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Who's In

Best Hybrid Event & Conference Platforms in 2026

A hybrid event platform has to serve two audiences at once: registration, badges and check-in for the people in the room, and a stream plus networking for people joining remotely. We compared eight platforms on both halves and on price. If the stream is the main event, a streaming-first platform such as Airmeet fits better. If the room is the main event, Who's In Conference runs registration, multi-track agendas, badge printing and QR check-in from $49/month ($40.83/month billed annually), with no Who's In fee on ticket sales, and sends registered remote attendees the link to the stream you run on Zoom, YouTube or Teams.

Last updated: September 2026 · 8 platforms compared

Quick Comparison

#PlatformStarting PriceIn-Person Check-InVirtual NetworkingAttendee Matchmaking
#1
Who's In ConferenceTop Pick
From $49/mo, or $40.83/mo billed annually — 0% Who's In fee on tickets
#2
RingCentral Events (formerly Hopin)
Per-organizer monthly plans
#3
vFairs
Custom enterprise per-event pricing
#4
Bizzabo
Custom
#5
Hubilo (now part of Brandlive)
Custom enterprise pricing
#6
Airmeet
Tiered monthly or annual plans
#7
Swapcard
Per-attendee pricing plus a platform fee
#8
Cvent
Custom enterprise

Detailed Reviews

#1

Who's In Conference

Editor's Choice

Best for in-person-first conferences with a remote audience

Pricing
From $49/mo, or $40.83/mo billed annually — 0% Who's In fee on tickets

Pros

  • Registration, multi-track agendas, badge printing and QR check-in for the room, on one platform
  • Registered remote attendees get the link to the stream you run on Zoom, YouTube or Teams
  • One flat subscription with no per-attendee fees, and no Who's In fee on ticket sales

Cons

  • No built-in streaming, recordings or virtual lounge: the stream itself runs on Zoom, YouTube or Teams
  • Not built for fully virtual events, where the stream is the whole experience

Best For:

In-person-first hybrid conferencesTech summits with remote accessCommunity conferencesHybrid symposia

Our Verdict

The best value for conferences where the room is the main event. In-person attendees get registration, printed badges, QR check-in and attendee matchmaking; registered remote attendees get the agenda and the link to the stream you run on Zoom, YouTube or Teams. If most of your audience joins remotely, a streaming-first platform such as Airmeet will serve them better. Pricing is one flat subscription, $49/month or $40.83/month billed annually, whatever your in-person/remote split.

#2

RingCentral Events (formerly Hopin)

Virtual and hybrid event platform, formerly Hopin, now part of RingCentral

Pricing
Per-organizer monthly plans (Events Pro)

Pros

  • Purpose-built stage + sessions + networking + expo format
  • Built-in live streaming — no third-party streaming tool required
  • Good virtual expo hall for sponsor booths

Cons

  • Hopin sold its events product to RingCentral in 2023; it is now sold within RingCentral's video suite
  • In-person features added later, not as polished as virtual features

Best For:

Virtual-first hybrid eventsOnline summits with in-person componentEvents where streaming is primary

Our Verdict

The most complete platform for virtual-first hybrid events. Stage, sessions, and networking all work well for remote audiences. Hopin sold the events product to RingCentral in 2023, and it now continues as RingCentral Events alongside RingCentral's meetings and webinar tools, so check how it is bundled with the rest of RingCentral before you commit.

#3

vFairs

Virtual and hybrid event platform with 3D environments

Pricing
Custom enterprise per-event pricing

Pros

  • 3D virtual environment creates immersive hybrid experience
  • Strong exhibitor and sponsor features across virtual and in-person
  • Good lead capture for both audience types

Cons

  • Per-event enterprise pricing is very expensive
  • Complex setup with mandatory vendor onboarding

Best For:

Virtual trade shows with hybrid componentOnline expos with in-person booth option

Our Verdict

The most visually distinctive hybrid platform with 3D virtual environments. Genuine value for trade shows where exhibitors want immersive virtual booths. The per-event cost and mandatory onboarding make it prohibitive for most conference budgets.

#4

Bizzabo

Enterprise hybrid event platform with marketing integration

Pricing
Custom (quote-based)

Pros

  • Strong hybrid experience with branded app for in-person and virtual attendees
  • Good marketing attribution across both audience types
  • Integrated sponsor management for hybrid events

Cons

  • Enterprise pricing
  • Over-engineered for community and mid-size hybrid conferences

Best For:

Enterprise hybrid conferencesMarketing-led events with hybrid audiences

Our Verdict

Good enterprise hybrid conference platform within the Bizzabo ecosystem. The marketing attribution across in-person and virtual audiences is genuinely useful for enterprise marketing teams. The price point limits it to large organisations with multiple annual conferences.

#5

Hubilo (now part of Brandlive)

Hybrid event platform with gamification and analytics

Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing

Pros

  • Good gamification features that work across in-person and virtual audiences
  • Strong analytics on engagement across both audience types
  • Clean hybrid interface for attendees

Cons

  • Enterprise pricing only with opaque cost structure
  • Acquired by Brandlive in September 2025, which moved existing customers to its Virtual PRO platform

Best For:

Enterprise hybrid summitsGamified hybrid conferences

Our Verdict

A solid enterprise hybrid platform with standout gamification. The leaderboards and challenges work well for some conference audiences, though they can feel forced at academic or professional conferences. Brandlive acquired Hubilo in September 2025 and moved existing customers to its Virtual PRO platform, so confirm the roadmap before signing.

