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Software · head to head

Zoom vs Zoom Webinars

Zoom logo

Zoom

Software

Video conferencing that's easy, reliable, and secure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoom Webinars logo

Zoom Webinars

Software

Dedicated webinar platform by Zoom for large-scale events

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zoom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Zoom cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features; Zoom Webinars webinars tier limited to standard platform features; advanced features like pre-recorded content and multi-session events require Webinars Plus or Events tier
  • They diverge on capability: Zoom covers HD video & audio, Zoom Webinars covers Attendee registration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Zoom and Zoom Webinars actually diverge.

Attributes where Zoom and Zoom Webinars differ
AttributeZoomZoom Webinars
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOSCloud-based SaaS

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2011).

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 Zoom

  • HD video & audio
  • Recording & transcripts
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Polling & Q&A
  • Chat
  • Whiteboard
  • Slack
  • Google Calendar

Only in Zoom Webinars

  • Attendee registration
  • HD video
  • Polls and surveys
  • Q&A
  • Recording
  • Analytics
  • Marketo
  • Google Workspace

Both cover

  • Screen sharing
  • Breakout rooms
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot

What people use each for

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

Zoom

  • Team meetingsnot Zoom Webinars
  • Webinarsnot Zoom Webinars
  • Virtual eventsnot Zoom Webinars
  • Online trainingnot Zoom Webinars
  • Telehealthnot Zoom Webinars

Zoom Webinars

  • Large-scale broadcasts with 10,000+ attendeesnot Zoom
  • Multi-session virtual events and hybrid conferencesnot Zoom

Where each one falls short

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

Zoom

  • Cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features
  • Feature set is overwhelming with complex navigation and too many options
  • Limited analytics and coaching features compared to dedicated contact center platforms
  • Call recording and admin oversight lack strict governance needed for regulated industries

Zoom Webinars

  • Webinars tier limited to standard platform features; advanced features like pre-recorded content and multi-session events require Webinars Plus or Events tier
  • All tiers support up to 100,000 attendees but 30-hour event limit applies across all packages

Pricing, plan by plan

Zoom

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 100 participants
    • 40-minute group meetings
    • Unlimited 1-on-1 meetings
  • Pro$14.99/month
    • 100 participants
    • 30-hour group meetings
    • Cloud recording (5GB)
  • Business$19.99/month
    • 300 participants
    • Single sign-on
    • Recording transcripts
  • Enterprise$25/month
    • 500 participants
    • Advanced admin features
    • Executive business review

Zoom Webinars

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Zoom Webinars review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Zoom if

  • You need hd video & audio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want recording & transcripts.
Zoom review

Choose Zoom Webinars if

  • You need attendee registration.
  • You work on Cloud-based SaaS.
  • You also want hd video.
Zoom Webinars review

Questions people ask

Is Zoom or Zoom Webinars better?
Neither clearly leads. Zoom starts at Free and Zoom Webinars at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Zoom or Zoom Webinars?
Zoom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Zoom and On request for Zoom Webinars.
Does Zoom or Zoom Webinars run on more platforms?
Zoom runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. Zoom Webinars runs on Cloud-based SaaS.
Can I use Zoom for free?
Yes. Zoom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zoom Webinars starts at On request.
What is Zoom best used for?
Zoom is most often used for team meetings, webinars, virtual events, online training. Of those, team meetings and webinars are not what Zoom Webinars is typically brought in for.
What can Zoom do that Zoom Webinars cannot?
Zoom covers HD video & audio, Recording & transcripts, Virtual backgrounds, Polling & Q&A. Zoom Webinars covers Attendee registration, HD video, Polls and surveys, Q&A. Both handle Screen sharing, Breakout rooms, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zoom: What are Zoom's main pricing tiers?

Zoom offers a free Basic plan with 40-minute limits for group meetings, Pro at $14.16/user/month, Business at $15.58/user/month with 300 participant capacity, and Enterprise with custom pricing. Additional costs apply for Phone ($10.50/user/month), Webinars, and Rooms.

Source
Zoom: What integrations does Zoom support?

Zoom integrates with Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Zendesk, and many other business applications, though integration depth varies by partner.

Source
Zoom: Can Zoom be used for webinars?

Yes, Zoom Webinars is available as a separate product starting at $66.67 per month, providing larger audience capabilities and specialized webinar features.

Source
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