10 Best Pre-Recorded Webinar Platforms to Help You Scale

Let's say you've just hosted a successful live webinar that generated a ton of interest and engagement. But only 50 out of 100 potential attendees could make it due to time differences or conflicting schedules. What if you could offer those who missed out on the same valuable content through a pre-recorded webinar, accessible at their convenience?

With pre-recorded webinars, you can tap into a global audience, overcome time zone barriers, and ensure that your valuable insights reach more people. Plus, the ability to edit and perfect your presentation means you can deliver a polished and consistent message every time, enhancing your brand's credibility.

In this article, we'll explore the 10 best pre-recorded webinar platforms and compare their features and pricing to help you pick the best platform for your needs and budget. We'll also cover tips for evaluating essential features and choosing the best webinar software for your needs.

How to choose the best pre-recorded webinar software

With so many webinar tools to consider, selecting the right one can be challenging. As you compare options, pay attention to the following features and capabilities and make sure they align with your organization's needs and goals.

• Automated webinars: These recorded webinars play without manual intervention. They save you time and resources so you can focus on other tasks while the webinar engages and educates your audience. Automated webinar software like Livestorm, EasyWebinar, and Demio make these events easy to host.
• Recurring webinars: Set pre-recorded sessions to play at specific dates and times. This way, you can strategically cater to different time zones and engage more attendees. Platforms like Livestorm and EasyWebinar automatically detect attendees' locations and display the event in local time zones.
• Simulated live experiences: These webinars mimic the look and feel of a live event with features like live chat, polls, and Q&A sessions. Webinar software tools like Zoom and GoTo Webinar offer simulated experiences. While a host can join the webinar, you can also assign a moderator to answer attendees' questions during the event.
• Video hosting: Prioritize webinar solutions that store pre-recorded content so you don't have to worry about running out of storage space or paying additional fees for extra storage. Livestorm, WebinarNinja, and Zoom offer cloud storage and video hosting.
• Event promotion tools: Look for a platform that makes it easy to promote your on-demand content. Solutions like Livestorm offer email follow-ups that distribute recording links to people who registered for the event.
• Software integrations: Seek out a tool that connects with the marketing and sales tools you already use. For example, Livestorm integrates with 1000+ apps, including popular CRM tools, marketing automation platforms, and analytics solutions.
• Analytics and reporting: Platforms with analytics and reporting dashboards offer insights into attendee behavior, engagement, and demographics. With these insights, you can measure webinar performance, refine your content, and nurture your audience more effectively.

11 Best webinar software platforms for pre-recorded webinars

Here are our top recommendations to help you choose the best webinar software for your business. Check out the best options and take a look at the webinar features, pricing, and potential drawbacks for each.

1. Livestorm: Best all-in-one webinar and video engagement platform
2. Demio: Best for only desktop-supported webinars
3. EasyWebinar: Best if you don’t need to edit webinars
4. Zoom: Best for enterprise teams
5. GoTo Webinar: Best for scheduling recorded events
6. Webex: Best if you don’t need a separate stage to host webinars
7. ClickMeeting: Best for monetizing on-demand webinars
8. BigMarker: Best for embedding videos to your website
9. WebinarNinja: Best platform for storage and video hosting
10. Zoho: Best if you need the complete Zoho ecosystem

1. Livestorm: Best all-in-one webinar and video engagement platform

Livestorm is an all-in-one video engagement platform for hosting any kind of event, including webinars, customer training, online courses, and product demos. You can set Livestorm to automatically record your live events and turn them into on-demand content for viewers who couldn’t make it or who want to revisit the material. Plus, you can send automated email reminders and follow-ups to nurture leads.

With Livestorm, you can customize your webinar’s registration pages to capture lead data, interact with your attendees through chat and Q&A sessions, and review analytics after the event to help drive prospects through the sales funnel. Since it also integrates with 1000+ apps like Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Salesforce, Livestorm is one of the best webinar platforms for fitting seamlessly into your existing workflow.

