We test out the leading virtual event platforms, giving you the information you need to choose the best one for your business<\/b>
\nThe best virtual event platforms make it easy to connect to and attend online events. It\u2019s not always easy to get everyone who\u2019d 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s incredibly secure too and uses secure socket layer (SSL) and AES 256 bits encryption. The platform\u2019s 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\u2019s answer to video conferencing. As you would expect from one of the world\u2019s leading tech companies, Google Meet is packed with features that match or even exceed those of its rivals. Since last year this service became free of charge\u2014the only caveat is that you need a Gmail account. Prior to this, Google Meet was part of Google’s range of business-focused apps that users could access with a paid plan. So what\u2019s on offer? Google Meet is accessible through a clean, easy-to-use desktop app or mobile application, includes HD video, one-click presenting functionality, advanced security measures like secure encryption and privacy features, and facilitates up to 250 participants. It\u2019s incredibly easy to arrange a meeting, and participants just need a code to join. The service also integrates with Google Calendar, so you can schedule meetings and invite participants via this app too. Formerly Skype for Business Online, Microsoft Teams is another well-established virtual meeting platform that\u2019s benefited from a recent rebrand. Microsoft’s answer to a virtual conferencing platform is formidable. Although at first glance it seems better aimed at remote teams, with Slack-like file sharing and instant chat facilities, the option to host up to 10,000 people on a single call puts Microsoft Teams up a notch. Participants can join a meeting via a link, while other features include HD video, screen sharing, recording, and third-party app integration. We found the web app very responsive, with all the platform\u2019s features within easy reach. However, the interface was a little complicated and not as streamlined as those of some of the other platforms we tested. Unlike Google Meet, which went from a paid to free service, Join.me has gone the other way, and it\u2019s now compulsory to pay to use it. The Lite plan is very basic and doesn\u2019t offer a great deal in terms of features. Our advice would be to skip it and go straight for the Pro option, which includes up to 250 participants, recording options,10 webcam streams, call scheduling, and 50 GB cloud storage. The interface is nicely presented with the key functions\u2014 start or join a meeting\u2014unmissable. In addition, the admin panel is incredibly detailed, with easy access to call reports, recordings, user data, and more. The one downside is the meeting participant limit. Although 250 may be more than enough for most virtual meetings, it might not cut it at the conference level. What make Whereby stand out are its features. This well-designed virtual meeting platform combines quirky with clever, providing a unique service that stands out visually and technically. On Whereby, users create rooms for different purposes. For example, you could create a room for team talks, a personal space for one-on-one chats, or a larger room to host a more challenging virtual event. The platform enables meetings of up to 50 participants, which is very low, but the platform\u2019s advanced branding features make up for it. You get the option to brand your room with custom designs and logos and can even create a custom domain name. We can see the benefits of this for users keen to showcase their business at a more intimate virtual event. The desktop app is clean and easy to navigate, with just a few tabs to the left of the screen. Rooms are presented in list form on the home screen, and it\u2019s very straightforward to find the one you\u2019re looking for. Orbits is a little different from most of the other virtual event platforms listed, as its purpose is to create unique spaces for virtual events with a focus on aesthetics and user experience. Each venue can be as large or small as required with multiple rooms and stages, including niche areas such as zen gardens or vineyards for client entertainment. What really sets it apart is that attendees have the freedom to roam. That means they can move from room-to-room, interact with other guests and network like they would do a normal event. They can engage via video chat or through text, clients can host live sessions or upload prerecorded content and even sponsors can make the most of their spaces with video content. It’s suitable for all events from exhibitions to conferences, festivals and smaller more intimate events, too.<\/p>\n