According to a comprehensive study, a staggering 92% of virtual meeting attendees admit to multitasking during online calls. For conference hosts, this highlights an obvious barrier when competing for audience attention. Sending out a video streaming link just doesn’t cut it anymore.
While Zoom is a great choice for everyday meetings, multi-track conferences demand much more. Enterprise events now need advanced scheduling, attendee engagement, sponsor management, and networking features that go well beyond basic video conferencing. If you’re planning a large-scale event, these are the best Zoom Events alternatives to consider in 2026.
What Are Zoom Events — And Why Are Conference Organizers Looking for Alternatives?
We all know that Zoom is a household name, and for a good reason. Zoom Events is Zoom’s multi-session virtual event platform. The platform is great at delivering high-quality video streaming that your attendees already know exactly how to use. It works well for everyday webinars and company-wide meetings with minimal setup.
However, many organizations eventually outgrow Zoom’s features as their events become more complex. That is why more teams are now exploring Zoom alternatives for conference organizers.
- Zoom lacks built-in tools to handle academic call-for-papers and peer review. Organizers have to purchase third-party software, which is most probably expensive, just to handle abstract management.
- The system is fundamentally built on top of basic video meeting rather than conference management. Because of this, it often feels like a series of webinars instead of a single event.
- Attendees find the networking tools less sophisticated than those offered by dedicated virtual event platforms. It is tough for virtual guests to build professional relationships.
- Sponsors and exhibitors paying top dollar want interactive virtual booths and lead-retrieval tools that Zoom’s simple setup does not support.
- Running large conferences with multiple simultaneous sessions is tough for organizers and fixing backstage issues can add to that.
What to Look for in a Zoom Events Alternative for Conferences?
Considering a switch from Zoom? You’re not alone. Although it’s a popular platform for webinars, academic and professional conferences typically need purpose-built event management features beyond basic video conferencing. And when exploring Zoom Events alternatives, you need to know exactly what features will keep your sanity intact and your audience happy.
Let’s dive into the core features you must evaluate when searching for Zoom alternatives for conference organizers.
- Abstract management and peer review: Academic conferences live and die by the quality of their research submissions. Make sure your chosen Zoom Events alternative lets you collect abstracts and lets reviewers grade submissions natively without using third-party tools.
- All-in-one vs. specialist platform: Some event platforms do absolutely everything from ticketing to marketing, while others focus solely on the broadcast experience. You need to decide if you want one platform to manage everything or a specialized solution that complements your existing technology.
- Attendee networking quality: Sitting through lengthy webinars can feel incredibly boring for remote attendees. Look for platforms offering AI matchmaking, virtual lounges, speed networking, breakout rooms, and one-on-one meeting scheduling to help people connect.
- Multi-track scheduling complexity: Conferences often run multiple panels and workshops simultaneously. The best Zoom Events alternatives let attendees build custom agendas and switch between parallel tracks with a single click.
- Hybrid event depth: Your platform should connect virtual and in-person audiences through live chat, polls, Q&A, and collaborative discussions. After all, hybrid events are much more than simply pointing a camera at a live stage.
- Pricing transparency: Hidden fees and add-ons can spike your event budget more than you realize. Look for platforms that lay out all their tier costs upfront before you sign the contract.
- Platform familiarity for attendees: A user-friendly platform with browser-based access makes it easy for attendees to join and participate without unnecessary technical troubleshooting.
8 Zoom Events Alternatives for Conferences: A Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Abstract Management | Hybrid Events | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dryfta | Academic & research conferences | ✅ Native | ✅ Yes | From $1,499/year |
| Whova | Full-scale conferences & attendee engagement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Quote-based |
| vFairs | 3D virtual & hybrid conferences | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Quote-based |
| RingCentral Events | Marketing webinars & hybrid conferences | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | From $99/organizer/month |
| Webex Events (Cisco) | Enterprise hybrid events & compliance | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Quote-based |
| Airmeet | Interactive virtual conferences & workshops | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | From $167/month |
| Bizzabo | Enterprise marketing & multi-event management | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | From $17,999/year |
| Accelevents | Hybrid conferences & easy event management | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | From $7,500 |
The 8 Best Zoom Events Alternatives for Conference Organizers in 2026
Planning a conference with dozens of speakers and global attendees is an exciting challenge. However, relying on a basic video calling app to run a complex summit isn’t clever. While Zoom is incredible for everyday team meetings, it often falls short when managing intricate conferences.
