Introduction
Virtual events have moved well beyond basic video calls.
A modern virtual event can include live sessions, networking, discussions, private groups, registration, sponsors, content, on-demand recordings, attendee engagement and follow-up.
That creates a problem for organizers: there are now many platforms that call themselves virtual event software, but they are built for very different jobs.
Some focus on large conferences. Others specialize in immersive virtual venues, webinars, networking, B2B demand generation or event management.
For organizations that want an event to become part of a long-term community, there is another question:
What happens after the event ends?
What Is a Virtual Event Platform?
A virtual event platform is software used to plan, host and manage online events such as:
- Conferences
- Webinars
- Networking events
- Trade shows
- Workshops
- Product launches
- Career fairs
- Community events
- Hybrid events
Unlike a basic video-conferencing tool, a virtual event platform may combine live streaming, registration, session management, attendee interaction, networking, event branding, sponsor experiences, analytics and on-demand content.
The exact feature mix differs by platform.
A webinar-focused product may be ideal for a speaker-led presentation, while a multi-track conference may need networking, exhibitor areas, sponsor tools and attendee analytics. EventsAir and Remo, for example, explicitly distinguish broader event experiences from simple video meetings.
How We Compared These Virtual Event Platforms
We compared the platforms around the factors that matter most when planning a real virtual event:
- Event format and scale
- Live streaming
- Attendee engagement
- Networking
- Registration and ticketing
- Branding and customization
- Sponsor and exhibitor capabilities
- Analytics and reporting
- Integrations
- Ease of management
- Scalability
- Post-event community experience
The goal isn’t to suggest that every platform is designed for exactly the same event.
A networking-heavy conference and a 10,000-person virtual trade show have very different requirements.
1. SocialEngine
SocialEngine takes the #1 position in this comparison for organizations that want virtual events to become part of a larger branded community.
Its current platform includes events alongside groups, member profiles, activity feeds, messaging, real-time communication, live streaming, stories, content, memberships and monetization.
That combination matters because an event often has a life before and after the live session.
Before the event, organizers can build awareness and communicate with members.
During the event, the community can participate, interact and share content.
Afterward, discussions, groups, content and future events can keep the audience connected.
Key strengths
- Branded event experience within a broader community
- Events and community features in one platform
- Groups and discussions for attendee interaction
- Messaging and real-time communication
- Live streaming and interactive experiences
- Memberships and subscriptions
- Paid content and other monetization opportunities
- Mobile community experience
- Administration and moderation
- Plugin and extension ecosystem
The important distinction is that SocialEngine isn’t positioned as a specialist virtual-conference production suite in the same way as some enterprise event platforms.
Its strength is connecting events with an owned community experience.
Best for:
Professional and industry communities, associations, creator communities, education communities, customer communities, private networks and businesses running recurring community events.
2. Whova
Whova is strongly focused on attendee engagement, networking and event management.
Its current virtual-event guide highlights:
- Live sessions
- Community discussions
- Attendee profiles
- Networking
- Event moderation
- Tiered access
- Gamification
- On-demand video
- Registration and payment capabilities
Whova can be useful for conferences, expos and hybrid programs where attendee networking is a major priority.
Best for:
Conference organizers that need event management plus networking and attendee engagement.
3. EventsAir
EventsAir takes a broad event-management approach.
Its 2026 guide highlights capabilities around:
- Registration
- Live streaming
- Sessions
- Attendee engagement
- Analytics
- Marketing
- Sponsors
- Exhibitors
- Mobile apps
- Lead capture
- CRM integrations
The platform is designed to support the broader event lifecycle rather than simply delivering a live video stream.
Best for:
Professional event teams managing complex virtual, hybrid or large-scale events.
4. vFairs
vFairs is known for immersive virtual environments designed around conferences, trade shows, career fairs and expos.
Instead of simply presenting a video stream, organizers can create a digital event environment with virtual booths, sponsor spaces and networking experiences.
That makes vFairs particularly relevant when the virtual venue itself is part of the event experience.
Best for:
Large virtual expos, trade shows, career fairs and conferences where immersive event environments matter.
5. Cvent
Cvent is a major event-management platform used for complex professional and enterprise events.
Its broader ecosystem covers areas such as:
- Registration
- Attendee management
- Event websites
- Engagement
- Reporting
- Integrations
For organizations running large event programs rather than a single virtual gathering, the depth of event-management functionality can be more important than a simple video interface.
