The most effective virtual events platforms: Comparison and evaluation of the best platforms

Mar 10, 2023

Have you thought of some ideas for your online conference , and you've already made contact with potential participants to become a part of your event. And they're showing interest, just like other participants who have joined in!

What do you think about the many virtual platforms you'd prefer for hosting your next online gathering?

A difficult choice? In reality, even with the broad array of options it isn't difficult to select a device which meets your requirements and is capable to provide a fantastic (and not prone to faults) occasion experience.

There are, however, platforms offering helpful support members who can assist with the planning of your dream virtual event -- be it the multi-day conference, live-streamed training event or the possibility of a webinar. What you'll need to look for is the precious resource.

In this piece this article, we'll walk you through the procedure in examining the best six options for hosting virtual occasions. Pros and cons can be found from testing just a few of these apps as well as reading the numerous reviews of reviewers from outside who have evaluated these platforms.

Let's dive deep:

In this article

What is the most important thing to look out for when choosing the best virtual conference software

Before we dive into the best platform for online events is to determine what is a great platform for events online, by looking at the top characteristics.

Make note of this site so that you can reference this listing of essential functions when deciding on your perfect online event system.

Many useful and straightforward integrations

Integrations with CRMs or email software, for example may be vital in sending out personalized invitations to events as well as making guests loyal customers.

Intelligent UX

The intuitive interface for users lets users to navigate the program to understand its capabilities and gain the most benefit. Furthermore, it lets you to run the software completely on your own with no assistance from anyone else.

Stream quality

Quality of the audio and video will significantly impact the guests' experiences and motivate them to stick around to the end. It is essential to ensure that the software you select offers HD streaming at a high-quality and that it does not have any issues with quality of the service. Additionally, it allows downloading videos that are quality that is high.

     Analytics are robust and secure    

     Tools for engaging audiences dynamically    

Possibility of hosting games, polls and games and Q&As is essential ways to engage with your guests and enhance the enjoyment of your guests. Your platform should offer these tools alongside the creation of break-out rooms to encourage attendee-to attendee networking.

     Proactive customer care    

Make sure your software's customer service team responds quickly and promptly to any questions. One method to assess the level of customer service is to get questions about the software prior to buying it , and also during the trial time. Your responses will be reflected in how they communicate with customers and potential clients.

6 best virtual platform for event planning (based upon a thorough analysis and customer feedback)

This is an extensive checklist of the most popular conferences websites:

With every tool, I've discussed the main functions and who is the best user and the aspects where the tool has proven to be successful in addition to the disadvantages the tool has to offer based on the comments of the comments of its users were posted on web sites such as G2 and Gartner.

Let's go.

1. Events

Events is a simple, browser-based virtual event platform that is suitable for event coordinators with the experience of organizing virtual events.

Invite guests to address your gathering along with guests and your guests don't have to download extra software to assist in creating or organizing the event .

Pros

  • Events can assist in creating and planning workflows. Integrate the platform with your CRM and marketing email software to design personalized registration forms. It also lets you make automated invitation emails for attendees, as well as confirmations of the an event, as well as reminder emails. It also helps to keep active attendees after an event.
  • Advanced analytics could help improve your event marketing plan. Once the event is finished it provides you with comprehensive data about viewers and the events that reveal who was at the event, how much they watched and what they did during the celebration.
  • Customizes the user experience that is customized for each user. Use the drag-and-drop function to display full-screen photos, parts of lower-thirds on the speaker intro and custom branding.
  • It provides editing tools and hosting software that let you reuse content from events. Make use of it to edit, cut chapters, or write chapters or even make your video of the event more attractive, and then upload it on various marketing channels.

     Cons    

  • The software is not specifically designed for meetings in the internal space similar to Zoom or similar software that is used to help facilitate meetings. Events is better for virtual meetings, webinars town halls and much more.
  • Events is relatively young virtual event platform and it's not receiving the same recognition and brand names as the larger companies in this space.

2. Zoom

The most popular feature is its one-on-one meeting, Zoom lets you host online events too. It's ideal for musicians and small-scale business marketers who want to earn money through virtual events.

Pros Pros

  • It provides a number of ways to keep attendees entertained and allow them to be involved with sponsors and participants.
  • Making and establishing an online web-based webinar using Zoom is easy for users who already have experience with the software.

     Cons    

  • Average video quality. In cases where HD video resolution (1080p) is what you want to use, Zoom offers 720p for up to two attendees in the same conference. It's economical to host events online with HD video.
  • Being a part of a virtual conference held with Zoom can be difficult. For people who are brand new to the event It is recommended that you arrive in 5 minutes earlier to install and download the program. If the event organizers aren't conscious about this requirement, it could result in a bad impression for guests.
  • Zoom can be expensive for hosting events with large audiences which makes it unsuitable to expand the scope of the events using this technology.
  • There's nothing to control that hosts can use. Zoom does not permit hosts to manage chat conversations in the field -- something is that you should be conscious of when hosting open events.

Pricing

The price of Zoom is based on the amount of people attending the conference. In order to give you an idea of the costs for a 100-people event begins at $990 for a year.

