Over the years, I’ve collaborated with marketing teams to produce various webinars, from live product demos to virtual workshops and team meetings. Along the way, I’ve experimented with just about every major webinar software.Some tools made hosting feel effortless, with intuitive interfaces and powerful features that let us focus on connecting with our audience. Others were a headache: laggy video, confusing controls, or clunky integrations that turned simple tasks into frustrating challenges.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best webinar software can make all the difference. Ultimately, as marketers, we want to create an engaging experience for our audiences and stress-free for us. With so many platforms claiming to be the best, I’ve made it my mission to test them, uncover their strengths and weaknesses, and determine which ones are worth the hype.
“Interest in webinar software spiked massively in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the sudden shift to remote work. As a result, many of the top webinar products have expanded their feature sets to include support for virtual events, such as virtual lobbies and networking. But not every webinar needs to be a full-scale virtual event. The decision to host a webinar or a virtual event will depend on several factors, including your target audience, the scope of the content being presented, and the desired level of engagement from attendees.”
– Stephanie Graham, Market Research Manager, G2
In this article, I’ll share my hands-on experience with some of the best webinar software in the market. I’ll explain what stood out, what fell short, and which platforms I’d recommend depending on your needs. Whether you’re gearing up for your first webinar or looking to upgrade your hosting game, I hope my hands-on testing of these tools helps you make the right choice.
*These webinar software solutions are top-rated in their category, according to G2 Grid Reports. I’ve also added their monthly or annual pricing to make comparisons easier for you.
I use webinar software to host and manage virtual events, like product demos, workshops, and team meetings. It handles everything from streaming video and sharing slides to engaging the audience with polls, Q&A, and chat features.
I spent weeks working alongside different teams, including sales, marketing, training, and event planning to test what webinar software does well, where it falls short, and if it’s worth your time. I also used artificial intelligence to analyze product reviews on G2, understanding real users' needs, motivations, and pain points. On top of that, I checked out G2’s Grid Reports to see how these webinar software stack up. All that research led to this list of the best webinar software, made just for you.
The best webinar software solutions make connecting with people, building trust, and sharing ideas easy without distractions or technical hiccups. For me, it’s essential because it keeps the experience smooth and professional, ensuring I can focus on delivering value while the software takes care of the tech.
While evaluating webinar software solutions for writing this article, I focused on the following factors.
By considering these factors, I’ve been able to choose webinar software that works for me. Over the last few weeks, I tested more than 25 webinar platforms based on these criteria. The top 11 that made the cut stood out because of their ease of use, scalability, performance, audience engagement, and analytics.
To be included in the webinar software category, a product must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Let’s talk about Webex Events & Webinars, one of the most versatile tools I’ve used to host virtual events.
Whether you’re managing an internal company town hall, a marketing webinar, or a large-scale global conference, this platform offers a solid mix of ease, features, and reliability.
I love how Webex Events & Webinars consistently delivers HD video and crystal-clear audio, making it a favorite for professional settings. There’s a built-in noise cancellation feature powered by Cisco’s AI, a lifesaver for those unexpected barking dogs or background chatter during live events.
I was impressed by how this webinar platform supports scalable events, from a 10-person webinar to a 10,000-person conference and everything in between. It runs everything smoothly, even with a massive audience, with no lag or awkward moments.
Then there are the features that cater to both hosts and participants. Screen sharing is seamless. Plus, I could integrate with apps like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for syncing schedules, sharing content, and collaboration. I also love the polling and Q&A tools you can use to engage your audience during longer sessions.
End-to-end encryption and role-based access controls make it a great choice for industries where data protection is critical.
I also appreciate how this platform lets you design branded registration pages, set up automated reminders, and even tailor the layout of your event interface to suit your branding.
Webex does have a few quirks. There’s a learning curve, especially if you dive into advanced features like breakout sessions, analytics dashboards, or API integrations. I remember fumbling a bit at first, but the workflow felt intuitive once I got used to it.
Occasionally, you’ll run into bugs or performance issues, particularly if your system is outdated. For example, I’ve seen glitches with the screen-sharing feature or minor delays in loading certain tools. Plus, it isn’t the cheapest option out there.
Finally, there’s the mobile experience. I know the desktop app is polished, but the mobile version can sometimes feel clunky. I realized features like joining breakout rooms or managing participants aren’t as seamless on mobile devices.
