Best Virtual Networking Platforms

Are you hosting a virtual event but struggling to find ways to effectively help attendees network? You’re not alone. Despite networking being one of the main reasons attendees join events, getting it done right is still the toughest, yet most important, challenge event organizers face.

The biggest challenge with online networking is its current perception. A lot of people still find networking online impersonal or less effective. However, that does not have to be the case with the right virtual networking platform. Opting for online platforms designed for networking and engagement will give you the right tools to foster genuine connections amongst attendees. Tools like structured breakout rooms, immersive virtual environments, and much more. But, how do you find the right virtual networking platform?

That is why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best virtual networking platforms of 2024. This list will help you compare the best solutions out there and find the perfect virtual platform for you. The best networking platforms will help you boost attendee participation, spark conversation, and encourage interactions – so let’s dive straight in.

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10 Best Virtual Networking Platforms & Softwares of 2024

With so many virtual networking platforms available today, choosing one can be quite difficult. That’s why we have curated a list of the best virtual networking platforms for you! With this list, you’ll be able to compare information on the features, pricing, and other details of the best platforms easily. Let’s get into it!

1. Remo

Remo is an engagement-driven virtual networking platform specifically designed to humanize the online experience. It features a variety of tools and functions ideal for enhancing the virtual networking experience. Remo was built to create a real-life experience for online attendees, replicating well-known human interactions in the online environment. Beyond just virtual networking, Remo is a top-rated virtual conference platform designed for trade shows, happy hours, workshops, and much more.

‍Reviews: Remo is rated a solid 4.4 on G2, with most reviews mentioning it’s best-class networking experience for attendees:

“The best virtual networking platform on the market today!” ~ Sue Sutcliffe, World Event Center

“Great platform, easy to use, and super engaging for attendees and speakers!” ~ Verified user in Events Services

“Closest thing to making your virtual event seem like it’s in person” ~ Michael O'Brien, Ally Power Inc

Remo Networking Features 

• Virtual Tables: On Remo, guests can network by moving between virtual tables. Each virtual table functions as a private audio-video conversation for up to 50 guests, depending on your plan and the floor plan you select. These tables allow for more organic small group conversations to occur. Organizers can even rename tables based on certain discussion topics or attendee interests to facilitate more organized networking sessions.
• ‍Floor Plans: All Remo events will be set in a virtual venue of the organizer’s choosing – this is called a floor plan. These floor plans are more than just visually appealing, they serve as a visual representation of where tables are and who is present at which. Remo comes pre-loaded with 80+ floor plan designs, covering a wide variety of use cases. However, if none are to your taste, you can also create a bespoke floor plan from scratch, fully customizing it to your brand and event.

• Shuffle Guests: Remo’s Shuffle guests feature allows hosts to randomly shuffle guests onto new tables with a single click. As a result of a shuffle, attendees are able to make new connections and start new conversations. Organizers can even specify the desired number of guests per table or set up the groupings in advance of the event for a more controlled experience.
• Audience Engagement Analytics: Remo offers comprehensive metrics to measure overall attendee engagement and interactions. For example, tracking the average time spent with microphones turned on, how many messages sent, and the number of connections made. This is a great way to evaluate your event’s networking success and most importantly, prove your event’s value to relevant stakeholders.
• Chat: Like most other networking platforms, Remo offers a robust chat option. However, Remo’s chat comes with 3 different chat levels: General chat – to message everyone in the event, Table chat – to message just those at their current table, and Private Chat – for direct messages. Remo also lets you add GIFs and upload files (with no restrictions on file type or size!) with their chat functionality.
• Announcement: Event organizers can use Remo's announcement feature to broadcast a text message to the entire group at once. This is perfect to share icebreakers or conversation starters to everyone, particularly for those who feel shy.

Check out all the virtual event networking features Remo has to offer here!

Remo Pricing and Plans

Remo aims to keep its pricing relatively flexible and simple by offering multiple price points and keeping the majority of its features available to all plans. For example, with Remo, ticketing and custom registration forms are available on any paid plan. Whereas, other platforms will usually reserve these features for only their higher tiers.

Remo pricing currently includes three plans, each of which differs based on your expected number of attendees, duration, and frequency of events. These are:

• Starter: This is the subscription package starting from $299/month. This is ideal if you’re planning to host multiple events over a period of time as it gives you access to unlimited events, as well as the majority of all Remo features. Remo offers both quarterly and annual options for maximum flexibility. 
• One-Time Events: If you’re only looking to host one virtual networking event, the One-Time plan may be more well-suited. This starts at $699, but is a bespoke plan where you only pay for the capacities and features you need.
• Enterprise: This is a fully customized plan suitable for larger companies looking for advanced customization options. Again, pricing is based on what you need for your event, but also comes with a dedicated account manager and more customization opportunities (SSO, white labeling, and more). For a price quote, you will need to contact their Sales Team with your event details.

Like most other virtual platforms, Remo asks you to contact them directly to get a proper quote based on your event needs (as these are customized to fit your event needs). However, they do offer starting prices to give you a good idea of their affordability.

Remo Pros

• Remo is known to create immersive experiences that feel as good as in-person ones. It mimics natural human behaviors, such as free movement between conversations, to offer an online networking experience that guests find valuable and enjoyable.
• Remo’s interface is relatively simple to use for both organizers and guests. With their floor plans, guests are easily able to navigate between tables, engage in conversations, and find relevant connections. This makes the networking experience a bliss for attendees.
• One of Remo’s hallmark benefits is their free guest movement, as this is what sets its networking experience apart from other platforms. Most platforms will force attendees into breakout rooms and keep them there. On Remo, guests are free to move from one table to another and choose who to network with, allowing them to build more genuine and meaningful connections.
• With Remo you get both its networking and presentation capabilities for one price. Not to mention you can seamlessly move your attendees from small group presentations into a webinar-like experience in just one click. So, if you’re looking to host more than just networking events or if your networking events contain a presentation component, Remo’s platform is a cost-effective solution.