     Find out more information about Zoom    

3. Hopin

Hopin lets event planners all over the world arrange whatever number of guests need. Like Zoom it's cost Hopin is dependent on the number of people who attend and it isn't easy to expand the system. One thing that is more efficient in comparison to Zoom is the fact that it has the option of moderating comments.

Pros Pros

  • Hopin offers the branding studio in which you are in a position to personalize your online registration form and venue.
  • Modifies the sound and allows more speakers to join.
  • Includes a mobile-friendly app to allow guests and other attendees access to communication with mobile phones.

     Cons    

  • The analytics for events aren't as comprehensive.
  • There is no software that allow you to reuse or repurpose the contents of the virtual event.
  • Some people have expressed their displeasure about audio or video issues during the events hosted by Hopin. A user says, "I don't like problems with the audio performance or the video. If you don't have the best internet connections are prone to lag issues. This isn't the case for various solutions."

Pricing

An option for free is offered which allows administrators to create events that last for two hours which can hold as many as 100 persons. Prices are set.

4. GoTo Webinar

GoTo Webinar the best option for entrepreneurs and small-sized businesses who organize events of a smaller scale that will accommodate over 3,000 participants this is less than the capacity that Hopin and Zoom provide.

It's also an excellent alternative for entrepreneurs who are solo or instructors who offer workshops for participants who pay GoTo Webinar directly connects with Stripe that allows you to pay.

Pros

  • GoTo Webinar offers audience engagement tools, including questions and polls. Hosts can also create their own layouts to display.
  • The multi-presenter feature on webinars allows the host the possibility of having up to six presenters in order to deliver.

Cons

  • The interface for users has become outdated, and some users have reported that it takes some time to master GoToWebinar.
  • Many complain of performance issues even when the attendance is above 1,000 people. Certain reviews mention audio quality issuesas well.
  • A few options, for instance the file sharing option, can be very slow. Some features can be difficult to locate or difficult to locate.

Pricing

The trial time is 7 days and is accessible. The remainder of the trial will be cost-based, with prices beginning at $49 for every month participant (for hosting 250 participants).

5. Cvent

Cvent could be ideal for marketing companies that host events that are held in person, for example trade shows because of the check-in feature.

Contrary to other websites for conferences the platform is not popular among those hosting virtual gatherings.

Pros Pros

  • Cvent allows check-in on-site and a badge program that prints attendees' photos at the time that they arrive. There have been a few user complaints through third-party review websites concerning the program printing images that are not correct.
  • It offers multiple integrations that connect your tech stack and make it easier to join your tech stack.
  • The program comes with common tools that you can use to engage with viewers, but also offers AI-powered recommendations for networking along with gaming.

     Cons    

  • 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 options for personalizing brand identities, gain analytics, and have access to live chat

Pricing

Prices are based on the particular requirements of your organization. So it's important to get a quote to get some idea of how much Cvent is going to cost to.

6. On24

On24 provides a web-based events platform that is ideal for companies looking to hold webinars, as well as multi-session events.

ProsPros

  • Customer support is always proactive.
  • This software aids simplify a range of tasks. Plus, offers integrations to connect your sales and marketing sales teams.

     Cons    

  • A few templates that are limited in content and limit the choices that you can use to personalize your events' log-in and registration pages.
  • The user interface is unprofessional and an editor that is code editor which adds to the daunting learning curve.
  • There's no method to make your event online. This means you'll have make an option between the participation of your audience and ensuring that your event runs without issue while hosting in the moment. One user writes, "I would love to design an outline for my webinar , and have the ability to control the contents of the screen, such that people's faces appear in the media tile. Also, you can do lower thirds over the videos, and add participants in the event, and remove their faces from the video and back continue."

Pricing

The website of On24 On24 does not provide prices. Anyone interested in a quote should inquire for a quote.

FAQs

In answering questions it is not necessary to reply to the query at all Instead, give links to any relevant piece of material inside the company (as as is appropriate) so as to boost the number of clicks.

How can I pick an online event platform?

Consider your company's demands, like the budget you've set and the amount of the event you're planning to plan, and the variety of virtual events you would prefer to host. Pick a venue for virtual occasions that's not only suitable for your budget, however, it's also user-friendly. It has in-depth analytics, interactive devices for the audience and live streaming with high-quality as well as a variety of connectivity options.

What can I do to make my virtual event more engaging?

Event, Hopin, Zoom, and GoToWebinar are some of the most popular platforms used to host events that you could explore. Each has its own strengths and cons. Choose based on the budget you're working with and the particular requirements for your event.

Which event virtualization platform is best for your business?

The best virtual events platform you can choose is one that will meet the needs of your company and be most efficient. It's comprised of:

  • The dimensions of the individual attending
  • Utilize the cases (how what you will spend to use virtual events in sales and marketing, and if you offer the training in exchange for payment)
  • What amount of time do you have to spend learning how to control a brand fresh device
  • What is the budget you are planning to invest to build your platform (you don't expect your platform to become a element of your budget when you are in the course of expansion)

There are some programs that are not of high-quality streaming, and have a outdated UX. Certain have a long process of learning and pricing could become expensive when hosting large viewers.

It's good to know this is where Events is successful. The platform offers plenty of options, such as the highest-quality streaming as well as a straightforward user interface. It also plays a helpful role in the reuse of material that it has gathered from its events and allows you to earn the best return for the money you invest.

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