Top ON24 Competitors and Alternatives

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Considering ON24 competitors and alternatives? Let’s face it—webinars have become a big deal. Webinars are now essential for communication, training, and engagement. This is true for both marketers and trainers. One of the first platforms people think of for this kind of thing is ON24. I’ve seen it used for everything from product launches to professional development sessions. But here’s the thing: while ON24 is great, it’s not the only option out there. Depending on your needs, budget, or specific features, you might find that other webinar platforms suit you better.

I’ve worked with ON24, as well as plenty of its competitors and alternatives, so I’m going to take you through some of the top options.

Is ON24 a Good Webinar Platform?

When people ask me whether ON24 is a good webinar platform, I usually start by saying that it’s a well-established solution, particularly for larger organizations looking for robust analytics and integration with other marketing tools. Its strengths lie in features like audience engagement scoring and post-event insights, which can be valuable for marketers focused on lead qualification. That said, the user experience—both for presenters and attendees—can feel a bit rigid. I’ve heard from many prospects that while the analytics are great, the interface and customization options don’t always meet their expectations for creating a truly dynamic and engaging experience.

One client I worked with recently shared how their webinars on ON24 felt “cookie-cutter” despite their best efforts to personalize them. Their audience was disengaged, and it was reflected in their low attendance and interaction rates. When they switched to a platform like Communique Webinars, which offers fully customizable layouts and cinematic video capabilities, their audience engagement jumped significantly. One standout moment was their ability to adjust the attendee console in real-time during a webinar, making it easy to spotlight interactive polls and calls-to-action. It’s a small feature, but one that made a big difference in creating a more connected and engaging experience.

Ultimately, whether ON24 is the right fit depends on your budget priorities. If you’re focused on lead scoring and integrating with your CRM, ON24 could be a good choice. But if you’re like many of the companies I speak to—looking to elevate your brand and deliver memorable, high-impact virtual events—it might not check all the boxes. In addition, ON24 charges a steep price at  $750 – $1,250 per webinar.  I always encourage marketers to consider the desired attendee experience, ease-of-use, and price when deciding on a webinar platform.

Why Look for ON24 Alternatives?

Before we dive into alternatives, let’s look at why ON24 is such a popular choice in the first place.

ON24 is known for its powerful analytics, which can give you a ton of insights into how your audience engages with your webinar content. It’s also really customizable—you can brand your events to look and feel like your company. Plus, the interactivity features, like polls and Q&A, make it easy to engage with attendees.

But here’s where I personally ran into some issues: the learning curve. ON24 can feel overwhelming if you’re not used to handling robust webinar platforms. Some users, including myself, also found it to be a bit pricey. So, naturally, this had me looking at other platforms that could meet similar needs, but maybe with different strengths.

If these challenges resonate with you, consider alternative platforms. They may better meet your needs.

Who Competes with ON24?

The webinar landscape is evolving. Several competitors now offer strong alternatives to ON24. Each has unique features and benefits for different business needs. Understanding these competitors is crucial for businesses seeking to optimize their virtual event strategies. We will examine the top contenders. We will look at their strengths, weaknesses, and unique offerings. This will give a well-rounded view for those considering a switch or new options. From user-friendly interfaces and cost-effective solutions to robust integrations and advanced engagement tools, these platforms present a variety of choices that cater to diverse requirements and preferences.

Whether you’re a small business looking for simplicity and affordability or a large enterprise in need of comprehensive analytics and scalability, this guide will help you navigate the competitive landscape and identify the platform that best aligns with your objectives.

1. Communique Webinars

From my experience Communique Webinars is the closest competitor to ON24 in terms of custom branding and audience engagement.  The platform really shines its ease of use without sacrificing branding customization. The user interface is simple and straightforward—perfect if you’re not tech-savvy but still want a professional-looking webinar. The pricing is far more affordable compared to ON24, making it a viable option for enterprise webinars without the steep price tag.

One of my favorite feature? Its dynamic attendee interface evolves throughout your event, always keeping the right content, engagement tools, and CTAs front and center. You need to see it in action!

However, if you’re after deep-dive analytics like what ON24 offers, Communique might feel a bit limited. It tracks attendance and engagement. But, it does not support tagging.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface.
• Custom branding.
• Dynamic attendee console layouts.
• Affordable pricing.

Cons:

• No built-in lead scoring.

Reviews:

• G2 Score: 4.8 our of 5 stars
• Capterra Score: 4.6 out of 5 stars

2. Zoom Webinars

Most of us are familiar with Zoom at this point. Zoom Webinars has quickly become a strong contender in the webinar space if you are on a budget. The interface is familiar and there’s almost zero learning curve—anyone can do it.

But here’s where Zoom falls short, at least in my experience. While it’s great for basic webinars, it doesn’t offer the same level of customization, branding, and engagement that you get with Communique or ON24. Sure, you can have a virtual background, but if you want a full-on branded experience, you’re probably going to find Zoom lacking. Another consideration is Zoom’s interactive features. They have polls and Q&A, but compared to Communique and ON24’s suite of engagement tools, Zoom’s options feel a bit basic.

Pros:

• Low cost.
• Easy to use and widely recognized.

Cons:

• Minimal branding and customization options.
• Only basic engagement tools that are hidden in fixed menus.

Reviews:

• G2 Score: 4.5 our of 5 stars
• Capterra Score: 4.6 out of 5 stars

3. GoToWebinar

GoToWebinar is an ON24 competitor for users who want a platform that’s been around the block and still delivers decent webinars. The audio is high-quality and the video does not lag.

