Best Virtual Event Platforms for Businesses

Virtual events have become increasingly common over the last few years, especially with so much uncertainty around in-person events. This has meant identifying and finding the best virtual event platform for event organizers to ensure that the platform can support all kinds of events.

With many virtual events becoming hybrid events that some attend in person, it’s important to find the right platform to support all these needs. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best virtual event platforms out there to help make the search easier.

What are Virtual Platforms?

In today’s digital age, virtual platforms have emerged as a powerful tool for connecting people irrespective of geographical boundaries. Essentially, virtual platforms are digital environments powered by sophisticated virtual event software that facilitates hosting events online.

These platforms serve as a bridge, connecting event organizers to their target audience seamlessly. Whether it’s a workshop, conference, or global summit, these platforms are designed to manage every aspect of an online event.

Organizers can efficiently handle event registration, coordinate with attendees, disseminate essential information, and ensure the smooth execution of the event, whether it’s for an intimate gathering or a sprawling international audience.

The inherent flexibility and adaptability of virtual platforms have made them an indispensable resource in the modern event management toolkit.

How do I Select a Virtual Event Platform?

In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in connecting us, virtual events have become a staple for businesses and organizations worldwide.

However, transitioning from in-person to virtual events can be a daunting task, as it necessitates heightened engagement and meticulous organization.

With numerous platforms available, it’s crucial to know what features to prioritize to ensure a seamless event experience. Let’s delve into the essential elements to consider:

• Interactivity: At the heart of every successful virtual event lies robust audience engagement. Does the platform you’re considering offer interactive features like polls, Q&A sessions, and breakout rooms? Such tools can significantly enhance attendees’ involvement, making them feel more connected to the event.
• Event Management: Planning a virtual event involves various logistical components. An effective virtual event platform should simplify these tasks. Seek out features such as user-friendly scheduling, attendee management, automated invitations, and follow-ups. These tools not only ease the burden on planners but also guarantee that attendees have all the necessary information readily available.
• Flexibility: As the event landscape evolves, platforms need to be agile. Whether you’re planning a fully virtual, hybrid, or in-person event, the chosen platform should cater to all these formats, ensuring that the audience’s experience remains top-notch regardless of the event’s nature.
• Customizable: Branding plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your event. The platform you opt for should offer customization options that allow you to infuse the event with your brand’s essence, from logos and color schemes to personalized event landing pages.
• Mobile App: In today’s fast-paced world, attendees often prefer on-the-go solutions. Many top-tier virtual event platforms now offer dedicated mobile apps, making event management and participation more accessible, even when attendees are away from their desktops.
• Intuitive: A virtual platform should not just replicate an in-person event but enhance it. Features that simulate real-life interactions, such as virtual handshakes or networking lounges, can bridge the gap between virtual and physical, driving more profound attendee engagement and satisfaction.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Virtual Event Platforms

Virtual event platforms have redefined how we host, attend, and engage with events, from webinars to full-fledged conferences. The surge in their popularity means a plethora of options, making the selection process intricate. Here’s how we approached the evaluation of these platforms:

User Experience and Interface (10/10)

Participants’ engagement often hinges on a platform’s ease of use. We prioritize platforms that offer a clear, intuitive, and seamless experience for both hosts and attendees.

Interactivity Features (9/10)

A successful virtual event platform is one that is interactive and engaging. We appreciate platforms that include features such as polls, Q&A sessions, breakout rooms, and audience reactions.

Streaming Quality and Stability (9/10)

The essence of a virtual event is its online presence. We emphasize platforms that offer high-quality, stable streaming with minimal lag or downtime.

Integration and Customization (8/10)

The ability to integrate with other tools, like CRM systems or email marketing platforms, can streamline event management. Furthermore, customization options let brands align the platform’s look and feel with their identity.

Scalability (8/10)

From small workshops to massive global conferences, the platform should handle varying audience sizes without performance issues.

Security and Data Protection (8/10)

With increasing concerns about data privacy and security, we assess platforms based on their encryption standards, GDPR compliance, and overall data handling practices.

