Best Webinar Software Of 2024 (2024)

• Zoom: Best for enterprise businesses
• ClickMeeting: Best free trial
• GetResponse: Best for customizable URLs
• Zoho Meeting: Best for Zoho users
• BigMarker: Best for simulated live webinars
• Webex: Best for real-time translations
• Livestorm: Best free option
• GoToWebinar: Best for source tracking
• BlueJeans Events: Best for automated closed-captioning
• Demio: Best for marketing
• WebinarJam: Best for customer relationship management (CRM) integration
• U Webinar: Best for professional backgrounds
• EverWebinar: Best for evergreen webinars

The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content and guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.

We reviewed 20 webinar software providers using a detailed approach to help determine the 13 best webinar software for small businesses. Our ratings used numerous factors, such as price range, the ability to share screens, if a provider offers on-demand and live webinars, customer ratings on top-rated review sites and our own expert reviews. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Webinar software is a type of online platform that allows users to host and attend virtual events and meetings, typically in the form of a webinar or web conference. These platforms offer a range of features, such as video and audio broadcasting, screen sharing and interactive elements, such as chat and surveys to facilitate online communication and engagement. Businesses, educational institutions and other organizations often use webinar software to host presentations, training and other events online.

Webinar Software Uses

• Delivering presentations to a remote audience: Webinars can be used to present information to a large group of people in a virtual setting.
• Generating leads: Webinars can be used to generate leads by offering valuable content and providing opportunities for attendees to opt in to receive further information or follow-up.
• Offering customer support: Webinars can be used to provide customer support and assist customers in using a product or service.
• Demonstrating products: Webinars can be used to demonstrate a product or service to potential customers.
• Providing remote training: Webinars can help train employees remotely, eliminating the need for in-person training sessions.
• Hosting virtual events: Webinars can be used to host events, such as conferences or trade shows online, allowing attendees to participate from anywhere.
• Facilitating networking: Webinars can be used to facilitate networking and relationship-building among attendees.

Benefits of Webinar Software

• Increased audience reach: Webinar software allows for a wider audience reach by hosting events and meetings online.
• Cost and time savings: In-person meetings and travel can be eliminated with webinars, saving time and money.
• Improved engagement: Interactive elements, such as chat and surveys, can enhance engagement and participation among attendees.
• Greater convenience: Attendees can join from any location, making webinars a convenient option.
• Enhanced accessibility: Webinars can be accessed via a range of devices, increasing accessibility.
• Increased sales: Webinars can be used to generate leads and close sales through valuable content and product or service offerings.
• Improved customer satisfaction: Providing customer support and assistance through webinars can improve customer satisfaction.
• Enhanced professionalism: Webinars can help users project a professional image and establish credibility by demonstrating expertise and offering high-quality content.

Who Needs Webinar Software?

• Businesses: Webinars can be used by businesses to host presentations, training and other events.
• Educational institutions: These organizations can use webinars to host lectures, workshops and other events, as well as provide remote learning opportunities.
• Consultants and coaches: These professionals can use webinars to deliver presentations, provide training and offer services to clients. Many coaches/consultants use webinars as a lower ticket paid offer.
• Trainers and teachers: Webinars can be used by trainers and teachers to deliver lessons, provide training and assess student progress.
• Event planners: Webinar software can be used by event planners to host virtual events such as conferences and trade shows.
• Marketing and sales professionals: Webinars can be used by these professionals to generate leads and close sales through valuable content and product or service offerings.
• Customer support teams: These teams can use webinars to provide help and support to customers.
• Any individual or organization looking to host virtual events or meetings: Webinar software is a useful tool for anyone looking to host virtual events or meetings, regardless of industry or profession.

When selecting webinar software, it’s important to consider which features are most important to your business and audience. Some key features to consider include international dial-in numbers for global teams, marketing tools, such as registration sourcing and CTAs, and Q&A capabilities. It’s also important to consider the price of the software and read online reviews to get a sense of its quality and effectiveness. Although ultimately, the best webinar software will depend on the specific needs and goals of your business.

Essential Features

• International dial-in numbers: This feature allows attendees to join the webinar from any location, regardless of their country.
• Marketing tools: Features such as registration sourcing and CTAs can be useful for generating leads and converting sales through webinars.
• Q&A capabilities: Allowing attendees to ask questions and get answers in real time can enhance engagement and participation.
• Video and audio quality: Ensuring high-quality video and audio is important for a professional and smooth webinar experience.
• Customization options: Customization options, such as branding and themes, can help make the webinar feel more personalized and professional.
• Mobile compatibility: Ensuring that the webinar software is compatible with mobile devices can increase accessibility for attendees.
• Security: Webinar software should offer secure connections and data protection to ensure the privacy and safety of attendees.
• Support and resources: Look for webinar software that offers good customer support and helpful resources, such as tutorials and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
• Integration with other tools: Integration with tools, such as CRM systems and marketing automation platforms, can be useful for managing and tracking webinar performance.

Compare Pricing

Webinar software costs can vary widely, with some options offering free plans and others charging hundreds of dollars per month. The price of webinar software typically is based on the number of attendees and the features included in the plan.

