Remote communication

10 Best Virtual Summit Platforms to Elevate Events in 2025

Published on December 12, 2024 • About 15 min. read

Increase attendance with these virtual event email templates.

marketer comparing the best virtual summit platforms

A successful virtual summit helps build stronger connections with your target audience and establish your brand among industry experts and thought leaders.

But planning and running virtual summits while managing busy expert speakers can be stressful. To do it all, you need a powerful virtual summit platform with workflow automations and engagement features.

In this article, we explore the 10 best virtual summit platforms on the market right now—evaluating factors like branding options, engagement analytics, pricing, and ease of use.

PatternPattern

Host electrifying virtual summits with Livestorm.

Engage attendees, boost your brand, and make scheduling easy with an all-in-one solution.

Templates

Access these 6 email templates to drive attendance to your virtual events.

10 best virtual event platforms for virtual summits

Use our 10 top recommendations to find the ideal virtual summit platform that fits your organization, event, and goals:

  1. Livestorm: Best all-in-one video engagement platform
  2. Zoom Events: Best for large-scale virtual events
  3. Microsoft Teams: Best for small summits
  4. Virtual Summits Software: Best for budget summits
  5. vFairs: Best for an immersive virtual environment
  6. HeySummit: Best for monetizing summits
  7. Accelevents: Best for data analytics
  8. CrowdComms: Best for hybrid events
  9. EventsAir: Best for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events
  10. Airmeet: Best for networking at scale

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

This leading video engagement platform can manage every aspect of your virtual events, including summits, trade shows, and expos. It’s designed to support you from start to finish, with scheduling and marketing integrations, a range of engagement features, and powerful analytics.

Livestorm is ideal if you just want one intuitive, all-in-one solution to handle all events and meetings at your organization. It’s designed for everything from online conferences and virtual workshops to internal meetings and podcast interviews.

Screenshot of a Livestorm breakout session

Livestorm’s key features

Livestorm includes:

  • A browser-based connection. Attendees can join easily using a link—no app download or account creation necessary.
  • Scheduling tools. Event planners can find the best date for the summit with our Calendy integration and send automated email reminders to boost attendance.
  • Custom branding. Quickly create customizable registration pages with images and videos to create a strong first impression.
  • Room design. Change the background design of your room, add images, or include your company logo to maintain a strong brand identity.
  • Customized live experience. Engagement features such as chat, Q&A sessions, polls, emoji reactions, and virtual whiteboards allow you to create a dynamic atmosphere, encourage active collaboration, and avoid event fatigue.
  • Breakout rooms. Spark conversation by manually splitting attendees into rooms or save time by letting our software assign groups randomly. Attendees can also choose their own rooms and network freely.
  • CRM integration. Connect Livestorm with your customer relationship solution to compile contacts. This means you can easily follow up with attendees after the event, nurture leads, and ask for feedback.
  • Detailed analytics. From our simple dashboard, you can see the number of event attendees, sessions, replay views, and traffic data to optimize future events. Viewers also get unlimited event content replays.

Why choose Livestorm?

You can use Livestorm to meet with colleagues or as a platform for hosting webinars just as quickly as you can organize a virtual summit for 3,000 participants. Livestorm offers multi-language marketing templates, customized meeting rooms, and features that are proven to create engaging online meetings all in one place

Livestorm’s pricing

Livestorm’s paid plans start at $79 per month, and costs vary depending on numbers of attendees. Large businesses and enterprises can benefit from our Enterprise plan, which incldes custom pricing for large events that last up to 12 hours.

2. Zoom Events: Best for large-scale virtual events

Zoom Events is designed to host more advanced virtual experiences than the original Zoom software. With its advanced networking features and ability to host multiple sessions at once, it’s great for both larger summit groups and hybrid events.

Zoom Events production studio

Zoom Events’ key features

  • Event branding. Customize your registration page and event rooms with your brand’s colors and logo.
  • Networking support. Attendees can view information about other event participants ahead of time to optimize their networking opportunities. Then they can engage with each other’s profile information to spark conversations during the event.
  • Meeting recordings. All events can be recorded and streamed through to the lobby so audience members can pick which session to join. Then, you can make this content available to watch on demand.
  • Integration with CRM tools. Connect the software with tools like Dynamic 365 and Salesforce, which allow you to follow up with contacts

Why choose Zoom Events

For organizations looking to host virtual events with lots of attendees, Zoom Events is a good option. This event management platform uses a range of networking features to optimize connections for big groups.

Zoom Events’ pricing

Zoom Events starts at $149 per month, which includes Zoom Webinars and Zoom Sessions features. However, all Zoom Events plans require a Zoom Workplace subscription, which starts at an additional $15.99 per month per license.

