Leading Virtual Event Platforms for 2024

Virtual events are now a core part of modern business strategy as they've evolved as an excellent solution for multiple problems. But with so many platforms out there, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? 

The stakes are high, and you need a platform that supports your needs and enhances your audience's experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the top virtual event platforms of 2024, highlighting what makes them stand out and how they can solve your biggest challenges.

What Are Virtual Event Platforms?

Virtual event platforms are software solutions designed to host events in a digital space. They replicate the experience of physical events by providing features that allow participants to attend live sessions, interact with content, and network with other attendees—all from the comfort of their devices. These platforms can accommodate a variety of event types, including:

• Webinars & Workshops: Ideal for focused, content-driven sessions.
• Conferences & Summits: Support for multi-session events with multiple speakers and tracks.
• Trade Shows & Expos: Virtual booths for exhibitors to showcase products and services.
• Networking Events: Opportunities for attendees to connect through live chats, video calls, and breakout rooms.

The goal is to bring the benefits of in-person gatherings into the digital world.

Why Virtual Event Platforms Are Essential for Digital Engagement

The rise of virtual event platforms has transformed how organizations engage their audience. The size of the business doesn't matter anymore. Small enterprises, multinational corporations, and even non-profits are reaping the benefits of these tools that traditional events simply can’t match. Here are a few of them:

• Breaking Geographical Barriers: Virtual platforms enable global attendance because anyone can join without travel limitations. Naturally, this opens up opportunities for more diverse audiences and larger attendee numbers.
• Cost Efficiency: Hosting an online event often costs significantly less than a physical one, as you do not need to pay for venue rentals, catering, or travel expenses. You can use these savings to invest in marketing, content production, and engagement tools.
• Enhanced Interactivity: With more advanced features like live polling, Q&A sessions, and breakout rooms, experts argue that virtual events are as engaging as in-person ones, if not more. Attendees can ask questions, participate in discussions, and engage with content in ways that go beyond traditional lecture formats.
• Data-Driven Insights: Unlike physical events, where collecting engagement data is challenging, virtual platforms make this a cakewalk. You can track session attendance, interaction rates, and other valuable metrics, which can be useful for future events.

These benefits are why more businesses are investing in virtual event platforms, ensuring they stay connected with their audiences in a dynamic, scalable way.

Top Virtual Event Platforms for 2024

To help you make an informed decision, here are in-depth reviews of four leading virtual event platforms for 2024. Each platform has unique strengths, but we'll also highlight where it might fall short. Let’s start with the platform that sets the gold standard—Hubilo.

1. Hubilo: Engaging Tools and Customization

Hubilo has established itself as a premier platform for virtual and hybrid events, mainly because of its dynamic features that cater to diverse event needs. It is designed to deliver seamless user experiences and drive engagement while simplifying event management for organizers.

Key Features:

• Calendar Integration: Hubilo allows organizers to streamline attendee scheduling by adding event details directly to attendees’ Google, Outlook, or Yahoo calendars. This integration is available via two methods: automatic calendar invites sent alongside event invitations or a manual “Add to Calendar” option within the invitation email. This ensures attendees receive reminders and can plan their schedules with ease.
• Multi-Event Analytics Dashboard: Hubilo’s analytics provide real-time, in-depth insights across multiple events, offering a comprehensive view of performance and engagement. The dashboard tracks essential metrics like total sessions, attendee participation, virtual booth interactions, and lounge engagements. With detailed analytics on session views, Q&A participation, and networking activities, event organizers can better understand attendee behavior and engagement, allowing for targeted follow-ups and data-informed event planning.
• People Management and Registration Options: Hubilo enables efficient participant management, allowing organizers to create custom groups, including attendees, exhibitors, and speakers, and maintain detailed profiles for each group. The registration system supports both free and paid tickets, enabling a streamlined attendee onboarding experience that aligns with different ticketing needs.
• Interactive Engagement Tools: Hubilo comes with tools to keep audiences engaged, including live Q&A, polls, and gamification elements like quizzes, leaderboards, and contests. These features enhance interactivity and facilitate more attendee involvement.
• Customization & Branding: A standout aspect of Hubilo is its ability to create fully branded event experiences with custom landing pages, branded virtual booths, and more. The platform provides a range of templates so marketers can easily align the event’s design with the brand identity.
• Seamless Hybrid Event Support: Hubilo is built to cater to both virtual and in-person attendees, so features like SSO logins and real-time analytics are a given. This kind of seamless integration ensures that no attendee feels left out, regardless of how they join.
• Data-Driven Insights: Hubilo provides in-depth analytics that tracks attendee behavior, engagement, and interactions with the help of the Account Intelligence Dashboard. This state-of-the-art tool offers detailed insights, helping organizers identify high-potential leads for targeted follow-ups. In addition, you'll also get access to post-event reports that contain actionable data, which makes it easier to plan and optimize future events.
• Email Marketing Engine: Hubilo simplifies communication by offering automated, branded emails before, during, and after the event. This is very helpful for driving attendance, sending reminders, and maintaining engagement.
• Conversion Prompts: During events, Hubilo allows organizers to set up strategic prompts that guide attendees toward desired actions, like visiting sponsor booths or making a purchase. This boosts lead generation and sales in real-time.
• Multilingual Event Support: Hubilo’s platform supports events in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and several others, catering to global audiences. Organizers can customize labels for event sections, group titles, and profile fields in multiple languages, ensuring a localized experience for all attendees. The language choice on login allows attendees to navigate the event in their preferred language.
• Multi-Event Mobile App: Hubilo’s mobile app lets attendees access multiple events within one app, making navigation between events easy and efficient. The app supports various events organized by a single entity, with a dedicated homepage listing available events for quick selection and registration. This single-app access ensures a cohesive attendee experience for those participating in multiple events.