Mobile Responsiveness (7/10)

With a significant portion of users accessing events via mobile devices, platforms should offer a comparable experience on smaller screens.

Analytics and Reporting (7/10)

Post-event insights can lead to enhancements. We prefer virtual event platforms that offer comprehensive analytics on attendee behavior, engagement metrics, and feedback.

Pricing Structure (7/10)

Every event has a budget. We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of platforms, considering both their feature set and pricing tiers.

Customer Support and Resources (6/10)

Even the best platforms can pose challenges. We appreciate platforms backed by responsive customer support and a rich library of resources or tutorials.

Selecting a virtual event platform requires balancing numerous considerations, from user experience to backend analytics. Our methodology aims to assist businesses in navigating this choice, ensuring their events resonate and achieve desired outcomes.

Best Virtual Event Platforms for Businesses

When evaluating a virtual event platform, you’ll need to consider what features will help you host virtual events and where the platform fits in. In addition, you need to create truly immersive events that attendees will enjoy for event excellence.

That’s why it’s so important for teams and marketing professionals to choose the right event software for the best event experience possible. If you don’t have much experience holding virtual events, look into event planning tips with this technology. Let’s look at some of the best virtual event platforms available for business.

Hubilo

The Hubilo platform executes perfectly when it comes to running a great virtual conference or event since it focuses on driving engagement. Hubilo empowers event organizers to create a great event ecosystem while creating a great experience.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Immersive features
• Customization
• Reach a global audience
• Engagement tools
• Marketing automation integrations
• Analytics tools

Accelevents

Accelevents is a leading event technology platform for virtual and hybrid events platform. It offers the ability to create authentic human connections while enabling teams to capture actionable analytics to improve the event experience.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Ticketing and registration features
• Breakout rooms for networking
• Engagement tools
• Security and privacy
• Integrated live streaming

EventHub

Many event professionals use Eventhub to run a successful event. Eventhub allows for hybrid virtual events, including virtual booths and multiple integrations.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Registration forms
• Event marketing integrations
• Live streaming
• Virtual booths
• Analytics

Hubb

Hubb is an exceptionally valuable tool for organizing successful virtual events, as it provides event planners with unmatched control to customize the event to their specific needs.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual, in-person, and hybrid events.

Key features include:

• Interactive features for immersive experiences
• Event Automation
• Live streaming
• Virtual booths
• 3D expo halls
• Scalable

Zoom

Zoom is a great virtual event platform and, by far, one of the most popular options for hosting virtual events. It has a host of features to make event planning easier for virtual exhibitions and events.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events

Key features include:

• Breakout rooms
• Business tool integrations
• Analytics
• All-in-one virtual event platform
• Ticketing and registration features

Dreamcast

Dreamcast is another virtual conference platform to consider for your next virtual event, as it has a host of features that make it easy to host, organize, and run successful events.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events

Key features include:

• Reach a global audience
• Flexible customization
• Secure technology
• Multiformat engagement features
• Networking tools

VFairs

If you’re running a large event, VFairs is definitely one of the top virtual events platforms to consider. VFairs offers a wide range of features and support for different types of events, making it a good choice.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Immersive and lifelike virtual environments
• Specialized event features
• Accessibility
• Virtual exhibit halls
• Interactive tools

6connex

6Connex is designed to make event management easier for professionals. Event managers can use 6Connex and its powerful features to run immersive virtual events through the virtual events platform.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Perpetual virtual venues
• Business tool integrations
• Engagement features
• Extensive security and privacy protocols
• Insights and analytics

Hopin

Hopin offers a smooth, easy experience for running events and can help with reaching engagement and event excellence. It includes a variety of useful features to make managing and running events smooth and easy.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: virtual, hybrid, and in-person events

Key features include:

• Virtual venues
• Live streams
• Immersive experience
• Event marketing
• Onsite capabilities, if needed
• Event Analytics

Airmeet

Airmeet offers a range of compelling features and capabilities that assist event managers in organizing virtual events on a larger scale. From intimate team meetings to large-scale global gatherings, Airmeet provides all the necessary tools to ensure a successful event.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events