Fortunately, the event tech market has evolved in recent years. Finding a high-quality virtual conference platform alternative to Zoom is now easier than ever. If you are ready to upgrade your next event, here are the eight best Zoom Events alternatives designed specifically to handle the demands of conference organizers.
1. Dryfta
If you are running a webinar-style event, basic streaming software is fine. But if you are managing an international scientific or academic conference, that streaming tool will fail you.
Academic conferences operate on an entirely different logic than typical business events. They need a secure platform for managing abstracts and peer reviews. This is where Dryfta stands out, offering a purpose-built conference management software and not just a virtual meeting tool.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- The built-in call-for-papers feature removes the need for external abstract submission tools.
- Integrated peer review dashboards let your committee assign, read, score, and comment on submissions directly on the platform.
- Built-in tools automatically compile accepted papers into digital abstract books and proceedings.
- Multi-track schedule builders link accepted abstracts directly to their specific presentation slots.
- The predictable pricing model protects your budget from unexpected viewer surcharges.
- Ticket registration handles early-bird tier changes and complex university group discounts natively.
Pricing: Dryfta offers annual plans starting at $1,499/year for Small organizations and $14,999/year for Medium organizations. Large organizations receive custom pricing based on their event requirements, with a free trial available for eligible plans.
2. Whova
Whova is a highly rated event management and virtual platform known for its exceptional audience engagement features. It outperforms Zoom Events through highly interactive tools that keep virtual and hybrid attendees engaged before, during, and after the event.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- The community board feature lets attendees organically create their own discussion topics and icebreakers.
- Artifact management tools let speakers upload pre-recorded videos and handouts.
- The event speaker center lets presenters manage their bios and session files independently.
- Gamified challenges, such as leaderboards and photo contests, drastically increase attendee participation metrics.
- Sponsor booths feature promotional videos and live chat streams.
Pricing: Quote-based.
3. vFairs
vFairs is one of the best Zoom Events alternatives that specializes in 3D virtual spaces. Attendees can move through a virtual 3D convention center with interactive lobbies instead of standard navigation menus. This makes it well suited for enterprise trade shows and hybrid events that prioritize immersive experiences.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
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- Interactive avatar-based navigation helps attendees explore virtual spaces naturally.
- Elite sponsor pavilions give companies fully customizable virtual booths to display marketing materials.
- Text, audio, and video chat features are embedded directly in every exhibitor booth.
- Dedicated project management teams to handle your technical setup from start to finish.
- Built-in job boards turn standard networking into talent matching.
Pricing: Quote-based.
4. RingCentral Events (formerly Hopin)
RingCentral Events is a highly scalable virtual and hybrid platform designed to mimic the layout of a physical convention center. It is one of the best Zoom alternatives for conference organizers who want self-contained virtual zones for different parts of their agenda.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- Speed-networking instantly matches remote attendees for timed, face-to-face video chats.
- Backstage tools let organizers rehearse with speakers privately before going live.
- Parallel track navigation makes switching between multiple concurrent sessions fast and intuitive.
- Marketing integrations sync registration data directly with tools like HubSpot and Marketo.
- Registration tools handle complex multi-tier ticketing natively.
Pricing: RingCentral Events offers a 30-day free trial, followed by paid plans starting at $99/organizer/month (billed annually) for Events Pro. Events Pro+ starts at $199/organizer/month and adds onsite event tools, content repurposing, and 40+ integrations. Events Enterprise starts at $299/organizer/month (billed annually) for enterprise-scale events with advanced features.
5. Webex Events (Cisco)
Webex Events (formerly Socio) is an enterprise-grade platform among Zoom Events alternatives. Designed for complex hybrid events, it seamlessly blends onsite operations with virtual event execution. From badge printing to live streaming, it provides the features needed to support secure events.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- Enterprise single sign-on (SSO) integrations protect sensitive attendee data.
- Advanced attendee engagement tools offer live polling, chat, Q&As, and interactive word clouds.
- Streaming software is natively integrated to display branded television-quality broadcasts.
