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In the post-pandemic era, many new virtual event platforms have entered the market, but which ones are the best?
In this article, we will share the best virtual event platforms. We will also highlight their key features and benefits so you can make an informed decision when choosing a platform.
Let’s get into it.
What is a virtual event platform?
A virtual events platform allows you to host and manage online events such as webinars, conferences, trade shows, and meetings.
When event attendees use these platforms, they interact with the participants in real-time or, in the case of on-demand events, watch recorded content later at their convenience.
Here are some key functionalities of virtual event platforms:
- Live streaming
- Recording
- Moderating
- Networking
- Ticketing
- Audience engagement
- Hosting sponsorship booths
- Landing page creation
- Interactive tools like Q&A, polls, breakout rooms, etc.
Why should you use a virtual event platform?
The main reasons you might want to use virtual event platforms include the following:
They handle more participants than ‘Zoom’
At best, Zoom can handle 1000 participants. However, most virtual event software can host more than that – some can host up to 500,000 live attendees.
Reduce expenses
Hosting live, offline events can become pretty expensive. You’d have to spend a lot of money renting the physical venue, booking flights, hiring caterers, and more.
You don't have to incur these additional costs using virtual event software; you’ll only have to pay for the software.
Expand your audience
Live events usually attract folks living in the same city or neighboring area. And only the few folks who are wealthy will travel cross-country to make it to the event. But, hosting a live virtual event will allow you to attract a global audience, as they can participate in your event online.
Better data collection
Virtual event platforms often have built-in analytics and tracking features to collect event attendance and engagement data. You can use insights gleaned from this data to improve future virtual events.
How to choose a virtual event platform?
Before choosing virtual event platforms, there are five main points to remember.
A platform that’s got it all
Not every virtual platform is feature-rich.
The lack of a particular feature in a virtual platform software may require you to purchase additional software to compensate. For example, if you craft a landing page for your virtual event, having a virtual platform with this particular feature is ideal.
Some essential features to look out for in virtual platforms include:
- High-quality video streaming
- Webinar hosting
- Virtual booths
- Interactive polls
- Breakout rooms
- Reporting and analytics
Ideally, make sure, all the tools you need come with the virtual event platform that you purchase.
Budget
You’ll want to make sure your software matches your budget. If you’re on a low budget then some virtual event platforms offer a free version of their platform. Though, be aware these often have limited functionality.
In reality, most platforms charge a monthly fee or charge per project. And there are platforms that cost $5000 and higher.
So before choosing the platform, decide on your must-have features and budget accordingly.
Integration options
Look for a service that offers integration options with the services you already use.
If, for example, you want to collect registration fees with PayPal, then look for a platform that integrates PayPal.
User experience
Make sure the platform has an easy-to-use, intuitive user interface that will appeal to both organizers and attendees.
It should be easy for them to find whatever they’re looking for in the UI – without them having to hunt for it.
Customization options
If you want to create a branded virtual event, get a platform that allows you to upload your company’s logo, use custom layouts, and use your company’s branded color schemes.
10 Best Virtual Event Platforms 2024
Below are our top recommendations for virtual event platforms – their must-have features make them the best on the market.
Riverside
Price: Free package, Standard package for $15 per month, Pro package for $24 per month
Riverside is a must-have option if you plan to host a live stream video event with high production quality.
Its high-resolution 4K video gives your stream an extra ‘pop’ that makes it look professional. It also has a clips feature where we take your long-form recording and turn the key moments into clips that can be easily uploaded to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Key features:
- Up to 4K video and high-quality audio for high-production virtual events
- Video Editor that allows you to edit your recordings as easily as editing a text transcript
- AI Magic Clips tool that repurposes your recordings into short shareable content for social media
- Real-time visual and audio effects like intros, outros, sounds, and jingles, thanks to the Media Board feature
- Producer mode to manage the technical aspects of your event without the fear of accidentally being recorded. You can handle volume controls, guests in the lobby, screen sharing, and more.
- Audience mode, where audiences can join your live stream and chat with the hosts through live video call-ins.
