction.
For organizers: running your event
FestivalNet is a directory and lead service, not a management platform. Organizers can list an event and access vendor leads, but there is no application form builder, booth-fee processing, booth-map designer, or vendor inbox. VendorsMap is a full management platform: list free, take applications, collect booth fees through Stripe, lay out your floor on a drag-and-drop booth map, and message every vendor, while your event is advertised on the map. For modern end-to-end event management, VendorsMap does what a directory cannot.
| Running your event | VendorsMap | FestivalNet |
|---|---|---|
| Free to list and manage your event | Yes | Listing plus a paid membership |
| Vendor application form builder | Yes | No |
| Online applications | Yes | No (contact-based) |
| Booth-fee collection + payouts (Stripe) | Yes | No |
| Drag-and-drop booth map | Yes | No |
| Unified vendor inbox | Yes | No |
| Vendor CRM / roster history | Yes | No |
| Advertises your event to vendors | Yes (interactive map) | Yes (directory listing) |
| Vendor reviews build your reputation | Yes | No |
| Modern mobile dashboard | Yes | Limited |
VendorsMap is better for organizers if...
- You want to actually run your event (applications, payments, booth maps, messaging), not just list it.
- You want a modern dashboard instead of a 1990s-era directory.
- You want booth-fee collection and a vendor roster built in.
- You want to list and manage your event for free.
Common questions
How much does VendorsMap cost?
Browsing the map, viewing events, and contacting organizers is free for any signed-up vendor on VendorsMap. The $39.99-per-year Membership adds the Application Library with AI-drafted starter answers tuned to each event's application form, the weekly digest of newly matching events, member-only alerts, and the Scam Protection guarantee (up to $500 per claim, $1,000 per year).
Does FestivalNet charge vendors?
FestivalNet offers free browsing of limited listings and sells paid memberships that unlock full access to contact information, promoter details, and vendor leads. Check festivalnet.com for current pricing. On VendorsMap, browsing the map and applying to events is free; the optional $39.99/yr Membership adds organizer contact info plus Scam Protection and AI tools. The difference is interface, coverage, and those protections.
Is FestivalNet still useful?
FestivalNet has a long history in the festival industry and still maintains listings that some organizers rely on. Its interface is dated and it is not map-based, which makes discovery harder for vendors who want to see events near them. If your event mix is heavy on traditional festivals and you already know FestivalNet's directory, it can still be useful. For broader event discovery across markets, fairs, festivals, and pop-ups, VendorsMap is the more modern option.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some vendors use VendorsMap for visual discovery + Application Library + Scam Protection, and check FestivalNet for festival-specific leads that aren't yet in the VendorsMap directory.
Browse every event on a map, for free
14,700+ farmers markets, craft fairs, festivals, and pop-ups across the US and Canada. No application fees, no view limits. Browsing and applying are free; the $39.99/yr Membership is optional.
Open the mapLast updated: 2026-05-13. Pricing and features for FestivalNet are based on public information from www.festivalnet.com and may change. VendorsMap is not affiliated with FestivalNet.
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