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Best virtual event platforms: Comparison and review of the best software

Mar 11, 2023

Did you think of some great ideas for your virtual conference -- even contacted possible participants to become component of your event. They are showing an enthusiasm, and so are the attendees!

However, let's think is the best thing about the online event platform that you'd choose for hosting your virtual event?

A difficult decision? In reality, in spite of the wide range of options and the many options available It's difficult to select a solution which meets all of your requirements and delivering an unforgettable (and not prone to errors) event experience.

There are, however, websites with great support personnel who will help you host your ideal virtual gathering whether it's a multi-day event or a live workshop for training or even the webinar. The only thing you have to do is find this gem.

In this piece, I'll guide you through the procedure as I go into the six best options for hosting virtual events. The pros and cons aren't so common, based on using some of these apps and reading numerous third-party reviews on these systems.

Now, let's dig into:

In this article

What should you look for in the virtual conference platform

Before we dive into the top platforms for hosting virtual events, we'll first define the qualities of a good tool to host events online by examining the most important attributes.

Bookmark this article so that you can refer to this list of functions in order to choose your perfect virtual event system.

A variety of useful and simple integrations

Integration with CRMs as well as email software For instance, they can be crucial in the sending of invitations to events that are personalized and turning attendees to regular customers.

The Intuitive User

A user-friendly interface lets users to use the program through its functions, and reap the maximum benefit of the software. Also, you are able to start running the program completely by yourself - without help from anyone else.

Stream quality

Your event's audio or video quality can directly affect the guests' experience and make it more likely for them to stay for the duration of the event. Make sure that the service you choose has HD high-quality streaming that is stable and has zero issues with its performance in addition, it allows you to download the videos in high-quality.

A robust Analytics system

Tools for engaging with the audience dynamically

Polls, games, games, and questions are essential methods of engaging with your visitors and to increase the enjoyment of the visitors. Any platform you choose should offer these functions along with the ability to make break-out rooms that encourage the networking of attendees.

Proactive customer service

Finally, make sure that the software's service team is prompt and attentive to your concerns. A way to gauge the software team's helpfulness is to inquire about the program prior to purchasing it and the trial period. Their response to questions will tell you a lot regarding how they interact with the clients and potential customers.

The top six virtual event platforms (based on in-depth reviews and user testimonials)

The following is a full list of the most popular conferences available online:

Every tool I've reviewed has been able to share its core functionality, who it's best for, where the tool is successful in comparison to its weaknesses, and also with respect to the information users share on third-party sites like G2 along with Gartner.

Let's go.

1. Events

Events is an easy-to-use online platform that is web-based for virtual events perfect for event planners who have some level of experience managing events that are virtual.

The speakers, you and your guests as well as your guests don't require any additional software for arranging the eventor create the occasion .

Pros

  • Events helps throughout your process of creating and promoting your event. It integrates with your CRM and marketing emails software to create custom registration forms. You can also automatically send invitations for events along with event confirmations and reminder emails. It also helps keep attendees interested following the event.
  • Advanced analytics can assist to enhance your marketing plan for the event. Once the event wraps, gives you detailed analysis of the event and its viewers that tell you which people attended and what they saw, and the way they interacted throughout the entire event.
  • The result is a brand-named experience. Drag-and-drop the interface to include the full screen, lower thirds, and intro speakers as well as custom branding.
  • Provides video editing and hosting tools to repurpose event content. Utilize it to cut, modify chapters, create chapters and polish your virtual video of the event and send it to various advertising channels.

Cons

  • The software is not intended to be used in internal meetings as Zoom or any other programs to facilitate meetings are. Events is more suitable for online meetings, webinars, town halls and much more.
  • Events is relatively new virtual event platform therefore it isn't able to boast the same name recognition as the established players within this field.

2. Zoom

Best-known for hosting on-one-on meetings, Zoom lets you host online-based events as well. It's ideal for people who create and small marketing companies who wish to make money by hosting online meetings.

Pros

  • There are many tools available to engage your attendees as well as let them interact with your sponsors.
  • The procedure of setting up and launching an online webinar using Zoom is straightforward and particularly beneficial for users who have experience with the tool.

 Cons

  • Average video quality. In the case where HD videos resolution (1080p) is the norm, Zoom offers 720p for up to two attendees in the same conference. It costs a fee to host virtual events using HD video.
  • Participating in a virtual meeting that is held using Zoom isn't always easy. The best option for those who are brand new to the application is to come in 5 minutes early for downloading and installing it. Event planners will notice that this results in a poor user experience.
  • Zoom is expensive when organizing events that have large crowds making it ineffective for scalability of events that are hosted on this platform.
  • There are no control options for hosts. Zoom doesn't permit hosts to manage chat chats indefinitely this is something you should be aware of for open events.

Pricing

Zoom's price is based on amount of guests attending the event. To give you an estimation pricing for events with more than 100 attendees starts at $990 per year.

Read more details about Zoom

3. Hopin

Hopin helps event managers throughout the globe organize as many attendees as they want. Like Zoom the pricing of Hopin is contingent on the amount of attendees which can lead to the cost of expanding by using this service. The one thing that makes it superior over Zoom is the fact that it has the ability to moderate comments.

