20 Best Virtual Event Platforms Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 20 best software from the 24 tools reviewed.
The best virtual event platforms help you host engaging, professional online experiences—whether you’re running a small team meeting, a company-wide town hall, or a large global conference.
Managing online events can be challenging without the right tools. A strong platform brings everything together—live streaming, breakout rooms, registration, analytics, and networking features—so you can deliver seamless, interactive experiences that keep audiences engaged.
After testing dozens of virtual event tools, I’ve curated a list of the top platforms that are intuitive, reliable, and built to fit a variety of event styles and budgets. In this guide, you’ll find solutions that simplify planning, enhance attendee engagement, and make hosting virtual events effortless.
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Best Virtual Event Platforms Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top virtual event platform selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for high-quality content creation | Free plan available | From $24/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for curated virtual team events | No free trial available | From $2500 | Website | |
| 3 | Best for mobile event app | Free demo available | From $4,995 | Website | |
| 4 | Best virtual event platform for B2B marketers | Free demo available. | Pricing upon request. | Website | |
| 5 | Best for collaboration | Free plan available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best virtual event platform for event marketing | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for large-scale events | Free demo available | From $499/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for virtual conferences | Free plan available | From $9/user/month (min 10 seats, billed annually) | Website | |
| 9 | Best virtual event platform for accessibility and inclusion | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 10 | Best virtual event platform for enterprise organizations | Free trial + free demo available | From $500/event or $125/month for unlimited events (billed annually) | Website | |
| 11 | Best for avatar-based attendee engagement | 30-day free trial + demo available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 12 | Best for webinar hosting | Request a free demo | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 13 | Best for community engagement | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 14 | Best for interactive virtual environments | Free plan available | From $79/month | Website | |
| 15 | Best for team-building events | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 16 | Best virtual event platform for continuity between virtual, hybrid, and in-person events | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 17 | Best for networking features | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 18 | Best for video integrations | Free trial + free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 19 | Best virtual event platform for design customization | Free trial + free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 20 | Best virtual event platform for lifelike 3D venues | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
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Checkr
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.5 -
Kudoboard
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Native Teams
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.9
Best Virtual Event Platform Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best virtual event platforms that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
As a professional seeking a dynamic virtual event platform, Riverside could be your go-to solution for engaging digital experiences. Designed for creating high-quality podcasts and videos, it offers features like 4K recording and AI-driven editing tools that could transform your webinars and virtual conferences. Whether you're a marketer, educator, or content creator, Riverside's capabilities in live streaming and audience interaction can address your needs for seamless digital engagement.
Why I Picked Riverside
I picked Riverside for its unparalleled ability to enhance digital engagement through high-quality content creation. The platform's 4K recording capability ensures that your virtual events are delivered with the utmost clarity, while its AI-driven editing tools allow you to polish your content effortlessly. Additionally, Riverside's live streaming feature lets you broadcast in full HD to multiple platforms, ensuring your message reaches a wider audience. These features make it an excellent choice for anyone aiming to elevate their virtual event experience.
Riverside Key Features
In addition to its standout features, I also found several other capabilities that make Riverside a strong contender for digital engagement.
- Multi-Track Recording: Capture separate audio and video tracks for each participant, ensuring flexibility in post-production editing.
- Audience Engagement Tools: Utilize interactive elements like live chat and Q&A to keep your audience engaged during virtual events.
- Custom Branding Options: Personalize your events with custom layouts, logos, and overlays to align with your brand identity.
- Automated Transcriptions: Generate accurate transcripts and show notes automatically, making it easier to repurpose content.
Riverside Integrations
Native integrations are not currently listed by Riverside.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Automatic transcription and chapter division
- Free plan without credit card
- AI powered text based editing
Cons:
- Chrome required for best performance
- Free plan limited to 720p
Confetti is an engaging virtual event platform that caters to organizations aiming to enhance employee engagement and team cohesion, especially in remote work settings. It offers a diverse range of live-hosted activities, such as team-building exercises, wellness classes, and DEI events, designed to foster connections and improve morale. By addressing challenges like team disconnection and low employee morale, Confetti provides a solution for companies looking to create a more connected and motivated workforce.
Why I Picked Confetti
I picked Confetti because it excels in providing unique, live-hosted experiences that foster digital engagement and team bonding. One standout feature is its extensive library of over 150 curated events, which include team-building exercises and wellness activities, allowing you to tailor experiences to your team's needs. Another feature I appreciate is the platform's dedicated event planning support, ensuring a seamless execution of activities, from ideation to completion. These features are crucial for organizations seeking to maintain morale and connection in a virtual setting.