Pros:

• Deep customization options that allow full branding.
• Advanced tools for real-time engagement and lead generation.
• Strong analytics, including detailed insights via the Account Intelligence Dashboard.
• Robust support for both virtual and hybrid event formats.
• Easy integration with CRM and marketing tools for streamlined data flow.

Cons:

• Due to its extensive feature set, new users may face a learning curve.
• Full functionality requires an initial integration setup, which may require some handholding.

Best For:

Enterprises, mid-sized businesses, and organizations seek a flexible, scalable platform to handle diverse events, from webinars, multi-track/multi-day virtual events to large hybrid conferences.

Ready to elevate your event experience? Explore how Hubilo’s Email Marketing Engine, Snackable Content Hub, and Conversion Prompts can transform your next event into a seamless, engaging experience. Request a demo today and see the possibilities!

2. Goldcast: B2B Marketing and Analytics Capabilities

Goldcast is a virtual event platform geared primarily towards B2B marketing. It excels at creating highly branded, polished event experiences that can drive lead generation and customer engagement.

Key Features:

• B2B-Focused Design: Goldcast is built clearly, focusing on B2B marketing. It enables brands to showcase their products effectively and capture valuable leads. Integration with popular CRM tools like Salesforce and HubSpot allows seamless data flow for better lead tracking.
• Interactive Webinars and Summits: The platform supports various event types that can benefit a B2B enterprise, including webinars, product launches, and multi-day summits. Furthermore, its easy-to-use interface ensures a smooth experience for both organizers and attendees.
• Customizable Templates & Branding: Goldcast is one of the best in terms of customization. Users can customize every aspect of their event, from registration pages to the virtual environment. Branding these elements helps maintain a consistent look and feel across all touchpoints.
• Real-Time Analytics: Organizers can access real-time data, track attendee engagement, and follow up with personalized outreach. Detailed analytics can shape future marketing strategies by offering insights into what worked and what didn’t.

Pros:

• Strong integration with marketing and CRM tools.
• Excellent customization for branding.
• Robust analytics that aids in post-event follow-ups.
• Easy-to-use, B2B-centric features for lead generation.

Cons:

• Limited networking features compared to other platforms.
• It may not be ideal for non-corporate events due to its B2B focus.

Best For: Companies focused on B2B marketing that needs a platform to drive lead generation and customer engagement through virtual events.

3. Accelevents: Enterprise Scalability and Customization

Accelevents is known for its scalability and robust feature set, which makes it a popular choice for enterprises hosting large, complex events. It offers end-to-end event management solutions, from registration to post-event analytics.

Key Features:

• Scalable for Large Events: Accelevents can handle events of various sizes, from small workshops to large-scale conferences. Its scalability ensures that businesses can expand their event scope without facing technical hurdles.
• Advanced Ticketing and Registration Options: The platform’s ticketing system allows organizers to create multiple ticket types with customizable tiers, pricing, and availability, making it easy to manage different audience segments. Secure online ticket sales, with real-time tracking of ticket quantities and revenue, give organizers control over registration flow and visibility into sales progress.
• Comprehensive Management Tools: The platform offers tools for ticketing, registration, lead generation, and event marketing. Organizers can manage everything in one place, making it easier to coordinate complex events.
• Networking & Engagement: Accelevents is mainly known for its networking opportunities, such as virtual lounges, breakout sessions, and speed networking. These features replicate the in-person networking experience by creating an environment that fosters connections among participants.
• Detailed Analytics & Reporting: Organizers can access detailed reports on session attendance, engagement, and lead activity. You can use the insights from these reports to improve event strategies and drive better ROI.

