What are the best virtual events platforms for startups?

Due to the global pandemic, in-person events had to take a back seat, which then turned into an opportunity for virtual event platforms to become the centre of attention for startups, entrepreneurs, and event organisers. Some amazing virtual events platforms that have launched in the past 2-3 years which are packed with incredible features are; Hopin, Airmeet, Heysummit and Wonder.

Which events platform can hold a 1000+ person conference?

Most of the tools featured in this post have plans available that cater for event and conference organisers to host not only 1000+ registrations, but even some able to host up to 100,000 registrations.

Are there free virtual events platforms?

The short answer is yes, but they have limited functionality or limited attendee numbers. For example Hopin, which is one of the top-rated and most talked about virtual events platforms, offers a free plan for up to 100 attendees and up to 2-hour events. For running webinar events, Airmeet also offers a free option for up to 100 attendees.

6 Best Event Marketing Tools for Organisers (Virtual & Offline) 2025

Favourite

Hopin

About:

An events tech platform that has experienced skyrocket growth since 2020 is Hopin.

Top Features:

This is the 'all-in-one' platform for hosting events virtually, whether it be conferences, workshops or networking events. However, it's not just for virtual events. You can use Hopin for hybrid, in-person and internal events.

With hosting virtual events, this platform has you covered from registeration page creation, event 'stages' where you can share presentations with up to 100k viewers (insane to think about), and even have 'breakout' sessions, similar to the experience of in-person events. You can host videos on the platform, and see the analytics and engagement metrics.

Of course llike you do at most conferences, engagement with the audience is key. So, you can create polls and quizzes based on presentations, time between speakers, panels or during intermissions. You can also run closed or open networking sessions, where attendees can speak one-on-one or to a group. The UX of this feature is pretty awesome.

Scale

Virtual

Integrations

Pricing:

You can try out Hopin for your first event with the free plan, which gives you the chance of signing up to 100 registerations and running a 2 hour event. For more attendees, longer events and lots more amazing features, plans start from $99 per month, with larger plans and enterprise plans available.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$$$

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Favourite

Airmeet

About:

Another platform I've seen being discussed reguarly, and having experienced an event using this software before, is Airmeet.

Top Features:

I really love the UX when I signed up exploring the various features this platform has. It's feature-rich but quite easy to navigate your way around.

For running hybrid-events, Airmeet has the suite of tools you need from hassle-free event registerations for attendees, seamless networking experiences such as setting up round tables and match-making based on attendee details/profiles, interactive booths (which is super cool), and loads more.

All the engagement tools are there for anyone running virtual events including giving viewers the chance to speak with camera focus, viewers can ask questions and join various conferences rooms or booths based on preferred content, as well as interactive polls/quizzes.

Hybrid

gamification

Pricing:

There are a two primary packages available, whether you want to run social webinars or virtual/hybrid conferences. Each contain various plans, with social webinars having a free tier, then pricing starting from $99 per month. Then the conference starter plan begins at $99 per month, with a premium version on offer which you will need to get in touch for.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$$$

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Favourite

HeySummit

About:

A popular platform that I've seen a lot of startups use that I've worked with personally, or have noticed talking about on Twitter and LinkedIn is HeySummit.

Top Features:

There's quite a few things that need to be done when creating engaging online events, whilst ensuring you get maximise as many attendees as you can to signup. With HeySummit, this platform has it all. You can create dynamic landing pages, own branding and customisation, custom domains and a lot more.

You can run events whether pre-recorded or live, or even a mix of both. Also incorporate sponsor showcases, to live chat where attendees can ask questions to the speakers or panelists, or even run competitions/giveaways that requires those who attend to do something. However you want to replicate the in-person event experience, you can do online with this tool.

Something that is highlighted on the site is the fact you can turn your events into evergreen content. Keep generating leads/registerations with already recorded sessions. Still have the features that drives engagement. Bolster up the experience by adding integrations.

pre-recorded

custom domain

Pricing:

Monthly pricing starts at $33 per month, billed monthly. This includes running unlimited events and up to 250 attendee registerations. For more attendees to host and other advanced features, you will need to upgrade to the growth or success plans, which are $99 p/m and $299 p/m respectively.

Web/App

Paid

$-$$$

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Favourite

Hoppier

About:

Hoppier is a really cool offering for companies wanting to reward remote employees whether it be through conferences, team workshops or internal team events.

Top Features:

When it comes to running events, organising lunches and catering is a lot of work operationally, especially at times when there's delays or other suprise circumstances (which basically happens with most events).

With Hoppier, you give the power back to the event attendees, so they can choose what they want for lunch from local vendors. Vendors include the likes of Starbucks, Instacart, Postmates and many more. This platform is also available in over 60 countries.

Not only is this good for internal events for employees, but great for marketing purposes to drive attendance numbers at any conference. Why pay for catering when people can order whatever they want? Not only that, it's an awesome add-on for virtual events where they can get food delievered to them, so they don't miss any content. Really cool concept if you ask me.

catering

delivery

virtual cards

Pricing:

You need to signup and state the event size count to get tailored pricing.

Web/App

Demo

$-$$$

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Weve

About:

This is a really cool platform for team building, corporate events and more, that is focused on promoting and fun through game and activities.

Top Features:

Whilst lots of the other platforms on the market provide features to host large-scaled virtual and in-person events, Weve has many of those features, and other awesome USP's.

Bring out the best of your attendees, or internal teams, by engaging them through trivia, games and more. Great for running events and easily swithcing between content and then activities for entertaining and keeping the audience engaged. Activities include memes, photobooths, awards, pictionary and more.

They look like they've done a great job with the UX, by letting hosts choose groups, teams and those who attend. Selecting trivia, games and activities looks seamless.

games

team building

fun experiences

Pricing:

There are two primary ways to pay for the service, either through one-off events or monthly subscriptions. For one-off events, pricing for 10 people to attend starts at $299, or monthly pricing for 25 people starts from $325 per month ($13 per seat). Each seat gets cheaper as you have more seats.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$$$

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Favourite

Wonder

About:

With over 3million+ users and millions in funding, Wonder is another virtual events platform that you need to check out.

Top Features:

A big focus of the platform is creating virtual spaces, or 'circles', to connect and let other attendees network in various groups.

It does work for virtual conferences but compared to other platforms, Wonder has done a really good job with the experience of joining between 'circles'. So groups focused on particular topics, which you can easily go to new groups in seconds.

With every circle, you can see quick icebreakers whenever you hover over a profile. People can screenshare presentations, as well as send messages at once to the circle, and more.

networking

Workshops

great UX

Pricing:

As of right now as I write this page, it's free to signup and start using Wonder. On their website, they've said pricing is free until usage-based plans come in aroud mid-2022. They've said on the site that there should always be a free version available.

Web/App

Freemium

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