ON24 Review: A Detailed look at Features, Pricing & User Reviews

Today, we bring you a comprehensive ON24 review. We’ll be exploring ON24’s features, pricing, and more. 

In this review, we’ll look into what makes ON24 a standout choice in the market, examining its key functionalities, user experience, and cost-effectiveness. 

Whether you’re considering ON24 for your business needs or simply curious about its offerings, we’ve got you covered with all the essential details.

What is ON24?

ON24, originally known as Newsource when it was founded in 1998, has established itself as an intelligent engagement and webinar platform. It offers a video presentation suite designed to inspire viewer interaction, allowing businesses to create playlists and develop comprehensive on-demand content centers.

ON24 empowers businesses to engage both virtual and in-person audiences through a unified platform that leverages AI for personalized experiences. The platform excels in delivering captivating live webinars that are designed to convert participants. It also features curated multimedia content hubs, enabling buyers to educate themselves at their own pace with tailored content experiences for high-value audiences.

Moreover, ON24’s immersive virtual event capabilities allow businesses to scale conferences to a global audience. Its Intelligence Analytics engine transforms audience engagement into actionable insights, and the platform’s ecosystem of integrations ensures the seamless delivery of first-party data across various business operations.

ON24 Features

Audience Engagement Tools

ON24 event platform presents a set of tools for webinars to increase audience engagement and get people to interact with your content. Its engagement tools include live polls, Q&As and gamification. But, ON24, like other webinar platforms, lacks a feature for your audience to upload videos, text, and like or comment on them. Networking and community-building features are lacking as a result of this.

Live Content

The following are some of the standard live content features by ON24 that you can use:

  • A live broadcast to your audience
  • Showcasing your work
  • Organizing breakout sessions
  • Using video players from third parties
  • Holding group discussions during a webinar

Still, ON24 platform lacks whiteboarding and two-way group discussion tools, which can boost your engagement. Your audience cannot see the profiles of other attendees.

Real-time Insights 

Analytics allows for more intelligent use of ON24s’ event data. According to ON24 reviews, users can turn their event data into useful information, which can help them improve their ROI and marketing tactics. The ON24 software allows its users to gain real-time insights into the behavior of both prospects and clients. ON24 Live Webcast recognizes the value of human interaction. It offers a solution to businesses that only interact with potential investors and customers via the internet. However, users feel that reporting is complex and needs to be more transparent and comprehensive. 

Personalized Tools

Personalization is an essential feature of virtual meetings. You might want to use a platform that meets your requirements and allows you to customize it. According to ON24 reviews, the software enables you to customize your target experience through the styling tab. For example, you can select the backgrounds, logos, and color themes for different locations. 

Still, virtual events are different from in-person events, and they need to mimic the audience’s live experience. Hence, users feel that there are few customization options with ON24.

ON24 Pros & Cons

Understanding the advantages and drawbacks of ON24 is crucial for making an informed decision. Here, we present a balanced overview of ON24’s key pros and cons.

Pros

Here are the key advantages of using ON24:

1. Excellent Deliverability of In-Platform Emails

In-platform outgoing emails can easily be customized to look like your in-house emails and deliverability on them seems to be very high. One G2 user’s ON24 review said:

“Once you get to know it, and there’s a significant learning curve, it’s functional and quite capable. Some of the layout ideas while not necessarily optimal are a bit creative and could be leveraged. In-platform outgoing emails can easily be customized to look like your in-house emails and deliverability on them seems to be very high. Integration with Automation platforms works well.” – Verified User in Computer Software, Enterprise

2. Engage Your Audience with Semi-Live Webinars

ON24 offers a semi-live feature that allows you to pre-record your webinar content and broadcast it as a live event, combining the benefits of both live and pre-recorded sessions. This feature is particularly useful for ensuring high-quality presentations while still engaging with your audience in real-time.

“The ON24 platform has provided us the flexibility to get ongoing traction of our live webinars with on-demand engagements automatically. This platform has also been instrumental in converting from our in person user conference to a complete virtual conference this year. Again, the flexibility has been key from live webcasts, to semi-live, pre-recorded and on demand – exactly what we need to help our remote employees still provide valuable sessions to our customers on their time table.” – Heather R, Mid-Market

2. Good Customer Support

ON24 is renowned for its exceptional customer support, providing timely assistance that ensures users receive the help they need. This commitment to service enhances user satisfaction, fostering a reliable partnership that supports ongoing success in virtual engagement and webinar experiences.

“ON24 is for engagement, it’s easy to use and implement, they have great and responsive customer support and it’s easy to use over and over again. Feature rich, integrates with other systems and can build a full 360 demand generation program to keep your clients and prospected connected with your thought leadership / product.” – Verified User, Financial Services

Cons

While ON24 offers robust features and excellent customer support, some users may find the following cons when compared alternative webinar platforms.

1. Compatibility Issues with Browsers

Users have reported that ON24 platform may occasionally face compatibility issues with certain web browsers. This can require attendees to clear their browser cache or switch to a different browser to access the webinar without problems. Ensuring your browser is up-to-date can mitigate these issues, but it can still be a hassle for less tech-savvy users.

“The back-end user experience could also be more user-friendly, especially in this remote world where we are having to let our attorneys have more control over the back-end of the platform. We have also experienced some problems with sound/video quality during peak platform usage hours.” – Verified User in Legal Services, Mid-Market

2. Occasional Platform Bugs

Some attendees experience bugs with ON24’s webinars, such as polls failing to appear or disruptions in audio and video feeds. These technical glitches can hinder audience engagement and the overall user experience, making it challenging to maintain a seamless webinar flow.