Confetti Key Features
In addition to its standout features, Confetti offers several other key functionalities:
- Event Hub: This feature allows you to showcase all your events in one centralized location, making it easy for attendees to browse and register.
- CRM Integration: Confetti's built-in CRM helps manage attendee information and engagement, streamlining communication and follow-ups.
- Livestreaming Capabilities: This feature enables real-time interaction and engagement during virtual events, enhancing the overall experience for participants.
- Form Creation and Reporting: Easily create custom forms and access detailed reports to gather insights and measure the success of your events.
Confetti Integrations
Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Rule, Jobylon, and Mailchimp. Confetti also offers a REST API and webhooks for custom integrations.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dedicated customer success support
- Wide range of live events
- Intuitive online booking system
Cons:
- Hybrid features may vary by plan
- Limited native recording capabilities
Expo Pass is an event technology platform designed to support digital engagement for live, virtual, and hybrid events, including mobile event app functionality. It appeals to event organizers across various industries who want to improve attendee experiences through efficient registration, check-in, and engagement tools. By simplifying event management, Expo Pass helps teams run complex events more smoothly for both organizers and attendees.
Why I Picked Expo Pass
I picked Expo Pass for its mobile event app, which helps drive digital engagement by keeping event details and interactions in one place. Attendees can view schedules, receive updates, and join networking chats through the app, making it easier to stay connected during virtual events. Lead retrieval tools also support exhibitors by capturing and organizing attendee information in real time.
Expo Pass Key Features
In addition to mobile event app, Expo Pass offers:
- Badge Printing: Allows for seamless on-site badge creation, ensuring a professional touch for your event.
- Attendance Tracking: Provides detailed insights into attendee participation, helping you measure the success of your event.
- Customizable Event Pages: Lets you design event pages that align with your brand, enhancing your event's online presence.
- Real-Time Analytics: Offers data-driven insights to help you understand attendee behavior and improve future events.
Expo Pass Integrations
Integrations include Swoogo, Guidebook, and Avery.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Supports digital engagement for virtual and hybrid events
- Push notifications keep participants informed in real time
- Centralizes attendee activity and session participation
Cons:
- Reporting on digital engagement is fairly basic
- Networking tools may feel limited for large audiences
Goldcast is a virtual event platform specifically designed to suit the needs of B2B marketers.
Why I picked Goldcast: Goldcast describes its beautifully branded events as being akin to watching Netflix. The user interface is slick and inviting, and their built-in studio controls allow users to create event experiences with a fully branded stage, live Q&As, and overlays.
In addition to its visual appeal, Goldcast captures in-depth attendee insights and gathers them into your CRM so that you can act on your pipeline leads as soon as the event is finished. You can also host sponsor resource hubs and share sponsor content, maximizing ROI for each event.
Goldcast Standout Features and Integrations
Features include lead generation, messaging, email reminders, event scheduling, lead capture, presentation screening, analytics, a virtual lobby, and customizable branding.
Integrations include Drift, Eloqua, Enigamio, HubSpot, Marketo, SalesForce, Slack, Splash, Validar, Webooth, and Wistia.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Specifically designed for B2B
- Slick visual interface
- Super responsive customer support
Cons:
- Networking rooms have capacity of 15
- High bandwidth requirements
Google Meet is a video conferencing tool that's part of Google Workspace, designed to facilitate virtual events, webinars, and collaborative sessions. It's packed with features like screen sharing and real-time chat, making it a go-to solution for businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
Why I picked Google Meet: I like its focus on accessibility and engagement. Features like live captions and transcription make it easier for everyone to follow along, enhancing inclusivity in your virtual events. The platform also offers interactive tools such as polls and breakout rooms, allowing you to foster engagement and collaboration among participants. Additionally, Google Meet includes noise cancellation, which helps maintain audio clarity by reducing background noise, making sure your message is heard loud and clear.
Google Meet Standout Features and Integrations
Features include live sharing for YouTube videos, music, and games, allowing you to create interactive and engaging experiences during your events. Google Meet also offers translated captions, which can bridge language barriers and ensure everyone can participate fully.