Remo Cons

• Compared to other virtual platforms, Remo’s integration capabilities are more limited. Though it does currently integrate with Zapier, which can be used to connect Remo to other popular applications. It also does support an external API.
• Remo’s maximum capacity per event is 1,000, making it more suited for smaller to mid-sized events. This is because it focuses on helping attendees create genuine connections rather than just becoming passive viewers. That being said, Remo does support linking multiple event spaces together to increase their event capacity.

2. vFairs

Vfairs is a well-known virtual event platform for tradeshows, conferences, job fairs, and other corporate events. They also cater to in-person and hybrid events. The platform also has a solid reputation for creating an environment that encourages attendees to mingle and connect, making it a good addition to our list. However, it’s immersive environment can prove challenging for some guests, especially those who are new to the platform.

‍Reviews: vFairs holds a 4.7 rating on G2:

"Excellent, exceeded expectations, highly recommended" ~ Jo Jerrome, Thrombosis UK

"At times the chat feature can be limited/not as chat collaborative as chat areas can be." ~ Mary Green

vFairs Networking Features

• 3D Virtual Environment: vFairs events, like Remo, use floor plans as the virtual venue for events. However, vFairs uses 3D environments to better replicate in-person spaces, like a lounge or exhibit hall. vFairs provides a few pre-made 3D options for each area of your event, like your lobby or auditorium.‍
• Animated Avatars: One of vFairs’ distinct features is its 3D virtual avatars. Each user can create their own avatar and select its personality, age, and even ethnicity. This feature makes the experience more immersive and game-like, as you can see and speak with an animated version of whoever they are networking with, much like you would in a video game. However, it’s important to note this comes at an additional cost.
• ‍Spatial Connect: vFair's spatial networking feature is similar to Remo’s concept of networking. Spatial connect uses spatial audio where guests can only see and hear those who are in close proximity to them within the space. Like Remo, this helps to create a more realistic networking experience, however, it is largely unstructured conversations and can actually be distracting for users.
• ‍Virtual Roundtables: The virtual roundtable feature allows organizers to host more structured networking within events. It uses Remo’s same table concept to host small group discussions around certain topics. However, it does not apply the same visual experience as other areas of vFairs.

vFairs Pricing and Plans

Like Remo, vFair's pricing depends on the kind of virtual event you require and how many you’re expecting to host. They offer two pricing models: Annual plans and per-event pricing. With their annual plan, they have a basic, premium, and enterprise option. While all three offer the core networking features, for advanced features, like spatial connect, you have to pay extra on lower tiers. Each tier also supports a varying number of registrations (not attendees), with their lowest tier already starting at 1000 registrations, making it a platform better suited for larger events. vFair also offers pricing per event or product - where you have to pay separately for each of their product packages per event. For virtual networking, you’d probably need both their virtual event platform license, as well as their registration and ticketing package. Whichever model you go for though, you do have to contact their sales team for a price quote. vFairs does not offer a free trial, but you can book a personalized demo to learn how the platform works. 

vFairs Pros 

• With vFairs’ realistic 3D environments, you are able to create highly immersive experiences that are sure to capture attendee attention.
• vFairs features a live help desk, which makes it easier for hosts to assist attendees with any issues they encounter while networking.

vFairs Cons

• vFairs’ video chat integration can sometimes present technical issues, making the process clunky. 
• vFairs contains a lot of advanced features, which can make it relatively more challenging and time consuming for inexperienced event planners to set up events.
• While vFairs’ 3D environment and avatars help create an immersive experience, it can also be challenging to use for new users, especially those who are not tech-savvy.

3. Webex

Founded in 1995 and acquired by Cisco in 2007, Webex is a well-known player in the video conferencing world. Its acquisition by Cisco gives users access to more advanced video conferencing technology. The software has a smooth and user-friendly interface that facilitates virtual networking for inexperienced users. However, past users have noted disruptive technical issues while trying to use the platform. Be sure to check out our comprehensive Webex review for a closer look into their key features, pros and cons.

Reviews: Webex scores 4.3 out of 5 stars on G2:

"I feel really satisfied with what this application gives me" ~ Manfredo Siciliani

“Lagging issue sometimes in conducting the meets." ~ Kishore Goud, Sutherland Global services

Webex Networking Features

• HD Video Conferencing: This feature allows attendees to network seamlessly with any operating system or device. The platform can accommodate about six guests for HD Video conferencing and works with any webcam. 
• ‍Variety of Communication Tools: Webex features multiple ways for attendees to connect with one another. This includes audio-video, audio-only, or text chat. This way, attendees can network in the way they feel comfortable, which would make them more likely to participate. 
• ‍Video Networking Rooms: Webex also promotes team collaboration with features like breakout sessions and gesture recognition.
• ‍Personal Rooms: The event host can also create personal rooms. These are useful for 1-1 networking sessions, ad-hoc meetings between attendees, or even private discussions.

