Traditionally, people attending conferences, training sessions, or meetings had to travel to a particular location. With the current growth in the Internet realm, those days are now long gone and replaced by webinars with rising big webinar companies such as Webinarjam. We didn’t include WebinarJam, despite being our best webinar software in 2021, because it is just not suited for non-profits. Their plans are too expensive.
Web-based seminars or webinars have become a major form of communication, especially when it comes to meetings, training, and conferences. Delivered as video conferences, webinars save both time and money, while improving the levels of engagement.
As with the education and business sectors, webinar software is equally important for nonprofit organizations. But before diving into this, what is Webinar Software?
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Webinar Software
Webinar software refers to a tool that helps you host online meetings, discussions, and conferences. It allows you to manage the list of attendees and send them session login access codes and credentials. The tool is also useful in building an alliance among attendees and hosts through Q&A and chat conferences.
In a nutshell, the functions of webinar software include:
- Authorize attendees via access codes and credentials.
- Take notes of attendee opinions after each session.
- Provide Q&A and chat interface between hosts and attendees.
- Build an alliance or collaboration.
- Host webinars on cloud.
So, what features make this possible?
I am going to list (and briefly explain) seven webinar software common features that your nonprofit organization should consider before procuring the software. This is very crucial!
- Screen Sharing – Allows you broadcast your screen interface to your audience, to offer demos.
- Video Streaming – Uses a webcam to stream live videos of all the participants, including hosts and attendees.
- Slides Display – Shares your PPT (PowerPoint) files or presents them during a webinar session.
- Hand Raising – Includes an option for raising your hand during the webinar session, allowing attendees to ask questions.
- Mobile App – Allows webinar participants to use their smartphones to join webinar sessions.
- Host Controls – Webinar sessions can have more than one host, and this feature allows one host to transfer presentation controls to another.
- CTA – Allows hosts and attendees to interact in a chat and Q&A session, by providing feedback.
While these are common features among many webinars, you can add more functionalities based on your needs. This means that webinar software is customizable to suit your specific needs. As such, make sure you double check these features and their capabilities, to avoid disappointments during webinar sessions.
In my experience, not all webinar software is made equal. Some will bring frustrations with things such as complex dashboards, audio and video technical hitches, and limits of attendee numbers. These factors are significant to your audience’s experience, or you are going to lose all the help your nonprofit organization would get.
10 Best Webinar Software for Nonprofits
The 10 best webinar software featured in my list offer the best services you wish to get for your nonprofit. This includes expert knowledge and educational tools, all at an affordable price tag. They will help you build-up contacts, capture donors, and rank you as a thought-leader.
- Demio
- Adobe Connect
- Crowdcast
- WebinarNinja
- BlueJeans
- Cisco Webex
- ON24
- WebinarGeek
- Zoom
- GoToWebinar
So, what does each of these have to offer? We shall look into their features, pros and cons, as well as their pricing to help you understand them better.
Reviews of the 10 Best WordPress Software for Non-Profits
#1. Demio
Demio is the best webinar software platform in this list and it that prides itself as a smart webinar solution suited for non-proits. Co-founded in 2014 by David Abrams, it took the software founders two years to develop beta and launch it.
Demio includes a striking interface, as well as a straightforward set-up process, and is very user-friendly. What’s even best, the platform is fully browser-based, meaning you do not need to download anything. The software prides itself as an elegant webinar platform, and is this claim true? Let us discuss the features the platform offers.
To begin with, the software offers robust tracking options such as retargeting, conversion pixels, and more. These functionalities can be added in the webinar room. Demio offers a wide browser support, including Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. The platform also supports devices such as iOS, and Android.
It also offers automation rules that helps you divide your audience in real-time depending on their actions. Demio is beginner-friendly and nonprofit staff recognize the value of its wide-ranging automation tools. In terms of support, they offer 24/7 live chat, with an average response time of five minutes, detailed knowledge base, and is GDPR-compliant.
Pros:
- Great automation capabilities.
