With events going virtual, due to uncertain circumstances or in order to reach a wider audience, Zoom has been a popular choice to host virtual events. However, it is not the only choice. In fact, there are a wide variety of Zoom alternatives that are great for hosting all kinds of events.
In this report, we selected the best Zoom alternatives and competitors that can be used to host your virtual or hybrid event. These solutions possess live streaming capabilities that can enhance any virtual event and video conferencing features that increase efficiency.
Zoom Alternatives Analysis: Description, features, pricing, and reviews
1. Whova
Originally created as a mobile app to assist with in-person event engagement and networking, Whova is highly experienced in managing all types of events. Since the beginning of COVID, Whova has offered the perfect platform for handling any virtual or hybrid event. While the platform has its own built-in video conferencing software, Whova also has the capability to embed YouTube Live, Vimeo Live, and even Zoom into their platform for live streaming. Moreover, if there are speakers in your lineup who prefer not to present on a live stream, Whova allows for pre-recorded videos to be included in sessions. Event organizers have the option to add and embed videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or Dailymotion into the app, or choose to upload any video from a computer’s hard drive or cloud storage for pre-recorded sessions. Live-streamed or pre-recorded session options can be used for the same event, and both can be paired with live session chat, Q&A, and polling to maximize engagement no matter which format the session takes.
Whova’s extensive virtual event capabilities are not limited to session live streams and recordings. Event organizers and attendees can create virtual meet-ups for specific groups and topics. There is also a speed-networking feature, where attendees (up to 4 in the same room and 500 at a time) can partake in a speed-dating-esque video chatroom. Whova has many other engaging virtual event features that would be too long to list here.
Whova’s platform protects live streams by only allowing registered attendees access. Additionally, organizers are offered the ability to control which live streams and virtual event features each type of attendee has access to. Whova’s reliability in the event industry is affirmed by its experience working with over 6,000 virtual and 1,500 hybrid events.
Pricing: Available upon request
Overall score: 4.8 / 5.0 (4,621 Reviews)
2. Webex Meetings
The long-time business rivalry of Webex vs. Zoom positions Webex as a considerable alternative to Zoom. Webex is a video conferencing software very similar to Zoom that was founded back in 1995. Since then, the former vice-president of engineering at Webex founded Zoom, and Webex is now owned by the tech giant, Cisco.
Webex Meetings has many great features that take it to a level beyond a standard video conferencing software. Some of these features include real-time translation for hundreds of languages, automatic transcriptions, background noise removal, and a digital note-taking assistant. Webex is one of the best solutions to make hybrid and virtual work and events more collaborative.
Pricing: 5 different plans – Basic for Free, Meet for $15/mo, Call for $17/mo, Business for $25/mo, Enterprise pricing available upon request
Overall score: 4.3 / 5 (22,782 reviews)
3. GlobalMeet
Another great alternative to Zoom is a platform called GlobalMeet. GlobalMeet is a product of PGi that offers meeting and event solutions for workplaces and professionals. PGi is a software company that has been around since 1991 with a focus on professional collaboration through their crown jewel product, GlobalMeet.
Along with the typical video conferencing capabilities, GlobalMeet offers a webcast function that allows users to live-stream their content with simultaneous polling, Q&A, live chat, as well as other features that are great for virtual events of any size. The software ensures secure protection from any sensitive information being compromised and offers a 24/7 operator to help event organizers with any technical issues.
Pricing: Available upon request
Overall score: 4.2/5 (584 reviews)
4. GoTo Meeting
Formerly known as LogMeIn at the time of its release in 2004, GoTo Meeting is another strong Zoom alternative to consider. GoTo meeting is a GoTo product that offers a web-based video conferencing software service.GoTo also offers a service that functions strictly for webinars, similar to Zoom and GlobalMeet.
Designed for dependability, GoTo Meetings has an industry-leading 99.95% service uptime, so you can be confident it will not crash during your meeting or event. The platform is used commonly in the education, healthcare, professional, and sales fields. No download is needed and meetings are very secure. GoTo Meeting also has great enhanced audio features like background noise suppression and commuter mode, aiming to provide users with a distraction-free, clear mode of communication.
