Alexis Kestler
The global pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual events to keep businesses connected while maintaining social distancing protocols. As per statistics, over 80% of event organizers have already pivoted to virtual or hybrid event formats.
With remote work becoming the new normal, virtual events now allow effortless networking opportunities without geographical barriers. No surprise they are emerging as the go-to platform for everything, from internal meetings to large-scale conferences.
This guide shares an exhaustive list of some top-tier virtual events software to host immersive online experiences.
What is a Virtual Event Platform?
A virtual event platform is a SaaS software equipped with tools to host online events like conferences, trade fairs, workshops, town halls and more.
The all-in-one solutions come packed with facilities for ticketing, branding, speaker and attendee management. Robust engagement features like polls, Q&A, chat, gamification captivate the digital audience throughout the session.
Built-in analytics offer data-backed insights on attendee participation and event ROI.
Key Use Cases of Virtual Events Platforms
Here are some typical use cases catered by virtual event solutions:
- Conferences: Host large-scale conferences, seminars, keynotes with speakers across geographies
- Recruitment fairs: Attract and engage prospective candidates through immersive online experiences
- Product launches: Organize virtual product release events to generate buzz at reduced costs
- Townhalls: Stream company town halls, shareholder meetings to employees and stakeholders
- Workshops & Trainings: Conduct online workshops, hands-on training programs for employees/customers
- Award shows: Organize annual gala nights to announce awards and connect industries
- Hybrid events: Combine virtual event software with select in-person activities
5 Must-Have Features in Virtual Events Platform
While exploring options, consider if the platform checks at least these five boxes:
- Easy to use: Intuitive dashboards and setup workflows
- Engaging: Interactive elements like chat, polls, Q&A, gamification
- Scalable: Equipped to host events with 100 to 100k attendees
- Customizable: Branding, themes, landing pages, emails and more
- Integrations: Connect to marketing, payment, analytics tools
6 Best Practices to Run Successful Virtual Events
Here are some proven tactics to drive better turnout and engagement at virtual events:
1. Choose the Right Platform
Align platform capabilities like audience size, features, budget to your specific event goals.
For small events, leverage free social media live streaming tools like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and embed feeds into a registration-gated website.
For larger turnouts, opt for an end-to-end virtual events platform reviewed later in this guide. Their superior features and dedicated support help execute memorable events.
2. Promote the Event
To drive registrations and attendance, promote the event across multiple channels:
- Send out email campaigns and calendar invites
- Share teasers and updates on social media
- Run targeted ads to reach wider audiences
- Ask influencers or partners to help co-promote
3. Keep Attendees Engaged
An interactive event ensures the audience stays glued throughout the sessions. Virtual events platforms unlock various engagement triggers like Q&A, polls, chat, gamification features and niche networking opportunities.
4. Repurpose the Content
Recording event sessions allows repurposing content across other formats later.
Consider chopping recordings into snackable clips for social media or as a podcast episode. The website can also host an on-demand video gallery for attendees to catchup on missed sessions.
13 Best Virtual Events Platforms Compared
Here is an exhaustive feature comparison of some top virtual events software:
Next, let‘s review the capabilities of each platform in detail:
Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect packs an advanced virtual events toolkit complete with management, engagement and analytical capabilities.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/N7aaD6-Q760”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
The solution simplifies event tasks right from planning to post-event reporting. Customizable themes, branding and landing pages help match event aesthetics.
The virtual venue supports multi-track events with flexible session scheduling. Robust security protocols ensure data privacy.
With Adobe Connect, event organizers can deliver screen sharing-based webinars or townhalls to over 10k attendees.
It captures attendee data to derive actionable insights for better engagement. Further integrations with marketing platforms like Marketo and Eloqua help drive event campaigns.
Pricing plans are available for both enterprises and SMBs.
The Events Calendar
The Events Calendar is a top-rated WordPress plugin optimized for promoting virtual events.
It auto-embeds conferencing links from tools like Zoom and WebEx into the frontend event listings.
The inbuilt ticketing system lets you implement gated-access to virtual events using RSVPs. Further monetization options are unlocked using ticketing and donations plugins from the same suite.
With specialized SEO optimization, virtual event listings on The Events Calendar get higher visibility on search engines.
Setting up is straightforward by just installing this open-source plugin and connecting to a payment processor like Stripe. It works seamlessly with popular WordPress page builders and themes as well.
The Events Calendar subscriptions start from $199 per year for use on a single site.
Hopin
Hopin brings multiple engaging experiences like networking, breakout sessions, Q&A within one streamlined virtual venue powered by data-driven insights.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/oS5FYyZFY5U”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
Its networking features encourage meaningful conversations via chat, 1-1 video meets and small groups. Gamification through impromptu polls and quizzes keep audiences hooked throughout sessions.
As the self-service platform offers multiple monetization avenues, organizers can effectively generate revenues from virtual events via ticketing, sponsorships and exhibitor booths.
The solution also captures attendee data to reveal marketing qualified leads for driving further business. Its robust integrations with marketing automation platforms like HubSpot and Marketo simplify post-event follow-ups.
Available pricing plans scale from basic to enterprise-level needs.
Airmeet
Airmeet‘s dynamic virtual venue attempts recreating real-life event experiences with a lobby area, thematic halls, exhibitor floors and lounge spaces.