Webex Pricing and Plans

Since Cisco offers a variety of virtual products, they also offer a variety of pricing plans, depending on which product you’re interested in. For a virtual networking event, Cisco’s Webex Events plan is the way to go. On this plan, you get access to all their networking features, such as video breakout rooms and attendee profiles. Unfortunately, Webex does not provide any pricing for its Webex Events plan, so you will need to contact their sales team for a quote and pricing information. That being said, it’s important to note their attendee capacity starts at 1000 attendees. So, like vFairs, it’s a virtual platform more suited for larger networking events and a larger budget.

Webex Pros

• The platform is well geared for large events, with a capacity of 10,000+ attendees on their Webex Events plan. It has an accommodation capacity for up to 100,000 users in the webcast mode.‍
• Attendees do not necessarily need a Webex account to join meetings. They can also join events via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. 

Webex Cons

• Access to Cisco's advanced networking tools can get quite expensive, especially when looking at their events plan and for larger events. 
• Past customers have mentioned experiencing audio challenges when connecting through a non-Webex platform.
• Reviews have also mentioned their customer support is not as great as what you receive with other platforms, especially in terms of responsiveness.

4. Gather

Gather is a virtual events and office platform with built-in features that encourage participants to network, learn more about each other, and build a strong connection. While more suited for internal networking events, the platform can be used across industries and event types, including engineering teams, startups, and virtual conferences. Their game-like interface and experience also make it a robust solution when it comes to virtual networking, hence the inclusion on our list. That being said, some do find the game-like interface is more suited for social events or gatherings rather than corporate or business events.

Reviews: On G2, Gather scores 4.8 out of 5 stars, but only based on a small sample of 121 reviews:

"It makes working from home a lot easier, and it proves that it's possible to combine work with fun." ~ Iarin Araujo

“There is a learning curve for some of our less tech-savvy participants" ~ Emily Quinty, PEER Physics

Gather Networking Features

• In-App Embedded Games: Gather features in-built games such as Go Kart Social,  Draw Battle and Tetris. The inclusion of games like these can be a great way for users to break the ice and feel more comfortable at the event, leading to more genuine networking opportunities later.
• ‍Personalized Avatars: Like vFairs, Gather also uses customizable avatars where attendees can select their skin tone, hair color, accessories, and even outfits. These avatars give attendees a sense of ownership and belonging in the event, which can ultimately increase their likelihood of participating.
• ‍Virtual Space Builder: This feature lets you customize the virtual space by adding or removing objects as you please. For example, you can designate specific areas for common large group socializing versus other areas for more private, smaller catch ups.
• ‍Real-time Reaction: The software has a gesture recognition feature, allowing participants to react in real-time, raise a hand, or vote on matters. This feature can help increase attendee participation and engagement during networking events.

Gather Pricing and Plans

Gather offers two pricing models, depending on your intended usage and type of audience. They offer virtual office pricing, intended more for internal events or when you’re working day-to-day with the same team. Then, they also offer virtual conference pricing, which is more geared towards external events for your customers and community. 

Here is a breakdown of their virtual office pricing:

• Free Plan: The free plan is ideal for small teams and is limited to 10 users. It includes audio, video, and chat features, as well as all their basic customization capabilities. 
• Premium Plan: The Premium plan starts at around $6-$7 per user, depending on your subscription period. This plan will accommodate up to 500 users, in addition to offering meeting recording and analytics. Please note this plan requires a minimum purchase of 10 users.
• Enterprise Plan: The pricing for the Enterprise package is entirely custom and is again up to a maximum of 500 users. This plan works best for if you’re looking for a more secure option for your company with additional features like SSO, domain-restricted access, and dedicated support.

Here is the breakdown of their virtual conference pricing:

• Free Plan: Like their virtual office pricing, this plan is ideal for small events with up to 10 users. It also features unlimited audio and full customization capabilities.
• Daily Plan: The daily plan is ideal for events lasting between one to three days. The pricing starts at $3 per user per day. This plan also offers domain-restricted access as well as the ability to manage user permissions. Like their virtual office pricing, this plan starts with a minimum of 10 users.
• 3+ Days: For all events longer than 3 days, you’ll need to opt for their 3+ day plan.  This is a monthly subscription which starts at $70 per month for 10 users ($7 per user per month).

Gather Pros 

• There is a free plan available for small teams to make use of or to give you a chance to try the platform first before making a financial commitment. 
• Gather offers a browser-based, desktop and mobile application, so guests have the option of choosing which device is most convenient for them to use.

Gather Cons

• The chat feature is not fully comprehensive. Multiple people cannot chat at the same time. Also, users cannot share files through chat. 
• The platform only supports up to 500 users in one space without the ability to connect spaces. So, if you’re looking to host a networking event with more than 500 users, this platform may not be the right option for you.
• The platform works best for casual networking experiences among remote teams and may not be well suited for external or business networking events where a higher degree of professionalism may be required.

5. RingCentral

RingCentral Events, formerly Hopin Events, provides networking opportunities for online gatherings. This online software is great for content creators or businesses building a community on online channels since the software integrates with streaming tools like StreamYard, Superwave, and Streamable. However, there has been mention of technical issues and glitches that can cause a sub-par experience when using the platform. If you would like to explore RingCentral further, take a look at our 2024 Hopin review.