Integrations include Amazon Alexa, Discord, Wix, Google Forms, Spotify, Moodle, Jotform, Calendly, Zoom, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The platform is browser-friendly, allowing seamless access on various devices, including mobile
- Tools like live chat, audience polling, and screen sharing enhance interaction during meetings
- Integrates well with Google Workspace tools like Calendar, Gmail, and Google Drive
Cons:
- Some users experience delays in video sharing and call drops
- Features like attendee analytics are missing, which can hinder larger meetings
Hubilo is a virtual event platform with several event marketing functions.
Why I picked Hubilo: From inception through to completion, Hublio can help with every step of the event marketing journey. Their landing page builder helps you to create and customize your landing page with templates, widgets, and registration forms. Ticketing can also be run from their platform, and targeted campaigns can help you reach specific audiences.
Once event attendees are registered, you can boost event attendance with nudge emails. At the event, attendees can visit the networking lounge, watch speakers on the stage, and participate in gamification activities.
Hubilo Standout Features and Integrations
Features include live chat, mobile app, social media engagement, analytics, sponsored sessions, custom landing pages, virtual backgrounds, and banner and logo placement for sponsors.
Integrations include Captello, Interprefy, Kahoot, Kudo, Mailchimp, MootUp, Salesforce, Verbit, and Vodium.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Events are easy to set up
- Highly scalable
- Extensive branding opportunities
Cons:
- Lacking some depth in onboarding materials
- Networking lounge closes after 60 minutes
Bizzabo is an event management platform tailored for large-scale conferences and corporate events. It serves event organizers by providing tools for registration, marketing, and attendee engagement to ensure successful event execution.
Why I picked Bizzabo: Bizzabo is ideal for large-scale events with its scalable solutions and comprehensive event management tools. You can manage registration and ticketing seamlessly while accessing real-time analytics to measure event success. The platform's ability to handle large attendee volumes and complex event structures makes it a top choice for big events. Its marketing automation features further enhance your event's reach and impact.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a drag-and-drop website builder that lets you create custom event pages, advanced email marketing tools to engage your audience, and a networking platform to connect attendees. The platform also offers robust analytics to help you understand attendee behavior and improve future events.
Integrations include Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot, Slack, Mailchimp, Zoom, Eventbrite, Stripe, PayPal, and Google Analytics.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Customizable event pages
- Advanced marketing automation
- Comprehensive event management tools
Cons:
- Complex features need exploration
- Steep learning curve initially
Airmeet is a virtual event platform designed for hosting large-scale conferences and community events. It caters to businesses and organizations that need tools for managing and engaging large audiences.
Why I picked Airmeet: Airmeet is tailored for virtual conferences with features like customizable virtual spaces and interactive sessions. You can host breakout sessions and networking lounges to facilitate attendee interaction. The platform's focus on creating immersive experiences makes it ideal for engaging large audiences effectively. Its ability to handle high attendee volumes ensures smooth event execution.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable event stages that let you design your event layout, real-time audience engagement tools like polls and Q&A, and a social lounge for networking. The platform also offers detailed analytics to track attendee participation and engagement.
Integrations include Zoom, Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Stripe, PayPal, Google Calendar, and Zapier.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Customizable virtual spaces
- Real-time engagement tools
- Detailed analytics provided
Cons:
- Cannot add LinkedIn info to attendee profiles
- Some limitations on mobile app
SpotMe is a virtual event platform with extensive captioning and translation features.
Why I picked SpotMe: Accessibility should remain a priority for your event regardless of whether it’s in-person or online. SpotMe provides an industry-leading translation, caption, and interpreting tool that’s powered by Interprefy and AI-Media. The service caters to nearly 20 languages, extending the reach to audience members in all locations, and across a variety of needs.
Conversion-optimized registration pages, attendee engagement features like Q&A and polling, and easy breakout sessions allow groups to connect deeply with each other. SpotMe’s templates come with pre-configured content, navigations, and designs, making it easy to get started.
SpotMe Standout Features and Integrations
Features include activity feed, live streaming, attendee registration, breakout sessions, on-demand replays, live captioning, engagement tools, and a design studio.
Integrations include Eloqua, HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot, RainFocus, Salesforce, and Veeva.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Save recordings immediately after livestreams
- Accessibility tools
Cons:
- Attendee registration / download process takes time
- Backstage customization is complex
Accelevents is a flexible, enterprise-grade virtual event platform that manages the entire event lifecycle.
