Who's In vs Hopin
Who's In scales from a free RSVP link to Stripe payments and recurring schedules — purpose-built for in-person events where Hopin adds unnecessary virtual complexity.
All features included · No credit card required
Last updated: March 20, 2026
Who's In
Free • In-Person • Simple
- No monthly fees
- No accounts needed
- WhatsApp sharing
- QR check-in
- In-person event focus
Hopin
$99+/mo (2026) • Virtual-First
- Built-in video
- Virtual expo booths
- $99+/month (as of 2026)
- Registration required
- Virtual-focused
Hopin Specializes in Virtual Events.
Who's In is Built for In-Person Gatherings.
Hopin was built for virtual conferences and hybrid events during the pandemic era. If you need built-in video, virtual stages, and expo booths, it's a solid choice.
But if your events happen in real life - fitness classes, community meetups, outdoor adventures - you may not need to pay for virtual features you won't use.
💰 Potential savings: Who's In is free vs Hopin's $99+/month (as of 2026)
What You're Paying For on Hopin
- • Built-in video conferencing
- • Virtual expo booths
- • 1:1 video networking
- • Virtual stage & backstage
- • Advanced virtual analytics
- • Hybrid event tools
What You Actually Need
- Create event → Share link → Track RSVPs
- QR check-in at the door
- Share to WhatsApp (where your people are)
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Who's In | Hopin |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free forever | From $99/mo (2026) |
| Event Type Focus | In-person & casual | Virtual & hybrid |
| Setup Time | 2 minutes | 30+ minutes |
| Guest Account Required | No | Registration required |
| WhatsApp Sharing | Native | No |
| Video Conferencing | No (use Zoom/Meet) | Built-in |
| Virtual Expo Booths | No | Yes |
| Automatic Waitlist | Free | Yes |
| QR Code Check-in | Free | No |
| Networking Features | Via WhatsApp | 1:1 video matching |
| Calendar Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Basic | Advanced virtual analytics |
| Mobile Experience | PWA (excellent) | App required |
| Recurring Events | Free | Available |
| In-Person Focus | Primary | Secondary |
| LinkedIn Event Integration | Full API — publish, sync, track, verified badges | Basic share only |
| Wallet Tickets (Apple/Google) | Free | No |
| Push Notifications | Free (FCM) | No |
| AI Venue Enrichment (beta) | Coming soon | No |
| Branding | Free | Full customization |
When to Use Each Platform
Use Who's In When...
- You run in-person community events
- You have no budget for event tools
- You need automated RSVPs without friction
- Your community lives on WhatsApp
- You run recurring classes or meetups
- You want full-featured event management with zero setup cost
Use Hopin When...
- You run virtual conferences
- You need hybrid event support
- You need built-in video conferencing
- You want virtual expo booths
- You host large corporate webinars
- You need 1:1 video networking features
Why Organizers Switched from Hopin
"We used Hopin during COVID but switched to Who's In for our weekly in-person meetups. It's exactly what we needed - simple, free, and WhatsApp-friendly."
Anna C.
Community Organizer, London
"Hopin was great for virtual events but terrible for my running club. Who's In gets people signed up in seconds with no app downloads."
James K.
Running Club Captain, Melbourne
"My Pilates students couldn't figure out Hopin. Who's In is just a link - tap and you're RSVP'd. Class sign-ups doubled."
Elena V.
Pilates Instructor, Barcelona
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Who's In a good Hopin alternative?▼
For in-person community events, absolutely. Hopin is built for virtual conferences and hybrid events. If you run yoga classes, meetups, hikes, or book clubs, Who's In is simpler, cheaper, and purpose-built for you.
Does Hopin work for in-person events?▼
Hopin was designed for virtual events and added hybrid support later. For purely in-person events like fitness classes or community meetups, Who's In is the better fit with features like QR check-in and WhatsApp sharing.
Is Hopin free?▼
Hopin offers a limited free tier for small virtual events but as of 2026, paid plans start at $99/month. Who's In is completely free for all free events with no attendee limits.
Can I run virtual events on Who's In?▼
Who's In focuses on in-person events. For virtual events, you can include a Zoom/Google Meet link in your event description. If you need built-in video conferencing, Hopin is the better choice.
Why are organizers switching from Hopin?▼
As events returned to in-person post-pandemic, many organizers found Hopin's virtual-first approach didn't fit their needs. Who's In is built for the in-person community events that dominate today.
Can I use both platforms?▼
Yes! Use Hopin for large virtual conferences and Who's In for your regular in-person community events. Many organizers use different tools for different event types.
Does Who's In integrate with LinkedIn?▼
Yes! Who's In offers four LinkedIn integrations: sign in with LinkedIn, share events to your LinkedIn feed, publish full LinkedIn Events that sync attendees back, and display Verified on LinkedIn identity badges — all included free. No other event platform offers this level of LinkedIn integration.
Start free, scale when you're ready
RSVP link, automatic waitlists, reminders, QR check-in, calendar sync
WhatsApp sharing, CSV export, capacity limits, guest notes, cover images
Stripe payments, recurring events, memberships, surveys, analytics
Every feature works the moment you turn it on. No configuration required.
Every new account gets all features unlocked forever — no credit card needed, no trials, no upgrades.
Your Events Happen in Real Life
Join organizers who chose the right tool for in-person events.
Free forever for free events • Built for in-person · All features included