3. Microsoft Teams: Best for small summits

Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of products. This means alongside planning, hosting, and optimizing virtual summits, you can connect with team members through instant messaging and video conferencing. However, it’s important to note that it can only host up to 300 people in one event so wouldn’t be suitable for larger summits.

Screenshot of a Microsoft Teams live event

Microsoft Teams’ key features

  • Branding customization. Change the colors, text, and logos in your registration pages and meeting rooms.
  • Live captions. Improve accessibility with automatically generated captions in meetings.
  • Breakout sessions. Manually or randomly assign attendees to networking spaces.
  • Engagement features. Use Q&As, chat, live emoji reactions, and polls to keep people interested.
  • Green room. Speakers and event hosts can use this space to prepare for the summit and communicate behind the scenes.

Why choose Microsoft Teams

If you’re running small virtual summits, Microsoft Teams is a good option. You can start to experiment with engagement features such as polls and smaller rooms and practice running the event in the Green Room.

Microsoft Teams’ pricing

The free version of Teams allows you to host 60-minute meetings with up to 100 participants. Then, you’ll pay between $4 and $12.50 per user per month, depending on which features you’d like to access.

4. Virtual Summits Software: Best for budget events

Virtual Summits Software offers a dedicated solution for smaller organizations looking to experiment with virtual summits. With its database of speakers and easy customization options, it’s great if you’re just starting out.

Screenshot of Virtual Summits Software online events builder

Virtual Summits Software key features

  • Landing pages. All you need to do is input your information and choose a theme, and VSS will create your landing pages for you.
  • Database of speakers. Find expert speakers within the platform if you’re running low on numbers.
  • Automated emails. Automatically send out email reminders to speakers or approach potential new speakers with templated messages.
  • Meeting recordings. Set summits to record automatically for easy content sharing.
  • Speaker management. The ability to hide someone’s profile from showing in the summit if they’re running late is a great bonus feature.

Why choose Virtual Summits Software

Virtual Summits Software is particularly good at taking the work out of managing speakers through its automated communications. And if you need fewer features for a lower cost, this one’s for you.

Virtual Summits Software pricing

Virtual Summits Software offers three packages ranging from $36 per month to $226 per month. The main difference is that the pricier plans include customizable events and emails.

5. vFairs: Best for an immersive virtual environment

Unlike many other online event apps, vFairs focuses more on creating a virtual environment and an immersive event experience. This means attendees can engage with exhibit halls, auditoriums, and networking rooms in a virtual space like they would in the real world.

Screenshot of vFairs’ 3D exhibitors space

vFairs' key features

  • Branded landing pages. Add videos and images and customize colors to create engaging reservation pages in multiple languages.
  • Email marketing. Send out event reminders easily through vFairs' integration with CRMs like Hubspot.
  • Advanced environment design. Set up the 3D lobby with immersive rooms for networking and learning, complete with customizable branding.
  • Live chat rooms. Invite attendees to network in live chat rooms. You can also pair them automatically based on their answers to questions you set.
  • Analytics. Track attendance and understand how participants use networking spaces with data from vFairs.
  • Accessibility features. Turn on automated closed captioning to make virtual and hybrid events more accessible.

Why choose vFairs

If you plan to have a large number of participants attending different sessions, vFairs' virtual environment features can engage them in between events. The interactive interface makes it easy for attendees to network and explore spaces.

But if you want to prioritize engagement during the event, Livestorm is a better option. With Livestorm, you get access to a wider range of in-summit interactive features, which can lead to a successful event.

vFairs' pricing

vFairs offers tailored packages and doesn’t list pricing publicly. You'll need to provide contact details to get a custom quote.

6. HeySummit: Best for monetizing summits

HeySummit is an easy-to-use virtual summit platform with features for planning, running, marketing, and monetizing a virtual event. The only thing to be aware of is that it contains only limited branding options and engagement tools.

Screenshot of HeySummit’s landing page builder

HeySummit’s key features

  • Speaker directory. Search for and contact expert speakers if you’re running low on numbers.
  • Speaker dashboard. Allow attendees to create their own descriptions and review details before the event.
  • Talk management features. Add linked media and offers to your events to improve engagement.
  • Registration page builder. Use themes and integrate pre-loaded speaker lists and event countdown timers. You can also use CSS to add customized features.
  • Marketing tools. Use email templates to engage attendees and share copy for speakers to use to promote the summit.
  • Registration insights. Understand who is joining your event with live, segmented data.

Why choose HeySummit?

If you want to sell tickets and generate revenue through events, HeySummit is a great option. Plus, its marketing templates provide a useful base for brands just getting started with events, and the speaker directory may prove helpful while you try to build up industry contacts.