Pros:

• Supports both virtual and hybrid events seamlessly.
• Scalability makes it ideal for large enterprises.
• Comprehensive management tools for a smooth event workflow.
• Extensive networking and engagement features.

Cons:

• Complex setup process, especially for first-time users.
• Slightly pricier than other platforms, which may not suit smaller budgets.

Best For: Large enterprises and organizations looking to host multi-day conferences, trade shows, and events that require scalable, robust solutions.

4. Hopin: Large-Scale Attendee Handling and Networking

Hopin has carved a niche for itself among virtual event platforms. It is particularly valued for managing large events like conferences, expos, and high-attendance networking gatherings. Here’s a closer look at what makes Hopin a popular choice for hosting and scaling massive virtual events.

Key Features:

• Virtual Venue & Customizable Areas: Hopin’s Virtual Venue is a standout feature that allows organizers to set up various areas, including reception, stages, breakout rooms, and expo halls. This segmentation makes it easy for attendees to navigate the event and thus improves their overall experience.
• Strong Networking Features: Hopin works well for events where networking is essential. It includes random one-on-one video meetings, group chat rooms, and virtual lounges, creating natural spaces for attendees to connect, share ideas, and engage in conversations—mimicking an in-person networking environment.
• Scalable for Large Events: Hopin is designed to scale seamlessly, allowing businesses to host events with anywhere from a handful of participants to tens of thousands. Its flexible architecture ensures smooth performance even with a large number of attendees.
• Real-Time Data & Analytics: Organizers can access real-time data on registration, attendee engagement, and session participation. You can use this data to optimize the event while it’s happening and improve future event planning.

Pros:

• Excellent for large, multi-day events.
• Intuitive interface with customizable event areas.
• Strong focus on networking and engagement.
• Scalable architecture to support a variety of event sizes.

Cons:

• Expensive for smaller events, with fees tied to ticket sales.
• Some users report technical glitches, especially during large, multi-track events.

Best For Conferences, expos, and networking-focused events that need a platform capable of handling large-scale participation.

Key Considerations When Selecting a Virtual Event Platform

Choosing the right virtual event platform can be overwhelming, especially with many available options. To ensure your event runs smoothly and meets your goals, you must carefully evaluate your needs, budget, and technical requirements. Here’s what you should consider before making a decision:

1. Identifying the Challenges and Needs for Your Virtual Events

Before diving into platform features, stepping back and defining what you need from a virtual event platform is essential. Consider the following questions:

• What Type of Event Are You Hosting? Different events require different features. A webinar might only need basic streaming and Q&A, while a trade show may require advanced features like virtual booths, multi-track sessions, and networking lounges. Identifying the core aspects of your event will help you narrow down the platforms that fit your requirements.
• What Are Your Engagement Goals? Are you looking to drive sales, generate leads, or increase brand awareness? Your objectives will determine which engagement tools you should prioritize. For example, Hubilo offers interactive elements like live polls, Q&A, and gamification, making it ideal for engagement-focused events.
• What Is the Scale of Your Event? Determine the number of attendees you expect and the number of speakers or sessions you’ll need to manage. A platform that works for small webinars may struggle with large conferences or hybrid events, so scalability should be a primary concern.

Understanding these needs upfront can save you time and ensure you choose a platform that meets your event requirements and exceeds attendee expectations.

Ready to plan your next event? See how you can customize Hubilo’s versatile platform to suit events of any size and type.

2. Evaluating Cost, Scalability, and User Requirements

Cost and scalability are often the deciding factors when selecting a virtual event platform. Here’s how to approach this crucial step:

• Budget-Friendly Options vs. Feature-Rich Platforms: Sometimes, a more budget-friendly platform may seem like the best choice, but there's a chance it could lack essential features. Your goal is to balance your budget against the need for high-end additions like more engagement tools, branding options, and so on. Platforms like Hubilo offer flexible pricing that can be adjusted based on your specific needs, helping you get more value without overspending.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Your chosen platform should be able to grow with your event. If you're a small enterprise, you'll probably start with a webinar, but you might later want to expand to larger events like multi-day conferences. Your platform should support this growth without requiring a complete overhaul. 
• User-Friendly Interface: Ease of use isn’t just for attendees—organizers also need a platform that simplifies setup and management. Complicated interfaces can lead to mistakes and delays, especially during live events. 