One problem we often face when using GotoWebinar is that the polls often freeze during webinars. We had to restart polls and surveys from scratch during webinars due to technical issues. Also, the platform looks and feels outdated to compared to ON24 and Communique’s sleeker interfaces. If you’re after high-tech features and cutting-edge design, you might feel like GoToWebinar is stuck in 2010.

Pros:

• Low cost.
• Easy to use and widely recognized.

Cons:

• Minimal branding and customization options.
• Only basic engagement tools that are hidden in fixed menus.

Reviews:

• G2 Score: 4.2 our of 5 stars
• Capterra Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4. Adobe Connect

Adobe Connect is a versatile video conferencing platform and a solid alternative to ON24, offering a highly customizable user experience for each session. It’s particularly popular among educators for its ease in delivering virtual lectures and training sessions.

Ideal for smaller virtual events, Adobe Connect supports up to 1,000 participants and provides the flexibility to divide attendees into breakout rooms, each accommodating up to 100 people. Additionally, the platform prioritizes security, featuring robust multi-layered protection to ensure your data stays safe.

Pros:

• Cheap price.
• Great for smaller webinars.

Cons:

• No branding or customization options.
• Limited engagement tools.

Reviews:

• G2 Score: 3.9 our of 5 stars
• Capterra Score: 4.3 out of 5 stars

5. Microsoft Teams Webinars

For organizations already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, Teams Webinars is a natural choice. I’ve used it for enterprise-level webinars. It has great security and integrates with other Microsoft tools. However, users may find it’s not the most intuitive platform, and compared to others on this list, it offers limited engagement features.

Pros:

• Enterprise-grade security.
• Seamless integration with Microsoft products.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve.
• Limited engagement tools.

Feature Comparison Table

Explore these alternatives to see which one aligns with your business goals and select the perfect ON24 competitor for your team.

Platform	Pricing	Ease of Use	Engagement Tools	Custom Branding	Integrations	Scalability	Unique Strengths
Communique Webinars	Mid-Range	High	Dynamic attendee console layouts	Very High	CRM, marketing automation	High	Custom branding, modern look and feel, customizable layouts, cost-effective
Zoom Webinars	Low-cost	Very High	Basic (polls, Q&A)	Minimal	Limited integrations	Moderate	Familiarity, accessibility
GoTo Webinar	Mid-range	Moderate	Polls, surveys	Limited	CRM, marketing platforms	High	Strong CRM integrations
Adobe Connect	Mid-Range	Very High	Engaging (polls, Q&A)	Moderate	Basic integrations	Low	Simplicity and engagement for small teams
Microsoft Teams Live Events	Enterprise-level	Moderate	Limited	Minimal	Microsoft ecosystem	High	Enterprise-grade security and seamless MS integrations
ON24	Premium Pricing	Moderate	Advanced (hubs, engagement)	High	CRM, marketing automation	High	Comprehensive analytics and scalability

Key Features to Compare to Find the Best ON24 Competitors

So, now that we’ve looked at some of the top ON24 alternatives, let’s talk about how to make the right choice for you. Here are a few key features I always evaluate:

1. Ease of Use

Time is precious, and I’ve found that intuitive platforms like Communique Webinars and Zoom make setup and management far less stressful. A clean, user-friendly interface allows your team to focus on delivering impactful content instead of struggling with technology. ON24, require a bit more of a learning curve. So, think about your team’s tech comfort level when making a decision.

2. Customization and Branding

If you want a branded, professional look, platforms like ON24, Communique Webinars is a solid option. Unleash your creativity. You can fully brand and customize landing pages, emails, and the attendee console. The design of the experience can be just as effective as the content itself at keeping guests engaged and entertained.

3. Interactive Features

ON24 really excels in engagement features, but if you don’t need all the extras, Zoom or GoToWebinar might work for you. Think about how you want to engage your audience—do you need polls, Q&A, downloadable resources, or gamification?

4. Cost

There’s no getting around it: ON24 is one of the pricier options. If you want a similar product at a better price, go with Communique Webinars. If budget is a major consideration, you’ll probably want to look at platforms like Zoom or GotoWebinar, which offer more affordable plans.

5. Analytics

Finally, think about what kind of reporting you need. ON24 is king when it comes to advanced analytics, but GoToWebinar also offer solid reporting. If all you need is basic attendee tracking, Zoom or Adobe Connect should do the job.

You can confidently choose a platform for your virtual event. Weigh these factors based on your goals. It will improve your event strategy and delight your audience.

Conclusion

Over the years, I’ve tested and worked with a variety of webinar platforms, and one thing has become clear: no single platform is perfect for everyone. Your choice depends entirely on your specific needs, goals, and resources. Some platforms, like Webinar.net, offer fantastic customization at a lower price point, while others, like Microsoft Teams Live Events, excel in security and integration for larger enterprises.

What’s important is to find a platform that aligns with your goals and makes hosting webinars a seamless experience. If you’re struggling with an outdated or overly complex solution, it might be time to explore what’s out there. Testing different platforms and leveraging free trials has been invaluable in my journey to finding the right fit.

The options are vast. But, with the insights here, you’re ready to navigate the changing webinar landscape. You can now choose the best option for your organization’s success. Whatever platform you choose, focus on delivering engaging, high-value experiences for your audience—that’s what truly matters.