HeySummit’s pricing

HeySummit offers four packages, including a free option for up to 250 attendees. Paid plans start at $33 per month, but you'd need to upgrade to the next tier ($66 per month) to remove the HeySummit branding.

7. Accelevents: Best for data analytics

Accelevents is a cloud-based virtual event platform that offers advanced analytics with data on audience segments. With this software, you can assign links to campaigns, channels, or team members to monitor the success of your virtual summits in more detail.

Screenshot of Accelevents’ data metrics dashboard

Accelevents’ key features

  • Breakout spaces. Encourage attendees to connect with pre-event networking, breakout sessions, and exhibitor spaces that are tagged by topic. You can also assign people to networking sessions based on these tags.
  • Registration page builder. Use templates to quickly create landing pages with custom registration forms.
  • Event app. Attendees can watch content, submit questions, and participate in forums, polls, and Q&A sessions from their mobile.
  • Event analytics. Discover how much attendees are networking and engaging with Q&As and monitor event page visits and registrations in real time.
  • A wide range of integrations. Accelevents integrates with over 10 CRM, communications, and marketing tools.

Why choose Accelevents?

Though Accelevents has a bit of a steep learning curve, it’s great for larger marketing teams with more time to dedicate to the tool. Plus, the event data can help your team run a virtual summit that truly engages the audience.

Accelevents’ pricing

Accelevents’ entry-level package starts at $5,000. For larger organizations hosting more frequent events, the Business or Enterprise package is better suited.

8. CrowdComms: Best for hybrid events

CrowdComms supports both in-person setup and remote attendee engagement, making it perfect for hybrid events. It’s also geared up for complex agendas, so you can split audiences and host simultaneous sessions at once.

Screenshot of CrowdComms’ on-demand content library

CrowdComms’ key features

  • Engagement tools. Use live chat, polls, and Q&As to connect remote and in-person audiences.
  • Customizable design. Start with templates or work with CrowdComms’ specialist design team to create an engaging virtual experience.
  • On-demand content. Create a library for easy, on-demand post-event viewing.
  • Hybrid event support. Get help with on-site streaming from CrowdComms’ support team and use the events app for in-person engagement.
  • Extensive integrations. Connect to analytics software, event planning tools, and ticketing solutions.

Why choose CrowdComms?

If you’re trying to engage both on-site and remote attendees, CrowdComms could be a good choice. Features such as Q&A and live chat work across both the events app and the live-streaming platform to keep everyone connected.

CrowdComms’ pricing

CrowdComms doesn't have pricing information on its site. Instead, you have to get in touch with the sales team for a tailored quote.

9. EventsAir: Best for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events

EventsAir offers solutions for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. With its 3D conference mode, organizers can remote attendees before the summit starts via virtual exhibition halls, video meeting software, and seamless branding.

Screenshot of EventsAir’s virtual environment

EventsAir’s key features

  • Landing page creator. Make registration pages easily with a drag-and-drop builder.
  • Engagement tools. Allow remote attendees to preview and instantly join sessions and contribute to live discussions, polls, and Q&As.
  • Green room. Have presenters enter the green room for sound and visual checks before going live.
  • Marketing tools. Send automated check-in emails, create enticing landing pages, and get social media support.
  • Hybrid support. Use project management, budgeting, inventory tools, and a branded app to manage in-person events.

Why choose EventsAir?

If you regularly host large hybrid, virtual, and in-person events, EventsAir could be a great option. This platform combines all three event types, helping organizers maximize engagement. Bear in mind though, some users report that the software can be buggy and slow to set up.

EventsAir’s pricing

EventsAir doesn't have pricing information on its site. Instead, you have to get in touch for a tailored quote.

10. Airmeet: Best for networking at scale

Airmeet is a powerful virtual and hybrid event platform that makes it easy to collect and analyze advanced engagement data in reports or in real time. You can also manage the entire journey, from planning to following up with emails, inside the platform.

However, it’s important to note that Airmeet isn’t the most intuitive software to set up. Users report a steep learning curve.

Screenshot of Airmeet’s networking lounge

Airmeet’s key features

Inside Airmeet, you’ll find:

  • Custom themes for event rooms. Change the colors and backdrop and view edits in preview mode before the summit.
  • Branded landing page. Inside the custom landing page editor, you can upload carousel images and event stats to your registration pages.
  • Reminder emails. Send custom reminder emails to attendees in just a few clicks.
  • Networking booths. This matchmaking feature allows you to automatically connect relevant people, while the social lounge is good for group brainstorming. Airmeet also includes a fluid space where people can network freely.
  • Post-event analytics. View attendance, Q&A lists, and booth and poll data to optimize future summits.

