7 Leading Platforms for Online Conferences

We’re well into 2025, and virtual gatherings aren’t going anywhere. If anything, they’ve become more ingrained in our professional and social lives than ever before. The platform you choose can make or break your event—I've seen brilliant content flop on clunky platforms and mediocre content shine on the right one.

After spending the last few years hosting everything from intimate team meetings to multi-day conferences with thousands of attendees, I’ve developed some strong opinions about what works and what doesn’t in the virtual gathering space. 

This guide combines my personal experiences with the latest platform developments to help you navigate the increasingly crowded marketplace.

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Major Platforms Overview

1. Zoom

Zoom has dominated the virtual meeting space for years now, and for good reason. Its interface strikes that sweet spot between powerful functionality and ease of use. I’ve found it works equally well whether you’re running a quick team catch-up or a full-blown educational seminar.

Key features include:

• HD video and voice capabilities
• Simultaneous screen sharing
• Recording options in MP4 or M4A formats
• Breakout rooms for smaller discussions
• Keyboard and mouse control features
• Whiteboarding capabilities
• Free plan supporting up to 100 participants (40-minute limit)
• Paid plans offering up to 30 hours per meeting and 5GB cloud storage
• Support for large audiences (100 to 10,000 participants) with Webinar add-on
• Built-in streaming to YouTube/Facebook
• Comprehensive registration tools with custom emails

Zoom is particularly excellent for community-building events with its robust interactive features and widespread familiarity among users.

4.7 / 5 (2000 reviews)

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2. Hopin

We stumbled across Hopin when planning a three-day industry conference a few years back. We needed something that could handle concurrent sessions and create genuine networking opportunities—Zoom just wasn’t cutting it anymore for our specific needs.

Key features include:

• Multi-stage video streaming up to 4K
• Expo and vendor booth capabilities
• Networking through group chat and 1:1 video
• Interactive tools like polls and Q&A
• Detailed analytics on engagement
• Customizable branding options
• Free plan for events under 100 attendees
• Complete conference management with multiple session tracks

Hopin’s layout encourages attendee interaction, making it particularly effective for conferences that prioritize community engagement and networking opportunities.

4.5 / 5 (1500 reviews)

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3. Webex

Webex often gets overlooked in platform discussions, which is a shame because it brings some unique strengths to the table. If you’re in a regulated industry or in one with heightened security concerns, it’s a reliable platform to have.

This platform offers:

• End-to-end encryption on all plans including free version
• Closed captioning in multiple languages
• Ability to join overlapping meetings
• AI-powered assistant for transcription and meeting highlights
• Gesture controls for reactions
• Powerful video messaging features
• Support for up to 200 participants (Meet plan)

Webex tends to perform better than other platforms when participants have varying internet connection qualities—there seems to be better adaptive streaming technology under the hood.

4.3 / 5 (1200 reviews)

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4. Microsoft Teams

Teams sits in an interesting position in the virtual gathering ecosystem. It’s rarely anyone’s favorite platform, but it’s often the path of least resistance, especially in corporate environments already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Key features include:

• Capability to host up to 10,000 people on a single call
• HD video and screen sharing
• Recording capabilities
• Third-party app integration
• Free option for up to 60 minutes and 100 participants
• Slack-like file sharing and instant chat capabilities
• Webinar for <1000 attendees, Live Events for up to 5000+
• Often already approved in corporate settings with strict IT policies

The chat and file-sharing capabilities are particularly strong—they feel more like Slack than the typical in-meeting chat window. This creates more opportunities for asynchronous engagement around your synchronous event.

4.4 / 5 (1800 reviews)

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5. BigMarker

I first encountered BigMarker when a client insisted on a “premium feel” for their annual stakeholder meeting. The platform has one of the cleanest, most attractive interfaces I’ve seen in the virtual event space.

Key features include:

• Customizable event pages with powerful builder
• AI-powered networking features including Speed Networking
• Support for up to 50,000 attendees per event
• Netflix-style Video Hub for on-demand content
• HTML5-based with no downloads required
• Zapier integration for CRM connectivity
• Browser-based access (works across devices without plugins)
• White-labeling options for branding
• Attractive registration pages with customization

From a brand perspective, their white-labeling options are among the most comprehensive available. The registration pages look professional out of the box but can be extensively customized to match precise brand guidelines.

