Best Virtual Conference Platforms in 2026
Key takeaways
- Zoom Events suits large, multi-track conferences where reliability matters more than a custom virtual venue.
- RingCentral Events, Whova and vFairs lead for networking, expo booths and sponsor visibility.
- Airmeet and BigMarker suit community events and marketing webinars where interaction and automation matter.
- ON24 and Bizzabo suit enterprise and marketing teams that need deep analytics and CRM links.
- Most platforms price by quote or per event, so confirm attendee limits, session counts and support hours before you sign.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Great for | Pricing starts at | Free tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large multi-track conferences | See website | Free trial | Visit | |
| Interactive summits and expos | See website | Free trial | Visit | |
| Hybrid academic conferences | See website | Free trial | Visit | |
| Virtual expos and trade shows | See website | No | Visit | |
| Community and networking events | See website | Free trial | Visit | |
| Enterprise marketing events | See website | No | Visit | |
| Hybrid enterprise events | See website | No | Visit | |
| Webinars and lead generation | $79 per month | Free trial | Visit | |
| Enterprise global conferences | See website | No | Visit |
The best virtual conference platforms
These are the best platforms for virtual conferences and best virtual events platform options we found for organizers running online, hybrid and multi-day events.

Zoom Events builds on the video tool most attendees already know, which cuts support questions on event day. Organizers can run multi-session conferences, sell tickets, manage registration and host networking sessions, all inside a Zoom environment. For large internal or public conferences, that familiarity is a real advantage.
The trade-off is atmosphere. Zoom Events feels like a set of meetings rather than a branded venue, and sponsor booths are simpler than on vFairs or RingCentral Events. If your audience values a smooth, reliable stream over a virtual lobby, Zoom Events is a safe best platform for virtual conference use.
- Familiar Zoom experience
- Multi-session support
- Ticketing and registration tools
- Virtual venue feels corporate
- Customization is limited compared with expo platforms

RingCentral Events, formerly Hopin, offers a full virtual venue with a main stage, breakout sessions, networking areas and an expo floor. Attendees can move between sessions, visit sponsor booths and join video networking without leaving the event. That structure suits summits where sponsors and networking matter as much as talks.
Setup is heavier than a simple webinar tool, so allow time for rehearsals and staff training. Pricing for larger events is quote-based, so confirm attendee limits and support coverage. For the best virtual conference software with a real venue feel, RingCentral Events remains a leading pick.
- Strong networking and expo areas
- Stage, sessions and booths in one venue
- Good attendee tools
- Dashboard takes time to learn
- Pricing is quote-based for larger events