- Real-time automated captions provide instant translation in over 100 languages.
- Customizable mobile event app keeps physical and remote audiences completely in sync.
Pricing: Quote-based.
6. Airmeet
Airmeet is a browser-first virtual event platform centered around face-to-face interaction. It is a fantastic option for mid-sized conferences that want to prioritize interactive workshops compared to many other Zoom Events alternatives.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- Virtual ballroom seating lets attendees look around a digital table and start private group video chats.
- Interactive stage controls let organizers invite the audience to speak.
- Custom-branded reception areas greet guests with promotional videos and pinned agendas.
- Sponsor dashboards let partners track their own lead metrics.
- A browser-based platform means guests never have to download or update local desktop apps.
Pricing: Airmeet’s Premium Webinars plan starts at $167/month (billed annually) for up to 2 team members. Pricing for the Events plan is available through a custom quote and includes support for 5 team members with events scalable from 100 to 10,000 attendees. Managed Events is a fully customized service, with pricing based on event requirements and brand conferences starting at $4,999.
7. Bizzabo
Bizzabo calls itself an Event Experience OS designed to control all moving parts of a modern conference. It handles everything from your marketing landing page to post-event community retention tools. If your goal is to maximize ticket sales and demonstrate ROI to board members, Bizzabo is a good option.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- Drag-and-drop website editors build fully branded conference landing pages without code.
- Cross-event analytics track long-term attendee behavior across multiple events.
- Sponsor marketplaces let partners track their lead data.
- Smart matchmaking connects attendees based on shared business goals and professional profiles.
- Open API lets your development team build custom platform integrations.
Pricing: Bizzabo’s Event Experience OS starts at $499/user/month (billed annually, 3-user minimum) or $17,999/year. Pricing for Klik SmartBadge is available through a custom quote, with options for both single-event and multi-event deployments.
8. Accelevents
Accelevents is an all-in-one platform known for its ease of use and 24/7 customer support. The platform offers a backend interface that won’t confuse your planning staff. It is the perfect choice for teams that want professional multi-track features without a steep technical learning curve.
Where It Beats Zoom Events
- Lead retrieval tools let virtual and physical exhibitors scan and capture attendee data.
- 24/7 live chat support ensures a human agent answers platform questions in minutes.
- Direct integrations with major video platforms let you stream pre-recorded content as if it were live.
- Automated speaker onboarding portals collect presentation slides and headshots without manual emails.
- The multi-track calendar lets users easily sort sessions by tags or tracks.
Pricing: Plans start at $7,500 for the Professional tier (single event) and $13,500 for the Business tier (unlimited events). Enterprise and White Label plans are available with custom pricing for organizations requiring advanced features.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right platform can make all the difference for your next conference. While Zoom works well for basic meetings and webinars, it is not built to handle the demands of multi-track agendas. Exploring the best Zoom Events alternatives can help you host more engaging events while making life much easier for your planning team.
If you are organizing an academic or research-focused conference, don’t settle for a platform that isn’t designed for the job. Let Dryfta handle your heavy lifting with its specialized built-in tools so you can focus on organizing exceptional events. Book a free demo TODAY!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Zoom Events and how is it different from Zoom Meetings?
Zoom Meetings is designed for everyday video chats and team catch-ups. Conversely, Zoom Events is an all-in-one platform built for larger virtual experiences. It offers features like multi-session event portals, ticket sales, networking, and sponsor booths, making it a broader virtual conference platform alternative to Zoom Meetings.
- Does Zoom Events support abstract management for academic conferences?
No, Zoom Events does not support abstract management or peer-review workflows natively. Planners hosting research-heavy summits must invest in separate specialized software like Dryfta to collect and grade papers.
- Which Zoom Events alternative is best for academic conferences?
Dryfta is the absolute best choice for academic events. Unlike generic Zoom Events alternatives, it features built-in tools for double-blind peer reviews and abstract collections. Designed for academic conferences, it converts accepted research papers into a fully organized multi-track conference schedule.
- What are the main limitations of Zoom Events for conference organizers?
The platform falls short in areas like networking, abstract management, peer review, analytics and sponsor customization. Its video-first design can make multi-track conferences harder to manage, prompting many teams to explore Zoom Events alternatives.
