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.
Do you know that more then 1 million people are attending webinar every day. That’s an amazing number of individuals who are searching for solutions to their problems on the web. The good news is that you don’t have to pay expensive fees to present your information anymore. With the right software you can create a presence on the Internet and share your message with the whole world!Let’s take a look at what is a webinar software, some of the best webinar software for nonprofits, how to set up webinar, etc.
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?
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.
7 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.
#1. Microsoft Teams Software
Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based group chat solution that helps teams collaborate on documents. Its key features include messaging, conferencing and file sharing. Microsoft Teams has replaced Skype for Business as Microsoft’s online meeting solution.
The solution helps users store files online, manage documents, create groups and receive notifications. It is customizable for each team and users can communicate through instant messaging, online meetings, calling and web conferencing. The collaboration tool can be used to work on files within Office 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Sharepoint. Additional features include open application processing interface, assistant bots, conversation search, contact search, and multi-factor authentication.
Microsoft Teams integrates with third-party applications such as GitHub, Microsoft Office, Power BI, Delve, Planner, Trello and more. The application is available on a one-time subscription and support is available via phone and online help desk.
Pros
- One of the best point of this software is that it is a consolidated solution of all different networking needs. Be it video chat, audio chat, sharing files within different project teams, creating reminders, uploading files to the sharepoint etc. Teams is certainly the solution of all diverse needs and helps use all the features under one roof.
- All of the tools are readily available within the meeting screen and makes it a breeze to share screen for demonstration or otherwise show staff, rather than just trying to verbally explain. Also easily integrated with other Microsoft products – meetings are saved directly to Outlook calendar.
- The UI color balance. It’s more professional and intuitive.
Cons
- One thing that I really don’t like about this software is that its GUI is not very comfortable. One can take a good amount of time to understand how teams work and thus it gets a bit annoying for the end user. Its GUI is a bit confusing, buttons of all the features are very close to each other and also are very small thus creating confusions all around.
#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
#5. BigMarker Software
BigMarker is cloud-based webinar-hosting and marketing tool for organizations in the technology, education and nonprofit industries. Modules and key features include automated webinars, landing pages, chat, polls, handouts, recording, meeting rooms, analytics and reporting.
BigMarker’s landing pages module enables professionals to create customized landing pages by utilizing templates. Users can also personalize pages with their own logos and color themes. The landing pages are mobile and tablet compatible. Further, marketing managers can create email campaigns and social media campaigns for potential clients. Its analytics module allows users to create data visualizations and view real-time performance metrics.
Pricing is on a monthly subscription basis that suits individual users as well as large enterprises. Support is provided through an online portal, email and phone. The platform can be integrated with third-party software such as HubSpot, MailChimp, Twitter, YouTube and Salesforce.
Pros
- The Q&A tab has an ‘up vote’ feature, which allows the speaker to understand how many attendees have the same question.
- The system is easy to administer without a need for extensive training.
- Big Marker is secure, which is very important for those who need a high level of confidentiality and security.
- It looks so professional and it’s fairly easy to set up and maneuver around.
Cons
- When recoding the webinars, there is no ‘pause’ feature.
- The setup does take a little bit longer than expected
#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
#7. 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
#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
#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
#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)
Conclusion
Not so long ago, webinar was the fancy word for an online seminar. The world has changed drastically since then, and so should your expectations about what your next webinar experience can be. With the rise of social media, video capability has become one of the standards for any webinar software that calls itself modern. The good news is that not all webinar software are the same. There are some robust options out there that will surprise you with their easy-to-use dashboards and beautiful integrated graphics.