5 Best Virtual Summit Software & Platforms (All Budgets) 2024

Virtual events and summits are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, a whopping 90% of event organizers believe that all large-scale events will be hybrid or virtual within the next 2 years.

By choosing the right software solutions, you can take advantage of growing virtual opportunities. You’ll be empowered to craft higher-quality event materials and deliver a better experience for your attendees. This helps people connect remotely and develop a positive view of your brand.

Want to start hosting virtual summits but feeling unsure of which tools you can rely on? Here are 5 of the best virtual summit software platforms on the market and how you can make them work for your needs.

What is virtual summit software?

Virtual summit software is a technology designed to support mass digital communication. They allow you to broadcast events around the world in real-time.

A good virtual summit software system will include all of the features you need to make your event a success. This may range from recording and editing capabilities to screen share capacity and audience engagement tools.

In a world where more than 40% of events are already going digital, virtual summit software can help you reach more people and communicate your ideas on a global scale.

How to choose the best virtual summit software: 3 Factors

When selecting virtual summit software, you should consider a few key factors to ensure you’re making the right choice.

Built-in features

All software systems are unique, so it’s important to think carefully about what you really need.

Are you looking for a tool that allows you to share your screen or set participants up in breakout rooms for discussion? Do you need a tool that can natively record or apply branding elements? What about live chat features to boost audience engagement?

By planning ahead for the way you will use your virtual summit software, you can allow your requirements and specifications to guide your decision. This can help you choose a platform that is up to the task.

Ease of use

Some virtual summit software tools are simple and easy to use, while others require a steeper learning curve. This is an important consideration to be aware of.

Do you feel confident using digital tools and applications, or do you prefer simple, straightforward systems that rely on only basic technical skills? Do you have access to support if you need it, or are you capable of troubleshooting on your own?

Ideally, you should choose a software platform that aligns with your existing skill level while allowing room for you to grow and improve. You need to feel comfortable using your software and benefiting from its full suite of features.

Software pricing

There are many software tools on the market, which means that there’s something to suit every budget. You need to think about your investment.

Are you planning to use virtual summit software just once, or are you prepared to invest in better quality as part of a long-term commitment? Do you have funds available to upgrade your tools? What return on investment do you expect to see from hosting virtual summits?

By thinking carefully about your budget, you can make an informed financial decision. This will help you balance quality and affordability as you search for the best software that doesn’t break the bank.

5 best virtual summit software platforms for 2024

Wondering which virtual summit software platforms are best? Here are our top 5 recommendations and the benefits they can offer you.

Riverside

Price: From free to $24 / month

Riverside delivers studio quality within a simple, user-friendly platform. You can rely on intuitive tools to host live calls and record video and audio content effortlessly. Record with up to 9 guests, and you’ll receive separate audio, video, and screen-share tracks for each participant. You can stream to up to 1000 audience members directly on Riverside or multistream to other platforms, including YouTube, LinkedIn, or any custom RTMP. You can even invite your audience members to call in live. Everything records locally, so you won’t need to worry about internet ruining your recording quality.

When you’re done recording, you can use our AI Editor to polish your video seamlessly fast. With text-based editing and AI features, editing is as simple as a few quick clicks.

Pros:

• Achieves up to 4K video resolution and 48kHz sound quality
• Includes presentation recorder tool to capture slides effortlessly
• Intuitive teleprompter to keep conversations on track while recording
• Remote recording for up to 9 guests and 1,000 audience members
• All-in-one recording and editing features built into the system
• AI-powered transcriptions and captions generated automatically
• Easy video repurposing using Magic Clips AI technologies
• Text-based editing tools so you can trim your recordings as easily as deleting text

Cons:

• A paid subscription is required to access the full suite of features
• 1000 audience member limit

vFairs

Price: Custom quotes

vFairs is a purpose-built virtual summit software tool with a wide range of event-specific inclusions. The platform allows for complete control over onscreen elements, along with branding customization and AI data tracking. With vFairs, you can host large-scale virtual summits while simultaneously integrating hybrid or in-person elements as needed.

Pros:

• Built-in group networking and gamification tools to boost event engagement
• Personalized event landing page and email marketing materials
• Immersive virtual environment with 3D rendering included

Cons:

• May require a steep learning curve for newer virtual summit hosts
• Prices for a custom event can require a large upfront investment

HeySummit

Price: From $37 - $262 / month

HeySummit is a summit-specific software tool designed for easy use and comprehensive capability, even if you have limited technology skills. With this platform, you’ll have access to live broadcasting and recording tools, along with a customizable landing page builder. HeySummit also includes easy speaker branding and event analytics to help you monitor performance.