“There are some times when the users may face technical issues such as problems with audio and video quality, which is often magnified when there are large meetings or when certain people have poor internet connectivity. Moreover, although the platform has many functions, I have noticed that it would be better if there were more options for making changes in the application, as the meeting setup would be more creative.”
- Webex Events & Webinars Review, Kashish G.
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If you're like me and want straightforward and hassle-free webinar tools, Livestorm hits the mark. This is a browser-based webinar platform, meaning there are no downloads or tech drama.
Livestorm uses WebRTC and WebSocket tech to keep things real-time and low-latency, so it's smooth sailing whether I’m hosting or attending. It’s not picky about devices—desktop, laptop, phone—it works everywhere. If I’m hosting, I always use my laptop for the best experience.
Livestorm isn’t just for live webinars. I’ve used it to run on-demand sessions and even pre-recorded presentations. Need to stream from YouTube or Twitch? No problem. It’s like having a one-size-fits-all solution for events.
What makes Livestorm shine for me is how easy it is to interact with attendees. I’ve run polls, answered live Q&A questions, and even chatted in real time, all without breaking a sweat. It’s built for audience engagement, and it shows.
I’ll be honest: if you stick with the basic plan, you will feel some limitations. Things like detailed analytics and larger attendee limits are locked behind pricier subscriptions.
While the webinar platform itself is solid, it depends on your internet. I had one or two moments of lag during a session, which was frustrating. If you’re hosting from somewhere with a shaky connection, use a wired setup and have at least 5 Mbps for the best experience.
The reporting features are for quick insights, like attendee participation. But if you’re a data nerd like me, you might want more granular analytics.
“My one feedback would be that it can be challenging when I'm presenting, as I have to move back and forth between tabs to engage with comments. It would be interesting to have a feature where we can implement the presentation into Livestorm too.”
- Livestorm Review, Rachel T.
Picture this: You’re about to host an event that needs to wow everyone. Enter Zoom Events and Webinars, your backstage pass to deliver the ultimate online experience.
I love how Zoom Webinars lets you host large broadcasts like virtual classrooms, product launches, or company-wide meetings with crystal-clear video and audio. It can handle up to 100,000 attendees and up to 100 panelists, which is perfect for those big-deal events.
I also appreciate the engagement tools like Q&A, polls, reactions, and the option to stream directly to YouTube or embed it on the website.
With Zoom Events, we weren’t limited to just a single webinar; we could host full virtual conferences complete with multiple sessions, ticketing options, and even a virtual lobby for attendees to network. My favorite part? The Expo Floor. If you’ve got sponsors or exhibitors, this feature lets you create virtual booths, which makes your event feel much more legit and interactive.
I am also a big fan of the customization they offer. You can brand your event however you like and manage registrations, ticketing, and analytics all from one place. It’s basically event-planning heaven for a virtual setting.
Zoom Webinars are largely one-way communication. I noticed that they don’t offer much spontaneity or interactivity, making it harder to fully engage attendees. It’s fine for presentations, but it can feel a bit restrictive if you’re looking for a more collaborative vibe.
Plus, everything depends on a strong internet connection. If the host’s connection falters, it can disrupt the entire event. I’ve also noticed that when some participants are on mobile devices, and others are on desktops, there can be a noticeable lag, which isn’t ideal.
The pricing structure is another sticking point for me. With so many subscription tiers and optional add-ons, it’s tough to figure out the best plan for your needs without overspending. Even then, there are some limitations. Polling features, for example, only allow a limited number of questions, and sessions are capped at a maximum of 30 hours.
“I am not as impressed with their transcription. For some reason, they make using Otter.ai as the transcription tool harder than it used to be, likely to promote their own service. I have to use an external device to transcribe the webinars in Otter.ai.”
- Zoom Events and Webinars Review, Brenda K.
I’ve been using Zoho Meeting for a while now, and honestly, it’s a tool that does many things right. But let’s get into the details.
If you’re already using other Zoho products, the integration is seamless. Everything syncs up beautifully, from your CRM to your calendar, making the workflow smooth. There are no extra downloads or fuss; just open it in your browser and go. I also love that it’s completely web-based. You can join or host meetings without downloading anything, which has saved me more than once when I was on the go.
The security is solid, too. Zoho Meeting uses datagram transport layer security (DTLS) and secure real-time transport protocol (SRTP) encryption for audio and video, TLS protocol version 1.2, and SHA-256 certificates. Basically, your meetings are locked down, which is especially reassuring if you’re handling sensitive info.