Why I picked Accelevents: Accelevents can be scaled up or down, used out-of-the-box, or heavily customized. For this reason, it’s equipped to meet the needs of enterprise organizations, while providing adaptable solutions for small team workshops and large global conferences. Their templates enable users to quickly launch a branded online event and promote it on social media, and plentiful integrations make it easy to connect to other pertinent platforms.
Users can work with Accelevents broadcast studio to livestream or pre-record sessions, or you can integrate with other tools like Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube and stream from there. Networking sessions include automatic matchmaking, video chat, and live polls to enhance attendee engagement.
Accelevents Standout Features and Integrations
Features include badge design and printing, broadcast studio, lead capture, registration and ticketing, sponsor inclusion, analytics, white labeling, gamification, matchmaking, live video, speed networking, and a mobile app.
Integrations include ActiveCampaign, Cvent, HubSpot, Inteprefy, Intercom, Marketo, Salesforce, Slack, Square, and Stripe. Further integrations can be accessed by connecting a paid Zapier account.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to accept payments
- A la carte options for pay-as-you-go
- Super user friendly
Cons:
- Unable to send group text to all attendees
- Frequent system updates can cause confusion
Microsoft Teams is a collaborative platform designed to bring people together through chat, video conferencing, and shared workspaces. It’s built to help you connect and collaborate with your team, no matter where you are.
Why I picked Microsoft Teams: I chose Microsoft Teams because it supports immersive events where you can design and customize 3D spaces, letting you add media like images, videos and 3D models to promote engagement. The platform also includes spatial interaction: attendees join as avatars, and the system supports things like hand-raising, room management and movement between “event rooms,” giving more natural interactions than a flat webinar.
Microsoft Teams Standout Features and Integrations
Features include the ability to schedule an immersive event from your Teams calendar or Outlook, choosing a ready-made 3D environment template. During the event you can manage multiple rooms (each hosting up to 16 attendees) and move between rooms as host or co-organiser, while attendees appear as avatars and can feel spatially “present” with features like spatial audio.
Integrations include Zoom, Cisco Webex Meetings, Freehand, Dialpad, 3CX, MailClark, Cacoo, Lucidchart, Mural, Wrike, and Givitas.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Features like screen sharing, call recording, and live captions enhance meetings
- Enables custom 3D environments for events
- Supports avatars & spatial audio for immersion
Cons:
- Custom objects can’t be reused across multiple events
- Requires commitment to the Microsoft ecosystem, which may not suit all user
ON24 is a virtual event platform designed for businesses focused on delivering engaging webinars and digital experiences. It serves marketers and event organizers by providing tools for hosting, managing, and analyzing webinars effectively.
Why I picked ON24: ON24 excels in webinar hosting with its interactive features and analytics capabilities. You can engage your audience with polls, Q&A, and surveys during live events. The platform's ability to provide detailed analytics helps you measure engagement and improve future webinars. Its focus on creating interactive and insightful digital experiences makes it a standout choice for marketers.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable webinar templates that align with your brand, engagement tools like polls and surveys to keep your audience involved, and automated event recordings for on-demand access. The platform also offers detailed reporting to analyze attendee behavior and improve strategies.
Integrations include Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot, Eloqua, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Slack, Zoom, Adobe Experience Manager, Google Analytics, and LinkedIn.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective for marketing teams
- Automated event recordings
- Customizable webinar templates
Cons:
- Limited offline functionality
- Steep learning curve initially
Hivebrite is a community management platform designed for organizations looking to build and engage their networks. It serves educational institutions, nonprofits, and corporations by providing tools for member engagement, event management, and communication.
Why I picked Hivebrite: Hivebrite excels in fostering community engagement with its customizable member portals and communication tools. You can manage events, send newsletters, and facilitate discussions to keep your community active. The platform's focus on community building makes it ideal for organizations wanting to strengthen connections among members. Its event management capabilities help you organize and promote events effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable member directories that allow you to organize your community, content management tools to share resources and updates, and analytics to track community engagement. The platform also provides event promotion features to boost participation.
Integrations include Salesforce, Mailchimp, Stripe, PayPal, Google Analytics, Zoom, Slack, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, and LinkedIn.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Event promotion features
- Strong focus on community building
- Customizable member portals
Cons:
- Advanced features need exploration
- Learning curve for administrators
SpatialChat is designed for businesses and professionals seeking an innovative solution for virtual events. It offers a unique blend of interactive features, making it ideal for industries ranging from education to corporate sectors. SpatialChat addresses the challenge of digital engagement by creating immersive virtual environments that facilitate real-time interaction and collaboration.