Plans are usually structured as pay-as-you-go or subscription-based. Pay-as-you-go plans charge a fee per webinar while subscription plans offer a set number of webinars per month for a flat fee. Some webinar software also offers annual plans, which can offer a discounted rate compared to monthly subscriptions.

It’s difficult to determine a specific “good price” for webinar software as it will depend on the specific needs and budget of the user. However, users should generally expect to pay more for plans with more attendees and advanced features.

Users may want to consider a more expensive option if they plan on hosting a high volume of webinars or require advanced features, such as integration with other tools or custom branding. On the other hand, users with lower volume or more basic needs may be able to find suitable options at a lower price point. It’s important for users to evaluate their needs carefully and compare different plans and pricing options before making a decision.

Sample Pricing

Request a Demo

It’s important to test webinar platforms before committing to a purchase as many providers require a one-year contract. Request a live demonstration and a free trial to get a feel for the platform and its customer experience. The webinar platform you choose should have features and functionality that align with your goals and strategies. It should also be intuitive for both you and your participants.

Look for features, such as registration and payment integration, customizable surveys, automated follow-up emails, slide and video sharing and streaming capabilities. By test-driving these features, you will determine if the webinar platform is right for your organization.

When hosting a webinar, there are a few key pieces of equipment that can help ensure a smooth and successful event. From a webcam and headset to presentation software and a reliable computer, these tools can help you connect with your audience and deliver a professional experience. Here is a list of some of the key equipment to consider when hosting a webinar:

• Webcam: A webcam is a video camera that allows you to be seen on camera during the webinar. This is important for creating a personal connection with your audience.
• Headset with microphone: A headset with a microphone allows you to communicate clearly with your audience and minimizes background noise.
• Computer: A reliable computer with a fast internet connection is essential for hosting a smooth webinar.
• Presentation software: Presentation software, such as PowerPoint or Prezi, allows you to create and display visual aids during the webinar.
• Webinar software: Webinar software is the platform you will use to host and manage the webinar.
• Backup internet connection: It is always a good idea to have a backup internet connection in case your primary connection fails during the webinar.
• Monitor: A second monitor can be helpful for displaying your presentation and managing the webinar controls at the same time.
• Light source: Good lighting is important for creating a professional look and feel during the webinar.
• Green screen: A green screen allows you to customize your background and create a more polished appearance.
• Whiteboard: A whiteboard or dry-erase board can be useful for demonstrating ideas or taking notes during the webinar.

To get the most out of your webinar software, there are a few key things to consider. From conducting audience research and promoting your event to engaging with attendees and following up after the webinar, these tips can help you effectively use your webinar software to connect with your audience and deliver a successful event:

• Audience research: It’s important to research your audience and understand their needs and interests to create a webinar that will be valuable and relevant to them.
• Branding: Use your webinar to showcase your brand and create a cohesive look and feel that reflects your business.
• Analytics and reporting: Use the analytics and reporting features of your webinar software to understand how your webinars are performing and identify areas for improvement.
• Engagement: Engage with your audience during the webinar through features, such as polls, Q&A and chat to create a more interactive and dynamic experience.
• Follow-up: Follow up with attendees after the webinar to thank them for participating and provide any additional resources or information.
• Practice: Practice beforehand to ensure that you are comfortable with the webinar software and confident in your delivery.
• Promote: Promote your webinar to reach a larger audience and drive registrations.
• Testing: Test your equipment and internet connection beforehand to ensure a smooth and seamless webinar.
• Time management: Manage your time effectively during the webinar to ensure that you cover all the key points and leave time for audience interaction.

To create our ranking of the best webinar software, we looked at a variety of factors, including but not limited to features, price, customer support, ease of use and online reviews. We also took into account the different needs of businesses, such as those with international teams or audiences, businesses that want to track where their registrants come from and businesses that want to use webinars for marketing purposes. We assigned weighted scores to several factors to help narrow down our list to the best of the best. In the end, we came up with a comprehensive ranking of the best webinar software of 2024.

Pricing

For pricing, we first looked at the starting price of a webinar software and then compared it to the highest range of pricing for all available plans available from a provider. Those that were more affordable or added more usable features for each higher-priced tier fared favorably in our rankings. Another price consideration we gave was to those providers that made free trials or free versions of their webinar software available as well as those that had transparent pricing. This accounted for 20% of our weighted scoring.

Features

While most of the important features necessary for webinar software were included with even the most basic package from each provider, not all included them until you purchase a more expensive plan or include them as part of an add-on, which weighed heavily in our scoring system. The features we considered to be essential for webinar software includes screen shareability, having attendee limits, offering webinars on-demand and live, providing integrations with third-party software and having compatibility with PowerPoint files. This accounted for 35% of our weighted scoring.

Third-party reviews

We looked at reviews from real users of webinar software left on third-party reviews sites, including Capterra and G2, to gauge their opinion of each provider. When looking at these reviews, we scored webinar software with a higher number of reviews (500 to 1,000 or more) better than those with fewer reviews. We scored those providers that received better reviews (3.5 points or higher out of 5) as well. These accounted for 15% of the total score.

Expert analysis

Taking all of these details into consideration our experts then looked at what real users had to say about each webinar software. We focused specifically on four categories: ease of use, stand-out features, popularity and value for the money. Using this information accounted for the final 30% of the total score.

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