Livestorm’s key features

• Recurring automated webinars: Make it a one-time or recurring event by specifying the frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly) and the specific days and times the event should be available.
• Time zones: Livestorm automatically handles time zones, ensuring that your pre-recorded webinar schedule is displayed correctly for attendees, regardless of their location.
• Customizable registration pages: You can create customizable registration forms and landing pages to capture lead data like email addresses and contact information.
• Automated email scheduling: With Livestorm, you can set up webinar email sequences from our templates and personalize them based on triggers like registration, email reminder before the on-demand webinar, and follow-up to nurture your leads.
• Interactive features: Even your pre-recorded webinar attendees can enjoy interactive elements like the chat and Q&A tabs. Just remember to assign a moderator to handle questions.
• Clickable call-to-action (CTA) buttons: You can strategically place pop-up CTA buttons within your pre-recorded webinar to drive conversion rates by encouraging attendees to sign up for your newsletter or make a purchase.
• Analytics and reporting features: Access event data like contact records, participation information, messages/questions/polls history, and technical data like browser version and operating system.
• Downloadable resources: Give your attendees important downloadable materials with Livestorm’s handouts plugin.

Livestorm’s drawbacks

Pre-recorded webinars may lack the spontaneity and real-time interaction of a live event. So, when you pre-record material for your webinars, we recommend scheduling them to play at a specific time (like a live event) and assigning a moderator to make sure attendees make the most of the engagement features available.

Livestorm’s pricing

If you’re just getting started, Livestorm has the bestfree webinar software for hosting events with up to 30 attendees. And when you’re ready to commit, you can upgrade to our Pro plan, which starts at $79 per month for up to 100 attendees. For large events with up to 3,000 attendees, request a custom quote for our Business or Enterprise plan.

2. Demio: Best for only desktop-supported webinars

Like Livestorm, Demio is a browser-based webinar platform that lets you host online meetings with similar engagement features, including emoji reactions, chats, breakout rooms, and polls.

Demio’s key features

• Automated events: You can easily schedule your pre-recorded content to run as a one-time event or a recurring event.
• Custom registration fields: Like Livestorm, Demio lets you add custom webinar registration fields to capture lead generation data.
• Engagement features: Engage your audience with polls and handouts throughout the webinar.
• Analytics: You can track event data like attendance summary and your audience’s focus levels.

Demio’s drawbacks

• Limited analytics and reporting: You can’t track in-depth analytics like the number of replay viewers, number of sessions, number of messages/questions/polls, and average duration.
• Enterprise-focused: Demio’s pricing is on the higher end and starts at $49, which isn’t ideal for startups and small businesses.
• Not compatible with mobile devices: Since Demio’s pre-recorded webinars aren’t mobile responsive, you can lose out on potential webinar attendees who primarily rely on their mobile devices for accessing video content.

Demio’s pricing

Demio’s pricing starts at $42 per host per month and holds up to 50 attendees for a live event. For larger audiences, the Growth plan starts at $75 per host per month. Plus, if you need integrations like HubSpot or Salesforce, you’ll have to pay extra.

3. EasyWebinar: Best if you don’t need to edit webinars

EasyWebinar supports both live and pre-recorded (automated) webinars. It's an easy webinar service to use for converting live events into an automated webinar series.

EasyWebinar’s key features

• Set recurring events: You can set up automated webinars to run on a specific schedule or be made available on-demand.
• Customize event time to local time zones: EasyWebinar automatically detects and displays the event time in the local time zone for anyone who wants to attend your webinar.
• Analytics and reporting: You can track the number of registrants, no-shows, and the time they watched your pre-recorded webinar.
• Integrations: EasyWebinar integrates with 20+ apps like HubSpot, MailChimp, and ActiveCampaign.

EasyWebinar’s drawbacks

• No video editing option: You can't edit your webinar hosted within EasyWebinar, so any awkward pauses, mistakes, or other issues in your pre-recorded video will remain uncorrected once uploaded to the platform. This limitation may impact the overall quality of your webinar.
• No engagement features: During pre-recorded webinars, attendees can't interact with each other or use engagement features like the chat or Q&A, so they could easily lose interest.