Best for:
Enterprises, associations and professional event teams managing complex event programs.
6. Zuddl
Zuddl focuses on branded virtual events with tools for:
- Landing pages
- Registration
- Video production
- On-demand content
- Event hosting
- Breakout rooms
- 1:1 networking
- Gamification
- Attendee insights
Its current product positioning also emphasizes sales and marketing collaboration, making it relevant when a virtual event needs to support demand generation as well as attendee experience.
Best for:
B2B events, user conferences, associations and demand-generation programs.
7. Remo
Remo takes a different approach to online networking.
Instead of keeping everyone inside one presentation stream, attendees can move between virtual tables and conversations.
Its current 2026 guide highlights:
- Table-based networking
- Customizable floor plans
- Branded event spaces
- Lead capture
- AI-powered matchmaking
- Presentation and networking modes
This makes Remo especially interesting when interaction between attendees is as important as the presentations themselves.
Best for:
Networking-heavy conferences, workshops, career fairs, community meetups and events where peer-to-peer interaction is central.
8. Airmeet
Airmeet sits between basic webinar software and larger enterprise event platforms.
It is designed for branded virtual events with engagement and networking features.
That makes it relevant for organizers who want more interaction than a conventional webinar without necessarily needing the full complexity of an enterprise event stack.
Best for:
Interactive conferences, webinars, workshops and community-led virtual events.
9. Bizzabo
Bizzabo focuses on the broader event experience, with tools for:
- Event websites
- Mobile experiences
- Networking
- Registration
- Analytics
- Attendee engagement
It is particularly suited to organizations running major conferences where branding, attendee experience and event operations need to work together.
Best for:
Large conferences, enterprise events and professional event programs.
10. Zoom Events
Zoom Events extends the familiar Zoom experience into event management.
It can be a practical option for teams that already use Zoom Meetings and Webinars and want a more structured event experience around that ecosystem.
Its biggest advantage is familiarity.
Attendees already know how Zoom works, which can reduce the learning curve.
The question is whether a traditional video-first experience is enough for your event.
For large networking-heavy events, specialist platforms may provide deeper attendee movement, community or virtual venue capabilities. Whova, Remo and other platforms, for example, emphasize networking and attendee engagement beyond basic video delivery.
Best for:
Organizations already invested in Zoom that need a familiar virtual event workflow.
Virtual Event Platforms Compared
| Platform | Best For | Main Strength |
| SocialEngine | Community-led virtual events | Events + branded community |
| Whova | Conferences | Networking and attendee engagement |
| EventsAir | Professional event teams | End-to-end event management |
| vFairs | Virtual expos | Immersive event environments |
| Cvent | Enterprise events | Event operations and integrations |
| Zuddl | B2B events | Branded experiences and demand generation |
| Remo | Networking events | Table-based interaction |
| Airmeet | Interactive conferences | Engagement and networking |
| Bizzabo | Large conferences | Brand-focused event experience |
| Zoom Events | Existing Zoom users | Familiar video-first delivery |
Why SocialEngine Takes the #1 Position
The #1 position in this comparison is based on a specific use case:
Organizations that want virtual events to strengthen a branded community over time.
Specialist event platforms can be excellent for individual conferences, expos or large event programs.
But a community organization may need something broader.
Imagine an association hosting a monthly virtual event.
The event itself is only one touchpoint.
Members may also need:
- Profiles
- Member directory
- Private groups
- Discussions
- Messaging
- Content
- Recurring events
- Memberships
- Paid resources
- Live interactions
- Mobile access
SocialEngine brings those community functions together with events. Its current platform specifically highlights events, groups, messaging, live streaming, content, memberships and monetization.
That creates a different model:
Event → Conversation → Community → Membership → Next Event
Instead of:
Event → Attendee leaves → Event ends
For creators, associations, businesses and membership organizations, that difference can matter.
Virtual Event Platform vs. Webinar Platform
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t necessarily the same thing.
A webinar usually revolves around a speaker presenting to an audience.
A virtual event can involve:
- Multiple sessions
- Networking
- Breakout experiences
- Exhibitors
- Sponsors
- Discussions
- Attendee profiles
- Q&A
- Polls
- Gamification
- On-demand content
If your event is simply a one-hour presentation, a webinar platform may be enough.
If attendees need to explore, network, interact and return to an ongoing community, a broader virtual event or community platform may make more sense.
What Features Should You Look for in a Virtual Event Platform?
1. Live Streaming
Reliable live video is fundamental.