Why choose Airmeet

Able to handle over 100,000 attendees, Airmeet is aimed at medium and large organizations running large-scale summits - especially if you want to encourage networking.

Airmeet’s pricing

Airmeet offers a free package for up to 50 event attendees for 90 minutes, but this doesn’t include branding options. Other packages cost between $500 and $1,500 a month and enterprise companies are given custom quotes.

How we chose the best virtual summit platforms

We’ve assessed each of the virtual summit platforms on our list by looking at the features that boost engagement and branding before, during, and after the event, including:

  • Scheduling features
  • Branding options
  • Event customization
  • Breakout rooms or virtual booths
  • Engagement analytics
  • Ease of use

Scheduling features

Ideally, you need to be able to engage your target audience before the event without losing hours sending out emails. The top virtual summit platforms include:

  • Integrations with calendar software
  • Email automation
  • Customizable registration pages

Branding options

From the design of your registration forms to the appearance of your virtual meeting room, there are a number of opportunities to generate buzz for your organization at a virtual summit. A good platform allows you to create a cohesive experience that keeps your organization top of mind at every stage.

Event customization

Virtual summits often feel fragmented and dominated by one speaker at a time. Designing an engaging virtual event means creating an immersive experience that mimics an in-person event. The top tools have the best features to encourage interaction.

Breakout rooms or virtual booths

High-level attendees may primarily attend virtual conferences and events for networking opportunities. The best solutions include breakout rooms and virtual booths where attendees can connect in a more personal environment.

Engagement analytics

Data is your secret weapon for driving engagement at future events So, you need a tool that can give you insights about attendance, replays, and other key engagement metrics. To curate this list, we looked at the level of data provided by each platform.

Ease of use

A virtual summit solution should be accessible and easy for everyone to navigate. The best virtual summit solutions have a smooth interface for organizers, speakers, and attendees alike.

Templates

Access these 6 email templates to drive attendance to your virtual events.

Scaling your brand with the right virtual summit platform

Choosing the right virtual summit platform comes down to weighing up functionality against costs. If you’re running a small-scale event with a few attendees, Microsoft Teams or Virtual Summit Software might be a good fit.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a solution that can boost your organization's visibility, engage growing numbers of attendees, and scale with you, look to Livestorm.

This all-in-one platform allows you to schedule reminders, engage participants with an immersive virtual experience, and then analyze success afterward. Plus, you can save time by managing summits alongside internal meetings, webinars, and other video-based events.

PatternPattern

Host electrifying virtual summits with Livestorm.

Engage attendees, boost your brand, and make scheduling easy with an all-in-one solution.

Frequently asked questions about virtual summit platforms

What is a virtual summit platform?

A virtual summit is an event in which industry experts come together to discuss a certain topic. And a virtual summit platform is the software that allows this talk to be held. This means it will include a video livestreaming solution and it may also include event marketing features, engagement tools, networking spaces, and analytics.

Which is the best virtual conference platform?

Choosing which conference platform is right for you means considering the size of the events you want to hold and then weighing up which features will be useful to you. Livestorm is a great option for businesses of all sizes because it’s affordable, user-friendly, and allows you to use attendee engagement and branding features at scale. It also includes scheduling and data analytics tools.

How much do virtual conference platforms cost?

The cost of virtual conference platforms varies depending on the features, number of attendees, and users, and length of meetings. Some platforms offer free basic versions, and others charge over $1,000 dollars per month. The average platform costs between $50 and $100 per month.

What are the benefits of virtual conference platforms?

Virtual conference platforms give event organizers more control over planning and running their online events and help them to engage speakers while boosting branding. Livestorm, for example, offers scheduling software, customized room branding, and audience engagement features like polls, emoji reactions, and Q and A sessions.

How do you conduct a virtual summit?

To run a successful virtual summit, you need to:

  • Define your target audience
  • Approach relevant speakers
  • Find an engaging streaming platform
  • Create custom registration pages and rooms
  • Use scheduling tools to remind speakers and audience members of the event
  • Encourage networking
  • Follow up with speakers
  • Analyze analytics

Livestorm allows you to manage every stage of your virtual summit alongside other events in a centralized platform. Find the best date, engage speakers, and follow up with branded emails all in one place.

Is there anything to watch out for when hosting a virtual summit?

When hosting a virtual summit you need to look out for:

  • Timing. Make sure to check the availability of your speakers and find a date that works for everyone. You can use a calendar integration and virtual summit software such as Livestorm for this.
  • Technical issues. Be sure to choose a platform that is secure and doesn’t often go down.
  • Engagement. Track how involved your attendees are and encourage them to use interactive features to keep their attention.
Templates