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Software · head to head

Microsoft Teams Live Events vs Swapcard

Microsoft Teams Live Events logo

Microsoft Teams Live Events

Software

Enterprise live event and webinar platform by Microsoft

From
Free
Rated
-
Swapcard logo

Swapcard

Software

The smart event platform

From
$610/one-time
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Teams Live Events has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Teams Live Events teams live events retired on June 30, 2026, and only events scheduled before that date remain supported through February 28, 2027; Swapcard pricing requires custom quote; starting price of $610 does not include per-attendee charges which can add significant costs
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Teams Live Events covers Live Q&A, Swapcard covers AI matchmaking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Teams Live Events and Swapcard actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Teams Live Events and Swapcard differ
AttributeMicrosoft Teams Live EventsSwapcard
Starting priceFree$610/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Mac, IOS, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19752013

Identical on both: 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 Microsoft Teams Live Events

  • Live Q&A
  • Attendee engagement
  • RTMP support
  • Recording
  • Microsoft 365 integration
  • Microsoft 365
  • Azure
  • SharePoint

Only in Swapcard

  • AI matchmaking
  • Lead capture
  • Event mobile app
  • Exhibitor management
  • Analytics
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • Zapier

Both cover

  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Teams Live Events

  • One to many broadcast of company town halls to large internal audiencesnot Swapcard
  • Streaming an externally produced RTMP feed from a hardware encoder to Teams viewersnot Swapcard

Swapcard

  • Event planningnot Microsoft Teams Live Events
  • Ticket salesnot Microsoft Teams Live Events
  • Attendee managementnot Microsoft Teams Live Events
  • Virtual eventsnot Microsoft Teams Live Events
  • Event marketingnot Microsoft Teams Live Events

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Teams Live Events

  • Teams live events retired on June 30, 2026, and only events scheduled before that date remain supported through February 28, 2027
  • Microsoft directs users to the separate unified Teams events experience instead
  • Organizers must use the Teams web client to schedule a live event; scheduling is not available in the desktop client
  • Users cannot schedule meetings or live events when offline or running with limited bandwidth
  • Keeping internal broadcast traffic off the corporate network requires an eCDN, either Microsoft's own or a certified partner such as Hive, Kollective or Ramp

Swapcard

  • Pricing requires custom quote; starting price of $610 does not include per-attendee charges which can add significant costs
  • Smaller company with 181 employees compared to market leaders like Cvent, limiting support resources
  • Limited reporting and analytics features compared to tier-1 event platforms
  • API documentation is sparse; custom integrations require direct vendor support
  • Primarily focused on B2B events; less suitable for consumer or small events

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Teams Live Events

Free
  • Microsoft Teams FreeFree
    • Up to 300 participants
    • Live events
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic$6/month
    • Enhanced live events
    • 10000 attendees
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard$12.5/month
    • Advanced features
    • Unlimited events

Swapcard

$610/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Swapcard review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Teams Live Events if

  • You need live q&a.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want attendee engagement.

Choose Swapcard if

  • You need ai matchmaking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want lead capture.

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Teams Live Events or Swapcard better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Teams Live Events starts at Free and Swapcard at $610/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Teams Live Events or Swapcard?
Microsoft Teams Live Events has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Teams Live Events and $610/one-time for Swapcard.
Does Microsoft Teams Live Events or Swapcard run on more platforms?
Microsoft Teams Live Events runs on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web. Swapcard runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Microsoft Teams Live Events for free?
Yes. Microsoft Teams Live Events has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Swapcard starts at $610/one-time.
What is Microsoft Teams Live Events best used for?
Microsoft Teams Live Events is most often used for one to many broadcast of company town halls to large internal audiences, streaming an externally produced rtmp feed from a hardware encoder to teams viewers. Of those, one to many broadcast of company town halls to large internal audiences and streaming an externally produced rtmp feed from a hardware encoder to teams viewers are not what Swapcard is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Teams Live Events do that Swapcard cannot?
Microsoft Teams Live Events covers Live Q&A, Attendee engagement, RTMP support, Recording. Swapcard covers AI matchmaking, Lead capture, Event mobile app, Exhibitor management. Both handle Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Swapcard: What does Swapcard's pricing model include?

Swapcard pricing includes three components: a base license, usage volume (attendees and exhibitors), and add-ons. The Event Engagement Platform starts at $610 and includes mobile/web apps, AI-powered networking, virtual event capability, and exhibitor lead management.

Source
Swapcard: What event types does Swapcard support?

Swapcard supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events including conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, webinars, and networking events.

Source
Swapcard: What are Swapcard's core platform features?

Core features include dashboard access, agenda management, streaming and audiovisual capability, abstract/paper management, lead capture tools, networking features, and audience response systems.

Source
Swapcard: How many integrations does Swapcard offer?

Swapcard connects natively to over 30 integrations including event platforms like Eventbrite, Cvent, and Bizzabo, plus CRM tools like HubSpot and mapping solutions.

Source
Swapcard: Who is Swapcard and when was it founded?

Swapcard was founded in 2013 in Paris by Baptiste Boulard, Godefroy Des Francs, and Damien Courbon. The company has raised $5.27M and serves event organizers globally.

Source

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