The trade show landscape is saturated with different management software, each promising to streamline logistics, boost engagement, and guarantee seamless execution.
To simplify your search for the perfect software, we evaluated more than 50 solutions and created a definitive list of the top 12 virtual trade show platforms in 2024. Our research included key areas like feature sets, user experience, pricing models, customer support, and industry-tailored features.
We further prioritized ease of use, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that every option on the list caters to your specific needs and budget.
How to Choose The Best Virtual Trade Show Platforms
Choosing the best virtual trade show management software isn’t a one-size-fits-all game. The number of exhibitors and logistical needs will heavily influence your software choice.
- Ensure your software has sufficient features to keep attendees engaged throughout their time.
- Look for options that can handle an increasing number of exhibitors, attendees, and features without requiring a complete overhaul.
- Scrutinize the software’s security measures and privacy policies.
- Ensure they meet industry standards and offer robust data encryption and access controls. Your reputation (and legal standing) depends on it.
- Most reputable software providers offer free demos. Take advantage of this opportunity to test-drive the software yourself.
Key Features of Virtual Trade Show Platforms
Certain features are deal-breakers, no matter the exhibition size. Make sure your software offers:
- Registration and ticketing: Online registration, ticketing options, and barcode scanning are crucial for smooth attendee flow. Check out our review of top event registration platforms.
- Exhibitor management: Streamline booth assignment, communication, and lead generation for exhibitors.
- Event scheduling and logistics: Easily manage sessions, speakers, and room allocation.
- Marketing and promotion: Integrated tools for email campaigns, social media integration, and website registration.
- Reporting and analytics: Gain valuable insights into attendee behavior, engagement, and event performance.
Top Rated Virtual Trade Show Software for 2024
1. Whova
Ratings:
- 4.8/5 on review sites
- 4.8/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- Exhibitor registration with instant payout
- Exhibitors can create digital profiles as they register
- Maximized interactions between your exhibitors and attendees
- Detailed customization suitable for big small and large-scale expos alike
- Support virtual / online expos easily
Whova, the only virtual trade show platform on G2’s Global Top 50 Best Software, lets exhibitors build interactive virtual booths with videos, brochures, demos, and live chat features.
Sponsors and exhibitors can craft digital profiles to showcase their brand story, products, and team, increase brand awareness, and attract more traffic. Whova doesn’t just put exhibitors and sponsors in the spotlight; it actively draws attendees their way. Lead generation tools like QR codes and business card scanning turn casual browsing into qualified leads. The exhibitor and sponsor center features collect all your vendors’ and sponsors’ information, from logos and descriptions to booth locations and special offers.
2. Cvent
Rating:
- 4.9/5 on review sites
- 3.0/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Runs marketing campaigns
- [+] Award-winning 24/7 customer service
- [+] Can be integrated with Zoom for online expos
With Cvent’s Exhibitor Portal, you can house all event documentation, streamline task workflows, and grant self-service options for booth staff and uploads. CventAI even lends a hand by automating tasks and suggesting improvements.
For attendee-exhibitor connections, its meeting scheduler ensures the right people meet. Attendees can browse exhibitor profiles and request meetings while exhibitors manage their booth staff’s calendars directly. Cvent also empowers exhibitors with tools like LeadCapture, letting them qualify and rate leads and maximize their event ROI. Cvent’s focus on efficiency and data-driven ROI makes it a powerful tool for large-scale exhibitions. However, it is pricey compared to other solutions, and the breadth of features has a steeper learning curve.
3. Ticket Tailor
Ratings:
- 4.9/5 on review sites
- 4.5/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Easy-to-use interface
- [+] Prompt customer service
- [+] Consistent branding with customization options
- [-] Limited ticket refund options
With Ticket Tailor, you create and customize event pages, manage ticket sales, and track attendee data. Its standout feature is the option to embed the ticketing system directly into the trade show website. You can customize ticket types, including early bird or VIP options, much like those found in leading event ticketing software. It also provides detailed sales reports, tracks attendee behavior, and personalizes user experience with email marketing tools. Attendees get their tickets in a click, scan in effortlessly, and even manage bookings on the go with the mobile app.
4. EventCreate
Rating:
- 4.9/5 on review sites
- 3.2/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] User-friendly dashboard
- [+] Protects attendee and exhibitors’ data
- [+] Tracks attendee records
- [-] The website builder offers limited customization
- [-] Not suitable for larger-scale or highly complex trade-shows
EventCreate is another top-tier virtual trade show platform that offers an extensive toolkit. It manages ticketing, invitations, RSVPs, and communication with attendees in one online platform. Its standout feature is malware protection, which safeguards your exhibitor’s data against potential threats.
EventCreate eliminates external web development by providing an intuitive website builder. The software is easy to use, and a team of experts is ready to assist with any inquiries. The only downside is the website builder’s limited flexibility.
5. Goldcast
Rating:
- 4.7/5 on review sites
Highlights:
- [+] Sends automatic invitations, helpful for large-scale tradeshows
- [+] Friendly UI for both the host and attendees
- [+] Ideal for hybrid or virtual expos
- [-] The networking room have a maximum capacity of 30 attendees
- [-] Does not offer a free trial
If your trade show includes virtual components like live presentations, online booths, or networking sessions, Goldcast could be a valuable tool. It provides tools and dashboards to seamlessly manage every step of online exhibits, from registration and audience engagement to lead generation and ROI measurement.
You can create interactive sessions with live Q&A, polls, breakout rooms, and on-demand content libraries. Gamification, personalized recommendations, and AI-powered networking also maximize attendee interaction. Goldcast doesn’t offer a free trial, so exploring its comprehensive feature set might require investing upfront.
