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Webinar & Virtual Events · head to head

Hopin vs Panopto

Hopin logo

Hopin

Webinar & Virtual Events

Virtual and hybrid events at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Panopto logo

Panopto

Webinar & Virtual Events

Video management and live streaming platform for enterprises

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Hopin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hopin platform complexity with feature breadth that results in no single feature being particularly strong compared to specialized competitors; Panopto no price list is published, and the vendor states there are no tiers at all
  • They diverge on capability: Hopin covers Virtual stages, Panopto covers Video management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hopin and Panopto actually diverge.

Attributes where Hopin and Panopto differ
AttributeHopinPanopto
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web
Founded20192007

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 Hopin

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

Only in Panopto

  • Video management
  • Recording
  • Search
  • Analytics
  • Microsoft 365
  • Canvas
  • Blackboard
  • Windows support

Both cover

  • Live streaming
  • Salesforce
  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Hopin

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

Panopto

  • Recording, hosting and searching lecture and training videonot Hopin
  • Integrating video libraries with learning management systemsnot Hopin

Where each one falls short

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

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

Panopto

  • No price list is published, and the vendor states there are no tiers at all
  • Cost depends on user count, integrations, add ons and deployment model, so several negotiated variables set the figure
  • Four capabilities are separately priced add ons on top of any quote
  • Every route to a figure is a demo or a conversation with sales

Pricing, plan by plan

Hopin

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hopin review.

Panopto

On request
  • Professional$500/month
    • Video storage
    • Basic features
  • Business$1000/month
    • Live streaming
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$2500/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Panopto if

  • You need video management.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want recording.
Panopto review

Questions people ask

Is Hopin or Panopto better?
Neither clearly leads. Hopin starts at Free and Panopto at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hopin or Panopto?
Hopin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hopin and On request for Panopto.
Does Hopin or Panopto run on more platforms?
Hopin runs on Web, iOS, Android. Panopto runs on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Hopin for free?
Yes. Hopin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Panopto starts at On request.
What is Hopin best used for?
Hopin is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events. Of those, event planning and ticket sales are not what Panopto is typically brought in for.
What can Hopin do that Panopto cannot?
Hopin covers Virtual stages, Networking sessions, Expo areas, Breakout rooms. Panopto covers Video management, Recording, Search, Analytics. Both handle Live streaming, Salesforce, Web support, Android 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.

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