#6

Airmeet

Streaming-first event platform with social lounge networking

Pricing
Tiered monthly or annual plans (Premium Webinars)

Pros

  • Published entry pricing, unlike most enterprise event platforms
  • Social lounge creates informal networking for virtual attendees
  • Clean interface with relatively quick setup

Cons

  • Hybrid check-in (AirControl Hybrid) is an add-on on the entry plan; the full Events plan is quote-only
  • Less scalable for large hybrid conferences

Best For:

Small hybrid conferencesCommunity hybrid eventsVirtual-first events with in-person component

Our Verdict

A strong choice when the stream is the main event, particularly for community-oriented conferences. The social lounge is genuinely good for virtual networking. Its in-person tools cost extra on the entry plan, so price the AirControl Hybrid add-on or the quote-only Events plan before you compare.

#7

Swapcard

AI networking platform supporting hybrid conference audiences

Pricing
Per-attendee pricing plus a platform fee

Pros

  • Strong AI matchmaking works across in-person and virtual attendees
  • Good sponsor portal visibility for hybrid events
  • Solid contact exchange for both audience types

Cons

  • Per-attendee pricing for both in-person and virtual attendees compounds cost
  • App download required for full feature access

Best For:

Networking-focused hybrid conferencesB2B events with in-person and virtual attendees

Our Verdict

Good hybrid networking platform — the AI matchmaking genuinely connects in-person and virtual attendees well. The per-attendee pricing for both audience types makes hybrid events significantly more expensive than platforms with flat pricing.

#8

Cvent

Enterprise hybrid event management for large-scale conferences

Pricing
Custom enterprise (quote-based)

Pros

  • Most complete hybrid management for very large events
  • Good hybrid session delivery with virtual streaming integration
  • Strong in-person logistics (hotel blocks, room management)

Cons

  • Enterprise pricing
  • Complex and requires significant vendor involvement

Best For:

Large enterprise hybrid conferencesMulti-venue hybrid eventsAssociation hybrid annual meetings

Our Verdict

The most feature-complete hybrid conference management for enterprise-scale events. If you're running a 2,000+ attendee hybrid conference with complex in-person logistics and significant virtual audiences, Cvent handles the full complexity. For everyone else, it's excessive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hybrid event platform in 2026?
It depends which half of the event matters more. For in-person-first conferences, Who's In Conference is the best value: registration, multi-track agendas, badge printing, QR check-in and attendee matchmaking from $49/month ($40.83/month billed annually), and registered remote attendees get the link to the stream you run on Zoom, YouTube or Teams. If the stream is the main event, a streaming-first platform such as Airmeet or RingCentral Events (formerly Hopin) fits better.
What makes an event platform 'hybrid'?
A hybrid event platform serves both in-person and virtual attendees at once. For in-person attendees: registration, badge printing, QR check-in and in-room networking. For virtual attendees: a live stream of the sessions, the agenda, and ideally some way to network. Who's In Conference covers the in-person side and sends registered remote attendees the link to your stream; the stream itself runs on Zoom, YouTube or Teams. Streaming-first platforms such as Airmeet host the stream and the virtual networking themselves.
How much does a hybrid event platform cost?
Hybrid event platform costs range from $49/month, or $40.83/month billed annually (Who's In Conference, with no per-attendee fees), to per-organizer plans (RingCentral Events, formerly Hopin), tiered plans (Airmeet), per-attendee pricing (Swapcard) and enterprise contracts (Bizzabo, Cvent). For mid-size conferences where most people attend in person, Who's In Conference delivers the best features-to-cost ratio.
Can virtual attendees network with in-person attendees at hybrid events?
Partly, and it depends on the platform. Swapcard's matching works across both audiences, and RingCentral Events (formerly Hopin) and Airmeet give remote attendees breakout rooms and lounges to network with each other. Who's In Conference's attendee matchmaking suggests people to meet based on shared interests, tracks and industry for every registered attendee, but it has no video lounge or in-app chat, so remote attendees meet people through your stream's own chat or after the event.
What share of conference attendees join virtually vs. in person?
It varies widely by event. Industry and trade conferences tend to be mostly in-person, while academic and research conferences often draw a larger remote share because of travel costs and international audiences. Use registration data from your past editions to decide which audience is larger, then pick a platform that serves that audience best rather than treating the other as an afterthought.

Related Resources

Best Conference Software 2026 →Best Virtual Platforms →Best Networking Apps →Hopin Alternative →Who's In vs vFairs →Bizzabo Alternative →Swapcard Alternative →Best Sponsor Management Tools →Who's In Conference Product →

Registration, badges and QR check-in for the room, the stream link for remote attendees

One flat subscription from $49/month, or $40.83/month billed annually, whatever your in-person/remote split, with no Who's In fee on ticket sales