- Local recording so all files are captured on your actual device instead of over the internet. This prevents poor video quality due to internet fluctuations.
- Async recording, so your guest can record a video separately, in their own time. This feature is ideal for getting customer stories, testimonials, and more.
- Live streaming and multistreaming to Facebook, YouTube, and any platform of your choice through custom RTMPs.
Best for: High-production value live streaming
BigMarker
Price: Custom quotes upon contacting the sales team / variable pricing based on package selection
BigMarker handles everything from short one-off seminars to large-scale virtual events.
It’s an event management platform known for its capability to handle hybrid and in-person events. (Hybrid events are live but simultaneously streamed to an online audience).
The neat thing about BigMarker is that it offers 15 different modules that can be mixed and matched depending on the event. You can include sessions, breakout rooms, networking features, gamification, exhibitor halls, and more. This allows you to create unique, customizable virtual halls.
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Key features:
- Expo hall feature for sponsors
- Networking features including speed networking
- Badge making and Q-code scanning feature on mobile
- Branding options like the ability to add logos and company colors
- Payment processing options like Stripe and Authorize.net
- Hybrid features that allow users to attend real-life events virtually through mobile
- Event management features like built-in registration with conversion-optimized sales and checkout pages
- Gamification features like raffles, sweepstakes, and points-to-reward challenges
- An immersive and customizable lobby that helps users orient themselves and navigate the virtual event
Best for: Hybrid events
vFairs
Price: Personalized quotes upon contacting the sales team and variable pricing based on features selected
vFair specializes in high-attendance events like trade fairs and expos. Their solution helps you host 3D virtual events that mimic real-life events, complete with a virtual lobby, auditorium, and exhibitor booth.
The platform also caters to in-person events with vFair’s mobile app and onsite event technology, which helps simplify check-in, on-site engagement, networking, and more.
Key features:
- Animated avatars
- Live help desk
- Virtual customizable venues
- Detailed event reporting and analytics
- Integration options with a wide range of apps
- Webinars with features like multiple presentation options, polls, quizzes, and gamification elements
- Plenty of networking features, including embedded live chat, breakout rooms, private chat options, and more.
Best for: Trade shows and expos
Goldcast
Price: Personalized quotes upon contacting the sales team
Goldcast was made just for B2B businesses and marketing teams. It offers plenty of features that turn online virtual events into revenue-making ones. It has integrations to sales platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, and Salesforce and has a UI that’s appealing to users.
Key features:
- CRM integrations
- Live and pre-recording video capability
- Attendee analytics and event insights
- Capable of both single and multitrack virtual events with concurrent sessions
- Engagement features including 1:1 chat, leaderboards, and photo booths
- Easy to use, even for the technically unsavvy, making it great for event organizers
Best for: Conversion-based virtual events
Hopin
Price: Free (100-attendees / 2-hour limit), Starter package for $99 per month, and Growth package for $799 per month
Hopin is great for hosting both small and large virtual events. It is browser-based, and anyone can access it without having to download any software. The service has all you need to host an event, including registration support, real-time analytics, and multi-stage sessions.
Key features:
- Chat and polling features
- Integration with HubSpot, MailChimp, Kahoot, and more
- Customizable stages and virtual venues that can be tailored according to the brand
- Virtual event builder that allows you to create a reception page, event stage, and breakout sessions
Best for: Branded live stream events
HeySummit
Price: Starter package for $33 per month, Growth package for $ 99/month, Success package for $299 per month
HeySummit is a virtual summit tool that’s ideal for content creators who want to monetize their passion. With it, you can manage and track registrants due to its excellent registration tools. Its reporting and analytic features allow you to see how attendees respond to events, giving you the insight to adjust accordingly.
Key features:
- Live streaming and pre-recording capability
- Landing page builder with pre-built themes
- Detailed event analytics for event organizers to gauge engagement
- Speaker dashboard where speakers can add and manage their bio as well as other information
Best for: Creators who want to monetize their passion
Hubilo
Price: Advanced package for $650 per month, Pro package for $1300/month, Enterprise package at a price subject to negotiation
Hubilo is a DIY platform that comes with impressive front and back-end customization features. It is built with audience engagement in mind and has a user-friendly layout. With the mobile app, you can access virtual events anywhere, anytime, and get a similar experience as when you are using the desktop app.