Key features include:

• Customizable virtual venues
• Live streams on Facebook and Youtube
• Mobile features to connect audiences
• Event planning and marketing
• Interactive booths
• Event Analytics

Cvent

If you want greater flexibility in managing virtual conferences, Cvent is an excellent virtual event platform that brings significant value to business events. Moreover, with its diverse range of event types, businesses can easily transition from virtual to in-person formats as required.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: virtual, hybrid, and in-person events

Key features include:

• Engagement features
• Event marketing
• Content management
• Attendance tracking
• Mobile app capabilities for audiences
• Onsite capabilities, if needed
• Customization

Whova

Whova is another all-in-one platform solution for running multiple types of events. Whova has extensive reach and lots of different features, whether you’re running large events or smaller ones.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: virtual, hybrid, and in-person events

Key features include:

• Event app
• Registration management
• Event management
• Event marketing tools
• Sponsorship features
• Audience engagement

PheedLoop

PheedLoop makes it simple and easy to run large and small events. PheedLoop has powerful automation features to make event management less time-consuming and allows for a wide variety of event types depending on business needs.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: virtual, hybrid, and in-person events

Key features include:

• Live streaming
• Registration management tools
• Mobile and web app for event
• Event attendee management
• Live video booths
• Audience engagement and analytics

Socio

Socio enables businesses to build out their event in minutes, with powerful features to get audiences engaged and interested. With its sleek design and easy user experience, Socio has become a popular virtual event platform among large and small businesses.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: virtual, hybrid, and in-person events

Key features include:

• End-to-end event management
• Interactive audience engagement features
• Onsite capabilities, if needed
• Networking features, including virtual communities
• Mobile event app
• Customizable

SpotMe

SpotMe specializes in B2B event management and offers a variety of impressive features that simplify the event planning process for businesses. Its capabilities enable users to create exceptional events and manage them comprehensively while also ensuring that attendees remain interested and engaged.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events and hybrid events

Key features include:

• End-to-end event management on mobile and desktop
• Interactive audience engagement features
• Interactive newsfeed for updates and attendee information
• Analytics and Audience Insight
• Customizable

BigMarker

BigMarker is another solid option if you want to do online and hybrid events. It has a host of innovative and intuitive features, making it a great experience for businesses running the event and attendees.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Interactive live streams
• Business tool integrations
• Flexible formats and modules
• Registration and event management
• Customizable virtual events

Hexafair

Hexafair is an all-in-one virtual event platform that supports trade fairs, conferences, and networking to create a truly immersive experience for attendees. The 3D features and functionalities make it feel truly lifelike and enable event managers to host high-quality events for attendees.

Available on: Desktop and mobile

Best for: Virtual events and hybrid events

Key features include:

• Exhibitors booths in. 3D environment
• Speakers & Sponsors management
• Social networking
• Audio and video streaming
• Business tool integrations
• Scale events as needed

Comparison of Top Virtual Event Platforms

For businesses seeking the right platform to host their virtual events, it’s essential to compare options at a glance. Below is a comparison table highlighting the primary features, availability, and best usage of the top virtual event platforms mentioned in this article.

What are Hybrid Virtual Events?

Hybrid virtual events are the fusion of the traditional and the contemporary, combining the immersive experience of in-person gatherings with the reach and accessibility of online events.

At their core, these events offer the best of both worlds: attendees have the choice to be present physically or connect virtually through a specialized virtual, hybrid event platform. Given this dual nature, hybrid events present unique challenges.

Attendees, whether in-person or online, expect an engaging and memorable experience. It’s not merely about broadcasting an event to a virtual audience; it’s about integrating both audiences cohesively.

This delicate equilibrium makes the choice of the right platform crucial. The ideal platform should effortlessly merge the physical and digital realms, ensuring that no attendee, irrespective of their mode of participation, feels left out or undervalued.

Ensuring that both groups receive equal attention and a high-quality experience is paramount to the success of hybrid virtual events.

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