Reviews: RingCentral currently holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating on G2:

"Simple to use and support is always there" ~ James Deag, RMP Enterprise

"One drawback I've noticed is occasional glitches during high-traffic periods, which can disrupt the flow of virtual events." ~ A Verified user in non-profit organization management

RingCentral Networking Features 

• Breakout Rooms: RingCentral allows planners to create up to 50 topic-based breakout rooms in one event space. The host can also assign attendees to the rooms manually or automatically, just like in Zoom. 
• ‍Speed Networking: RingCentral features a dedicated speed networking feature. When enabled and activated, this pairs attendees present either randomly or based on ticket type (it’s up to you choose) for rapid-fire timed conversations.
• ‍Expo Area: One of the modules in a RingCentral event is their expo area. This area offers dedicated spaces for exhibitor-attendee networking, making it easier for these users to connect.
• ‍Event Analytics: You can also access an analytic report to monitor users' journey and networking progress during meetings. 

RingCentral Pricing and Plans

RingCentral Events offers one plan with 4 price points depending on the number of attendees you plan to have:

• For up to 100 attendees – $750 per license per year
• For up to 500 attendees – $4,990 per license per year
• For up to 1,000 attendees – $9,490 per license per year
• For 2,000 - 10,000 attendees – custom priced

Like Remo, RingCentral keeps pricing relatively simple by offering most of its features at all price points, including branding, registration, and analytics tools. However, they do only offer annual subscriptions, so it is a long-term commitment if you choose to go with RingCentral (they do not offer other payment terms or one-time event pricing). That being said, they do offer a free trial for you to experience the platform and its basic capabilities first before purchasing.

RingCentral Pros

• RingCentral Events, like Remo, provides a comprehensive all-in-one service, which includes user registration, analytics, and live streaming. This way, you can conveniently plan your virtual networking events on just the one platform without having to integrate with third-party platforms.
• Integration with live streaming tools like StreamYard, Streamable, and Superwave is a plus for RingCentral Events, making it easier for users to create and edit engaging content.

RingCentral Cons

• The platform may experience occasional glitches and technical issues as noted by past customers in RingCentral Reviews. This was frequently seen during high-traffic periods in particular. 
• While it offers chances for networking, the expo area design is not flexible. For example, it displays a mandatory YouTube video that occupies most of the screen space.
• The registration process for RingCentral Events was criticized quite a bit on G2 with users complaining the overall process to sign up for events was complicated and actually deterred signups.

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6. Airmeet

Airmeet is a webinar and conference platform with some robust and customizable networking capabilities. While their focus is on supporting large-scale webinars and events, this platform is also ideal for various other experiences, including virtual fairs, hybrid events, and networking events. However, its platform has seen its fair share of technical issues and sudden price changes over the past few years. For a comprehensive look into what Airmeet offers, check out our detailed Airmeet review.

Reviews: Airmeet holds a solid 4.6 star rating on G2:

"Excellent Customer Service and Innovative Product" ~ Andrea Livingston, Institute of Noetic Sciences

"There are few A/V glitches during webinars, but not as such any bigger problem." ~ Sujeet Kumar Mehta, WhatsTool Tech

Airmeet Networking Features 

• Interactive Reception: Airmeet allows organizers to create an interactive reception with fully customizable photo booths and social walls. These elements add additional networking opportunities to events that can lead to more social and relaxed conversations among guests.
• ‍Breakout Rooms: Like Remo, Airmeet offers a table-style networking setup with virtual tables that function as individual breakout rooms. The difference here is Airmeet does not use the same visual floor plan concept, and instead opts for a plain interface with non-customizable table layouts.
• ‍Fluid Space: Airmeet's fluid space is very similar to vFairs’ Spatial Connect feature. It is a free space guests can join to have unstructured conversations with other guests. Within the space, guests can start conversations with others by moving their avatar close to whoever they wish to speak with. However, it can get confusing to know who is speaking with whom as conversations are not clearly bound to a visual space (e.g. a table).
• ‍Speed Networking: Airmeet also offers a dedicated speed networking session to facilitate one-on-one networking experiences. The host can customize their speed networking session by configuring things like conversation duration, matching rules, whether attendees can extend conversations, and more. It’s important to note though that all attendees in an event will be pushed into the speed networking session once you start it.

Airmeet Pricing and Plans

Airmeet offers three types of plans, depending on the type of event you’re looking to host. These include:

• Premium Webinars: This plan starts at around $119 per month with only 1 team member. In terms of features, this plan gives organizers access to webinars on Airmeet – this does include the basic networking features (with lower capacities), but does not include any of Airmeet’s exhibitor or sponsor functionality. 
• ‍Virtual Events: The Virtual Events plan's pricing is customizable based on your event needs but only offers 5 team member licenses. Unfortunately, Airmeet does not share any information regarding starting prices on their website. This plan lets you host unlimited events with all features, including their sponsor functionality.
• ‍Managed Events: The Managed Events plan is like Airmeet’s white glove service, where Airmeet will help you run and execute your entire event plan. As a custom service, they do require you to book a meeting with them first, but have indicated pricing generally starts at around $2,000 for each virtual event, in addition to the platform cost.

Like Remo, Airmeet is one of the few virtual platforms on this list to offer a free 14 day trial for organizers to test the functionality before purchasing.

Airmeet Pros 

• Airmeet is a robust virtual networking solution for large-scale events as well, with the capacity to host up to 100,000 attendees simultaneously. If you are planning to host a large event on Airmeet though, we would recommend you ask for performance test data, especially since there have been complaints around technical issues.
• A lot of reviews had mentioned Airmeet’s good customer support as a big plus for the platform. They even offer a live support lounge as an additional support channel so you can ask your questions in person and get immediate responses. 

