A virtual event platform is software for hosting and managing online events. Discover the best virtual event platforms for engaging online experiences.
Let’s be real, not all event platforms are built equally. Some have laggy software, clunky chat features, or confusing navigation that makes attendees drop off early. Others excel in the user experience, offering smooth live sessions, easy networking, and valuable insights into performance.
This guide breaks down which platforms do it best — from all-in-one systems like Zoom Events to automated webinar powerhouses like StealthSeminar.
Key Takeaways:
- Virtual event platforms vary widely in features, pricing, and engagement tools.
- Select based on your event type: webinars, summits, hybrid events, or workshops.
- Don’t overlook the attendee experience, scalability, and support — they make or break your next event.
Why wait to level up your events? Get instant access to powerful engagement tools.
What Is a Virtual Event Platform?
A virtual event platform is software that helps you plan, host, and manage online or hybrid events — combining in-person and virtual experiences. It provides you with tools for live sessions, replays, interactive features such as polls or Q&As, and methods to measure your audience’s engagement.
You can think of these as digital venues. Instead of renting a convention center, you’re renting a virtual “space” that lets attendees join from anywhere.
Examples include:
- Webinars and workshops
- Multi-track virtual conferences
- Product launches
- Online trade shows
- Hybrid events that combine virtual and in-person audiences
Recent statistics show that attendees want more live streams (58%), easier online access (45%), hybrid options (38%), e-commerce features (29%), and better educational access (28%), all of which today’s best platforms are designed to deliver. The goal is to create a smooth, interactive experience for attendees — not just a livestream.
Key Features That Drive Engagement
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Live Chat & Q&A | Keeps your audience engaged by letting them interact in real time. It’s a must-have feature for any interactive online event platform. |
| Polls & Surveys | Encourages instant feedback and active participation from attendees. |
| Breakout Sessions | Enables smaller group discussions for deeper connection and learning. |
| Gamification | Adds a fun, competitive element that keeps participants motivated. |
| Networking Lounges | Replicates in-person mingling and builds genuine connections among attendees. This enhances the overall virtual event experience and fosters community. |
| Custom Branding | Makes your interactive online event platform look polished and consistent with your company’s visual identity. |
| Detailed Data & Analytics | Provides valuable insights into engagement levels and performance metrics. |
Whether you’re hosting a small team training or a 10,000-attendee virtual summit, these features are the backbone of any engaging online event. The right virtual experience tools not only keep attendees active but also make your event memorable and measurable.
Your audience deserves better than another boring webinar. Test-drive the best virtual event platform for free today!
Types of Virtual Events & Best Platform Fits
Every event type requires different tools and a different level of technical expertise. Here’s how they compare:
- Webinars: Best for education, marketing, or lead generation. Use platforms with automated scheduling and chat tools (like StealthSeminar).
- Workshops: Require active collaboration — ideal with platforms offering breakout sessions and whiteboards (like Zoom Events).
- Conferences or Summits: Require multiple tracks, networking opportunities, and visibility for sponsors. Choose immersive tools like Hopin or Airmeet.
- Trade Shows: Require virtual booths and networking — vFairs and Airmeet do this well.
- Hybrid Events: Combine in-person and online audiences, allowing greater flexibility and reach.
- Evergreen Webinars: Perfect for consistent lead generation with minimal live involvement — StealthSeminar is made for this.
If you want to communicate your knowledge and expertise, choose platforms that offer polls, chats, and Q&A tools to keep attendees actively engaged. These interactive features build trust, encourage participation, and help you position yourself as an authority in your field. Learn how to elevate your authority through smarter webinar engagement at StealthSeminar.
Best Virtual Event Platforms Compared
Here are the top online event platforms that excel in keeping your attendees engaged and helping you achieve your event ROI goals.
1. StealthSeminar – Best for Automated Webinars + Live Hybrids
If your goal is to turn virtual events into a stream of leads and sales without constant manual hosting, StealthSeminar is your go-to.
Why it’s great:
- Combines pre-recorded webinars with live chat interaction.
- Allows you to schedule sessions to appear live while you focus on other tasks.
- Offers polls, timed CTA popups, analytics, and integrations with your CRM or sales team tools.
- Perfect for evergreen live sessions that feel authentic.
Ideal For: Coaches, marketers, and SaaS founders running ongoing webinar funnels.
Pros:
- Advanced automation for evergreen events.
- Great data to measure performance and optimize your next campaign.
- Seamless setup — no heavy technical expertise required.
Cons:
- Not designed for large-scale expos or multi-track virtual events.
StealthSeminar has helped over 18,000 businesses generate more than $1.7 billion in revenue through automated webinars.
2. Zoom Events – Best for Simple, Scalable Events
Zoom Events builds on the familiar Zoom platform, expanding it into a full-featured event platform with breakout sessions, polls, and custom branding options.
Why it’s great:
- Easy for attendees — no learning curve.
- Supports networking spaces and live sessions.
- Works for both in-person and hybrid event models.
Cons: Limited gamification or advanced branding.
Ideal For: Corporate webinars, team meetings, or community events.
3. Hopin – Best for Virtual Conferences
Hopin was designed for large-scale virtual events. It includes lounges, virtual expo halls, and multi-stage sessions.
