We test out the leading virtual event platforms, giving you the information you need to choose the best one for your business
The best virtual event platforms make it easy to connect to and attend online events. It’s not always easy to get everyone who’d like to be there to attend an event in person, especially when participants are spread across the globe. However, the recent pandemic has accelerated the take up of virtual events. Whether it’s a one-off event, a multi-day conference, or a business meeting, the most critical decision you can make is choosing which platform you use to host it on. The best virtual event platforms include advanced features that enable you to make your virtual gathering as multi-faceted, engaging, and memorable as a physical equivalent. In this article, we review the best virtual event platforms available, providing you with the information you need to decide on the right provider for your next virtual meeting. Since its launch in 2013, Zoom has grown into one of the most popular video event platforms around. Just as capable of handling business conferences as casual gatherings between friends, Zoom has widespread appeal. Zoom’s desktop app is intuitive and easy to navigate, while the software is packed with features. You get HD video and voice, simultaneous screen sharing, MP4 or M4A recording, keyboard and mouse control, whiteboarding, and even breakout rooms. The Zoom mobile app is also very capable for meetings on the go. It’s incredibly secure too and uses secure socket layer (SSL) and AES 256 bits encryption. The platform’s free plan is generous, enabling users to host up to 100 participants on a video call, capped at 40 minutes, with all video conferencing, web conferencing, and group collaboration features included. After that, users will need to subscribe to a paid plan. Google Meet is Google’s answer to video conferencing. As you would expect from one of the world’s leading tech companies, Google Meet is packed with features that match or even exceed those of its rivals.