Airmeet Cons

• The platform also has occasional technical challenges, such as audio issues in the social lounge, delayed live streaming on YouTube, and glitches or bugs.This can seriously hurt the attendee experience, as instead of focusing on making connections, attendees are stuck trying to fix technical issues.
• It is impossible to delete a networking event after creating it. If the event was created as a test, having it permanently on your dashboard can become annoying and distracting.
• Past reviews have also highlighted the difficulty to use the platform as an event organizer. While the platform’s guest interface is relatively sleek and simple, the back-end event set up process can get complicated, especially for first-time hosts. This can add additional time to your event planning process, as you must first spend significant time learning the platform and its array of features/settings.

7. SpatialChat

SpatialChat is an interactive virtual event space that is excellent for social experiences such as virtual parties, happy hours, and large-scale gatherings. While it was initially built for social events, it has since pivoted more into the virtual meeting space, offering an online location to host online classes, stand-ups, and team meetings. The visually appealing space makes socializing fun and creates a casual environment for networking. That being said, past reviews have highlighted the platform’s limitations when it comes to browser compatibility, attendee location, and event size.

Reviews: SpatialChat scores 4.7 stars on G2, but only from 134 reviews:

"SpatialChat, a great way to have video calls with flexible and engaging interactions" ~ Mark Meinema, Digitale Fitheid

"It could get a bit chaotic since people can talk to each other, and it is challenging to make sure everybody is on the same page at the same time." ~ Julian Jordan, DO IT Internacional

SpatialChat Networking Features

• Room Backgrounds: Organizers can brand elements of the event with their logos or preferred theme to increase their brand visibility. Organizers can brand the event with their logos or preferred theme to increase their brand visibility.
• ‍Interactive Rooms: SpatialChat features up to 200 rooms, depending on the selected plan. Users can also access advanced functions to customize multiple rooms to reflect their brand logo, slogans, and desired theme. 
• ‍Stage Presentation: Like Remo, SpatialChat also offers a way to present to all attendees at once with their Stage. Within the stage, a presenter can share a presentation with all participants during the event and interact through live comments and emojis, similar to a traditional webinar experience.
• ‍Spatial Audio: This technology allows guests to hear other people based on their proximity to them. For example, the closer you move to another person, the clearer they will sound. This is the same technology vFairs and Airmeet uses for their respective features, but the difference is SpatialChat employs this for its entire networking experience.

SpatialChat Pricing and Plans

SpatialChat offers four plans:

• Free Plan: Intended to give you only a taste of SpatialChat, this plan works with a maximum of 5 users and just 2 hours per day. 
• Day Pass: This is their pay-as-you-go model. Pricing starts at around $3 per user for up to 24 hour event access. On a day pass, participants can access all free features, locked rooms, and unlimited private areas. However, as an organizer, you’ll only get access to SpatialChat 72 hours before your event to set up and create the event link. 
• Core Plan: This is their subscription plan where you can host multiple events on a single annual license. Pricing depends on the number of users and typically ranges from around $50 for 15 users to $500 for 150 users. The plan includes extra networking features like multiple screen sharing, customized virtual backgrounds, and stage rooms.
• Enterprise: The Enterprise plan is ideal for large-scale virtual networking events requiring advanced customization. This annual plan is user-based, with the pricing starting at $12 per user per month. The plan covers extra features like onboarding sessions, 24/7 tech support, and 200 customizable rooms.

SpatialChat, unlike other platforms, does offer a lot of self-serve, as they cater more towards very small networking events. If you’re looking to host up to 60 users, you can go for their day pass and buy directly from their website. Beyond 60 users though, or if you want to opt for their enterprise plan, you will need to contact their team first to get set up.

SpatialChat Pros

• SpatialChat’s use of only spatial audio helps create a realistic and dynamic online networking experience, as you can also overhear parts of other conversations around you, just like you would at an in-person event. Though this can distract some users so it is important to think of how your target audience would wish to network.  
• The software allows hosts to change their backgrounds during a gathering. Users can also use YouTube videos as a background during presentations.

SpatialChat Cons

• Using SpatialChat on other browsers besides Google Chrome may not give the best experience. This limits the convenience offered, which is usually one of the main reasons why attendees opt for online events.
• Getting live support can be challenging, especially for international events with participants outside the United States time zone.
• SpatialChat is not the best option for large scale events since their attendee capacity is quite low. The core plan can only accommodate up to 150 users. 

8. BigMarker

BigMarker is a virtual event platform that combines marketing tools with video conferencing technology for enhanced networking. This online platform is great for users in various industries, especially marketing. Plus, it features all the core tools for networking during virtual and hybrid events, including unlimited registration, lead generation, and engagement tools. However, their networking experience is more centered around 1-1 networking opportunities, rather than small groups.

Reviews: BigMarker holds a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars on G2:

"It has a lot of functions to engage the audience and great analytics & reports." ~ Maria Alberola

"While the platform is generally user-friendly, diving into some of the more intricate functionalities required a bit of exploration and experimentation." ~ Robert Attila Fussi, AdWords Agentur Gmbh

BigMarker Networking Features

• AI Matchmaking: BigMarker uses AI to match attendees with similar interests, making networking more personalized and direct. The algorithm uses information from attendees' user profiles, like industry and seniority, to find and suggest potential matches from other guests attending. Ultimately though, it’s up to each guest to choose whether or not to interact with their recommended connections. 
• ‍Event Customization: The software allows hosts to customize the event space, in terms of the modules and aesthetics it offers. For example, they can choose which event modules to enable or disable, as well as customize elements like the event color. 
• ‍Speed Networking: The software also provides AI-powered speed networking in real-time. Attendees are free to choose who they interact with in these sessions though, it can be random or those recommended to them by the algorithm. 
• ‍Breakout Room: BigMarker's breakout rooms also provide a good networking opportunity for larger groups. However, the setup and functionality is quite similar to that of Zoom. Organizers can create topic-based rooms and move attendees from the main session to the breakout rooms, and back.