Pricing: 3 different plans – Professional for $144/yr, Business for $192/yr, Enterprise pricing available upon request
Overall score: 4.2/5 (12,870 reviews)
5. Microsoft Teams
One of the most well-known Zoom alternatives is Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is an online collaborative workspace that includes video conferencing, chat, file storage, and sharing, and Office 365 app integration. It was developed by Microsoft in 2017 and is widely used in professional, educational, and personal settings.
For internal communication, Microsoft Teams is fantastic. Users are able to chat, call, and video conference in one central location. This central location also allows users to share documents with each other, so no document gets lost. Office 365 applications, like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, are integrated onto the platform, so users can edit using the highest quality productivity apps without necessarily having to download them.
Pricing: Multiple plans available on their website
Overall score: 4.3/5 (11,912 reviews)
6. BlueJeans
BlueJeans is an additional alternative to Zoom. BlueJeans is a cloud-based video conferencing software that was founded in 2009 and was acquired by Verizon in 2020. It was the first video conferencing software that supported accessibility for all devices. Along with video conferencing, BlueJeans offers solutions for webinars and virtual events with live streaming.
Some unique video conferencing features of BlueJeans include real-time closed captioning, Dolby Audio, and an enhanced gallery view of up to 25 attendees at one time. The features that come with the BlueJeans virtual events product include use on any browser without download, custom branding, real-time closed captioning, and a limit of 150,000 attendees and 150 speakers.
Pricing: 5 plans – Standard for $119.88/yr, Pro for $167.88, Enterprise for $199.92, Enterprise Plus available upon request, Webinar/Events pricing on website
Overall score: 4.3/5 (4,911 reviews)
7. Hubb
The next Zoom alternative on our list is Hubb, which is another platform with an event-based focus. Hubb was launched in 2015 by a meeting planner who wanted to design software that could assist other meeting planners. The company has now grown into a strong platform that can manage large conferences.
Like Whova, Hubb knows that virtual events are not just webinars. The Hubb virtual event platform allows for concurrent sessions, real-time 1:1 networking, and virtual expo halls. It can also handle pre-recorded, live, or on-demand content and has features that do well in engaging attendees.
Pricing: Available upon request
Overall score: 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
8. Samaaro
Another event-based platform that could be used alternatively to Zoom is Samaaro. Samaaro started as a gaming rental company that found its way into the Virtual Reality sector. They then pivoted, using their knowledge of event planning and VR, to provide a virtual event platform.
Samaaro boasts features such as a 3D user interface, product gallery, DIY expo-booths, and an intuitive analytics dashboard. They also have integrations with Salesforce, Stripe, PayPal, Instagram, and Google Analytics.
Pricing: Available upon request
Overall score: 4.8/5 (6 reviews)
9. Brazen
Brazen, the last Zoom alternative on our list, is a bit different than those mentioned above. Brazen is a job fair and hiring event platform that offers companies, universities, associations, and workforce development organizations a virtual hiring solution. Brazen has provided virtual event solutions since 2012, and the software is currently on its 3rd generation.
Like Zoom, features for video, audio, and live chatting are integrated into the product. However, Brazen’s unique features are intended to make it a great option for virtual recruiting and hiring events. The platform specializes in connecting candidates with hiring managers and recruiters who can quickly move talent through the interview and hiring pipeline. This also helps companies reduce their cost-to-hire by eliminating the expenses of travel and physical maintenance required for an in-person hiring event.
Pricing: Available upon request
Overall score: 4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Best Zoom Competitors & Alternatives: Summary
Zoom is an incredibly versatile program that handles video conferencing and live-streaming among other things. These Zoom alternatives and competitors vary in similarity to Zoom but are all great virtual solutions for internal communication or events of varying sizes. Whova is going to be your best bet when it comes to hosting a virtual conference or event, and although it’s considered a competitor to Zoom, the Whova platform actually offers an advanced Zoom integration capability among options to embed other streaming services. So if you are already familiar with Zoom’s live video functionality, and you’re looking for a platform with comprehensive event hosting and management features, Whova could be the perfect fit. To try out Whova’s platform for free, simply request a demo here.