One of my favorites is the recording capability. It’s so convenient to save meetings to the cloud and access them later. Plus, it’s easy to set up reminders, auto-response emails, and even custom landing pages for webinars. The video streams in HD, and the audio is Dolby-enhanced. There’s even an option to tweak the camera’s aspect ratio, which I found surprisingly useful for presentations or different group setups.
I didn’t like that breakout rooms weren’t included in the basic plan, which was a bit of a letdown for me during team brainstorming sessions. While the platform works great in most conditions, it’s not the best for low-bandwidth situations. You might see hiccups, like bridge disconnections if your internet connection is shaky.
Zoho Meeting’s participant limit caps at 250, which is fine for most of my needs but could be a dealbreaker if you plan large-scale webinars. I also didn’t like how some advanced features, like whiteboards for webinars or expanded recording capabilities, are locked behind premium plans. The pricing is fair overall, but these paywalls can feel restrictive if you’re starting out or on a tight budget.
“The meeting bridge quality and calendar integration have issues. especially when I edit the calendar, the updated calendar invite will not go to the recipients. And bridge quality is not optimized for network low bandwidth and often we encounter issues bridge disconnecting and breaking a lot consistently faced the issue.”
- Zoho Meeting Review, Kalaiselvan P.
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When I started using Adobe Connect, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Adobe Connect offers tools like screen sharing, whiteboarding, breakout rooms, and polls. These features have been invaluable for me in facilitating interactive and dynamic meetings.
One of the standout features for me is the ability to create personalized meeting layouts. This flexibility allows me to tailor the virtual environment to fit the specific needs of each session, enhancing engagement and productivity.
I also love setting up a virtual room once and reusing it for recurring meetings. This consistency saves time and ensures a familiar environment for participants.
I found that getting accustomed to Adobe Connect's extensive features required significant time and effort. The initial setup can be complex, especially for those not familiar with such platforms.
While the platform offers high-quality audio and video capabilities, I've occasionally experienced inconsistencies during sessions, which can be disruptive.
In sessions with many participants or high multimedia usage, I've noticed occasional lag and performance slowdowns, which can hinder the meeting experience.
“The pricing. I heard so many people complaining about the pricing. Even worse, when you want to cancel the plan, there will be another cancelation fee.”
- Adobe Connect Review, N F.
BigMarker is a powerhouse platform for hosting virtual events, webinars, and large-scale conferences.
I like how customizable BigMarker is. You can create branded landing pages and adjust everything from colors to logos. The ability to add interactive tools like live polls, Q&A, and surveys made my events way more engaging. It feels like you’re building something uniquely yours, not just slapping your content into a template.
The platform also offers powerful automation features. I could pre-record sessions and set them to go live at specific times. This includes features like automated email reminders, follow-ups, and integrations with CRM tools, which saved me a ton of time.
Now, if you’re handling big events, this platform shines. I’ve hosted conferences with 250+ attendees without a hitch. Plus, its cloud-based architecture means you don’t need a super-fast internet connection to make things run smoothly. There’s even a robust suite of marketing tools that lets you create promotional pages and track analytics.
The software runs seamlessly on different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browsers. Whether attendees were joining from their phones or desktops, everything looked consistent and professional.
However, the mobile app isn’t quite up to par with the desktop version. I noticed image quality issues and limited functionality, which could frustrate attendees who prefer using their phones.
Managing large, complex events (think multi-session conferences) can get cumbersome. Every session is treated as a webinar, so piecing everything together felt clunky to me. Occasionally, it took the platform a while to sync when I made last-minute changes to session times. Plus, pricing isn’t exactly cheap.
Also, I couldn’t directly broadcast webinars to platforms like Facebook or Instagram, which felt like a missed opportunity for wider audience reach.
“The downsides of using BigMarker include the additional cost of the exhibitor booths to look like an actual company listing versus using a PDF for their profile, there is no ability for attendees to upload photos to a gallery, there is no ability to integrate a Twitter/X social media feed based on hashtag, and there is no downloads area for speaker’s presentations or handouts as one has to use a link to a website file.”
- Bigmarker Review, Cassie S.
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I’ve used ClickMeeting for webinars, virtual meetings, and even some training sessions, and I have to say it’s a pretty solid tool for the job.