Pros:

• User-friendly features that are easily accessible to both hosts and participants
• Self-service customization tools for editing multiple speaker profiles
• Details analytics focusing on attendees, watch time, engagement, and so on

Cons:

• Integration with another platform is required to host live events
• Feature suite may be more limited than other summit-hosting platforms

SpotMe

Price: From $400 to $26,700 / month

SpotMe is a high-end software solution built for large enterprises! The program includes functionality for both live and on-demand events. It also offers breakout rooms and two-way in-event communication between hosts and participants. With SpotMe, you can access all required add-ons in one convenient location while benefiting from high-quality content results.

Pros:

• Extensive catalog of add-ons and summit-hosting extensions available
• Strong engagement tools to drive participation and community building
• Assistance and support provided throughout the event life cycle

Cons:

• High price is out of range for most smaller businesses and creators
• Software may require a learning curve to make use of all included features

LineUpr

Price: From free to $489 / event

LineUpr is an online summit tool with great engagement and networking inclusions. This platform allows you to combine virtual, hybrid, and in-person elements to engage participants no matter where they are. You can even host a summit for up to 50 people for free! The software tool provides excellent branding and sponsorship controls, along with a great user-friendly interface.

Pros:

• Engagement tools, including, polls, messages, surveys, and more
• Offline functionality to provide access to users even without internet connection
• Intuitive interface with easy functionality for social media event sharing

Cons:

• A paid plan will be required to access all tools and features
• Platform may be unfamiliar to some users, requiring a learning curve

Bonus: 5 best practices for hosting a successful virtual summit

When it comes to hosting a successful virtual summit, there are a few essential best practices you should keep in mind.

Have a clear plan

Hosting a virtual summit can deliver excellent return on investment if you play your cards right. That’s why going into the experience with a robust plan is so important.

Think about what you want your summit to achieve and the ideas you want to articulate. Consider how best to make big-picture topics digestible for an online audience.

Allow time for breaks and questions where participants can think about what you’re communicating. Use visual materials where possible to add context and instruction.

Planning ahead will help you ensure you cover all important topics and provide a positive experience for all who attend your summit.

Know your audience

Next, it’s critical that you have a strong understanding of the audience you serve. This can help you learn how to communicate best with them.

Consider who your virtual summit is for, and get to know who will be attending. What ideas are important to these people? What language will they respond to?

Aim to communicate in ways that align with your audience’s skills and interests. Focus on offering value and solutions.

The more you know about your audience, the more effectively you can tailor your communications to produce the best virtual event possible.

Optimize for mobile

Many virtual summit attendees use mobile devices to connect, so it’s essential that you optimize your content to support both mobile and desktop viewing.

When checking your technology, make sure you plan for mobile attendees. Will slides be visible and easy to read on a smaller screen?

Try to create summit materials that allow users to engage across a range of devices, and don’t be afraid to ask participants how else you can adapt.

By optimizing for a broader range of channels and devices, you can help more people get more out of what you have to say.

Use emails wisely

Email marketing can be a valuable resource when it comes to encouraging people to register for a summit, but use them wisely.

Send well-crafted, well-branded marketing emails that communicate the value of your event and that sum up key messages after the summit is over.

Avoid spamming event attendees with excess post-event materials or requests. One or two great emails are better than many mediocre ones.

Remember, by being thoughtful about email marketing, you can work to maintain trust with your audience. This will help you build lasting connections and relationships.

Measure performance

Finally, measure performance from your virtual summit and use this information to guide you through future events.

Use your software tools to analyze registrants, attendees, watch time, engagement rates, and more. Think about how you can use these metrics to improve.

Action feedback from your summit attendees as you work to produce more virtual events. Look for ways to deliver a better experience going forward.

When you measure performance and respond to what you learn, you can continue improving and hosting better virtual summits than ever.

FAQs on virtual summit software

Still unsure about virtual summit software? Here are our answers to a few frequently asked questions!

What is a virtual summit?

A virtual summit is an online event that unites industry experts and business leaders in a digital space. This allows people to share ideas and discuss relevant topics that support career growth and professional development.

How do I create an online summit?

Creating an online summit is easy when you have the right tools to help you! Simply choose the software program that aligns with your needs, and follow the prompts to set up your first event.

How long should a virtual summit be?

Virtual summits vary in length depending on the topic and availability of hosts and participants. Your summit may take place over a few hours or even span up to 3 days.

How is a summit different from a conference?

A summit serves an exclusive audience with highly specific interests in a topic or field. A virtual conference is usually more general, communicating with lower-level professionals and articulating broader-scope ideas.

Final thoughts

Hosting a virtual summit can be a powerful tool for your business and your professional growth. The right software can help you showcase your credibility and high performance.

If you’re interested in delivering an excellent virtual summit experience, you’ve come to the right place. Start your online event with Riverside today.