Webinar & Virtual Events · head to head
Anchorfree vs Whova
Anchorfree
Webinar & Virtual Events
Platform for hosting and distributing live events
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Whova
Webinar & Virtual Events
Award-winning event management app
- From
- $1500/event
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Anchorfree has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- 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; Whova mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
- They diverge on capability: Anchorfree covers Live streaming, Whova covers Event mobile app.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Anchorfree and Whova actually diverge.
| Attribute | Anchorfree | Whova |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $1500/event |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2017 | 2012 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Webinar & Virtual Events).
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
- Live streaming
- Audience management
- Recording
- Analytics
- Multi-platform delivery
- YouTube
- Twitch
Only in Whova
- Event mobile app
- Agenda management
- Attendee networking
- Live polling
- Virtual sessions
- Zoom
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Anchorfree
- Professional Worknot Whova
- Content Creationnot Whova
Whova
- 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
Whova
- Mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
- Limited customization options to align with specific event branding needs
- Notification overload can overwhelm attendees with too many messages
- Default privacy settings include contact sharing concerns and data hosting in the US
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
Whova
$1500/event- Basic$1500/event
- Event app
- Agenda builder
- Networking
- Professional$3000/event
- Virtual event support
- Gamification
- Analytics
- Enterprise$6000/event
- Custom development
- API access
- Dedicated support
Which should you pick?
Choose Anchorfree if
- You need live streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want audience management.
Choose Whova if
- You need event mobile app.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want agenda management.
Questions people ask
- Is Anchorfree or Whova better?
- Neither clearly leads. Anchorfree starts at Free and Whova at $1500/event, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Anchorfree or Whova?
- Anchorfree has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Anchorfree and $1500/event for Whova.
- Does Anchorfree or Whova run on more platforms?
- Anchorfree runs on Web. Whova runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Anchorfree for free?
- Yes. Anchorfree has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Whova starts at $1500/event.
- 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 Whova is typically brought in for.
- What can Anchorfree do that Whova cannot?
- Anchorfree covers Live streaming, Audience management, Recording, Analytics. Whova covers Event mobile app, Agenda management, Attendee networking, Live polling. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Whova: How much does Whova cost?
Whova uses a quote-based pricing model. Final cost depends on event size, frequency, and features required. Contact their sales team for customized pricing.
SourceWhova: Does Whova offer a free tier or trial?
Whova does not publish a permanent free plan, but offers no per-ticket registration fees for free events. A demo/trial is available by request.
SourceWhova: What platforms does Whova support?
Whova provides native apps for iOS and Android covering 97% of mobile users, plus a web portal accessible from any device including browsers on laptops and desktops.
SourceWhova: Does Whova integrate with other tools?
Yes, Whova integrates with Zoom, Slack, and Mailchimp through Zapier for automation, enabling seamless data flow between platforms without manual data entry.
Source