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Webinar & Virtual Events · head to head

Hopin vs Webex by Cisco

Hopin logo

Hopin

Webinar & Virtual Events

Virtual and hybrid events at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Webex by Cisco logo

Webex by Cisco

Communication & Collaboration

A simpler, smarter way to work

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; Webex by Cisco listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)
  • They diverge on capability: Hopin covers Virtual stages, Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hopin and Webex by Cisco actually diverge.

Attributes where Hopin and Webex by Cisco differ
AttributeHopinWebex by Cisco
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
CategoryWebinar & Virtual EventsCommunication & Collaboration
Founded20191984

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

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
  • Zapier

Only in Webex by Cisco

  • Video and audio conferencing
  • Screen sharing and annotation
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Recording and playback
  • Meeting transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Breakout sessions

Both cover

  • Salesforce

What people use each for

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

Hopin

  • Event planningnot Webex by Cisco
  • Ticket salesnot Webex by Cisco
  • Attendee managementnot Webex by Cisco
  • Virtual events
  • Event marketingnot Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco

  • Video conferencingnot Hopin
  • Webinarsnot Hopin
  • Virtual events
  • Trainingnot Hopin
  • Enterprise communicationnot Hopin

Both are used for virtual events, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

Webex by Cisco

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

Pricing, plan by plan

Hopin

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hopin review.

Webex by Cisco

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited 1:1 meetings
    • Group meetings (40 min limit, 100 participants)
    • HD video
  • Pro$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings (500 participants)
    • Cloud recording and storage
    • Advanced scheduling
  • Business$18/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced security
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom deployment

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 Webex by Cisco if

  • You need video and audio conferencing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want screen sharing and annotation.
Webex by Cisco review

Questions people ask

Is Hopin or Webex by Cisco better?
Neither clearly leads. Hopin starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hopin or Webex by Cisco?
Hopin starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free.
Does Hopin or Webex by Cisco run on more platforms?
Hopin runs on Web, iOS, Android. Webex by Cisco runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
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 Webex by Cisco is typically brought in for.
What can Hopin do that Webex by Cisco cannot?
Hopin covers Virtual stages, Networking sessions, Expo areas, Breakout rooms. Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Screen sharing and annotation, Virtual backgrounds, Recording and playback. Both handle Salesforce.

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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Related pages

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