Whova is popular with academic, association and professional conferences, especially hybrid events with both in-person and online attendees. Its event app covers agendas, speaker profiles, attendee messaging, networking and live polls, and organizers can manage both audiences from one dashboard. That hybrid strength sets it apart from webinar-only tools.
Pricing is quote-based, and visual customization is practical rather than dramatic. If your conference needs a dependable app, clear agendas and networking for a professional audience, Whova is a strong best platform for virtual events choice. Test the attendee app during the trial, since that is where most attendees will live.
- Strong event app
- Agenda and networking tools
- Hybrid support for in-person events
- Quote-based pricing
- Design options are more functional than flashy
vFairs builds virtual venues with 3D lobbies, exhibition halls and booths that sponsors can brand in detail. Attendees can browse booths, chat with exhibitors, download resources and join live sessions, which makes it a natural fit for trade shows, job fairs and expos. Sponsor reporting helps exhibitors see booth visits and leads.
The cost is setup time and price. A 3D venue needs design work and rehearsals, and vFairs pricing is custom, so small events may find it expensive. For expos where sponsor value is the main goal, vFairs is the best virtual events platform in this list for venue design.
- Immersive 3D venues
- Detailed expo booths
- Strong sponsor tools
- Setup time is long
- Pricing is custom and can be high for small events
Airmeet focuses on interaction. Virtual tables let small groups talk naturally, speed networking pairs attendees, and live stages host talks and panels. That format suits community meetups, workshops and conferences where attendees should meet each other, not just watch a stream.
Expo and sponsor features are lighter than on vFairs or RingCentral Events, so sponsor-heavy expos may need another tool. For community-driven events, Airmeet is one of the best platforms for virtual conferences, since the networking feels closer to an in-person gathering than a chat box.
- Virtual tables for networking
- Easy attendee experience
- Good for workshops
- Sponsor expo features are lighter than vFairs
- Larger events need a quote
ON24 suits marketing and demand generation teams that treat events as a source of qualified leads. It tracks attendee engagement in detail, scores interest, syncs with CRM systems, and turns live events into on-demand content hubs. Webinars, virtual conferences and product launches all fit the same system.
Pricing is enterprise-level and quote-based, and the platform rewards teams that invest time in setup and analytics. Small community events will find it heavy. For large marketing teams that need to prove event return on investment, ON24 is a strong best virtual event software pick.
- Deep engagement analytics
- CRM integrations
- On-demand content hubs
- Enterprise pricing
- Learning curve for new organizers
Bizzabo covers the full event cycle, from registration and ticketing through live sessions, networking and post-event analytics. Its attendee matchmaking suggests relevant contacts, and its hybrid tools serve in-person and virtual audiences together. That breadth suits companies running several events a year.
Smaller organizers may find Bizzabo more than they need, and pricing is quote-only. If you run a regular program of conferences and want one system for registration, live delivery and reporting, Bizzabo is a leading best virtual conference platform for enterprise teams.
- End-to-end event management
- Attendee matchmaking
- Strong analytics
- Quote-only pricing
- Best value for larger event programs
BigMarker is built for webinars and series that feed a sales or marketing pipeline. Attendees join from a browser without a download, organizers can automate recurring webinars, and integrations push registrations and engagement data to CRM and email tools. That automation saves time for teams running weekly sessions.
BigMarker is not a full 3D expo venue, so trade shows with many booths may need vFairs instead. For the best platform for virtual conference sessions that are really webinar series, BigMarker offers a clear published starting price and a practical feature set.
- Browser-based attendance
- Webinar automation
- CRM and email integrations
- Less of a full expo venue
- Design is functional rather than immersive
Webex Events, formerly Socio, serves large enterprises and global teams that need security, scale and branding control. It supports registration, live sessions, networking, gamification and sponsor areas, with tools for hybrid events and multi-language audiences. Cisco backing gives IT teams confidence on security and support.
The platform is enterprise-focused, with custom pricing and a setup process that rewards early planning. Small events will find it heavy. For global conferences with strict security needs, Webex Events is a dependable best virtual conference software option.
- Enterprise security and scale
- Branding and gamification
- Global reach
- Enterprise pricing
- Setup needs planning and staff time
How we picked these
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages and event app descriptions for each platform, and we checked public reviews for complaints about attendee experience, setup time and support. We favored platforms with a current virtual or hybrid event product, a working trial or demo, and a clear use case. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we left out tools that only host single webinars without conference features.
How to choose a virtual conference platform
Start with attendee experience, not with the feature list. Ask how attendees will find sessions, meet each other and visit sponsors, then test that journey as an attendee during a trial or demo. A platform that confuses attendees on day one will hurt even the best speaker lineup.
Match the venue to the event type
Trade shows need vFairs or RingCentral Events for booths, academic conferences need Whova for agendas and hybrid support, and marketing webinars need ON24 or BigMarker for analytics and automation. Community events do best on Airmeet, where networking is the main draw. Choosing by event type avoids paying for expo features you will not use.
Confirm limits, support and rehearsal time
Check attendee caps, concurrent session limits, recording storage and support hours for your event dates. Ask whether support covers rehearsals as well as live hours, and whether a dedicated manager is included. Rehearse with real speakers, test captions and chat moderation, and keep a backup plan for stream issues.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best platform for virtual conference events?
Zoom Events suits large reliable conferences, RingCentral Events suits interactive summits with expos, and Whova suits hybrid academic conferences. The best choice depends on whether networking, sponsors or scale matters most.
What is the best virtual events platform for networking?
Airmeet and RingCentral Events lead for networking, with virtual tables, speed networking and breakout areas. Whova also offers attendee messaging and matchmaking for professional conferences.
How much do virtual conference platforms cost?
Prices range from $79 per month for BigMarker to custom quotes for vFairs, ON24, Bizzabo and Webex Events. Confirm attendee limits, session counts and support in writing, since those factors drive the final quote.
Do attendees need to download software?
Most platforms in this list run in a browser, while Zoom Events works best with the Zoom app or browser plugin. Check the attendee requirements for your chosen platform and include them in registration emails.
What is the best video conferencing tool for a small virtual event?
For a small event, Zoom Events or Airmeet are practical, since attendees already know Zoom and Airmeet is easy to join. A full expo platform is usually too much setup for a small meeting or workshop.
Can virtual conference platforms handle hybrid events?
Yes. Whova, Bizzabo, Webex Events and RingCentral Events all support hybrid events with in-person and virtual attendees. Check that agenda, networking and sponsor features work for both audiences, not just the virtual one.
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