- Intuitive design
- Fully browser-based
- Allows downloading of files
- One-time registration for recurrent webinar series
- Easy set-up process
- Up to fifteen event coordinators
- Excellent support
- GDPR compliance
Cons:
- High price tag for 50+ participants
- No smooth way to manage Q&A
Demio Pricing
Founded in 2014, Demio is a webinar software that offers a free demo and three pricing tiers, billed monthly each. Its pricing plans start from $49/m for a webinar holding fifty participants. This entry level plan leans towards small events, plus limited branding options.
The other two plans cost $99/m and $234/m for 150 contributors and 500 attendees, simultaneously.
#2. Adobe Connect
Second on our list of 2020 best webinars for non-profits is Adobe Connect which had a stable release in 2018. A product of Adobe Systems, it is an all-in-one webinar solution for marketers, which can be fine-tuned to fit the needs for nonprofits. It offers open chats, polls HD video, and surveys that you can use to engross and enlighten prospects.
The platform allows you to create registration pages, automate invitations and reminders, as well as follow-ups. This is especially important for nonprofits wishing to engage their contributors. You can also use Adobe Connect to track audience participation and engagement, plus lead sources.
Pros:
- Robust analytics and reporting for optimizing digital experiences
- HD video and audio support
- Events optimization
- Collective offstage area for presenters
- 30 days free trial
- Unlimited monthly or annual webinar events
- Includes VoIP and cloud storage
Cons:
- More marketing oriented
Adobe Connect Pricing
The webinar platform offers two billing options monthly and annually. The monthly package has three options: Webinar Manager at $130/m, Webinar Manager 500 at $470/m, and Webinar 1000 at $580/m, with unlimited events at 100, 500, and 1,000 seats each, simultaneously.
The annual package has three options with similar details as the monthly package, but different prices, billed at $1,250/yr, $4,500/yr, and $5,500/yr, simultaneously. Adobe Connect also offers a 30 days free webinars hosting.
#3. Crowdcast
Crowdcast is the third best webinar software solutions for charities in 2020. Founded in 2014, Crowdcast has made a name as the most engaging and user-friendly live streaming experience on the webinar software market. It is a browser-based webinar platform, meaning you do not need to download and install complex software.
Crowdcast comes in handy when building interactive webinars and online meetings that scale your nonprofit needs. It offers an easy platform to engage with participants through time-stamped Q&A, polls, and live chat.
The webinar platform also keeps a record of advanced data and stats concerning your audience and events. Its set-up is straightforward and has a user-friendly interface for improved and seamless performance.
Pros:
- Ability to announce casts in advance
- Robust features
- High-quality live streaming
- Quality customer support
- Interactive functions
- Option to accept payments
- Event customization
Cons:
- Limited to the Google Chrome browser
- Lacks direct API access for events creation and deletion
Crowdcast Pricing
The webinar platform offers both a free trial and a free plan, plus three premium packages that start at $49/m, with the Business plan priced at $139/m. Crowdcast pricing is straightforward and depends on how many live webinar attendees you have.
#4. WebinarNinja
Behind Crowdcast, the 4th best webinar software you can choose for your non-profit today is WebinarNinja.
Launched in 2015, WebinarNinja is another all-in-one webinar platform that is easy to create and customize. The platform allows you to customize email notifications and registration pages. Being a browser-based platform, participants do not need to download and install any software.
WebinarNinja comes with a mobile app to let you participate in webinar sessions while on-the-go, and it’s also compatible with desktops. The webinar platform allows you to run a series of live and automated webinars, and provides webinar analytics.
In terms of customer support, WebinarNinja is excellent and offers both recorded and live help, plus detailed documentation.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Mobile app
- Compatible with major devices
- Quality support
- Free plan and trial
- Straightforward pricing
- Browser-based
Cons:
- Mixed customer reviews
WebinarNinja Pricing
WebinarNinja offers four pricing tiers that include a free trial, starting at $39/m for Starter, Pro at $79/m, Plus at $129/m, and Power at $199/m. That price is billed annually, and includes 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 live webinar attendees.
#5. BlueJeans
Bluejeans is another great webinar tool you can use for events in your non-profit organization today. Launched in 2009, BlueJeans is referred to as the conference platform for the current workplace. The webinar platform integrates video, audio, and web conferencing using collaboration tools.