Are you worried about costs and scalability? Explore Hubilo’s flexible pricing plans and see how you can scale your events without breaking the bank.

3. Integration with Existing Tools and Software

Integration is a crucial element that often gets overlooked. However, it can make or break the success of your event. Seamless integration lets you connect your event platform with your existing marketing, CRM, and analytics tools, providing a more cohesive experience and better data management.

• CRM Integration for Lead Tracking: Platforms that integrate with CRM tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Marketo enable seamless data transfer so you can track and nurture leads faster. This is especially vital for B2B events where lead generation is a key objective. 
• Marketing Automation: Connecting your event platform to your email marketing tools means you can automate reminders, follow-ups, and thank-you notes. This type of consistent communication saves time and resources.
• Analytics and Reporting Tools: Analytics tools are the same because they provide highly accurate and valuable information that helps you understand the event's performance. You can collect a lot of data, from attendee behavior to session participation and engagement metrics, and use this information to refine future events. 

Looking for seamless integration with your existing tech stack? Try Hubilo and discover how easy it is to connect with CRM, marketing, and analytics tools to optimize your event strategy.

By carefully evaluating these key considerations, you can select a platform that fits your current requirements and supports your future growth. In the following sections, we’ll review the top virtual event platforms of 2024 and how they compare in terms of features, flexibility, and user satisfaction.

Core Features That Define Leading Platforms

When choosing a virtual event platform, certain features make all the difference between a standard experience and an exceptional one. Here’s what you should look for:

1. Interactive Environments & Immersive Experiences

The best platforms out there go beyond simple video conferencing and create virtual spaces that mimic physical event venues. This could mean a virtual lobby, breakout rooms, or even customizable exhibitor halls. 

For example, platforms like Hubilo excel at creating branded, interactive environments where attendees can freely move between sessions, visit sponsor booths, and network with other participants. This makes the event feel seamless and engaging, enhancing the attendees' experience.

2. Engagement Tools for Better Interaction

Keeping attendees engaged is crucial for the success of virtual events. You can use features like live Q&A, polls, and gamification to achieve this goal and make the sessions more interactive. 

Hubilo’s platform offers robust engagement tools, from live chats and polls to gamification elements like leaderboards and contests, helping keep the energy high throughout the event.

3. Customizable Branding & Event Personalization

Customization allows you to make the event uniquely yours. Platforms should offer the flexibility to integrate your brand’s identity throughout the event experience, and Hubilo excels at this. 

Hubilo comes with a high level of customization, so you can ensure that everything from the registration page to the virtual event space aligns with your brand guidelines. This consistency boosts brand recognition and delivers a polished, professional event.

4. Scalability for Handling Various Event Sizes

Whether you're planning a small workshop or a multi-day conference with thousands of attendees, the platform should scale accordingly. Flexibility is key, as it ensures that the platform can grow with your event needs. 

Hubilo and Accelevents are known for their scalability and ability to manage large trade shows and conferences without compromising performance. 

Comparative Overview of Leading Virtual Event Platforms

When selecting a virtual event platform, you must pay close attention to pricing models, features, and user experience. Here’s a comparative look at Hubilo, Goldcast, Accelevents, and Hopin:

Why Hubilo Excels: Hubilo combines versatility, ease of use, and engagement tools, with strong customer support and integration options, making it an ideal choice for event organizers of all scales.

Ready to see how Hubilo can transform your next event? Book a personalized demo and discover the platform’s flexible, engaging, and easy-to-use features tailored to your needs.

Trends in Virtual Event Technology for 2024

The virtual event industry continues to evolve, driven by new technologies and shifting attendee expectations. For 2024, several key trends are shaping the future of virtual and hybrid events, making them more engaging, accessible, and data-driven than ever before. Here’s a look at what’s coming:

1. Emerging Technologies Enhancing Virtual Events

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation: AI is increasingly used to enhance virtual event experiences. These technologies are making events more personalized and efficient, from chatbots that assist attendees with navigation to AI-driven networking that matches participants based on interests. Automation tools also simplify tasks like email marketing, session scheduling, and real-time content moderation, allowing organizers to focus on delivering a seamless experience.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR are no longer just buzzwords—they’re being integrated into virtual events to create more immersive experiences. Platforms are starting to offer virtual product demos, 3D booths, and even virtual tours, giving attendees a richer, more interactive experience. For example, using VR headsets, attendees can explore a virtual expo hall as if they were walking through a physical space.
• Enhanced Analytics with AI Integration: The future of event planning relies heavily on data. Emerging AI technologies can analyze attendee behavior patterns and predict future engagement trends. This could be immensely helpful for organizers as they'll get access to more information than ever before. You can analyze this data and refine your event strategies, which will help you get higher attendance and better ROI.