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Key features:
- Custom branding options
- Event registration page builder
- Interactive features like Q&A, live chat, polls, and more
- Analytics to track engagement statistics as well as other data
- Integrates with Hubspot, Salesforce, Typeform, and MailChimp
Best for: Simple conference hosting
Remo
Price: Remo Zoom package for $15/month, Remo Immersive package for $25/month, Enterprise package at a price subject to negotiation
Remo has a unique virtual event platform where you can create ‘virtual buildings’ with multiple floors. These buildings and floors resemble the ones you’d find in a Sims game and are highly customizable. These features make the platform highly interactive as well as conducive to networking.
Key features:
- Engagement features, including content and polls
- Unique networking features that allow participants to hop from ‘table’ to ‘table’, replicating the feeling of in-person conversations
- Highly customizable buildings and floors, including templates like a cozy coffee shop and beach
Best for: Networking
Accelevents
Price: Starter package for $500 per event, Professional package for $5000 per event, Scale package for $125 per month, Enterprise package for $1250 per month
Accelevents is an all-in-one event management platform with features like event customization, ticketing and registration, and monetization. The platform is mainly for virtual conferences, product launches, trade shows, fundraisers, seminars, career fairs, and social events.
Key features:
- End-to-end branding options
- Customizable event page and registration workflows
- Live streaming using tools like Zoom, Facebook Live, RTMP, and more
- Engagement features like speed networking, surveys, gamification, and polls
- In-depth analytics to track performance and help exhibitors with valuable engagement data
GoToWebinar
Price: Lite package per $49 per month, Standard package for $99 per month, Pro package for $199 per month, and Enterprise package for $399 per month
GoToWebinar is a great platform if you plan to host webinars. It’s also often used for video conferencing. The platform has analytics options, registration tools, email marketing features, and more.
Key features:
- Video conferencing
- Unique webinar templates
- Customizable registration forms
- Pre-recorded webinars that resemble live events
- Engagement features like polls, surveys, and more
- Engagement dashboard where audience engagement can be gauged
- Branding options like the ability to add logos, colors, and images to webinar materials
- Webcast mode that allows thousands of attendees to join live stream from their browser
Which virtual meeting platform is the best for you?
The best virtual meeting platform will depend on your budget, the type of event you’re hosting, and the features you expect from the platform.
Best free virtual event platform
While no virtual event platform offers its services completely free with all features unlocked, Hopin does allow you to host an event for 100 attendees. The online event time is limited to two hours and includes all the core features, like a virtual venue with a stage, networking features, customizable registration, and basic analytics.
Best virtual event platforms for beginners
The best virtual event platform for beginners is Riverside. The interface isn’t as overly complex as the other virtual event platforms and is ideal for live streaming events, thanks to 4K video streaming, the ability to clip content for social media, and the ability to edit and add video and audio effects to the live stream in real time.
FAQs on best Virtual Event Platforms
Where can I host a virtual event?
You can host virtual events with the help of various virtual event platforms like Riverside, vFairs, Hopin, and others.
The type of online event that you’re hosting will massively influence the platform of your choice. If your event is akin to a trade show or a fair, then vFairs is the ideal platform solution. If your event is a live stream, then Riverside is better suited.
What is an example of a virtual platform?
vFair is a classic example of a virtual platform. It has customizable virtual venues, networking options, reporting and analytic features, and more.
Is Zoom a virtual platform?
Yes, Zoom is a virtual platform. With it, you can video conference with hundreds of people, and it has features like screen sharing, whiteboard, video recording options, and more.
Why are virtual platforms important?
Virtual platforms make it possible for people worldwide to communicate using video and audio.
They save money that would have to be spent in organizing in-person meetings, they help people communicate over long distances, and they help companies reach a large number of people across the world.
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