Why it’s great:
- Immersive event spaces that mimic real conferences.
- Deep analytics for detailed data on engagement.
- Excellent networking opportunities.
Cons: Higher pricing and learning curve.
Ideal For: Summits and product expos.
4. Airmeet – Best for Networking Engagement
Airmeet shines when your event depends on connecting people. Its networking spaces and social lounges replicate face-to-face conversations.
Why it’s great:
- Built-in gamification and leaderboards.
- Visually appealing event setup.
- Great breakout sessions and interactive tools.
Ideal For: Internal team events, networking mixers, and hybrid community gatherings.
5. ON24 – Best for Enterprise B2B Webinars
ON24 offers enterprise-level online event platforms focused on analytics, personalization, and ROI.
Why it’s great:
- Advanced, detailed data tracking.
- Custom audience journeys for high-value clients.
- Seamless integration with sales team workflows.
Cons: Requires technical expertise and a big budget.
Ideal For: Enterprise-grade marketing and corporate communication.
6. Livestorm – Best for Sales Webinars & Demos
Livestorm makes running virtual events effortless — browser-based, no installs.
Why it’s great:
- Clean interface and automation.
- Integrated email reminders and custom branding.
- Ideal for sales team demos and lead nurturing.
Cons: Limited scalability for large conferences.
7. BigMarker – Best for Custom-Branded Webinars
Perfect for agencies and big brands that care about identity.
Why it’s great:
- Fully white-labeled rooms.
- Great interactive tools and data collection.
- Deep analytics for ROI.
Cons: Premium pricing.
8. Demio – Best for SaaS + Product Demos
Simple, effective, and user-friendly — Demio balances automation with engagement.
Why it’s great:
- Works for live sessions and evergreen events.
- Built-in polls, Q&A, and registration tools.
Cons: Limited customization.
9. WebinarJam – Budget-Friendly Webinar Platform
If you’re just starting out, WebinarJam offers strong marketing tools at a fair price.
Why it’s great:
- Live pop-ups, polls, and chat.
- Affordable entry point.
Cons: Occasional lag during large live sessions.
10. vFairs – Best for Large-Scale Virtual Trade Shows
vFairs is designed for immersive virtual events with 3D booths and avatars.
Why it’s great:
- Ideal for trade shows and hybrid events.
- Gamified networking and expo halls.
- Strong analytics for event ROI tracking.
Cons: Costly and needs technical expertise to set up.
See how easy it is to host interactive, high-converting virtual events.
Online Event Platform Comparison (2025 Overview)
| Platform | Automation | Main Drawbacks |
| StealthSeminar | Full automation + hybrid live chat | Not built for multi-track expos |
| Zoom Events | Limited automation | No gamification or advanced customization |
| Hopin | Limited automation | Expensive; setup complexity |
| Airmeet | Limited automation | Not ideal for long, evergreen webinars |
| ON24 | Partial automation | Expensive; steep learning curve |
| Livestorm | Automated & live webinars | Not built for large events |
| BigMarker | Automated & live | Premium pricing |
| Demio | Basic automation | Minimal advanced tools |
| WebinarJam | Limited automation | Occasional lag on large sessions |
| vFairs | Manual scheduling | Expensive; technical setup required |
What Makes StealthSeminar Stand Out
- True Hybrid Automation – Unlike other platforms, StealthSeminar enables you to fully automate webinars while maintaining live chat for real-time attendee engagement.
- All-Inclusive Pricing – Streaming and encoding fees are included, with no additional costs for bandwidth or hosting.
- Data-Driven Optimization – Advanced metrics like Webinar Dollar Stats and Active Response Stats™ let you pinpoint what drives conversions.
- Marketing-First Design – Every feature, from registration pages to CTAs, is engineered to boost lead generation and sales, not just deliver content.
- Effortless Scalability – Run as many webinars as you want once set up, with no need to reconfigure settings for each replay or session.
If your goal is to generate leads and revenue automatically through webinars that still feel personal and interactive, StealthSeminar is the best investment.
While tools like Hopin or vFairs focus on large conferences and virtual expos, StealthSeminar dominates the evergreen webinar funnel space — offering reliability, conversion tools, and automation power in one streamlined system.
FAQs
What’s the best online event platform for audience engagement?
For automated and hybrid webinars, StealthSeminar is unmatched. For interactive live sessions, Airmeet and Zoom Events are solid picks.
Which platform works best for evergreen or pre-recorded webinars?
StealthSeminar specializes in running pre-recorded events that look and feel live.
How can I measure performance and event ROI?
Use platforms with strong analytics like StealthSeminar, ON24, or BigMarker. They track attendance, engagement, and conversion metrics.
Final Thoughts
The best online event platforms aren’t just video tools — they’re engagement engines. Whether you’re hosting a product demo, conference, or evergreen webinar, the key is to keep your attendees engaged and get valuable insights to grow.
If you’re a marketer or coach looking for automation, StealthSeminar is your best bet. It provides you with all the tools to run a professional event without the need for constant live hosting.
Experience real-time polls, chat, and analytics firsthand. Try the platform free and watch your events come alive.