Whether I needed a quick meeting with my team or a full-scale webinar for an audience, ClickMeeting delivered. It handles up to 1,000 participants in webinar mode, which is perfect for scaling up when needed.
Honestly, the audio and video quality impressed me. It’s consistent and professional, giving my sessions a polished feel. The screen-sharing feature worked like a charm during presentations—no lags or hiccups.
I also love how ClickMeeting lets you customize your webinar rooms, waiting areas, and event layouts. It’s such a small touch but makes a big difference in professionalism.
I’m a Google Workspace user, and being able to sync ClickMeeting with my calendar and email made planning and follow-ups ridiculously easy. It also integrates with Microsoft Office, which is a plus if you’re in that ecosystem. I also appreciate the detailed engagement, attendance, and performance analytics.
When I used ClickMeeting for smaller meetings, everything ran smoothly and flawlessly. However, I noticed minor connectivity issues when I hosted larger webinars with 500+ participants. It wasn’t a huge problem, but it was definitely something I picked up on.
Now, about the audio and video sync—during big events, there were a few rare moments where the audio didn’t quite match up with the video. Inviting participants was another area that felt a little clunky. Managing bulk invites wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped, especially for a large audience.
“One of the drawbacks is the lack of possibility to start recording the event before initiating the 'start' event. This would be helpful and make the post-editing options easier. Additionally, it would offer the presenter additional time to prepare before speaking. Presenters often start speaking while waiting for the event to start recording, even though they are warned to wait.”
- ClickMeeting Review, Caroline K.
You know when you find a tool that feels like it was made for you? That’s Wistia for me. I have used it to host videos, analyze analytics, and make my content stand out.
I love how easy it is to use, making video uploads completely stress-free. Embedding videos into my website is just as simple and seamless. The customizable video player alone is worth it—it’s sleek, lightning-fast, and branded to fit seamlessly with my site’s look. You can tweak the player to match your brand colors, add clickable CTAs, and even include email collection forms.
I love how Wisita’s analytics tools let you see exactly how your audience engages. I can track viewer drop-off points, and click-throughs, and even get heatmaps showing where people pause and rewind. This data makes it easy to tweak my content for maximum impact. Wistia plays beautifully with tools like HubSpot, Marketo, and Salesforce, so all my data flows seamlessly into my CRM.
I’ve also used its turnstile feature to collect email addresses directly from videos, a game-changer for lead generation. Also the channels feature lets me create a binge-worthy experience by organizing videos into a clean, Netflix-style layout.
No product is flawless, and Wistia’s got a few pain points worth mentioning. I didn’t like the basic editing tools. If you hope to make serious edits directly in Wistia, you’re out of luck. Plus, Wistia is definitely on the pricier side. The ROI makes sense for heavy users like me, but the cost can feel like a hurdle if you’re a small business or just starting out.
While Wistia excels at core functionalities, it lacks some advanced features you might expect from a premium platform. For instance, I dislike how there’s no AI-based captioning or transcription, and options for interactive video elements are limited compared to other platforms.
Managing a massive video library can get a bit unwieldy. The interface, while clean, sometimes feels slow or clunky when navigating large volumes of content.
While their support team can be helpful, they’re not always as quick as I’d like. Waiting for responses during crunch times can be frustrating, especially when the issue impacts live campaigns.
“One thing I dislike about Wistia is that some of its features can be a bit pricey, especially for smaller businesses or solo creators. While the platform offers a lot of value, the cost can increase if you need access to their more advanced tools and capabilities.”
- Wistia Review, Aaron E.
If you’ve ever run a webinar, you know how overwhelming it can get—managing invites, setting up reminders, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. After exploring it, I can confidently say WebinarGeek is a reliable co-pilot for your webinars.
I like how this platform lets you create live, on-demand, or hybrid webinars with just a few clicks. Plus, it supports multiple formats like slideshows, video integration, and screen sharing. I also appreciate the live interaction features like live polls, Q&A sessions, and real-time chat it offers to help you engage with your audiences.
I appreciate the analytics dashboard, which gives you granular insights like viewer engagement rates, drop-off points, and even individual attendee activity. You can build custom email campaigns directly in the platform, complete with automated reminders and follow-ups.
A couple of things stood out to me as areas for improvement. For example, I found email template customization options to be limited, which can be a challenge if you want highly personalized campaigns. Also, there’s no semi-private webinar mode, which some users might miss. I also felt that there’s a slight learning curve with some deeper functionalities like API integration.
