Event Rental Systems (ERS) vs InflateMate
ERS fits operators who want a Swiss army knife and don’t mind configuring every tool. InflateMate is faster to deploy and keeps recurring costs predictable for bounce house teams.
InflateMate verdict
ERS is powerful but sprawling, with pricing that rises quickly once you add SMS or email marketing. InflateMate covers the inflatable-specific workflows with fewer knobs to tune and a flat rate.
Pricing snapshot
Launch
$79.95/mo
Basic website template, payments, reminders, basic reporting.
Standard
$149.95/mo
Real-time online booking, invoices, inventory & CRM, scheduling & routing.
Pro
$249.95/mo
Adds custom website with live updates, doc automation, delivery tools, upsells, mobile delivery app, SMS notifications & follow-ups.
Elite
$399.95/mo
Adds multi-location/multi-language, custom dashboards, integrations, white-label/reseller options, priority support.
Pricing pulled from ERS sales sheet (January 2026).
- Extensive automation once configured (workflows, triggers, upsells).
- Broad support for event rentals beyond inflatables.
- Integrated CRM and marketing center for nurture sequences.
Feature comparison
| Capability | InflateMate | Event Rental Systems (ERS) |
|---|---|---|
| Booking System | Pipeline shows Hold -> Pending -> Confirmed in real time with automated holds, waivers, buffers, minimum spend, and refund controls. | ERS can mirror the stages but needs workflow rules, custom statuses, and manual waiver triggers. |
| Inventory System | Image-rich catalog with quantity tracking, Active/Maintenance/Retired statuses, and top-performer analytics. | Inventory spans modules; maintenance states and performance reports require advanced configuration. |
| CRM | Customer records auto-create with VIP/Active tagging, lifetime spend, booking history, and full CRUD. | CRM is broad but lacks automatic loyalty indicators; segmentation leans on manual filters. |
| Waivers & Documents | Waivers send automatically at confirmation, update Pending/Signed status, and keep DocuSeal audit logs. | Automations possible but depend on building custom rules and paying for SMS/email credits. |
| Payments & Invoicing | Quotes convert to invoices with transaction ledger, instant or scheduled payouts, and partial refunds in one place. | Payments supported but payout timing, refunds, and fee policies vary by connected gateway. |
| Website Builder | Hosted marketing site with customizable hero sections, landing/about blocks, themes, and embeds included. | Site builder exists but demands extensive setup; many operators keep a separate CMS. |
| Marketing Hub | Coupons, funnel popups, and captured leads sync into the CRM automatically. | Marketing center is powerful but requires paid SMS/email add-ons and ongoing rule management. |
Migration checklist
- Export inventory and categories; confirm SKU mapping for InflateMate.
- Review ERS automation rules and decide which to recreate in InflateMate.
- Notify customers about the portal change alongside new invoice links.
- Deactivate ERS-hosted website after DNS updates go live.
FAQs
Can InflateMate send the same automated reminders I have in ERS?
InflateMate automatically sends waivers when a booking is confirmed and sends email + in-app notifications for booking confirmations and waiver signatures. It does not include a full reminder/follow-up automation suite in v1.
Does InflateMate support non-inflatable rentals?
Yes. You can add any products to your inventory, set quantities, and manage bookings the same way (with taxes, deposits, and invoices).
How do I move my ERS website traffic?
If you use InflateMate’s website, you can point your domain to your InflateMate site and replace your old booking links/embeds with InflateMate’s booking flow. If you already have a website, you can embed InflateMate components to keep your current site.