Look for support for live sessions, presentations and, where required, recorded content.
2. Attendee Engagement
Chat, Q&A, polls, reactions, quizzes and discussions can prevent an event from becoming a passive viewing experience.
3. Networking
If networking is important, check whether attendees can have one-to-one conversations, join groups, enter breakout spaces or move between networking areas.
4. Registration
Registration should be simple for attendees and flexible for organizers.
5. Branding
Look for an event experience that feels connected to your organization instead of another generic meeting link.
6. Analytics
Attendance is only one metric.
Session participation, engagement, networking activity, content views and sponsor interactions can provide much more useful insights.
7. Sponsor Tools
For conferences and expos, sponsor visibility and lead capture may be critical.
8. Integrations
CRM, marketing automation, calendar, payment and streaming integrations can reduce manual work.
9. Scalability
Choose a platform that matches your current event size but can support your future event calendar.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Event Platform
Start with the event, rather than the software.
Ask:
- What type of event are we running?
- How many attendees do we expect?
- Is networking essential?
- Do we need exhibitors or sponsors?
- Do attendees need registration and paid tickets?
- Will the event be recurring?
- Do we need a branded experience?
- What analytics will the team need afterward?
- Does the audience already belong to an online community?
- What should happen after the event ends?
The last question is easy to overlook.
If the answer is:
“We want attendees to stay connected.”
Then a community-first platform deserves consideration alongside dedicated event software.
How Much Does Virtual Event Software Cost?
Virtual event pricing varies considerably.
Some platforms publish subscription pricing. Others use:
- Per-event pricing
- Attendee-based pricing
- Organizer-based pricing
- Custom enterprise quotes
Your actual cost can also depend on:
- Number of attendees
- Number of organizers
- Event duration
- Number of sessions
- Streaming requirements
- Registration and ticketing
- Networking features
- Sponsor requirements
- Branding
- Integrations
- Customer support
So don’t compare platforms based only on the monthly subscription price.
Compare the complete event workflow.
How to Create a Virtual Event With SocialEngine
SocialEngine can be particularly useful when the goal is to connect an event with a broader online community.
Step 1: Define the Audience
Decide who the event is for and what attendees should gain from attending.
Step 2: Create the Event
Set the event details, schedule and access requirements.
Step 3: Promote It Inside the Community
Use community content, groups, notifications and marketing tools to build awareness.
Step 4: Add Interaction
Use discussions, groups, messaging and live experiences to encourage participation.
Step 5: Connect the Event to Memberships
For organizations with paid communities, events can become part of the broader membership experience.
Step 6: Continue the Conversation
After the live session, publish content, start discussions and promote the next event.
That’s where the community model becomes valuable.
The event doesn’t have to be the end of the customer journey.
Final Takeaway
The best virtual event platform in 2026 depends on what you want attendees to experience.
Whova is strong around networking and attendee engagement.
EventsAir focuses on comprehensive event lifecycle management.
vFairs is built around immersive virtual events and expos.
Cvent serves complex enterprise event programs.
Zuddl combines branded virtual experiences with demand generation.
Remo focuses on networking, while Airmeet provides interactive event experiences.
Bizzabo is designed for large professional events, and Zoom Events is a natural option for teams already using Zoom. These distinctions are also reflected in the 2026 comparison sources you provided.
SocialEngine takes a different route.
Rather than treating a virtual event as an isolated online experience, it can connect events with profiles, groups, discussions, messaging, content, memberships, live experiences and monetization.
That makes SocialEngine the #1 choice in this comparison for organizations and creators looking to turn virtual events into an ongoing, branded community.
FAQs
There isn’t one platform for every event type. For organizations that want virtual events connected to a branded online community, SocialEngine is #1 in this comparison. Specialist platforms may fit specific requirements such as immersive expos, enterprise event operations or webinar-focused programs.
A virtual event platform generally provides more than video conferencing. It can include registration, event websites, networking, sponsor areas, analytics, attendee engagement and on-demand content.
SocialEngine is primarily a community platform that includes event functionality, live streaming and broader engagement features. Its strength is connecting events with an ongoing branded community.
It depends on the networking model. Remo emphasizes table-based networking, while Whova emphasizes attendee networking and engagement. SocialEngine is relevant when networking needs to continue through groups, profiles, messaging and community interactions beyond the event.
Yes. Depending on the platform, organizers can use paid registration, memberships, subscriptions, sponsorships, exhibitor packages, paid content and other revenue models.