Best Virtual Event Platforms in 2026: 8 Platforms Compared
- 1
RingCentral EventsVideo-first virtual and hybrid conferencesVisit - 2
Zoom EventsWebinars and conferences for Zoom usersVisit - 3
WhovaConferences with strong attendee networkingVisit - 4
AirmeetInteractive events with virtual loungesVisit - 5
BigMarkerWebinars and conferences with automationVisit
- RingCentral Events, formerly Hopin, suits video-first virtual and hybrid conferences with stages, networking and expo areas.
- Zoom Events suits teams already on Zoom, while Whova suits conferences that need strong attendee networking and agenda apps.
- Hopin-style per-organizer pricing suits events with many attendees, because registrations are unlimited on paid plans.
- Test networking and expo features with real attendees before event day, because demo videos hide friction in live use.
Quick comparison
| Product | Ideal for | Price from | Free version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RingCentral Events | Video-first virtual and hybrid conferences | $99 per organizer per month | Free trial | Visit |
| Zoom Events | Webinars and conferences for Zoom users | See website | Free trial | Visit |
| Whova | Conferences with strong attendee networking | See website | No | Visit |
| Airmeet | Interactive events with virtual lounges | $99 per month | Free trial | Visit |
| BigMarker | Webinars and conferences with automation | $79 per month | Free trial | Visit |
 vFairs | Virtual expos and fairs with 3D halls | See website | No | Visit |
 Bizzabo | Hybrid events for large corporate teams | See website | No | Visit |
 ON24 | Large-scale webinars and digital events | See website | No | Visit |
The best virtual event platforms
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews to build this list of 8 options for best virtual event platforms. Prices were checked in October 2026 and can change, so confirm the current price on the vendor site before you buy. Our pick for most people is the first option that fits your budget and workflow, not necessarily the most expensive tool on the list. Read the quick comparison first to narrow the field, then read the full write-ups for the two or three options that fit your needs best.
RingCentral Events
Ideal for: Video-first virtual and hybrid conferences
RingCentral Events, formerly Hopin, offers a virtual venue with reception, stages, networking and expo areas, plus a production studio for multi-speaker events. Unlimited webinars, events and registrations on paid plans suit large audiences. AI clips and transcripts help repurpose content.
Per-organizer pricing grows as the events team grows, and onsite and hybrid tools need Pro+ or higher. Setup is also more complex than simple webinar tools. For video-first conferences, RingCentral Events is a leader.
- Virtual venue with stages, networking and expo
- Unlimited registrations on paid plans
- AI clips
- Per-organizer pricing grows with team size
- Hybrid features need Pro+
- Setup is complex
Zoom Events
Ideal for: Webinars and conferences for Zoom users
Zoom Events suits teams already on Zoom, extending meetings and webinars into conferences with registration, ticketing, expo and networking. Attendees already know Zoom, which cuts support on event day. For Zoom-based organizations, the familiarity is valuable.
Large conference production and customization lag RingCentral Events, and best value needs existing Zoom plans. Complex multi-track events may need higher tiers. For Zoom-centric events, Zoom Events is the natural pick.
- Familiar Zoom meetings and webinars
- Registration and ticketing
- Expo and networking options
- Best value needs Zoom plans
- Large conference features lag RingCentral
- Customization is limited
Whova
Ideal for: Conferences with strong attendee networking
Whova excels at conference attendee experience, with an agenda app, networking, matchmaking, ticketing and check-in for in-person, virtual and hybrid events. Attendees use it to plan sessions and meet peers, which drives satisfaction. For attendee-led conferences, Whova is strong.
Pricing is quote based on event size, so budgeting needs a sales conversation. Virtual stage depth also lags RingCentral Events. For conferences where networking matters most, Whova is a top pick.
- Agenda app
- Attendee networking and matchmaking
- Ticketing and check-in
- Pricing is quote based
- Virtual stage depth lags RingCentral
- Setup needs planning
Airmeet
Ideal for: Interactive events with virtual lounges
Airmeet focuses on interactive events, with virtual lounges, networking tables, stages and expo areas that encourage attendee conversation. Engagement tools such as polls, Q&A and chat keep sessions lively. For networking-led virtual events, Airmeet is distinctive.
Entry pricing is high for small events, and branding depth needs higher tiers. Setup also takes time to configure lounges and stages. For interactive virtual events, Airmeet is worth a trial.
- Virtual lounges and networking tables
- Stages and expo
- Engagement tools
- Entry price is high for small events
- Branding depth needs higher tiers
- Setup takes time
BigMarker
Ideal for: Webinars and conferences with automation
BigMarker suits webinars and conferences with strong automation, including registration, landing pages, reminders and follow-up. That automation saves time for marketing teams running frequent webinars. Analytics track attendance and engagement.