EasyWebinar’s pricing

EasyWebinar’s basic plan starts at $80 per month and supports up to 100 attendees for a live event. But if you want additional features like custom registration pages, you can opt for the Pro plan at $197 per month or the Enterprise plan (custom pricing), which supports up to 2,000 live attendees. If you're looking for a webinar platform you can try for free, EasyWebinar's free plan allows up to 10 viewers.

4. Zoom: Best for enterprise teams

Zoom is a popular video conferencing solution used by enterprise organizations. Like Livestorm, Zoom integrates with 1000+ apps to capture lead data and run analytics. It also offers simulive webinars, which allow the host to join the event and interact with the audience through live chat and Q&A.

Zoom’s key features

• Supports multiple time zones: Zoom automatically detects and lists the event time in the attendee's local time zone when registering for the webinar.
• Engagement features: A host or moderator can join and interact with attendees through live chat and Q&A sessions.
• Reporting and analytics: You can track data like registration and ticketing for every Zoom webinar.

Zoom’s drawbacks

• Can be run only on the Zoom Sessions plan: Simulive webinars are available only in the Zoom Sessions plan, which starts at $99 per month for 100 attendees.
• Expensive multi-session events: If you want to host a multi-session event, you need to have a Zoom Events license which starts at $149 per month for 100 attendees.
• Not mobile responsive: Attendees are required to join from a desktop or laptop to view and access simulative webinars.

Zoom’s pricing

If you want to host pre-recorded webinars on Zoom, you need the Zoom Sessions or Zoom Events plan, which start at between $99 and $149 per month, respectively.

5. GoTo Webinar: Best for scheduling recorded events

GoTo Webinar is a product from the GoTo group, making it a great webinar software option for users in the GoTo ecosystem. With GoTo Webinar, you can host both recorded events and simulated live events with audience engagement.

GoTo Webinar’s key features

• Publish pre-recorded webinars on GoTo Stage: Use this video platform to create channel pages, where you can publish and promote your webinar recordings to viewers.
• Interactive features: Your attendees can submit questions, participate in polls, and surveys, and download resources shared within the webinar.
• Integrations: GoTo Webinar integrates with tools like Slack, Google Calendar, and Microsoft Teams.

GoTo Webinar’s drawbacks

• Certifications require top-tier plans: While you can give certificates to attendees for completing webinars or courses, this feature is only available with the Pro and Enterprise plans.
• Recordings and integrations require the priciest plans: GoTo Webinar may not be the best software for teams on a limited budget, as both recordings and integrations also require the Pro and Enterprise plans.

GoTo Webinar’s pricing

The Lite plan starts at $49 per month for 250 participants. For recordings and integrations, you'd need the Pro or Enterprise plan, which start at $199 per month and $399 per month, respectively.

6. Webex: Best if you don’t need a separate stage to host webinars

Webex is known for its scalability as it’s compatible with all Cisco products. It's a popular webinar software to use for teams in the Cisco ecosystem.

Webex’s key features

• Recording events: You can record your live webinar sessions, which you can then offer as automated or on-demand webinars.
• Sharing recordings: You can distribute the recording URL or file to your attendees via email.
• Listen to the speaker of your choice: While watching a webinar playback, you can opt to only listen to the speakers you want with the ‘follow speaker’ option.

Webex’s drawbacks

• Accessible via URL only: Every time your attendees want to watch a pre-recorded webinar, they would need to either access the recording URL shared by the host via email or download the recording file provided by the host.
• No video editing options: You need to edit your recorded Webex webinars using external video editing tools before sharing them with your audience.
• No instant replay: Webex can take up to 24 hours to make the recording accessible for download.

Webex’s pricing

Webex Webinars starts at $56.25 per month, which includes up to 1,000 attendees. Consider getting a custom quote for Webex Events if you plan to host virtual and hybrid events or if you want to monetize your webinar content. Note that while most webinar platforms offer a free trial to everyone, Webex requires you to request a trial.

