Do you want to skip the read and get right to my top picks? The best free webinar platforms for most people is Livestorm!
Introduction to the Best Free Webinar Platforms:
Webinars have become a popular marketing trend, with around 58% of marketing specialists using this communication tool. Statistics show that webinars have the capacity to generate 500 to 1,000 leads per session.
Therefore, many people are jumping on the webinar bandwagon to improve their bottom line. The best thing about webinars is – wait for it – there are actually free webinar platforms out there! With so many free webinar software vying for your attention, which webinar platform frontrunners should you pick?
Indeed, we’ve helped clients with their digital marketing efforts for years and we know for a fact that webinar services free of charge are the real deal. Aside from being a powerful way of connecting with audiences, it ticks boxes for today’s on-the-go and mobile consumer. Specifically, webinars are a convenient, recurring, and effective tool to communicate, interact, and engage your prospective consumers.
In this guide, we’re going to present our curated list of the best free webinar software and open-source free webinar software to add to your marketing toolset.
What is a Free Webinar Platform?
From its name alone, a webinar merges the elements of the Web and “seminar.” It is a virtual or online event exclusively attended by a “virtual” audience. Other terms interchangeably used with webinar are online seminar, web lecture, virtual event, or virtual conference.
A free webinar platform refers to software that allows you to host webinars at zero cost, but usually with specific limitations.
Our Handpicked Best Free Webinar Platforms:
Best Fully Free Platforms;
Using the above criteria, we present our top free webinar tools:
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Livestorm – Free plan, 10 attendees, 20-minute session limit
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Zoho – Free plan, 100 meeting participants 100 webinar attendees
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Zoom Webinars – Free plan, 100 participants and has a 40-minute time limit for meetings with three or more participants
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Google Meet – Free plan, 100 participants and has no time limit for meetings
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Skype – Free plan, 50 participants and has no time limit for meetings
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Cisco Webex – Free plan, 100 participants and has no time limit for meetings
Best Free Trial Platforms;
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Demio – Free trial for 14 days
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GoToWebinar – Free trial for 7 days
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WebinarJam – $1 for 14-day trial (almost free!)
How to Choose the Right Webinar Platform for your needs?
Below, you’re going to see our handpicked list of the top 5 free webinar tools to use for your next virtual event. Before we go through that, however, here’s how we vetted our candidates for the best free webinar software.
We evaluated webinar recording software free trial/plan and free webinar hosting platforms each based on specific criteria, including ease of use, features, support and resources, and pricing.
Here are the factors we looked at when coming up with our top 5 free webinar software list:
- Ease of Use – To monetise your webinars, you need a tool that you can use. So – the first important question is – is the free webinar tool user-friendly? Is there a learning curve?
- Features – What tools does the free webinar tool have and how far can a webinar app free of charge go in terms of letting you market and sell products online? We looked at video and audio capabilities, customisation tools, integrations, screen sharing and presentation, customer engagement, and monetisation. It's essential to consider your needs, such as the number of participants you need to accommodate and the features you require.
- Support and Resources – What support and knowledge base can you access to help you create a successful webinar? Consider the level of technical support you require.
- Pricing – Additionally, you should consider your budget. What are the limitations of their free offering? And what is the price range should you decide to go all the way and buy a subscription?
Our Handpicked 5 Best Free Webinar Tools in detail:
Get to know our curated list of the 5 best webinar services free of charge here:
Demio (free trial)
Demio is one of the most recognizable free webinar tools today. It’s known for its modern look and seamless functionality. However, what really sets this software apart is that it offers both live and automated webinars, as well as automation tools.
Demio is a user-friendly webinar platform that offers a range of features for businesses looking to create high-quality webinars. With features like customizable registration pages, automated webinars, and detailed analytics, Demio is a great option for businesses looking to improve their webinar marketing strategy.