Why I Picked SpatialChat
I picked SpatialChat because it excels in creating dynamic and interactive virtual environments. Its spatial audio feature allows participants to engage in conversations as if they were in the same room, enhancing the sense of presence and interaction. Additionally, the platform's customizable layouts enable you to design spaces that reflect your brand identity, making every event feel unique and personalized. These features are particularly beneficial for those looking to host engaging virtual events that require high levels of participant interaction.
SpatialChat Key Features
In addition to its standout features, SpatialChat offers other functionalities that enhance digital engagement:
- Breakout Rooms: Facilitate smaller group discussions within your larger virtual event.
- Branded Events: Tailor your virtual venue with backgrounds, logos, and different room layouts to fit your organization's identity.
- Whiteboarding Integration: Collaborate with participants using interactive whiteboards directly within the platform.
- Simultaneous Multi-Screen Sharing: Share multiple screens at once for more dynamic presentations and discussions.
SpatialChat Integrations
Integrations include Miro, Google Docs, Figma, YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, Kahoot, Slack, Hubspot, and Salesforce.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Allows embedding of rich content — videos, docs, screenshares — within sessions.
- Supports large events — can host many attendees in one virtual space.
- Easy to recreate real-life networking via spatial audio and avatar movement.
Cons:
- Mobile usability can be challenging for some users.
- Advanced analytics and reporting features are not currently available.
Weve is a virtual event platform geared towards creating engaging team-building experiences. It serves organizations looking to foster collaboration and camaraderie among team members through interactive games and activities.
Why I picked Weve: Weve specializes in team-building events with features like interactive games and real-time collaboration tools. You can host trivia games, scavenger hunts, and more to engage your team. The platform's focus on interactive experiences makes it ideal for companies wanting to strengthen team bonds. Its variety of activities provides flexibility in choosing what suits your team's interests.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable event themes that match your company's culture, live leaderboards to spark friendly competition, and virtual photo booths to capture fun moments. The platform also offers analytics to help you measure the impact of your team-building activities.
Integrations include Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Webex, BlueJeans, Skype, GoToMeeting, Discord, and Eventbrite.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Virtual photo booths
- Live leaderboards feature
- Customizable event themes
Cons:
- Requires stable internet connection
- Limited customization for advanced users
EventsAir
Best virtual event platform for continuity between virtual, hybrid, and in-person events
EventsAir is a virtual event platform with over 30 years of experience creating memorable events.
Why I picked EventsAir: EventsAir is an excellent choice for companies planning on launching in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. Their integrated platform allows users to create continuity for event participants, providing the same experience whether attending virtually, physically, or somewhere in between.
Breakout rooms allow small groups to share screens and watch presentations, and virtual function areas provide space for networking. Their OnAIR Timeline is an online agenda that displays session times, ePosters, and sponsor banners similar to what’s available on-site.
EventsAir Standout Features and Integrations
Features include 3D mode, breakout rooms, live polling, analytics, discussion forums, networking groups, gamification, live hosting, and a virtual control room.
Integrations are available with Attendee Management, Event Frog, FieldDrive, RegOnsite, Smartevent, SmartSource, Sprintr by AVI, and Touchpoint.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable registration system
- Functionality for the entire event lifecycle
- Drag and drop feature for event design
Cons:
- Does not save partially filled registration forms
- No transparent pricing on website
Whova is a virtual conference platform designed for event organizers looking to enhance attendee engagement and networking. It supports businesses and organizations by providing tools for event management, attendee interaction, and networking opportunities.
Why I picked Whova: Whova facilitates networking with its community board and attendee matchmaking features. You can create discussion groups and enable one-on-one meetings to foster connections. The live polling and Q&A features keep your audience engaged throughout the event. Whova's strong focus on networking features makes it a great choice for events where attendee interaction is key.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable agendas that cater to different attendee needs, real-time announcements to keep everyone informed, and a lead generation tool to help you connect with potential clients. The platform also offers exhibitor and sponsor management to enhance event revenue opportunities.
Integrations include Zoom, Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Calendar, Outlook, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Stripe, and PayPal.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective lead generation tools
- Real-time announcements
- Customizable agendas
Cons:
- Requires stable internet connection
- Learning curve for new users
Kaltura is a virtual event platform designed to support organizations in hosting webinars, virtual classrooms, and interactive sessions. It caters to educational institutions, enterprises, and media companies by offering tools for content creation, management, and delivery.
