Softwr

Software · head to head

Anchorfree vs Hopin

A

Anchorfree

Software

Platform for hosting and distributing live events

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hopin logo

Hopin

Software

Virtual and hybrid events at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Anchorfree the vendor's own domain (anchorfree.com), as captured by the Internet Archive on 11 January 2023, redirects to and displays the Pango Group corporate site, stating Pango Group is owned and operated by Aura and describes itself as a portfolio of consumer security brands; AnchorFree's original product (Hotspot Shield) survives only under the Pango/Aura ownership structure, confirming the acquisition in the vendor's own words rather than a third party account; Hopin platform complexity with feature breadth that results in no single feature being particularly strong compared to specialized competitors
  • They diverge on capability: Anchorfree covers Audience management, Hopin covers Virtual stages.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anchorfree and Hopin actually diverge.

Attributes where Anchorfree and Hopin differ
AttributeAnchorfreeHopin
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20172019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Anchorfree

  • Audience management
  • Recording
  • Analytics
  • Multi-platform delivery
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitch

Only in Hopin

  • Virtual stages
  • Networking sessions
  • Expo areas
  • Breakout rooms
  • Stripe
  • HubSpot
  • Salesforce
  • Marketo

Both cover

  • Live streaming
  • Zapier
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Anchorfree

  • Professional Worknot Hopin
  • Content Creationnot Hopin

Hopin

  • Event planningnot Anchorfree
  • Ticket salesnot Anchorfree
  • Attendee managementnot Anchorfree
  • Virtual eventsnot Anchorfree
  • Event marketingnot Anchorfree

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Anchorfree

  • The vendor's own domain (anchorfree.com), as captured by the Internet Archive on 11 January 2023, redirects to and displays the Pango Group corporate site, stating Pango Group is owned and operated by Aura and describes itself as a portfolio of consumer security brands; AnchorFree's original product (Hotspot Shield) survives only under the Pango/Aura ownership structure, confirming the acquisition in the vendor's own words rather than a third party account

Hopin

  • Platform complexity with feature breadth that results in no single feature being particularly strong compared to specialized competitors
  • Hard registration caps with additional charges if events exceed 100 registrations
  • Post-acquisition delays with slow account activation taking up to 45 days and slow responses to onboarding questions
  • High pricing particularly problematic for organizations running occasional or simple webinars
  • No Facebook or YouTube live streaming integration and limited caption support for accessibility

Pricing, plan by plan

Anchorfree

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic streaming
    • Limited audience
  • Professional$49/month
    • Advanced features
    • Larger audience
  • Enterprise$199/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Premium support

Hopin

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hopin review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Anchorfree if

  • You need audience management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want recording.
Anchorfree review

Choose Hopin if

  • You need virtual stages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want networking sessions.
Hopin review

Questions people ask

Is Anchorfree or Hopin better?
Neither clearly leads. Anchorfree starts at Free and Hopin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anchorfree or Hopin?
Anchorfree starts at Free and Hopin at Free.
Does Anchorfree or Hopin run on more platforms?
Anchorfree runs on Web. Hopin runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Anchorfree for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Anchorfree best used for?
Anchorfree is most often used for professional work, content creation. Of those, professional work and content creation are not what Hopin is typically brought in for.
What can Anchorfree do that Hopin cannot?
Anchorfree covers Audience management, Recording, Analytics, Multi-platform delivery. Hopin covers Virtual stages, Networking sessions, Expo areas, Breakout rooms. Both handle Live streaming, Zapier, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hopin: What is Hopin's pricing?

Hopin (now RingCentral Events) starts at approximately $99 per organizer per month (billed annually) for the Events Pro plan, with higher tiers at $199 and $299 per month adding onsite capabilities and advanced integrations. A free plan is available with limited features.

Source
Hopin: What features does Hopin include?

Hopin provides registration, live streaming, networking tools (1:1 video matchmaking, breakout rooms), virtual reception and expo areas, real-time analytics and reporting, and integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and Pardot.

Source
Hopin: Can Hopin live stream to Facebook or YouTube?

No. Hopin does not offer native options to live stream video conferencing directly to Facebook or YouTube. This requires manual setup or third-party solutions.

Source
Hopin: Does Hopin provide automated captions during events?

Hopin does not offer built-in caption support across all features, which is a limitation for accessibility and engagement during live sessions.

Source
Hopin: Who acquired Hopin?

RingCentral acquired Hopin in late 2023. The platform is now sold as RingCentral Events with ongoing support and updates managed by RingCentral.

ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Anchorfree

More on Hopin

Keep looking

Other head to heads