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Software · head to head

Hopin vs Restream

Hopin logo

Hopin

Software

Virtual and hybrid events at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Restream logo

Restream

Software

Multistream to 30+ platforms

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hopin platform complexity with feature breadth that results in no single feature being particularly strong compared to specialized competitors; Restream the free plan applies Restream branding to the stream
  • They diverge on capability: Hopin covers Virtual stages, Restream covers Multistreaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hopin and Restream actually diverge.

Attributes where Hopin and Restream differ
AttributeHopinRestream
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded20192015

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 Hopin

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

Only in Restream

  • Multistreaming
  • Live studio
  • Chat aggregation
  • Analytics
  • Recording
  • YouTube
  • Twitch
  • Facebook

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Hopin

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

Restream

  • Streaming one broadcast simultaneously to several platformsnot Hopin
  • Running live shows with guests and recording the outputnot 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

Restream

  • The free plan applies Restream branding to the stream
  • Simultaneous destinations are rationed tightly, at 2 on free, 3 on Standard and 5 on Professional
  • Recording storage is 15 days on free and Standard, rising to 30 only on Professional
  • Reaching 8 destinations costs $199 a month on the Business plan
  • Resolution is not the differentiator, since every tier including free offers 4K, so the plans sell reach and retention instead

Pricing, plan by plan

Hopin

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hopin review.

Restream

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 channels
    • Restream branding
    • Basic features
  • Standard$19/month
    • 7 channels
    • No branding
    • Recording
  • Professional$49/month
    • 8+ channels
    • Custom graphics
    • Analytics

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 Restream if

  • You need multistreaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want live studio.
Restream review

Questions people ask

Is Hopin or Restream better?
Neither clearly leads. Hopin starts at Free and Restream at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hopin or Restream?
Hopin starts at Free and Restream at Free.
Does Hopin or Restream run on more platforms?
Hopin runs on Web, iOS, Android. Restream runs on Web.
Can I use Hopin for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Restream is typically brought in for.
What can Hopin do that Restream cannot?
Hopin covers Virtual stages, Networking sessions, Expo areas, Breakout rooms. Restream covers Multistreaming, Live studio, Chat aggregation, Analytics. Both handle 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.

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