Differences between Events and Webinars
Updated 2 weeks ago
by
Faisal Durrani
InEvent provides two primary formats for hosting online experiences: Events and Webinars. While both serve as platforms for virtual engagement, they cater to different needs and functionalities. This article outlines the key differences between the two, helping users determine which format best suits their requirements.
Event vs. Webinar
- Events are typically used for interactive and multi-session gatherings, such as conferences, summits, and expos. They allow for greater participant engagement with networking features, virtual lobby, breakout rooms, and multiple tracks. If you need a fully customizable event platform with in-person, virtual, or hybrid capabilities, InEvent events is the right choice.
- Webinars are best suited for structured presentations with a focus on speakers delivering content to an audience, often used for training sessions, product demos, and lectures. If you need a quick, easy-to-set-up online presentation or discussion, Webinars are best suited for that.
Core Functions
Events and Webinars offer distinct virtual experiences tailored to different needs. Events provide a rich networking environment with a virtual lobby, multi-session support, advanced gamification, and extensive engagement tools. Webinars, on the other hand, focus on single-session live streaming with simplified networking and engagement options.
Feature | Event | Webinar |
Virtual lobby | Yes, for networking and engagement. | No virtual lobby. |
Multiple-sessions, activities/breakout rooms | Available. | Single-session. |
Live streaming | Supports multiple formats (Live studio, pre-recorded, video conferencing, RTMP streaming, external link) For further information on how to configure Event Live studio, refer to our Live Studio and Live Studio - Streams article. | Supports Live streaming. For further information on how to configure Webinar Live studio stream, refer to our Webinar - Configuring your Live Stream article. |
Gamification | More extensive with leaderboards, missions, point system. | Simplified mission. |
Networking | More extensive, attendee list, matchmaking. | Not a core function. |
Feedback & Polling | More advanced, multiple polls and Q&A, surveys and feedback. | Limited to engagement settings but inclusive of questions, comments, feedback and polling. |
One-time Login | Simplified access available for both Events and Webinars. | Simplified access available for both Event and Webinars. |
Automatic Emails | Available. | Available. |
Details
Events and Webinars cater to different engagement needs, offering flexible configurations and branding options. Events support multi-session formats, hybrid experiences, and advanced attendee management, while Webinars focus on single-session, speaker-driven presentations with streamlined access controls. Both include customizable branding, social media integration, and reporting features.
Event | Webinar | |
Basic information | Multi-session, multiple modes of event such as Hybrid (Virtual + In-person), Virtual and In-person. | One session per webinar, Speaker-focused, structured presentations, Hybrid mode (Virtual + In-person). |
Event configuration | Event settings (Mostly for internal use) such as Event type, Event status, Currency, Event capacity, Invite capacity, Publishing status and place. | Event settings (Mostly for internal use) such as Event type, Event status, Currency, Event capacity, Invite capacity, Publishing status and place. |
Event branding | Customizable branding options mostly for a holistic event. Event branding for public such as Event cover image, Alt text and Custom CSS. | Similar event branding for public such as Event cover image, Alt text and Custom CSS. The cover image will reflect on the website, the emails, the Registration/ Purchase form, the Attendee Center: My Account, My files, My tickets, and the Live Stream when clicking on the Webinar title. |
Access policy | More complex attendee roles and permissions. Customizable access levels. Contains link to Virtual lobby, Event privacy (Public or private) and visibility settings. | Similar access control. Contains link to live stream, Event privacy (If event is set to private, access password will be a requirement for enrollment) and Visibility settings. |
Page rules | Section to define which pages attendees will be directed to when accessing event such as Main page, Content page and Purchase page. | Section to define which pages attendees will be directed to when accessing webinar such as Main page, Content page and Purchase page. |
Social Media | Configuration of events social media (displayed on event's cover image) such as twitter, Facebook, Instagram and RSS feed. | Configuration of events social media (displayed on event's cover image) such as twitter, Facebook, Instagram and RSS feed. |
Advanced settings | Custom domains, multilingual support (Includes configuration of Main language, Content language and translations), and flexible link sharing options. Detailed attendee tracking and session analytics. | Includes similar settings (Language, link & domain and tracking) as to Event advanced settings. |
Internal (Field & Host) | Configuration of event field used for internal purpose and event host. | Configuration of webinar field used for internal purpose and webinar host. |
Downloading full report | Comprehensive reports with engagement metrics, session data, and networking insights. | Basic reports including attendance data and engagement levels. |
For detailed information, refer to our Event details article. | For detailed information on webinar details, refer to our Webinar details article. |
Tools
The Tools page in InEvent offers a range of features tailored for both Events and Webinars, ensuring seamless management and engagement. Events provide a broader set of tools for multi-session management, networking, and attendee control, while Webinars focus on simplified access, automated engagement, and streamlined communication. Both share core functionalities, with differences in complexity and customization based on the event type.
Event Tools | Webinar Tools | |
Accessing tools |
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The availability of certain tools may depend on your subscription plan. For detailed information, refer to InEvent's Pricing page. |
Tool categories |
For detailed information, refer to our Set Event Tools article. |
InEvent webinar comprises of the same tools as that of Events. However, the key focus is to simplify webinar access, automated engagement and communication controls. For detailed information, refer to our Set InEvent Webinar Tools article. |