BlueJeans ranks among the first cloud services to be compatible with both desktop and mobile devices, plus room systems in a single video meeting. As such, the platform facilitates speedy sessions and is user-friendly to make your nonprofit organization more productive.
In terms of customer support, BlueJeans offers decent support to make sure you have a seamless experience with their software.
Pros:
- Intuitive design
- User-friendly
- Great experience and functionality
- Compatibility with mobile and desktop devices
- Screen sharing plus other robust features
- Easy and quick event scheduling
Cons:
- Limited number of video participants
- Limited audio control
BlueJeans Pricing
BlueJeans offers three pricing packages, including Standard at $9.99/m/host, Pro at $13.99/m/host, and Enterprise (call their support for price information). The tiers support up to 50, 75, and 100 participants, simultaneously.
#6. Cisco Webex
Cisco’s Webex made it to this list of best webinar solutions for 501(3c) organizations, coming 6th. Commonly known as just Webex, it was founded in 1995 before its purchase in 2007 by Cisco Systems. The webinar platform is a fantastic option for team collaboration that offers excellent performance. Everything you need, from video meetings and audio calls to screen sharing, there is a lot to achieve for your nonprofit.
With Webex, you can host up to 3,000 webinar participants using HD streaming quality, and has an intuitive and user-friendly design. To allow on-the-go webinar participation, the platform offers a mobile app, and can hold up to 40k participants.
Webex has a straightforward set-up process, and comes with features such as live chat support, analytics, branded invitations, polling, and Q&A. You can also record your events. Cisco offers nonprofits a range of wireless and wired networking hardware products to build an operational network within their organizations.
Pros:
- Team collaboration tool
- Mobile app
- Nonprofits specific hardware
- Up to 40k attendees
- Live chat support
- Robust features
- User-friendly
- Free plan
Cons:
- Great functionality at a high price tag
- Focus on team collaboration
Cisco Webex Pricing
Cisco Webex offers a free plan that can host up to 100 attendees, with most of its features available. Its Starter plan costs $14.95/m ($13.50/m billed yearly), Plus at $19.95/m (17.95/m billed annually), and Business at $29.95/m ($26.95/m billed yearly), all plans per host.
The plans host up to 50 participants, 100 participants, and 200 participants per meeting, simultaneously.
#7. ON24
Despite not being popular like the others on this list ON24 is another webinar solution favorite for non-profit organizations. ON24 is a webinar solution that was founded in 1998 which is now focusing on redefining improving webinar platform experiences. The platform stands out as the most innovative solution for creating and delivering engaging and data-rich experiences for increased productivity.
You can use its Engagement Hub as a central point to create, manage, and deliver multimedia content for your audience. What’s even best, nonprofits can use ON24 Target to create customized landing pages for their specific attendees, and much more.
As you would imagine, ON24 has excellent and reliable customer support to make sure you are satisfied with their product.
Pros:
- Real-time analytics
- Straightforward set-up and registration process
- Intuitive dashboard
- Reliable and available
- Great customization options
Cons:
- Hitches with slide upload and replacement
ON24 Pricing
Unfortunately, ON24 does not provide this information on its pricing site. It states that it offers a variety of pricing packages, without giving the specifics. If you would like to know more about this, contact their support staff and you will be briefed accordingly.
#8. WebinarGeek
WebinarGeek is among the great webinar software solutions you can choose for your non-profit as they offer special offers for NGOs. To get the special offer for non-profits, you can chat with them and share details of your organization here.
Founded in 2015 by Gilles Bertaux, WebinarGeek is yet another all-in-one webinar software with a user-friendly interface. The platform comes with robust interaction and marketing tools, which are useful for a nonprofit organization.
This browser-based webinar solution stands out as the most reliable and secure platform that aims at easiness. Notable WebinarGeek features include event management, live chat, Q&A, notifications, reports and analytics, social media marketing, and screen sharing.
Customer support is available via documentation, and the helpdesk during business hours.