BigMarker Pricing and Plans

BigMarker offers three packages based on varying event types and requirements:

• Webinar Plans: The webinar plans available include the Basic, Enterprise, and Enterprise+ options. All these webinar plans are designed purely for webinar-style events, where the main attraction is a one-way presentation. That being said, on their Enterprise and above plan, they do offer breakout rooms for some live networking between attendees. But, none of these plans cover their more robust networking features.
• Event Packages: The event packages are designed by event type/product: virtual venue, mobile event app, check-in & badging (for in-person/hybrid), and production services. For this, we’ll focus on their virtual venue pricing, but if you’re interested in other products, you can take a look at their pricing page for more information. Within the virtual venue package, users can access plans for single, multiple, or unlimited events. Each event license includes live streaming, networking, and support for up to 500,000 attendees. 
• Media Hubs: The packages include the video, resources, community, and learning hubs. These hubs are designed to be places where organizers can store content for post-event engagement and future learning.

Like most other platforms, BigMarker also does not disclose even starting prices for their plans. So, if you are interested in using this platform, you can request a price quote from their team through their website.

BigMarker Pros

• BigMarker lets organizers easily customize their event modules, so they can decide exactly what tabs or spaces to include in their event setup.
• The platform offers a mobile app to increase convenience for attendees who may be looking to attend networking events on the go.

BigMarker Cons

• Occasional audio issues may occur, sometimes making it impossible for the participants to hear the audio during an event.
• Users cannot live stream their webinars to some social media platforms, limiting the event’s potential reach.
• Networking features are more centered around 1-1 networking rather than small group networking.

9. Kumospace

Kumospace is a fully customizable virtual office with tools that help users seamlessly combine collaboration and team management. Although the platform is mainly an online office space, it works well for networking as well, as its focus is on improving collaboration and relationships between online team members. This in essence translates well to networking, which is why we have included it on our list. Like Gather though, it is more suited for internal networking events or team gatherings, since a large part of its feature set and plans were designed with online work in mind. If you are interested in exploring this platform further, we recommend checking out our detailed Kumospace review for a closer look. 

Reviews: Based on 230 G2 reviews, Kumospace scores 4.7 out of 5 stars:

"Through moveable avatars and sound controls, my students can move about their space freely and easily collaborate without the creation of isolating "breakout rooms”." ~ A verified user in primary/secondary education.

“Fun, but buggy. The social features are bland at best.” ~ A verified user in research

Kumospace Networking Features

• Availability Status: On Kumospace's platform, users can set their availability status, which will be visible to other users. There are different status options, such as available, focusing, or away. This feature allows users to know who is available and up for a conversation, allowing a self-paced networking experience.
• ‍In-app Games: The Kumospace app features a variety of in-app embedded games to add some fun and team-building opportunities. These include popular games, like Codenames, to lesser-known games, like “Bang Bang”. These games serve as a good icebreaker and conversation starter to facilitate later networking experiences.
• ‍Spatial Audio: Like other virtual platforms, Kumospace also uses spatial audio to facilitate networking. That means when someone passes through an area where other people are also present, they can hold an informal audio-video chat with one another. This creates the possibility for spontaneous conversations among attendees.
• ‍Floor Plans: Like Remo, Kumospace also uses the floor plan concept for its virtual events and office space. Not only are these floor plans visually appealing, but more importantly they serve as navigation for the overall event layout. Kumospace offers a series of fun floor plan themes, like cocktail lounge, beach, cafe, and more. However, they do not currently support fully customizing floor plans for events, like Remo does. 

Kumospace Pricing and Plan

Kumospace offers three plans - all based on the number of users you register (not the number of people concurrently within an event space):

• Free Plan: Designed to give you a taste of how Kumospace works. It lets you register up to 10 users along with their basic networking functionality (spatial audio and chat).
• Business Plan: The pricing for the business package starts at $16-$20 per user per month. Participants can access extra features like multiple floors, chat history, and recording. Kumospace also offers a free trial of this plan, so you can try out the additional functionality before committing.
• Enterprise plan: This plan’s pricing is customized to your event needs. However, it also gives you access to additional functionality, like custom domain and SSO. 

The billing for these paid plans can be monthly or annual. 

Kumospace Pros

• The spatial audio feature helps replicate the serendipitous nature of networking that people commonly think is not possible online. For example, if there is an ongoing conversation at the water cooler, a member passing by can hear and immediately join.
• Kumospace is one of the few platforms that does not cap the number of attendees within a space. It allows for unlimited participants and charges per participant.

Kumospace Cons 

• Past customers have noted certain feature limitations with Kumospace. For example, their chat functionality does not support group chats or file uploads, their recording capability only allows for 1 recording at a time, and they only support integrations with Slack and Google Calendar.
• Since this platform is more suited for virtual office and repeat use, Kumospace lacks a robust registration system. So, if you’re looking to collect user details in advance of a networking event, especially for participant matchmaking or personalized connections, this platform may not be the best option for you.
• Kumospace does not offer as many customization options as other platforms do. The most it offers is adding visual decorations to the event’s floor plan.

10. Event Cadence

Event Cadence is an all-in-one event management platform ideal for planners seeking a personalized experience. The platform started back in 2016 with a goal to nurture meaningful relationships, making it a solid addition to our best virtual networking platforms list. It focuses on helping users network better through personalized recommendations and partners with well-known networking platforms to provide an all-in-one experience. However, past users have felt for its high price point it does not support basic necessities like live support and ease of use.