7. ClickMeeting: Best for monetizing on-demand webinars

ClickMeeting is an intuitive, user-friendly platform with features like file sharing, polls, and private chat. While it’s one of the best ones for large audiences, the cost climbs quickly as your audience grows.

ClickMeeting’s key features

• Pre-recorded webinars: Directly upload your pre-recorded video content and schedule on-demand webinars for your audience.
• Access type: You can decide whether attendees can access the pre-recorded webinar for free or if you want to charge them a fee and generate revenue in return.
• CRM integration: ClickMeeting integrates with CRM tools like Zapier and HubSpot so you can capture and export a registrant’s contact data into your CRM.

ClickMeeting’s drawbacks

• Expensive: ClickMeeting's pricing structure is based on the number of attendees you anticipate for your webinars, which makes it ideal only for enterprises that have a huge budget.
• Limited video editing capabilities: ClickMeeting doesn't have any built-in video editing tools, so you'll need to rely on external video editing software to refine your pre-recorded webinar before uploading it to the platform.
• No built-in payment processing: While you can offer paid access to your on-demand webinars, ClickMeeting doesn't provide built-in payment processing. You'll need to integrate a third-party payment processor like PayPal, which may require additional fees.

ClickMeeting’s pricing

ClickMeeting's Live plan starts at $26 per month for 25 attendees. However, you'd have to upgrade to the Automated plan for on-demand and automated events. The Automated plan starts at $42 per month for 25 attendees and $310 per month for 1,000 attendees. You can also request a custom quote to host up to 10,000 people.

8. BigMarker: Best for embedding videos to your website

BigMarker is a browser-based platform, so like Livestorm, your attendees don’t need to download any apps. The platform makes using pre-recorded content easy, as it lets you embed videos into your website.

BigMarker’s key features

• Engagement features: You can run polls, Q&A sessions, and live chat, just like a live webinar.
• Downloadable files: You can provide downloadable files like presentation slides or e-books alongside your pre-recorded webinars.
• Automated workflows: Like Livestorm, BigMarker lets you create automated workflows by scheduling your webinars as one-time or recurring events.

BigMarker’s drawbacks

• Enterprise-focused: If you plan to have multiple people hosting the webinar, you have to subscribe to the Enterprise plan. The cost for this plan isn’t listed publicly on the website.
• Lags in video sharing: Some users complain that BigMarker’s event replays can take a long time to be generated and shared.

BigMarker’s pricing

BigMarker doesn’t publicly list pricing on its website.

9. WebinarNinja: Best platform for storage and video hosting

WebinarNinja is a browser-based platform that hosts all your recorded webinar content. What makes this platform different is that you can even upload videos from YouTube.

WebinarNinja’s key features

• Easy scheduling: Since WebinarNinja integrates with Google Calendar, events are automatically saved to attendees' calendars.
• Page redirect: You can customize which website or URL to redirect attendees to immediately after registering for your webinar.
• Engagement tools: Like Livestorm, WebinarNinja lets you make pre-recorded webinars interactive with live chat, Q&A sessions, polls, and handouts.

WebinarNinja’s drawbacks

• Limited customization: Since your webinars are hosted on WebinarNinja’s interface, you can’t create a fully branded webinar experience for your audience.
• No built-in video editing: Like many other platforms, WebinarNinja doesn’t offer built-in video editing tools, so you'll need to rely on external video editing software to refine your pre-recorded webinar content before uploading it to the platform.
• Pricing: WebinarNinja's pricing structure is based on the number of attendees and the features available in each plan, making it more expensive for users with a limited budget or smaller audience sizes.

WebinarNinja’s pricing

Unlike most other platforms, WebinarNinja has attendee-based pricing. You pay $0.60 per attendee per month. If you don't want to choose between plans, it's the best and most straightforward option. But if you'd prefer to select the right webinar plan for your needs, WebinarNinja may not be the best choice.

10. Zoho Webinar: Best if you need the complete Zoho ecosystem

Zoho Webinar is one of many Zoho products and integrates with the entire Zoho ecosystem, including Zoho Meeting. If you already use Zoho for marketing and sales, this may be the perfect webinar tool for your team.