That said, customer support does deserve a shoutout. Whenever I hit a wall, their team was quick to help me out. They’re responsive and friendly, which made a big difference when I felt stuck.
“I don’t like the fact that we can't have a semi-private Q&A: we can't moderate questions if they are not public”
- WebinarGeek Review, Anthony F.
When I first used Zoho Webinar, I was genuinely impressed by its sleek and user-friendly interface. Navigating the platform felt natural, and setting up my first session was a breeze. The platform seems to prioritize simplicity without compromising on functionality.
One thing that stood out to me was the high-quality video streaming. Whether you're hosting a casual discussion or a professional webinar, the video quality makes it feel polished and professional. Plus, the customizable registration forms are a lifesaver when capturing attendee details and keeping things organized.
However, I feel there are some areas for improvement. The recording feature, while functional, doesn’t always deliver the best audio quality. You might need extra post-production work if you plan to record and share your webinars.
I also noticed that managing larger groups of participants could be smoother, and I’d love to see more advanced options for power users—like deeper analytics and better export features.
Additionally, storage costs can add up quickly if you host frequent webinars and save all the recordings on the platform. I also realized that the integrations learning curve might be steep for new users unfamiliar with the Zoho ecosystem.
“I did start with the free plan for some applications, and while it's a good way to get started, I found that some advanced features I needed were only available in the paid plans. This is understandable, but having more functionality in the free plans would have been appreciated, especially for small businesses.
Performance has generally been good, but there were a couple of instances where I experienced slow loading times or minor glitches. It didn't happen often, but it's worth mentioning.”
- Zoho Webinar Review, Prashanti G.
When I first started using Goldcast, I was genuinely impressed by how intuitive it felt. They designed this virtual events platform specifically for someone who doesn’t want to spend hours figuring things out.
It’s super easy to set up events and manage content. I found the content lab is a lifesaver, it lets you organize and optimize event materials without breaking a sweat.
One of my favorite things about Goldcast is the behind the scenes console. It gives you complete control, like a director orchestrating a live show. I also appreciate that Goldcast integrates well with tools like HubSpot and Salesforce. It's also packed with features like attendee engagement metrics, built-in Q&A, and even polls, making it super handy for both event hosts and attendees.
Some things feel a bit rigid to me. For example, designing email templates or adding events to the "event page" can sometimes feel unnecessarily manual. While the platform generally handles integrations pretty well, I’ve run into the occasional hiccup here and there—but thankfully, their customer support team always jumps in and gets things sorted quickly.
I really wish they’d improve their survey tools; they work fine for basic stuff, but I’d love to see more advanced options for when I need something more robust.
“There are just a couple of things we’d love to see improved. It would be great if we could schedule automated emails at our preferred times rather, and as we operate in various countries across Europe, I would love to see the Content Lab expand to include other languages than just English so we can take full advantage of this great feature.”
- Goldcast Review, Denise C.
Webex Events & Webinars, Livestorm, and Zoom Events and Webinars.
Follow the steps below to run a better webinar:
Livestorm, ON24, and GoTo Webinar.
Finding a free webinar platform that supports up to 500 participants can be challenging, as most free plans have participant limits well below this number. Platforms like Zoho Webinar and Google Meet let you host 100 participants for free.
Livestorm, WebinarGeek, and Demio are some of the best evergreen webinar platforms.
When I’m picking a webinar software, it’s not just about the coolest features or the biggest audience capacity. The first thing I look at is audience size. If I'm hosting a small workshop, there’s no sense in paying for a platform that handles thousands of participants.
Next, I always check out the features. Do I need interactive tools like Q&A, polls, or breakout rooms? Or is it more important to have smooth integrations with my CRM or email tools? I also consider if the webinar software is user-friendly for both me and my attendees.
Budget is always on my mind, too. While free plans are great to start with, premium tiers often have the flexibility and advanced features I end up needing. And I can’t forget technical reliability. Nothing is worse than dealing with audio dropouts or video glitches in the middle of an event.
In the end, the best webinar software for me is one that balances my needs, budget, and audience expectations. I like to take my time, test out free trials, and ask many questions before committing. After all, a great webinar experience starts with the right platform.
I hope this list of the best webinar software systems helps you compare platforms and pick the right one for your needs.
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