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Software · head to head

Gather vs Hopin

Gather logo

Gather

Software

Virtual spaces for remote collaboration

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: Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only; Hopin platform complexity with feature breadth that results in no single feature being particularly strong compared to specialized competitors
  • They diverge on capability: Gather covers Proximity video chat, Hopin covers Virtual stages.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gather and Hopin actually diverge.

Attributes where Gather and Hopin differ
AttributeGatherHopin
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20202019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Gather

  • Proximity video chat
  • Customizable spaces
  • Interactive objects
  • Screen sharing
  • Calendar
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Desktop support

Only in Hopin

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Gather

  • VR Gamingnot Hopin
  • AR Marketingnot Hopin
  • Virtual Trainingnot Hopin
  • 3D Visualizationnot Hopin
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Hopin

Hopin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Gather

  • No native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • Limited API documentation compared to enterprise competitors
  • Scaling large virtual offices can impact performance

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

Gather

Free
  • 30-Day TrialFree
    • Up to 50 team members
    • All features included
    • Meetings and chat
  • Essential$12/month
    • All features
    • Meeting recordings starting at 20 hours
    • Meeting transcriptions starting at 30 hours

Hopin

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hopin review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gather if

  • You need proximity video chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want customizable spaces.
Gather 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 Gather or Hopin better?
Neither clearly leads. Gather 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, Gather or Hopin?
Gather starts at Free and Hopin at Free.
Does Gather or Hopin run on more platforms?
Gather runs on Web. Hopin runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Gather for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Gather best used for?
Gather is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Hopin is typically brought in for.
What can Gather do that Hopin cannot?
Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Screen sharing. Hopin covers Virtual stages, Networking sessions, Expo areas, Breakout rooms. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gather: What is a free trial of Gather like?

Gather offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required that includes up to 50 team members and access to all features including meetings, chat, AI meeting notes, and full office customization.

Source
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
Gather: How does Gather reduce meeting load?

Gather recreates natural office dynamics through spatial audio and proximity-based interactions, allowing colleagues to bump into each other and have quick conversations without scheduled calls. Teams report shorter, more organic conversations that wrap up in under 10 minutes.

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
Gather: What platforms and devices does Gather support?

Gather works on web browsers and integrates with Slack and Google Chat. The platform supports audio/video calls, screen sharing, and custom workspace design.

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
Gather: Does Gather work offline?

Gather is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to function, though it emphasizes quick connection and low bandwidth requirements compared to traditional video conferencing.

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.

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