The feature-packed solution also unlocks multiple formats to accommodate sessions, workshops, demos, townhalls within one platform.
Its networking algorithm connects like-minded attendees for more meaningful conversations beyond just exchanging contact cards. Gamification via built-in quizzes and leaderboard boost audience participation.
Airmeet provides detailed analytical insights on attendance, engagement and event income. Further integrations with marketing and payments tools offer seamless post-event follow-ups.
It can comfortably host up to 1 lakh attendees and live stream to social media platforms.
Bevy
Built for marketers, Bevy optimizes virtual events for maximum audience engagement and data capture for sales leads.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/vHTf1TrqkEg”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
Its intuitive yet flexible event builder allows designing specialized branded environments comprising of various formats like fireside chats, workshops, round tables and more.
Engagement analytics reveal data like NPS scores and attendee sentiment to iteratively improve event experiences. Further CRM and marketing integrations simplify generating event ROI with shortlisted leads.
Bevy also provides an on-demand support team and a playbook covering best practices to guarantee event success.
HeySummit
HeySummit positions itself as a straighforward DIY platform for individuals to host all kinds of virtual events.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/EUgx6axA5uI”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
It provides built-in tools create registration forms, email templates and landing pages to promote your online event.
HeySummit also supports embedding popular live streaming platforms like YouTube, Zoom, Google Meet, enabling you to directly broadcast from tools you already use.
Inbuilt analytics offer insights on registrations and attendance to iteratively improve events. It also maintains video libraries allowing sharing recorded event content post-sessions as well.
Its pricing plans currently support unlimited events and attendees with bulk discounts available as well.
Livestorm
Livestorm‘s intuitive interface simplifies planning and executing interactive online events within minutes.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/QKjdNWWZ8B0”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
The software equips organizers with facilities for audience engagement via polls, Q&A and chat right from its word go plan supporting 50 attendees.
Specialized networking algorithms auto-match attendees for private 1-1 meetings to enable meaningful conversations.
Its direct video streaming integration saves hassles of embedding external platforms. Customizable post-event surveys also reveal attendee feedback for improving future events.
From marketing integrations to detailed analytical insights on event campaign ROI, Livestorm caters to all virtual event workflow needs.
SpatialChat
SpatialChat brings team collaboration tools to build branded virtual venues like conference halls, meetup spaces, company hubs and more.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/vHTf1TrqkEg”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
The secure browser-based platform supports embedding presentations, images, videos and co-watching YouTube videos with SpatialChat groups. Attendees can network via audio/video chat and direct messaging as well.
Moderation settings give organizers control over audience permissions. Its highly customizable web-based space also allows configuring private rooms and custom backgrounds.
SpatialChat pricing plans currently offer unlimited users, spaces, messages and meetings. Enterprise-level plans unlock added admin settings and SSO integration.
Swapcard
Swapcard positions itself as an elevated virtual venue builder packing tools simplified for non-techies to execute stunning online events.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/OrmfgmbSPjU”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
The DIY event builder offers multiple engagement triggers like specialized networking algorithms, built-in mini-apps, polls and gamification.
Its flexible theming options, branding customizations and seamless event app creation capabilities help match offline event experiences. Swapcard also captures attendee data for sales lead generation and auto-syncing with the CRM.
Swapcard supports video streaming across social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo right from its interface. The software also maintains robust access and data security protocols.
Cisco Webex Events
Cisco Webex Events offers a unified platform to streamline tasks across virtual, hybrid and in-person events.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/V1AIu54yKlw”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
Its flexible event builder supports multiple formats like trainings, town halls, conferences, recruitment drives and more. Organizers also get access to best practice playbooks and expert planning services.
Webex Events offer robust integrations with Webex Meetings for session hosting and Webex devices for event setup and live streaming. It also captures attendee data and interaction analytics for calculating event ROI.
Networking features connect audiences across geographies through chat, meetups and private conversations. Gamification via real-time quizzes and trivia boost participation as well.
The solution offers enterprise-level security, compliance and accessibility support.
Zoom Events
Zoom Events brings the trusted Zoom Meetings interface customized for marketing, hosting and monetizing virtual events.
{% embed {“type”: “video”, “url”: “https://youtu.be/V8BzENHw9eM”, “providerName”: “YouTube”} %}
It provides an always-on virtual venue to advertise offerings via custom landing pages, virtual lobbies, sponsored sessions and more.
The software captures participant data like demographics, engagement levels and contact info to reveal sales insights. Further integrations with marketing software like Hubspot simplify generating leads.
Audience engagement avenues like networking, chat, Q&A, surveys keep attendees hooked throughout the event. Post-event reporting also offers data to iteratively enhance events.
Available plans provide flexible pricing for Basic, Pro and Business tiers suiting varying organizational needs.
Key Takeaways: Choosing the Best Platform for Your Virtual Event
The need for virtual events is slated to grow as remote interactions become the norm across industries. But only a strategic platform pick aligned to event goals guarantees an engaging and ROI-driving online event.
So do assess your must-have use case priorities across audience size, budgets, customizations, analytics, integrations and more before on-boarding any platform.
Leveraging the guide’s comparative insights on leading solutions simplifies shortlisting an apt future-proof platform matching your event format and scale needs.
Next, explore tools to support specific workflows like virtual event promotion, attendee management and event web hosting.