Zoho’s key features

• Custom branding: You can customize the look and feel of your webinar room and registration pages to reflect your brand.
• Integrations: Zoho Webinar integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications and offers integration with popular CRM and marketing automation tools.
• Mobile compatibility: Zoho Webinar is designed to be compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices.

Zoho’s drawbacks

• No automated webinars: You can’t run webinars automatically at certain set dates or times.
• No simulive features: Moderators can't engage with your audience during on-demand webinars.

Zoho’s pricing

Zoho Webinar's Standard plan starts at $8 per month for 25 attendees. Zoho also has a free webnar plan, but it supports live events only.

Which is the best webinar platform for you?

The best webinar software depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. If you’re looking for a platform that lets you do everything without investing in third-party apps, Livestorm is a smart solution. Sign up for a free trial to get started with your first webinar today.

With Livestorm, you can host live events and pre-recorded webinars (automated or on-demand), customize registration pages, and connect your attendees with interactive features—all free. And, when you’re ready for our paid plan, you’ll have even more features to play with and full support from a customer service team.

Frequently asked questions about pre-recorded webinar platforms

What is a pre-recorded webinar?

Pre-recorded webinars are webinars that were recorded live and then made available for distribution. They are more interactive than traditional video.

How do you create a pre-recorded webinar?

You can create a pre-recorded webinar by following these bes practices:

1. Choose a webinar platform that supports both live and pre-recorded webinars like Livestorm, Demio, EasyWebinar, or Zoom.
2. Edit and upload your video content to the chosen platform.
3. Create a customized and informative registration page for your pre-recorded webinar.
4. Schedule a one-time event, recurring event, or evergreen webinar based on your content strategy and target audience.
5. Assign a moderator to engage with attendees during the event through live chat or Q&A sessions.
6. Analyze the performance of your pre-recorded webinar using analytics and reporting tools provided by the platform.

Can a webinar be pre-recorded?

Yes, a webinar can be pre-recorded, depending on the platform you choose. Viewers can then watch at scheduled times (imitating the live experience) or on demand. Many webinar software solutions like Livestorm, Demio, and EasyWebinar support pre-recorded events, allowing you to easily host and manage your content with minimal intervention from your team.

Can you chat or answer live questions during a pre-recorded webinar?

Yes, most of the time you can. It depends on the webinar software you use to host you pre-recorded webinars. But webinar platforms like Livestorm allow you to interact with attendees during recorded events.

You can program polls, questions, videos, and more webinar automations during these events. Hosts and team members can then moderate without coming up on stage.

Pre-recorded vs live webinars: What's the best option?

It depends on the goals you set when you plan to host a webinar. Live webinars are always the best option to deliver fresh content and engage with your audience.

However, pre-recorded events can be a great solution to simplify workflows and save time. They're perfect for the following use cases:

• On-demand demos
• Product tours
• Evergreen webinars
• Employee onboarding
• Employee training
• Online courses

What are the benefits of pre-recording a webinar?

This approach give hosts the opportunity to perfect their content, focus on their presentation, and make their presentations more visual.

• Fine-tune content: Once the webinar has been recorded, hosts can watch them and cut out any mistakes or awkward moments. Segments that didn’t play out smoothly can be recorded again and added back into the webinar.
• Focus on the content: With a pre-recorded webinar, everything can be planned in advance. This makes it easier for webinar presenters to feel more relaxed during their presentations and focus on their content.
• Make presentations more visual: Media can be uploaded to videos after the fact, making them more engaging pieces of content. Any charts, graphics, videos, or effects can be edited to engage viewers.

Does Zoom allow pre-recording?

Yes, Zoom Webinars allows pre-recorded events, also known as simulative webinars. However, it requires the Zoom Sessions license or Zoom Events plan, which ranges between $990 to $1490 for 100 attendees. If you want a more budget-friendly platform for pre-recorded webinars, consider Livestorm. With Livestorm, you can easily host up to 100 attendees for $79 per month or even try Livestorm for free.