Why Hubilo Leads: Hubilo’s platform already incorporates advanced AI-powered analytics and offers robust engagement tools. This positions it perfectly to integrate more cutting-edge technologies in the future, ensuring its users stay ahead of industry trends.

2. Trends in User Interactivity and Customization

• Increased Focus on Personalization: Personalization is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. Attendees expect customized event experiences, from personalized agendas to content recommendations based on their interests. Platforms are adopting AI to personalize content and engagement, ensuring that each attendee’s experience is unique.
• Interactive Gamification: Gamification continues to grow as a powerful engagement tool. Features like quizzes, scavenger hunts, and competitions encourage participation and are now becoming the norm in virtual events. Moreover, leaderboards and achievement badges make the events more fun and memorable.
• Hybrid Event Customization: As hybrid events become more popular, there’s a growing need for platforms to customize experiences for both in-person and virtual attendees. More and more platforms are developing tools seamlessly integrating in-person and online experiences. Such measures ensure consistent branding and engagement across both mediums.

Why Hubilo Leads: Hubilo’s customization options are among the best in the market, allowing businesses to craft a fully branded, interactive experience for both virtual and hybrid events. The platform’s engagement tools, including gamification and real-time feedback options, ensure that all participants stay connected and engaged throughout the event.

Ready to create more personalized, engaging events? Schedule your Hubilo demo and see how to deliver a customized experience that resonates with your audience.

3. Future Outlook and Potential Developments

The future of virtual events looks promising, with a blend of advanced technologies, greater flexibility, and enhanced user experiences driving the industry forward. Here are a few potential developments we can expect:

• Seamless Integration of Metaverse Elements: The metaverse concept gradually enters the virtual event space. In the coming years, we can expect to see platforms enabling attendees to participate in fully immersive virtual environments, akin to stepping into a digital world. This could transform how you conduct networking, product demos, and even main-stage presentations.
• Improved Accessibility and Inclusivity: Virtual platforms will likely focus more on making events accessible to all users. Features like live translation, real-time captioning, and adaptable interfaces for people with disabilities make events more inclusive. In the future, platforms will likely adopt more universal design principles.
• Data-Driven Engagement Strategies: With more data being collected than ever, platforms will continue to develop tools that allow you to make data-driven decisions. Future updates might include even more sophisticated tracking capabilities, helping businesses understand engagement trends and improve their ROI.

Why Hubilo Leads: With its focus on integrating advanced technologies and enhancing user experience, Hubilo is well-positioned to stay ahead of industry trends. It already offers tools that allow deep customization, data tracking, and user engagement, setting the stage for future developments that will further enhance virtual and hybrid events.

Want to be part of the future of virtual events? Join the Hubilo community today and stay ahead with cutting-edge technology that makes every event successful.

Conclusion

Virtual event platforms have redefined how you connect, engage, and grow. From small webinars to international conferences, these platforms offer the flexibility, reach, and scalability needed to succeed in today’s digital-first world. Selecting the right platform is more than just picking a tool; it’s about choosing a partner that can help you deliver memorable, engaging, and impactful events.

Key Takeaways:

• Identify Your Needs: Consider the type of events you want to host and the features that matter most, whether it’s deep customization, seamless integration, or robust engagement tools.
• Look Beyond Today: Choose a platform that meets your current needs, can grow with your organization, and adapts to future trends.
• Prioritize User Experience: Platforms like Hubilo, focusing on engagement, flexibility, and user-friendly design, ensure that both organizers and attendees have a seamless, enjoyable experience.

In this comprehensive review, we’ve seen why platforms like Hubilo lead the market in 2024. Whether you need top-tier engagement tools, reliable support for hybrid events, or data insights to fine-tune your strategies, Hubilo offers a complete solution that can adapt to your event’s unique needs. By focusing on innovation and user experience, it continues to set the benchmark for virtual and hybrid events.

Looking to elevate your event experience in 2024 and beyond? Book your Hubilo demo today and start planning your next virtual or hybrid event with the best tools in the industry.