6. Airmeet

Airmeet entered my rotation of go-to platforms when I needed to create a truly interactive conference experience during the pandemic. Their focus on engagement-driven experiences makes them stand out in an increasingly crowded field.

Key features include:

• AI-powered networking that matches attendees based on profiles and interests
• Social Lounge feature allowing attendees to “join a table” and interact via video
• Scalability to host events for up to 100,000 attendees
• Extensive customization of virtual spaces to align with brand identity
• Strong accessibility features including closed captioning and screen reader support

7. HeySummit

HeySummit takes a different approach than most platforms on this list. Rather than being a video platform itself, it provides a framework for organizing events that can use various video solutions. This flexibility can be either liberating or frustrating, depending on your specific needs.

Key features include:

• Support for multiple event formats (in-person, hybrid, or online)
• Integration with various video platforms like Zoom and BigMarker
• Customizable landing pages that reflect your brand
• Speaker management tools that empower speakers to manage their profiles
• Flexibility to mix and match broadcast providers for different talks

The last item here in particular gives you the flexibility to optimize each session based on its specific requirements. This is useful for complex events with varying formats and audience sizes across sessions.

Additional Notable Platforms

Several other platforms deserve mention for their specialized capabilities:

1. ON24 offers a premium option with broadcast-quality experience and native Marketo integration—I’ve seen it used effectively for high-stakes product launches and investor events.
2. GoToWebinar (GTW) features an intuitive interface that works well for presenters who may not be technically savvy. Their integration capabilities with CRMs via Zapier streamline post-event follow-up processes.
3. Livestorm emphasizes interactive webinar experiences with no downloads required. Their engagement features are particularly strong, making them worth considering for educational content.
4. Remo created a unique virtual ballroom layout that allows attendees to mingle at virtual tables. It’s the closest I’ve seen to recreating the dynamics of in-person networking.
5. Accelevents handles large-scale events (up to 30,000 attendees) while maintaining reasonable performance. I’ve found their support team particularly responsive when technical issues arise.

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Essential Features to Consider

When I’m helping clients evaluate platforms for their virtual gatherings, I encourage them to look beyond the marketing claims and focus on features that will actually impact their event experience. Here are the factors that tend to make the biggest difference:

• Engagement Tools: Look for platforms that offer interactive features such as live polls, Q&A sessions, and breakout rooms to foster participation.
• User Experience: A clean and intuitive interface is vital for ensuring that attendees can easily navigate sessions and resources.
• Networking Opportunities: Features that facilitate networking, such as one-on-one meetings and discussion forums, can greatly enhance the value of the event.
• Multilingual Capabilities: For global events, ensure the platform can accommodate multiple languages to cater to diverse audiences.
• Analytics and Reporting: Robust analytics tools can provide insights into attendee engagement and feedback, helping to refine future events.
• Registration and Attendee Management: Comprehensive registration tools with custom emails and attendee tracking
• Technical Requirements: Consider whether browser-based solutions (easier IT approval) or download requirements might impact adoption
• Branding and Customization: Evaluate the level of white-labeling and customization available for your brand identity

Comparative Overview of Leading Platforms

I’ve put together this comparison table based on my experiences with these platforms across numerous events.

Keep in mind that features change frequently, and your experience may vary depending on your specific implementation.

*HeySummit itself is browser-based, but may utilize platforms requiring downloads

Pricing Considerations

Virtual event platform pricing varies widely and often includes hidden costs that only become apparent during implementation. Most platforms use tiered pricing models with significant differences between tiers.

• Free tiers: Usually limited by time (40-60 minutes) or participant count (25-100)
• Basic paid plans: Range from $99-169/month for medium-sized events (100-500 attendees)
• Enterprise plans: Custom pricing for large events (1,000+ attendees)

I’ve found that browser-based platforms like BigMarker and Livestorm often provide better overall value, as they eliminate the friction of downloads while offering robust feature sets. However, they sometimes lack the deep integration with corporate systems that platforms like Teams or Webex provide.

When evaluating platform costs, remember to factor in:

• Per-host charges that multiply quickly for teams
• Add-on fees for essential features like recordings or breakout rooms
• Storage costs for recorded content
• Integration expenses for connecting with your existing systems
• Support packages that may be essential for mission-critical events