Reviews: Cadence scores a 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2, but based on a very sample size of just 18 reviews:

"Cadence provides a lot of community engagement functionalities that are absolutely essential to get your attendees engaged in a virtual world." ~ Thomas Nevoa Pereira, London Business School

"It has almost all features…but because of some bugs it lags for design with huge complexity." ~ Abhilash Gali, Tata Consultancy Services

Event Cadence Networking Features

• Brand Customization: The program allows organizers to brand the platform and event with their desired color and logo. You can also customize and change the images inputted on the platform anytime during the event, especially with their supported Unsplash integration.
• ‍Embeddable Networking Modules: Event Cadence supports customizable modules, so organizers can add whatever components they wish to their event setup, including networking modules. You can even embed better experiences from integrated networking platforms, like Remo and Wonder, if you do not want to use Event Cadence’s in-built networking features.
• ‍Personalized Connection Recommendations: Event Cadence provides connection recommendations to attendees. They can also manually search for other attendees to connect with. Afterward, they can decide to network through chat or video calls. However, attendees who do not wish to connect with others can also make their profiles private.
• ‍Attendee Profiles: Like most other platforms, each user on Event Cadence has a user profile with key information about themselves. However, using Event Cadence, organizers can create custom fields to add to every users’ profile, so they can collect information most relevant to their event and target audience. Also, users can save other guests’ contact information to keep in touch after the event ends as well. 

Event Cadence Pricing and Plans

Event Cadence is one of the only platforms in the market today that does not disclose anything about their pricing. They simply ask any interested organizers to contact them directly with their event needs for a customized quote. However, they do disclose some pricing information on G2:

• Essential: The Essential plan is free and features basic services like messaging, personalized attendee schedules, and a live feed.
• ‍Premium: The Premium package starts at $5000 and includes additional features like live polling, linked notifications, and color themes.
• ‍Premium Pro: This plan is where the interesting networking capabilities start to come in. On this plan, organizers can integrate with other 3rd party platforms, like Zoom or Remo to make use of their respective online experiences within an Event Cadence event. The pricing for this plan starts at $15,000 and includes one-on-one and group video chats.
• ‍Enterprise: The pricing for this package is customizable based on your required services. The Enterprise plan is ideal for planners hosting several events since there is a discount volume pricing offered as well.

Event Cadence Pros

• Attendees on Event Cadence are given the freedom to network at their own pace. For example, they can choose to join networking sessions or not, and even hide their profile if they do not wish to connect with others. Although, this could have a negative impact if your main event goal is to encourage connections.
• Event Cadence offers one of the largest variety of integrations out there. From marketing automation tools, like Marketo, to CRM’s, like Hubspot and Salesforce. They also offer the option for custom-built integrations, though this can incur an additional charge.

Event Cadence Cons

• Event Cadence relies on integrations with other networking platforms, like Remo and Wonder. This could signal a lack of current focus on in-house networking features. So, if you wish to make use of this platform for your next networking event you may need to pay for two platform licenses.
• Event Cadence, unlike other virtual platforms, does not offer live support (e.g. phone or chat). That being said, they do offer support via email, so there is a way to get in contact with their team, but it will likely take time to get a response back. So, for urgent issues at a live event, you need to be confident in the platform to be able to resolve guest issues yourself. 
• The platform does not disclose starting prices nor pricing models on their website. This indicates a lack of transparency and could suggest varying price points based on company and budgets.

Things to Look For in the Best Virtual Networking Platforms

Before diving straight into what to look for, let’s first define what a good virtual networking platform is.

What is a Virtual Networking Platform?

A virtual networking platform is an online software that serves as a platform that lets attendees, often business professionals, interact with one another. Virtual networking is popular for maintaining business relationships, but it also helps connect peers and community members outside of a professional setting.

There is a fine line between virtual networking platform and virtual event platform, and many often confuse the two. Besides hosting virtual events, these virtual networking platforms usually have more specialized networking features like video conferencing, user profiles, live chat, etc. These features allow both businesses and individuals to communicate with each other and build professional relationships.

While many virtual networking platforms exist, it would be best to consider factors that will benefit you in the long run. Whether you are considering large-scale business networking or a small casual gathering, here are some factors to help you select the best virtual networking platform for you.

Ease of Use

The ease of using a virtual platform goes a long way in determining how successful your networking event will be. Networking platforms that are not user-friendly might reduce participants' engagement and interactions. 

Here are some points to guide you in assessing how easy it is to use an online networking platform:

1. Check if event attendees can easily register and log in to the platform without too many clicks.
2. Test the platform to make sure it works well on multiple devices (mobile, personal computers, tablets), as participants may use different devices to join.
3. Watch out for platforms that won't throw needless obstacles or distractions, like ads, in the way of attendees and won't disturb the event flow.
4. Consider how the platform looks. Tools that look nice can capture your guests’ attention and put them at ease.
5. Look out for software with a user-friendly design. You can take advantage of free trials or reviews to determine how easy it is to navigate the platform and use its features.

Customization

When organizing a business networking event, customization is vital. You want to look for tools that allow you to add your company's logo and colors to the event. Or, even if your networking event is sponsored, the virtual platform you pick should let you display sponsor logos. You should also consider the ambiance and environment the chosen platform creates. The environment should help add to the vibe of your event, not take away from it. 

Beyond just company branding, customization also includes the actual virtual platform itself and how attendees use it. This can include customizing event settings, communication with attendees, and availability of features, just to name a few. 