Why I picked Kaltura: Kaltura excels in video integrations, providing a flexible platform for hosting and streaming video content. You can customize video players and use interactive video paths to engage your audience. Its ability to support large-scale video events makes it ideal for organizations heavily reliant on video content. The platform's extensive video management capabilities ensure a seamless experience for both hosts and attendees.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable video players that allow you to tailor the viewing experience, interactive video paths that engage viewers, and a media management system to organize and distribute content. The platform also offers analytics to track viewer engagement and performance.
Integrations include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, WordPress, and Drupal.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Interactive video paths
- Supports large-scale video events
- Customizable video players
Cons:
- Limited offline capabilities
- Requires technical knowledge
BigMarker is a virtual event platform that provides users with complete design control.
Why I picked BigMarker: Rather than having to use templates and themes (which they do also supply), BigMarker allows users to create truly customized trade shows, keynotes, networking events, summits, seminars, and more. You can easily implement Figma files from your in-house team to ensure complete brand continuity.
Not only does the customization include your virtual event landing page, but it also extends into your event registration site, virtual venue, agendas, networking lounges, and expo halls. You can even use tokens to map your event data to your designs.
BigMarker Standout Features and Integrations
Features include event registration and check-in, a mobile app, matchmaking, networking features, virtual venues, event badges, analytics, email follow-ups, custom landing pages, and lead generation tools.
Integrations include ActiveCampaign, Calendly, ConstantContact, Cvent, Drip, Eloqua, Heap, HubSpot, Keap, MailerLite, Salesforce, Twitter, and Unbounce.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extensive design capabilities
- In-depth analytics
- Q&A tab has an “upvote” feature
Cons:
- With so many features, the platform takes time to learn
- No pause feature when recording webinars
vFairs is a virtual event platform that offers interactive features for virtual, in-person, and hybrid events.
Why I picked vFairs: Virtual experiences have traditionally lacked the immersive nature of in-person events. vFairs seeks to close the gap by creating highly customizable and realistic 3D venue designs. The space can contain lobbies, auditoriums, networking lounges and exhibit halls, and can be fully branded to suit your event.
Custom 3D animated avatars add a human element to the event space, and personalized booths can be set up to enhance the attendee experience. Customizability extends into their webinar feature as well, allowing you to include interactive activities in multiple presentation options.
vFairs Standout Features and Integrations
Features include custom 3D virtual venues, custom landing pages, email marketing, virtual exhibitor booths, networking features, gamification, real-time attendee stats, reporting dashboard, mobile app, and event check-in.
Integrations are extensive and include Kudo, Marketo, PayPal, Restream, Salesforce, Slido, Stripe, SyncWords, and Wordly. Further integrations are available by connecting a paid Zapier account.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Impressive 3D event spaces
- Intuitive booth setup
Cons:
- Some challenges with Stripe integration
- Slight lag on private chat rooms
Virtual Event Platform Selection Criteria
When selecting the best virtual event platforms to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like user-friendly interfaces and effective audience engagement. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Host live events
- Enable audience interaction
- Provide event analytics
- Support multiple sessions
- Offer recording capabilities
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Virtual reality integration
- AI-driven networking
- Customizable event environments
- Multilingual support
- Advanced gamification options
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive navigation
- Clean interface design
- Minimal learning curve
- Responsive design for mobile
- Customization options for users
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Comprehensive templates
- Access to webinars
- Chatbot assistance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Response time efficiency
- Knowledge base resources
- Personalized customer assistance
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Pricing transparency
- Competitive pricing tiers
- Included features in each plan
- Discounts for long-term commitments
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Positive feedback trends
- Commonly reported issues
- User satisfaction ratings
- Mention of customer support experiences
- Feedback on feature effectiveness
How to Choose Virtual Event Platform
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Can the platform grow with your organization? Consider future event sizes and participant numbers. Ensure it can handle your largest events without performance issues. |
| Integrations | Does it work with your existing tools? Check for compatibility with your CRM, email marketing, and project management software to streamline workflows. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor the platform to your brand? Look for options to customize event layouts, themes, and branding elements to align with your organization's identity. |
| Ease of use | Is the platform intuitive for both organizers and participants? Consider the user experience to avoid steep learning curves that could impact adoption. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How long will it take to get started? Evaluate the setup time and availability of onboarding resources like tutorials and support to ensure a smooth transition. |
| Cost | Does the pricing fit your budget? Analyze different plans and hidden fees. Consider the cost per attendee and potential discounts for long-term contracts. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data and participants protected? Look for encryption, compliance with data protection laws, and features like access controls to safeguard sensitive information. |
| Support availability | How accessible is help when you need it? Check for 24/7 support, response times, and available channels like chat, email, or phone to ensure timely assistance. |
What Are Virtual Event Platforms?