Pros:
- Browser-based so no downloads needed
- Offers both live and automated webinars
- Modern-looking interface
- Automated emails
Cons:
- Could be pricey than rivals
- Video and audio quality can drop
Pricing:
If you’d like the whole functionality, Demio pricing begins at $34 per month.
What to expect with Demio free webinar software?
The software offers a 14-day free trial but limited to only 20 attendees and a limit of 1 hour per webinar session. Read through their terms of service page before you commit.
Livestorm (free plan)
Livestorm is a browser-based free webinar tool that has made the virtual conference platform rounds since 2016.
Livestorm is a modern webinar platform that offers a range of features for businesses looking to create engaging and interactive webinars. With features like customizable registration pages, live polls and Q&A sessions, and integrations with popular marketing tools, Livestorm is a great option for businesses looking to connect with their audience.
Pros:
- Terrific software of training and product demos
- Easy to use and browser-based
- Customisable branding
Cons:
- Video and audio quality drops with Internet connection
Pricing:
Its free plan offering is an attractive feature.
If you want the full-featured webinar software, pricing starts at $99 per month.
What to expect with Livestorm free webinar software?
Its free plan allows access to features but limited to 10 registrants, 10 webinar attendees, and 20 minutes for the webinar session. Read through their terms of service page before you commit.
GoToWebinar (free trial)
GoToWebinar comes from a long line of excellent virtual conference software, including its sister product GoToMeeting. It was developed to accommodate larger audiences beyond simple meetings and collaboration that GoToMeeting caters. It’s one of the most popular free webinar tools out there and the choice of several business organisations – small to large.
What makes GoToWebinar stand out as free webinar tool options is its suite of tools that are available for your webinar requirements. Its subscription plans can accommodate 100-3,000 participants, offers a full-featured software capable of recording, screen sharing, and automated emails, pre-recorded webinars, and several interactive tools.
Pros:
- User-friendly and straightforward to set up
- Excellent and reliable screen sharing
- Trim and edit recordings capability
- Has an annotation feature
Cons:
- Requires download and installation
- Relatively more pricey
- Doesn’t offer customisation for landing pages
Pricing:
If you’re wowed by the free trial, you can upgrade from your webinar services free trial to a paid subscription which starts at £69.00 per month.
What to expect from GoToWebinar free platform?
7-day free trial, 10 attendees only, recording and screen sharing available. Read through their terms of service page before you commit.
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WebinarJam ($1 for 14-day free trial)
WebinarJam, sister product to automated webinar software EverWebinar, is a cloud-based free webinar platform that claims to be designed for marketing. It allows organisations and businesses to perform live streaming on Facebook and YouTube, with a maximum reach of 5,000 participants.
WebinarJam is a powerful webinar platform that offers a range of features for businesses of all sizes. With the ability to host live or pre-recorded webinars, interactive features like polls and chat, and integrations with popular email marketing platforms, WebinarJam is a great option for businesses looking to take their webinars to the next level.
Pros:
- Easy setup, zero downloads
- Competitive pricing
- Customisable landing pages
- Great apps integration
Cons:
- External video hosting (via YouTube)
- Not so great-looking interface
Pricing:
Hence, if you’re sold with the trial, you can level up to the most basic package at $499 per year. Unfortunately, no monthly plans are available and all at a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What to expect with WebinarJam free webinar software?
Strictly speaking, it isn’t a free trial. It’s a $1 for a 14-day trial offer, one which allows you to test-drive all of its features. Read through their terms of service page before you commit.
Zoho (free plan)
ZOHO Meeting began as a virtual meeting software before launching its own webinar tool. As a result of constant product development, it now comes with several features that make it a low-cost webinar software choice. It is best known for exceptional firewall security, and detailed analytics and reports.
Pros:
- Economical
- Great features for basic webinars
- Accommodates up to 40 video feeds at once
Cons:
- Lacks compatibility with Internet Explorer
- No whiteboard feature
- Limited customer service
Pricing:
If ZOHO webinar services free plan tickles your fancy, you can sign up for a subscription, which starts at $15 per month.