ProsPros

  • Hopin has a branding studio so you can customize the event registration page as well as virtual event venue.
  • Moderates the sound and permits many speakers to be joined.
  • Includes a mobile-friendly app to let guests and speakers can interact with and connect from their mobile devices.

 Cons

  • Analytics for events may not be as precise.
  • There aren't any tools available which allow you to reuse and recycle the content from your event.
  • There are a few people who have complained about audio and video performance problems in events organized by Hopin. One person says, "I don't like problems with the performance of either with audio or video. If you don't have best internet connections have difficulties in slowness. It's not the case with other options to solve the problem."

Pricing

There is a free plan that lets one admin organize events that last for 2 hours with as many as 100 people. Pricing plans are locked.

4. GoTo Webinar

GoTo Webinar is ideal for creatives in addition to smaller firms hosting small-scale eventsup to 3000 people this is less than the offerings that Hopin as well as Zoom offer.

This can also be a good choice for entrepreneurs who are solo and those who host paid training sessions since GoTo Webinar directly connects with Stripe which allows you to accept payments.

Pros

  • GoTo Webinar offers audience engagement tools  like polls, questions and answers. Hosts can also create their own designs for the wall.
  • Multi-presenter mode in webinars allows at least six presenters to have the option of giving a presentation.

Cons

  • The interface for users is outdated, and some users have complained that it may take time to learn how to utilize GoToWebinar.
  • Certain users report issues with performance in the case of more than 1,000 participants. A few reviews have complained about audio quality issues as well.
  • Certain features, such as file sharing , are more difficult to use. Certain functions can be difficult to access or confusing to use.

Pricing

The trial period is 7 days and free for 7 days. The remaining trial is paid with pricing beginning at $49 for each organizer for a month (for hosting 250 participants).

5. Cvent

Cvent is perfect for corporate organizers who host events that are held in person, such as trade fairs due to its check-in function.

As opposed to other conference websites It's not a popular choice among users hosting virtual conferences.

Pros

  • Cvent provides on-site check-in services as well as a software to issue badges which prints photos of participants upon their the arrival. Some users have complained who have reviewed the software on review sites that claim that the program was printing the wrong images.
  • It offers multiple integrations that integrate with your existing technology stack and simplify the process.
  • Comes with the standard tools to engage with your audience along with AI-powered recommendations for networks and games.

 Cons

  • The user interface is outdated.
  • Poor customer support and limited training resources/documentation, which aggravates the steep learning curve, making it challenging to start and get the most value from the platform
  • There are several ways to personalize brand identity to get statistics and instant chat

Pricing

Pricing is customized according to your requirements, which is why it's crucial to ask for an estimate of the Cvent cost.

6. On24

On24 is a virtual event platform perfect for companies looking to host webinars and multi-session events.

Pros

  • The customer support team is active.
  • This tool can simplify a variety of tasks. It also offers integrations to make sure that you have the best marketing and sales teams.

Cons

  • Some layouts for content are available. They limit the options for designing your event registration and login pages.
  • The interface for users is not user-friendly, and the editor functions as an code editor, which adds the learning process.
  • It's not possible to create your event online. This means you'll have choose between participation from the audience, and ensure that the event is running seamlessly as you host it in the moment. The reviewer mentions, "I would love to have the ability to create a storyboard for my webinar and control the screen's content as well as where their faces appear on the tile of media and perform the lower third of their videos, add participants in the event and remove them from the screen, etc." ________________

Pricing

The On24 website On24 doesn't provide any price. Any person who is interested in getting a quotation must request a price.

FAQs

When answering FAQs, you don't have to answer the question right away Instead, provide a link to an appropriate piece of internal content (as pertinent) in order to encourage users to click.

Which one should I pick for the best virtual event platform?

Examine your business's requirements and budget. This includes what size of the event you'd like to hold, as well as the number of virtual events you'd like to organize. Select a virtual events platform that doesn't just fit your budget but is user-friendly and has powerful analytics audience participation tools, top-quality streaming and a variety of connections.

What can I do ? What could I do? my virtual event more interactive?

What are the most talked-about web-based event websites available at the present?

The Events platform, Hopin, Zoom, and GoToWebinar are among the most popular event platforms you can try. Each comes with its positives and drawbacks. Pick based on your budget along with your particular needs for the event.

So which virtual event platform is best for you?

The most effective virtual event platform is one that meets the needs of your organization in the best way. This includes:

  • Size of the attendee
  • Use instances (how will you decide to use virtual events to boost marketing and sales, as well as whether you'll organize workshops for sale)
  • How long do you have spent learning to operate the completely different device
  • How much do you plan to expand (you do not want to be waiting for the platform to slip out of your budget as you increase)

There are a few applications that offer low-quality streaming with old UX. Some have a long learning curveand prices can be expensive in the event of hosting large audiences.

It's great that this is the area one in which Events really shines. Events has a wide range of options for customization, high-quality streaming, and an intuitive user interface. Events can also be a key component in recycling content from the events you organize -helping you make the best profit from your efforts.

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