Who's In vs Hopin
Hopin was built for virtual events and pivoted to hybrid — but in-person conferences need different tools. Who's In Conference is purpose-built for real-world conferences with QR check-in, speaker profiles, sponsor management, and face-to-face networking. Free.
All features included · No credit card required
Last updated: March 20, 2026
Who's In
Free Forever • Built for In-Person
- Free conference management — in-person focused
- QR check-in for real-world events
- Speaker profiles & sponsor tiers
- WhatsApp notifications for attendees
- Only 2.7% fee on paid tickets
Hopin
Virtual-First • Hybrid • Subscription
- Strong virtual event infrastructure
- Built-in video streaming and breakout rooms
- Virtual expo and networking features
- $99+/mo — higher tiers much more (as of March 2026, subject to change)
- Virtual-first — in-person is secondary
- Pivoted multiple times — uncertain product direction
- Heavy platform — overkill for in-person events
- Virtual networking doesn't replace hallway conversations
Hopin Virtualizes Events.
Who's In Brings People Together.
Hopin built its reputation streaming virtual events during the pandemic. As the world returned to in-person, Hopin pivoted to hybrid — but its core DNA is still virtual. Video stages, virtual expo halls, and digital networking are great online, but they're not what in-person conference organizers need.
Who's In Conference is built from the ground up for real-world conferences. QR check-in at the door, printed badge support, speaker greenroom management, sponsor booth placement, and WhatsApp notifications that work when attendees are in the venue — not behind a screen.
💰 Hopin charges $99+/mo for a virtual-first platform. Who's In Conference is free and built for the conferences people actually attend in person.
Why Virtual-First Platforms Fail In-Person Events
- • Virtual networking tools are useless at physical venues
- • Streaming infrastructure you're paying for but not using
- • No native QR check-in for real-world attendance
- • Virtual expo halls don't help sponsors with booth logistics
- • Breakout rooms designed for video, not physical rooms
- • Attendee engagement metrics track screen time, not real interactions
- • Heavy platform slows down simple scheduling tasks
- • Paying for video bandwidth you don't need
Who's In Conference: Built for the Real World
- QR check-in — scan at the door, instant attendance
- Multi-track agendas with physical room assignments
- Speaker profiles with on-site session management
- Sponsor tiers with real-world booth visibility
- WhatsApp notifications — reach attendees in the venue
- Face-to-face networking facilitation
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Who's In | Hopin |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | Free forever | $99+/mo |
| Transaction Fee | 2.7% flat on paid tickets | Varies by plan |
| Primary Focus | In-person conferences | Virtual/hybrid events |
| QR Check-In | Free — built for venues | Limited |
| Multi-Track Agenda | Free — room assignments | Yes — virtual stages |
| Speaker Management | Free — profiles & sessions | Yes |
| Sponsor Management | Free — tiered visibility | Virtual expo focus |
| Registration & Ticketing | Free — multiple types | Included in paid plans |
| Video Streaming | No (link to external) | Built-in stages |
| Virtual Expo Hall | No | Yes |
| Virtual Networking | No | Built-in matchmaking |
| In-Person Networking | Attendee directory + WhatsApp | Limited |
| WhatsApp Notifications | Native | No |
| AI Features | Session recommendations | AI networking |
| Analytics | Free — attendance & sessions | Video engagement metrics |
| Waitlist Management | Free + auto-notify | Basic |
| LinkedIn Integration | Native sign-in | Limited |
| Mobile Experience | PWA — no download | Web + mobile app |
| Setup Complexity | Self-serve — minutes | Moderate — hours |
| Wallet Passes (Apple & Google) | Free | No |
| Contract Required | No | Monthly or annual |
Who's In is Perfect For
Tech Conferences
In-person dev conferences with hallway track culture
Academic Conferences
Research presentations with real Q&A and poster sessions
Nonprofit Summits
Community gatherings where face-to-face matters
Corporate Conferences
Company-wide events and leadership summits
Community Conferences
Grassroots events built on real human connection
Industry Events
Trade conferences with sponsor booths and demos
Running a virtual or hybrid event with live streaming? Hopin has the infrastructure for that. Running an in-person conference where people actually meet? That's Who's In Conference.
Why In-Person Conferences Choose Who's In Over Hopin
"We tried Hopin for our in-person tech conference and it felt like forcing a virtual platform to do real-world things. Who's In was built for exactly what we needed — agendas, check-in, and real networking."
Sarah C.
Tech Conference Organizer
"Hopin's pricing made sense when we were virtual. Now that we're back in person, we don't need video stages and virtual expo halls. Who's In Conference does in-person right, and it's free."
Michael B.
Community Event Producer
"The QR check-in alone was worth the switch. At our last conference, we checked in 400 attendees in under an hour. Hopin had nothing like that for physical events."
Lisa N.
Corporate Events Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Who's In Conference a good Hopin alternative?▼
Yes — specifically for in-person conferences. Who's In Conference offers multi-track agendas, speaker profiles, sponsor management, registration, and QR check-in — all free and built for real-world events. Hopin excels at virtual/hybrid events with streaming, but those features are unnecessary overhead for in-person conferences.
How much does Hopin cost vs Who's In Conference?▼
Hopin starts at $99/mo for their Starter plan, with higher tiers for larger events. Who's In Conference is free forever with no monthly subscription — you only pay 2.7% on paid ticket sales. (Hopin pricing as of March 2026, subject to change.)
Can Who's In Conference handle hybrid events?▼
Who's In Conference is optimized for in-person events. For hybrid setups, you can add video call or streaming links to individual sessions so remote attendees can join virtually. However, if your event is primarily virtual or needs built-in video streaming, Hopin or a dedicated virtual platform may be a better fit.
Does Who's In Conference have virtual networking like Hopin?▼
Who's In Conference focuses on facilitating real-world networking — attendee directories, shared interests, and WhatsApp-based connections. Hopin offers AI-powered virtual networking with video matchmaking, which is great for online events but irrelevant when your attendees are in the same building.
Why choose an in-person focused tool over a hybrid platform?▼
Hybrid platforms like Hopin add complexity and cost for features you don't use at in-person events. You're paying for video streaming infrastructure, virtual expo halls, and digital networking when your attendees are physically present. Who's In Conference eliminates that overhead and focuses on what in-person events actually need: check-in, scheduling, speaker management, and on-site logistics.
Does Who's In Conference support QR check-in?▼
Yes — this is a core feature. Every registered attendee receives a QR code. Your team scans it with any smartphone camera for instant check-in. You get real-time attendance data and can track session-level participation. Hopin's check-in features are designed for virtual attendance, not physical venues.
Can I migrate from Hopin to Who's In Conference?▼
Yes. You can recreate your event in Who's In Conference with your agenda, speakers, and sponsors. The self-serve setup means you can be live in minutes. Since Who's In is free, many organizers set it up alongside their existing tool to compare before fully switching.
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.
In-Person Conferences Need In-Person Tools
Get QR check-in, speaker management, and real networking — free with Who's In Conference.
No streaming fees • No virtual overhead • Only 2.7% on paid tickets · All features included