The interface is functional rather than polished, and large conference features lag RingCentral Events. Pricing also rises with features. For automated webinars at scale, BigMarker is a practical pick.
- Webinar automation
- Registration and landing pages
- Analytics
- Interface is functional
- Large conference features lag RingCentral
- Pricing rises with features
vFairs
Ideal for: Virtual expos and fairs with 3D halls
vFairs specializes in virtual expos and fairs, with 3D exhibition halls, booths, chat and lead capture that mimic a trade show floor. That suits expos, job fairs and university fairs where booth interaction matters. Hybrid support covers in-person plus virtual.
Pricing is custom, and setup is complex for a 3D expo, so simple webinars should use a simpler tool. For virtual expos, vFairs is a specialist leader.
- 3D virtual exhibition halls
- Booths and lead capture
- Hybrid event support
- Custom pricing
- Setup is complex
- Overkill for simple webinars
Bizzabo
Ideal for: Hybrid events for large corporate teams
Bizzabo suits large corporate hybrid events, with registration, agenda, AI matchmaking and analytics across in-person and virtual audiences. That enterprise depth helps marketing teams run flagship conferences. For large hybrid programs, Bizzabo is a serious platform.
Pricing is quote only, with enterprise contracts, so small teams cannot simply sign up. Setup also needs resources. For large corporate hybrid events, Bizzabo deserves a demo.
- Hybrid event management
- AI attendee matchmaking
- Registration and analytics
- Quote-only pricing
- Enterprise focus
- Setup needs resources
ON24
Ideal for: Large-scale webinars and digital events
ON24 focuses on large-scale webinars and digital events, with engagement tools, analytics and marketing automation integrations. That suits B2B marketing teams running webinars for lead generation at scale. Reporting connects attendance to pipeline, which matters for enterprise marketing.
Pricing is custom, and the interface is complex for small teams. Simple webinars are cheaper on Zoom or BigMarker. For large webinar programs, ON24 is an enterprise standard.
- Webinar and virtual event suite
- Engagement and analytics
- Marketing automation integrations
- Custom pricing
- Interface is complex
- Overkill for small webinars
How we picked these
We started from the topic and shortlisted products that exist and work today, then checked each vendor homepage, pricing page and free tier. We compared feature pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews, and we dropped any product whose homepage could not be verified or whose price could not be checked. Where a price was unclear or varied by region, we wrote See website rather than guessing a number. That rule kept the list honest, even where a neat price would have made the comparison table look tidier.
We also weighed fit over fame. A well-known product stayed on the list only if it truly fits the topic, and smaller tools earned a place when they served a clear use case better. No product here was tested hands-on for this article, and no vendor paid for placement.
Price and free-tier details matter most when plans change often, so we favoured products with clear published pricing and a trial or free tier where one exists. If a vendor changed a plan after our check, the vendor site is the correct source, and the ranking here still reflects fit, not just price. That check takes extra time, but it prevents a shortlist built on outdated pricing or a product that no longer exists.
Choosing a virtual event platform by event format and audience size
Start with format: webinars need simple registration and Q&A, conferences need multi-track stages and networking, and expos need booths and lead capture. Then check attendee experience on mobile, because many attendees join from phones. Finally, confirm recording, analytics and integration needs with your CRM and marketing tools.
Before you pay, run a trial on a real task from your own work, not a demo file. Check export formats, mobile access and support hours, because those details decide whether a tool survives daily use. Also check renewal terms and cancellation steps, since a cheap first year can become an expensive second year if renewal jumps. Finally, ask who will own setup and training, because a tool nobody is responsible for tends to fall out of use within a few months. Keep a short note on why you picked the winner, so a future review can judge it against the same criteria instead of starting from scratch.
A useful final test is to imagine the tool in six months, when the first excitement has faded and the work is routine. If the daily steps are still quick, the cost is still clear, and the support route is still obvious, the choice is likely sound. If any of those three answers is unclear, use the trial period to get a clear answer before committing to an annual plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best virtual event platform for conferences?
RingCentral Events and Whova suit conferences, with RingCentral leading on video-first stages and Whova leading on attendee networking and agenda apps. Zoom Events suits Zoom-based conferences.
How much does Hopin cost now?
Hopin is now RingCentral Events, with Pro from $99 per organizer a month billed annually, Pro+ from $199, and Enterprise from $299. Registrations are unlimited on paid plans.
Can virtual event platforms handle hybrid events?
Yes, on higher tiers. RingCentral Events Pro+ and Enterprise add onsite and hybrid tools, while Whova, Bizzabo and Cvent cover hybrid registration and attendee apps.
Do attendees need to install software to join?
Most major platforms run in a browser for attendees, with mobile apps for agenda and networking. Check browser requirements and test on attendee devices before event day.