The Best Webinar Platforms with Breakout Rooms: Everything You need to Know About Choosing a Webinar Platform

Webinar platforms and breakout rooms go hand in hand. Without breakout rooms, webinar platforms would be greatly lacking. Webinar platforms like Zoom, Microsoft teams, and Remo that enable breakout rooms, provide users with the ability to foster collaborative and inclusive environments, whether it be in a team meeting, or a networking event.

What is a webinar platform?

A webinar platform is a software application or tool that can be downloaded directly to your device or broadcasted from the web platform to host online events including seminars, conferences, workshops, and more. Typically, a webinar platform is an all-encompassing tool that enables you to facilitate and host a virtual event seamlessly with a suite of tools that help with scheduling, registration, and audience engagement. Features often include screen sharing, polling, Q&A sessions, chat rooms, and whiteboards among others. A comprehensive webinar platform will also provide analytics that can be used to gather audience insights like attendance and engagement while simultaneously providing you with the information you need to shape future events.

Webinar platforms are becoming increasingly more important as organizations around the world continue to embrace remote-first policies which is why it’s important to learn more about the webinar platforms that are worth your time. While there are many options to choose from, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Remo, GoTo Webinar, and Webex have all proven to be popular choices.

What are breakout rooms?

Breakout rooms are a unique feature that can be found in video conferencing software or webinar platforms that allow event facilitators or hosts to split attendees into smaller, more manageable groups. This means attendees can converse and collaborate more intimately in smaller groups as opposed to interacting minimally in a larger group. Used in a variety of settings ranging from online classes to team-building exercises, brainstorming sessions, and networking events, breakout rooms pose an excellent opportunity to foster impactful conversations.

After breakout rooms have been enabled by the meeting host or facilitator, participants will be assigned to different breakout rooms automatically or manually, depending on what your chosen webinar platform allows. Each breakout room will then function as a separate video conferencing session where participants can have private discussions without distractions. To keep things running smoothly, breakout rooms will usually have a timer or countdown feature that lets participants know how much time they have remaining. When their time runs out, they will be prompted to return to the original meeting room where they can share their findings or ideas with the larger group.

Why is choosing a webinar platform with breakout room capability important?

Breakout rooms are important for several reasons including:

1. Greater engagement

Breakout rooms can increase engagement among participants by giving them the opportunity to discuss topics in-depth or connect more deeply with a more cohesive group. Breakout rooms can also be curated based on strengths, weaknesses, or interests meaning the likelihood of working more cohesively increases when participants are split into smaller groups.

2. Fostering collaboration

Breakout rooms make it possible for meeting or event participants to collaborate in smaller, more intimate groups which helps promote collaboration and idea sharing. It becomes easier and less daunting to bounce ideas off of one another and brainstorm solutions is a more intimate setting which is why breakout rooms are so important.

3. Increased participation

In larger meetings, it can be difficult to encourage participation. Largely because it’s usually the same few people participating in the conversation and more quiet or reserved participants may not feel comfortable speaking up in front of a crowd. Leveraging breakout rooms is an excellent way to level the playing field so everyone has the opportunity to speak up and share their thoughts.

4. Personalized learning experiences

Breakout rooms can be used to create more personalized learning experiences which can be incredibly beneficial for participants. This becomes increasingly more important if you intend to pair participants with an expert or superior in which they can ask questions or learn from. In this scenario, participants can cycle through breakout rooms that peak their interest and learn from each one accordingly.

What are the best webinar platforms with breakout rooms?

There are several webinar platforms that offer breakout rooms. Keep reading to learn about the best webinar platforms with breakout rooms!

1. Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing platform that allows individuals and organizations to host and attend virtual meetings, webinars, and online events. Zoom provides users with a variety of features that help deliver exceptional virtual experiences including video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, recording and playback, chat, and breakout rooms. With Zoom, facilitators or hosts can assign participants to breakout rooms manually or automatically and can set timers or reassign participants as needed.

2. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft teams is a collaborative communication platform that allows individuals to come together and share information in real-time. With Microsoft teams, you can chat with your colleagues, make video or audio calls, or hold virtual meetings or events with a variety of features and functions. Again, facilitators can create breakout rooms manually or randomly, and can set timers or end breakout rooms manually.

3. GoToWebinar

GoToWebinar is a web-based platform that allows organizations to host and manage live webinars, online events, and virtual conferences. This platform offers a wide range of features including custom registration pages, branding options, automated email reminders, polls and surveys, and analytics. GoToWebinar makes it possible for users like yourself to present your screen, video, and presentation with attendees in real-time while taking advantage of interactive features like chat, Q&A, and hand-raising. This platform also allows users to create up to 20 breakout rooms in which attendees can be assigned manually or randomly. Again, users can set timers or end these breakout rooms manually.

4. Webex

Webex is a web-based video conferencing and collaboration platform that makes it possible for users like yourself to connect and collaborate online. This platform offers features such as HD video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing, virtual backgrounds, recording, and breakout rooms. Webex also allows users to host and join virtual meetings, webinars, and training sessions from anywhere, or any device.

5. BigMarker

BigMarker is an all-in-one platform for hosting webinars, online events, and virtual conferences. This cloud-based solution allows businesses, organizations, and individuals to create, manage, and deliver high-quality webinars and events with a range of features including live-streaming, screen sharing, whiteboarding, polling, breakout rooms, and more. Similar to other platforms BigMarker supports breakout rooms and users can assign breakout rooms either manually or automatically and set timers or end the breakout rooms manually.

6. Remo

Remo is a virtual events platform that was built to help users host exceptional experiences. Designed to replicate in-person networking experiences, Remo is the ideal solution for anyone that is looking to host interactive virtual events, conferences, or meetings. Unlike other platforms on this list, Remo provides you with a virtual venue where participants can interact with each other and engage with the event host or speakers. In addition to features like video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, interactive whiteboards, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms, Remo also makes it possible for you to create a fully customizable virtual environment for your event.

How to create a breakout room with Remo

Creating a breakout room with Remo is simple. First, start by logging into your Remo account and creating a new event or opening an existing one. After you have opened your event, select the “settings” button that is located in the bottom left corner of the screen. After you have completed this step, the settings menu will appear where you must select the “breakout rooms” tab. Here you will select “add room” to create a breakout room. When the popup window appears, create a name for your breakout room and select the number of people that you wish to assign to that room. Select the “create” button to create the room and repeat these steps to create additional rooms.  

After you have created your breakout rooms, you can assign participants to them during the event. To do this, you will want to select the “participants” button that is located on the bottom left corner of your screen. Here you will select the participants that you wish to assign to a breakout room by selecting “assign”.

Host your next virtual event with Remo

Where other telecommunication tools make it possible for you to host virtual networking events, Remo empowers you to take your event to new heights by creating customized virtual environments and unlocking access to intuitive tools that level up the experience. For the first time ever, you can create a captivating virtual environment specifically for your virtual networking event and keep your audience engaged with exclusive features.

We’re transforming the way people around the world experience virtual events by humanizing online interactions and we want you and your guests to experience it firsthand. Get started with your  FREE TRIAL today or click here to learn more about how Remo can help you create the best possible experience for your guests.