Virtual event platforms are software solutions that enable organizations to host events online, allowing participants to engage from anywhere. These tools are commonly used by event planners, HR professionals, and marketers to connect with large audiences efficiently. Features like live streaming, interactive chat, and customizable branding help with engaging attendees and creating memorable experiences. Overall, these platforms provide a convenient and accessible way to conduct events without geographical limitations.
Features
When selecting virtual event platforms, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Live streaming: Broadcast events in real-time to engage participants and reach a wider audience.
- Interactive chat: Facilitate communication between attendees and hosts to enhance engagement and networking.
- Customizable branding: Tailor event layouts and themes to match your organization's identity and maintain brand consistency.
- Event analytics: Track participation and engagement metrics to measure the success of your events.
- Recording capabilities: Capture and store event sessions for future reference or on-demand viewing.
- AI-driven networking: Connect participants with similar interests using AI to foster meaningful interactions.
- Virtual booths: Create interactive spaces for exhibitors to showcase products and services during events.
- Multilingual support: Accommodate international audiences by offering content in multiple languages.
- Security safeguards: Protect sensitive information with encryption and access controls to ensure data privacy.
Benefits
Implementing virtual event platforms provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Increased accessibility: Reach a global audience by hosting events online, removing geographical barriers and travel costs.
- Enhanced engagement: Use interactive features like live chat and AI-driven networking to keep participants involved and connected.
- Cost efficiency: Save on venue and logistics expenses by transitioning to virtual events, making it budget-friendly.
- Data insights: Gain valuable insights from event analytics to understand participant behavior and improve future events.
- Brand consistency: Maintain your brand's identity with customizable branding options that align with your organization's look and feel.
- Flexibility: Offer on-demand access to recorded sessions, allowing participants to engage with content at their convenience.
- Security assurance: Protect sensitive data with advanced security safeguards, ensuring safe and private virtual interactions.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting virtual event platforms requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in virtual event platforms solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Virtual Event Platforms
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic event hosting, limited participant capacity, and minimal branding options. |
| Personal Plan | $10-$30/user/month | Increased participant capacity, basic analytics, and some customization options. |
| Business Plan | $50-$100/user/month | Advanced analytics, enhanced branding, multiple sessions, and integration with other tools. |
| Enterprise Plan | $200+/user/month | Customization at scale, dedicated support, comprehensive security features, and advanced networking capabilities. |
Virtual Event Platforms FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about virtual event platforms:
Can virtual event platforms support hybrid events?
Yes, many platforms now offer hybrid functionality, allowing you to engage both in-person and remote audiences with synchronized content and interaction tools.
Can attendees network in a virtual event as effectively as in-person?
Networking virtually can approach the effectiveness of in-person events with the right tools and strategies. Modern virtual event platforms are designed to mimic the serendipity and engagement of face-to-face interactions through features like breakout rooms, virtual “handshakes,” and AI-powered matchmaking that connects attendees based on their interests and goals. Chat functions, video meetings, and interactive Q&A sessions also facilitate deeper connections.
While the dynamic may differ, the potential for meaningful interactions remains high, allowing attendees to network effectively from anywhere. This article also offers tips to help you build your professional network if you’d like to up your game.
How do virtual event platforms help with attendee engagement?
Virtual platforms include features like live polls, Q&A, chat, quizzes, breakout rooms, and gamification to keep attendees involved. Some offer leaderboard challenges or virtual networking lounges to mimic in-person experiences. These tools not only boost interaction but also help organizers track engagement in real time.
How secure are virtual event platforms?
Most virtual event platforms prioritize security, but it’s essential to verify their measures. Look for encryption, data protection compliance, and access control features. Ask the vendor about their security protocols and any past incidents. You should also educate your team and participants on best practices, like using strong passwords and recognizing phishing attempts, to enhance security further.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching virtual event platforms, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