Pros:
- Low-priced
- User-friendly
- Automated webinars
- Browser-based
- GDPR compliant
- Robust features
- Reports and analytics
Cons:
- Mild delay between interactions
- Average customer support
WebinarGeek Pricing
The webinar platform is fairly priced and also includes a free trial on all its three pricing tiers. The Starter plan costs $12/m with 25 live attendees/webinar (plus 50GB monthly bandwidth), Premium at $38/m with over 25 live audience/webinar (plus 250GB monthly bandwidth). For their Advanced plan, contact their helpdesk for information.
#9. Zoom
Prior to the 2020 Pandemic, Zoom was only known to a few but we already had it on this list as one of the best webinar tools with free recording for non-profits. To provide relief for non-profits working remotely due to Covid-19 pandemic, it has removed the 40-limit for non-profits as reported by Business Insider here.
Founded in 2011 by Eric Yuan, Zoom is yet another webinar platform that has gained fame along notable names like Netflix, Uber, and more. It has a reputation for a wide range of useful features, overall stability, and striking performance.
So far, Zoom webinar call breaks the industry record out of the major video conferencing platforms, with the ability to host 500 people in a single call, simultaneously. What’s even best is that the webinar platform offers most of its basic features at no cost. For instance, you will not be charged if you host below 100 attendees for less than 40 minutes.
Zoom comes with outstanding video conferencing features, such as screen sharing, group and private chats, plus M4A or MP4 recording. Premium features include personal subdomain, analytics, and cloud storage for your recordings. It also supports major devices and browsers, as well as upgraded operating systems (OS).
Pros:
- Free app sharing
- Excellent functionality
- Compatible with major devices, OS, and browsers
- Robust features
- Simultaneous screen sharing for multiple participants
- Cloud storage for recordings
- Live chat support
- Stability and performance
Cons:
- Clouding navigation
- Average-performing hardware
Zoom Pricing
Zoom offers a free plan that allows up to 100 attendees, but does not include cloud recording storage. There are three premium plans: Pro costs $14.99/m (100 attendees), Business at $19.99/m (300 attendees), and Enterprise at $19.99/m (500 attendees).
The Pro and Business plans have 1GB cloud recording storage, while the Enterprise plan has unlimited cloud recording storage.
#10. GoToWebinar
The last on this list of top webinar solutions for NGOs is GoToWebinar. Launched in 2004, GoToWebinar is yet another valuable webinar software platform for nonprofits. It is also among the pioneers of webinar tools.
The webinar platform has a reputation for both reliability and stability, unlike some other options on the webinar market. GoToWebinar has been the customer’s webinar solution choice, and it powers millions of webinars annually.
It uses reliable technology, and while it has an outdated interface, it is user-friendly and offers a great experience when hosting webinars. If you are looking for a webinar solution with the ability to host 5000 attendees, GoToWebinar might be a fantastic choice. But this does not come at a cheap price, it is costly.
GoToWebinar allows you to include a survey for the audience and monitor the webinar statistics in real-time. You can also use the webinar platform’s pre-made templates to create custom email invitations, reminders, and confirmations.
The platform includes useful mobile apps, integrations, and analytics you require to interact with your audience and build personal relationships for your nonprofit. It also includes an option for accepting donations.
Pros:
- Topnotch video and audio quality
- Integrations
- Real-time statistics
- Excellent functionality
- 5000 attendees in a single room
- Robust technology
- User-friendly
- Strong client base
- Divides your audience using breakout rooms
Cons:
- High price tag
- Outdated interface and design
- Average customer support
- Not browser-based (requires download)
GoToWebinar Pricing
The platform offers four pricing tiers, including Lite, Pro, Plus, and Enterprise, plus a 7-day trial. The Lite plan costs $89.00/m (100 participants), Pro at $199.00/m (500 attendees), Plus at $429.00/m (2000 participants), and Enterprise at $429.00/m (5000 participants).
My name is Nate Reiner and I am the editor here at 10Webtools. I have 8 years of experience using 50+ different web tools ranging from podcast, web hosting, email marketing, and much more. I previously managed a team offering support services to a large conglomerate that utilized tens of software solutions. I now run this blog full-time and when I am not reviewing or testing software, I enjoy riding bikes and supporting my clients achieve internet success. You can reach me directly at [email protected]