6. Zuddl
Rating:
- 4.6/5 on review sites
- 5.0/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Integrates with Salesforce, Hubspot, Marketo, Eloqua, and other commonly used CRMs
- [+] Provides insights about attendees and hot prospects
- [+] Contains built-in video editing and production features
- [-] Some functionalities are slow to implement
- [-] Requires a very high internet bandwidth
Zuddl is a unified events and webinar platform that replaces your clunky tech stack with one streamlined solution for managing trade shows end-to-end. It lets you build stunning landing pages, manage registration and ticketing, and host engaging virtual, in-person, or hybrid exhibitions – all from one platform.
B2B SaaS giants like Stack Commerce, Rocket Lane, ServiceNow, and Google choose Zuddl to power their exhibition experiences. Consequently, Zuddl’s pricing is higher for smaller businesses or organizations with limited exhibition needs.
Compared to other event management platforms, some users report occasional lag and tediousness when implementing functions like video streaming and real-time analytics. It also doesn’t offer a free trial, which deters first-time users.
7. Blackthorn Events
Rating:
- 4.25/5 on review sites
Highlights:
- [+] Quick and knowledgeable customer support
- [+] Integrates with Salesforce and Zoom
- [+] Automates confirmations and waitlist messaging
- [-] Setting up requires technical expertise
- [-] Limited branding and form-building functionalities
Blackthorn Events gathers all your exhibition info in one place, from registrations to attendance tracking. It integrates with Salesforce accounts, leads, and campaigns, streamlines data flow, and gives you a 360-degree view of your attendees. It also identifies repeat attendees, analyzes engagement, and measures ROI. BlackthornEvents can connect with Zoom if you need to host an online exhibition.
Setting up Blackthorn, especially invoice workflow, requires some backend know-how. It’s not a “click and go” solution, so be prepared to invest some learning time.
8. Tripleseat
Rating:
- 4.7/5 on review sites
Highlights:
- [+] Great marketing and reporting features
- [+] Extensive features for large venues/hotels
- [+] Guest and internal communication
- [-] No free trial
- [-] It is web-based only, with no Android/iOS app
Tripleseat is a comprehensive sales, exhibition, and tradeshow management software aimed to streamline exhibition booking and management for hospitality venues like restaurants and hotels. It automates repetitive tasks like sending reminders and managing guest RSVPs, freeing your time for more strategic work.
It can manage conference room bookings, catering requests, and exhibitor setup needs and help you host private tradeshows, product launches, and pop-up exhibitions. Tripleseat’s pricing varies based on venue size and features, so it may not be suitable for very small venues.
9. Big Marker
Rating:
- 4.8/5 on review sites
- 3.4/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Great for live-streamed expos
- [+] Intuitive user interface
- [+] Excellent attendee engagement tools
- [+] Marketing and branded content features
- [-] Limited to 1000 attendees
- [-] Doesn’t integrate with third-party software well
BigMarker is another cloud-based platform to host live or pre-recorded online trad shows. With BigMarker, you can reach up to 1,000 attendees with crisp HD audio and video, screen sharing, and convenient recording capabilities – all without downloads. It fosters vibrant attendee interaction with live chat, polls, Q&A, and even integrated Twitter conversations.
The content library and marketing tools promote your trade show to a broader audience and attract attendees. Users report challenges with integrating BigMarker with third-party software. Some desired features, such as white-labeling and direct streaming to social media, are currently unavailable.
10. Canapii
Rating:
- 4.6/5 on review sites
- 5.0/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Attendee engagement tools are great
- [+] Easy to navigate
- [-] The user app can be slow to load at times
- [-] Limited user base
Canapii caters to diverse expo management needs with support for all event types, from small gatherings to large-scale conferences and trade shows. It manages registration, ticketing, booth allocation, and communication using a centralized platform for in-person, hybrid, and online exhibitions. Live translation, live streaming, and gamification tools foster interactive participation.
Canapii’s pricing structure is not readily available on their website, requiring direct contact for specific quotes, which may delay budget planning.
11. AirMeet
Rating:
- 4.5/5 on review sites
- 4.7/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Has a virtual green room
- [+] Interactive tools for attendees
- [+] Customizable features
- [-] Full attendee profiles are not visible
- [-] Expensive for small-scale events
With over 6,500+ businesses using Airmeet, it’s a trusted platform for hosting tradeshows, making meaningful connections, and fueling brand growth. Airmeet focuses on immersive experiences, global reach, and data-driven insights.
Renowned companies like Comcast, Forbes, Volvo, SAP, HackerRank, and the University of Toronto rely on Airmeet to host thousands of successful expos. Airmeet’s pricing is not ideal for small businesses or startups, but large-scale organizations and enterprises can benefit from its scalable features.
12. AllEvents
Rating:
- 4.5/5 on review sites
- 4.3/5 on App Store
Highlights:
- [+] Best for small-medium sized exhibitions
- [+] Free social media marketing tools
- [+] Easy to navigate
- [-] Limited customization
- [-] Does not integrate with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and other CRMs.
AllEvents streamlines expo management and marketing for small to medium-sized expos, local and regional tradeshows, and organizers with paid ticketing needs. It handles exhibition creation, flexible ticketing, and real-time attendee communication with a user-friendly mobile app. Their extensive global reach ensures organic traction for your expo, while the helpful and responsive support team guides you every step of the way.
Large-scale expos usually require extensive customization and integrations with third-party tools, which are limited in AllEvents compared to other options.
Stay Organized With Whova’s Virtual Trade Show Platform
The right online exhibition platform can make or break your trade show experience. With the insights shared in this article, you can thoughtfully choose which platforms suit your needs. Remember that the “best” software isn’t the one with the most extensive features but the one that aligns with your expo needs and budget. Click here to request your free live demo at Whova today and manage your next expo like a pro.