Remo, for example, offers a wide range of customization features to personalize the experience for users. You can customize the floor plan with your favorite theme, whether an imitation of your office or a beach setting. Attendees can also customize their virtual profiles or business cards with the information they want to provide,  like social media usernames, personal websites, and job positions. In addition, Remo lets organizers pick which features they want enabled for their virtual event and turn off the ones they do not want.

Pricing

Pricing varies from one virtual networking platform to another, but is one of the most important considerations for you.Here are some tips to help you get your money's worth:

1. Consider the number of attendees you expect. Most platforms increase the pricing as the number of event attendees increases but will often have a starting range of attendees. If you’re planning a small virtual networking event, look for a platform that caters to smaller attendee ranges for a lower price.
2. Look for virtual platforms that charge based on actual usage—for example, Remo charges by attendees, not registrations. It recognizes that not everyone who registers will end up attending, so it does not make you pay for empty seats.
3. Request a demo or free trial from the networking platform. Then, try its features and determine if it's worth paying for.
4. If you host multiple events throughout the year, opting for a yearly subscription might be best, as these usually come with further discounts. However, some virtual platforms also support pay per event options if it is a one-time event.
5. You should compare the pricing structures of different event platforms and choose the most affordable one without compromising quality.
6. Watch out for hidden costs. Some platforms might charge you more money for add-ons in addition to the base price.

Since event needs vary, several platforms offer custom pricing determined by the buyer's needs. So, you may need to factor in time to get quotes from each platform on your consideration list.

Reviews

Looking up user reviews is essential when choosing the best virtual networking platform. With reviews, you get a lot of information about the platform straight from those who have used it. It will help you uncover the difficulties users experienced, along with the positives. It’s also a great way to better understand customer support's responsiveness.

You can visit review websites like Capterra or G2 where you will find many reviews from individuals and companies that can guide your choice of platform. Alternatively, you can also check social media platforms like Linkedin or Twitter and read comments about the event platform. Do not rely on just testimonials and case studies provided by the platform itself.

User Profile 

The availability of a user profile is essential to virtual networking. This is often what lets users share information, such as their positions and interests with one another. This feature makes it easier for attendees to learn more about one another, and keep in contact after an event ends as well. 

Viewing a user's profile lets one quickly tell if they share similar interests and goals. Therefore, kickstarting and sustaining conversations will be far more seamless. They can also form the basis for other features like AI-based matchmaking or post-event summaries.

Breakout Session Capability

Breakout sessions are the most traditional, yet crucial feature in a good virtual networking platform. These are great to facilitate networking online, as they let attendees break into smaller groups for more meaningful conversations. Depending on your event purpose and structure, members in each breakout room can have private conversations on various topics or interests. The planner may create a list of issues and assign a topic to each room. On the other hand, attendees in each room can decide whatever topic they want to talk about.

Breakout sessions are excellent for speed networking. Some platforms feature tools for attendee shuffling. But if the platform you choose does not have this tool, you can shuffle attendees manually by setting a timer for each breakout session. Once the time is up, reassign participants to different breakout rooms. Some virtual event platforms, like Remo, take the traditional Zoom breakout room experience further by allowing attendees to move freely within the space. This lets them join whichever conversations they wish to, which better simulates the in-person networking experience.

While the core functionality of breakout rooms has stayed the same over time and across platforms, the visualization of them have begun to evolve. Some platforms stay the traditional Zoom route with just video calls in each breakout room. However, other platforms, like Remo and Gather, have implemented a more visually appealing way of handling breakout rooms with the concept of virtual tables and floor plans. This creates a more interesting and memorable experience for attendees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Best Virtual Networking Platforms

• What are the benefits of using a virtual networking platform?

Virtual networking platforms serve many businesses and parties differently. The major benefits include greater reach, accessibility and convenience. By moving a networking event online, organizers can increase the number of attendees present and go for more personalized networking experiences, like AI matchmaking.

• Is virtual networking secure?

Many companies running virtual networking events understand the need to secure sensitive data and adopt security measures. So, these virtual networking platforms often feature several measures to ensure security. These could include managing attendee access, features to moderate interactions, and more. Most platforms will also go for certain security certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 to prove their conformance to security standards. 

• ‍How can I create a memorable experience from a virtual networking platform?

The secret to creating an unforgettable virtual networking experience lies in the platform you use and how well you can keep attendees engaged. Here are some helpful tips;

1. Keep conversation groups small (6-8 people): Larger groups mean more people can be involved, but typically only a few participants end up leading the conversation. With smaller groups, you can guarantee, everyone can contribute.
2. Use ice-breakers: Help attendees that may be feeling shy by providing conversation starters that can help them break the ice
3. Implement structured networking sessions: Especially if this is the first-time for the majority of your users, add some structure to your online networking. This can be done by assigning groups, randomly shuffling users, or designating topics of conversation.
4. Assign table topics: If your virtual platform allows it, consider naming each breakout room or table after a specific topic. This helps give attendees a starting point for their conversation
5. Play some games: Don’t be afraid to add some games to your networking event, even its a corporate event. This can be useful to help your attendees feel less pressured to make a new connection, but rather lets connections form more organically.

• Can I use a virtual networking platform for business purposes?

Absolutely – virtual networking platforms are excellent for businesses and sponsors looking to attract new clients and build stronger relationships with existing clients. If you are intending to host a business networking event, you should opt for a virtual platform that also provides branding and customization options. These can range from adding your own logo to fully customizing a space with your brand guidelines.