What to expect with ZOHO free webinar software?
Having webinar services free of charge, ZOHO offers a free plan with limited functionality. You can expect up to 3 participants, 10 attendees, screen sharing, polling, raise hand, Q&A, webinar registration, and others.
Tips for hosting a successful webinar:
- Promote your event: Start promoting your webinar early and across multiple channels to maximize your reach. Use social media, email marketing, your website, and other relevant channels to promote your event. Clearly, state the topic, date, time, and other relevant details to help potential attendees plan and attend your webinar.
- Prepare your presentation: Create an engaging and informative presentation that provides value to your attendees. Use visuals, such as images and videos, to make your presentation more engaging. Ensure that your presentation is well-structured, easy to follow, and relevant to your audience.
- Test your equipment and connection: Before the webinar, test your equipment, including your microphone, camera, and internet connection. Make sure that your audio and video quality is clear and that there are no technical issues that may disrupt your webinar.
- Engage your audience: Keep your audience engaged throughout the webinar by encouraging questions, using interactive elements such as polls or quizzes, and providing opportunities for discussion. Encourage attendees to ask questions throughout the webinar and answer them promptly.
- Follow up with attendees: After the webinar, follow up with attendees to gather feedback and address any issues that may have arisen. Send a follow-up email that includes a recording of the webinar, a summary of the key points discussed, and any additional resources or information.
Other tips for hosting a successful webinar include:
- Set a realistic timeline and schedule your webinar at a time that is convenient for your target audience
- Practice your presentation beforehand to ensure that you are confident and prepared
- Choose a platform that offers features such as screen sharing, recording, and chat capabilities
- Keep your webinar concise and to the point, typically between 30 minutes to an hour
- Have a backup plan in case of technical issues, such as a phone line attendees can call if they can't connect to the webinar.
By following these tips, you can host a successful webinar that engages your audience and provides value to your business.
The benefits of using webinars for businesses
Webinars offer a range of benefits for businesses, including the ability to reach a broader audience, reduce travel costs, and increase engagement with customers and clients. Additionally, webinars can help businesses establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry by providing valuable insights and knowledge to their audience.
Another significant benefit of webinars is the ability to generate leads and increase sales. By providing valuable content and showcasing expertise, businesses can attract potential customers and build trust, which can ultimately lead to increased sales.
Webinars are also an effective way to educate and train employees, whether it be for new hires or ongoing professional development. They provide a flexible and convenient way to deliver information, and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Conclusion and Recommendation for the Best Free Webinar Platforms:
In conclusion, webinars are an effective way for businesses to engage with their audience, generate leads, and increase sales. With the best free webinar platforms listed above, businesses can choose the platform that best fits their needs and start hosting engaging and informative webinars.
So there you have it – our top webinar services free of charge! In our view, Demio is your best choice.
Here’s our recommendation: your pick should not be all about the bells and whistles. When choosing the best webinar platforms free of charge, ask yourself what you actually need and what tools you need to reach your goals. It’s not smart to invest in things you don’t need and will end up being cumbersome in the future. But that said, a free webinar platform that matches your requirements is a great first step to clearing your bottom line!
FAQ:
What time is best for hosting a webinar?
There’s no “best” time, but most marketing experts prefer the middle of the week. Mondays and Tuesday are busy days, while the weekend is for rest and relaxation.
Can I charge for a webinar?
Definitely, you can! You can host either a free webinar or a paid webinar.
That's all for now:
If you've read all the way through this best free webinar platforms guide, we are thankful and hope you can now answer the question on what a free webinar platform can do and available webinar services free of price! We have a large collection of articles, guides, and comparison reviews of Best Virtual Event Platforms, eCommerce solutions, web hosting providers, website builders, and more! Feel free to check them out;
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