“As with any platform, new advances come with new risks of bugs and performance issues. We have seen these happen. When it does happen, the ON24 team is quick to recognize and take ownership over those issues, and navigate the best step forward.” – Kelly S, Senior Content Marketing Programs Specialist

3. Less Intuitive User Interface

The user interface of ON24s’ platform has been described as less intuitive compared to other webinar platforms. Users might find it difficult to navigate the system and locate specific features without prior training or experience, which can lead to frustration and reduced efficiency.

“The UI of Webcast Elite is unintuitive and clunky. A guest connecting their webcam and audio feed often becomes a drawn out and awkward affair. Additionally, when you login to ON24 as a Presenter or Producer, not everyone else has the same view of Webcast Elite as you do depending on their device, and previously cached setup.” –  Verified User in Marketing and Advertising

4. Disjointed Customer Service

The support experience varies between the call center, chat support, and account managers, leading to inconsistencies and confusion. This lack of cohesion can make resolving issues more complicated and time-consuming for users. One users ON24 review on G2 said: 

“My last interaction with customer support was slow and ultimately not very useful. Overall, ON24 needs significant improvements in user experience, audio/video quality, and customer service to provide a perfect online event experience.” – Verified User in Biotechnology, Enterprise

With this, it is evident that the ON24 cons outweigh the pros. There are limitations like the lack of a mobile app that restricts the audience from accessing the software while on the go. 

Many users prefer vFairs because it offers complete customization. There are more powerful features such as an auto matchmaking tool and excellent customer service. You can also tailor vFairs’ event solutions to meet the needs of your  organization. 

ON24 Pricing 

Now you must be wondering how much does ON24 cost? The platform offers a comprehensive webinar and virtual event platform with various packages based on the specific needs and scale of the user. Here’s a detailed overview of ON24’s packages:

Essentials Package

  • Webinars & videos: Tools for hosting live webinars and managing video content.
  • Event management: Features for organizing and managing events seamlessly.
  • Integrations: Ability to integrate with other tools and platforms.
  • Performance analytics: Analytics to measure the effectiveness of webinars and videos.
  • Segment personalization: Tools to personalize content based on audience segments.

Standard Package (Most Popular)

Includes all features from the Essentials package.

  • Virtual events: Capabilities to host large-scale virtual events and conferences.

Advanced Package

Includes all features from the Standard package

  • AI-generated content & videos: Tools to automate content creation using AI.
  • Content hubs: Curated hubs for organizing and presenting multimedia content.
  • Personalized landing pages: Customizable landing pages tailored to specific audience needs.

vFairs – A Better Alternative to ON24

vFairs is an excellent alternative to ON24 as it is a platform that benefits both attendees and hosts. vFairs platform features dynamic lobbies, custom avatars, and 3D designs to simulate a real-world venue. When compared to ON24, vFairs offers an entirely unique event experience.

vFairs allows you to embed webinars directly into the virtual event platform, making it easy for attendees to join sessions seamlessly. The platform supports live, pre-recorded, and on-demand webinars, offering flexibility for hosts and presenters.

With their team’s help, it’s effortless to navigate. Each client gets a project manager and a team from vFairs to ensure that they receive all the help they need. vFairs has years of experience in successfully implementing hundreds of events. Hence, it is clear that it is a better choice than ON24.

4 Reasons to Choose vFairs

1. Enhanced Customization Capabilities

vFairs offers unparalleled customization options, empowering clients to craft bespoke event experiences. Whether opting for pre-designed templates or collaborating closely with our team, clients can tailor features and designs to perfectly align with their event objectives. This flexibility ensures every event is uniquely impactful and meets exacting standards with ease.

2. Professional Services & Training at No Extra Cost

vFairs stands out with its commitment to client success, offering complimentary professional services and extensive training. Our expert team integrates seamlessly with clients, supporting their event strategies as trusted partners. Through comprehensive training, we empower clients to leverage our platform fully and achieve their event goals effectively.

3. Global Accessibility and Inclusivity

vFairs stands out for its commitment to global accessibility and inclusivity in all events. This feature positions vFairs as the top choice for organizations seeking impactful events. vFairs adheres to W3C’s WCAG 2.1 at the AA level, along with ADA and AODA standards, ensuring comprehensive accessibility compliance for all attendees. 

By adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), vFairs ensures all attendees can navigate seamlessly with clear menus, customizable color contrasts, adjustable text sizes, audio descriptions, and closed captioning in webinars. This dedication provides a user-friendly experience that accommodates diverse needs without compromise.

4. Top-Notch Customer Service

We know how hard it is to put together an event. But you don’t have to worry because vFairs offers great support for events. The support team is there from the planning stage to the event itself and the reporting that comes after. 

They also help with technical issues on the day of the live event to make sure everything goes well. The vFairs support team will be there for you no matter how big or small your event is.

vFairs Features

vFairs provides a robust set of tools designed to streamline every aspect of event management, spanning from initial registration to post-event analysis. Here’s an in-depth look at the functionalities offered to facilitate seamless event planning and execution:

Event Registration

vFairs provides an intuitive event registration platform that caters to events of all sizes and types, whether free or paid. Organizers benefit from customizable registration forms that gather essential attendee information, ensuring a smooth registration process and efficient management of attendee data.

Event Ticketing

vFairs integrates event ticketing seamlessly with its registration platform, supporting multiple payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe for secure transactions. This feature enables organizers to sell tickets, manage pricing tiers, and offer promotions or discounts, ensuring attendees enjoy a straightforward and efficient ticket purchasing process.

Badge Printing & Check-in

Improve the attendee entrance experience with vFairs’ efficient badge printing and check-in features. Automatically generate badges from registration details to facilitate smooth entry, minimize wait times, and enhance the professional image upon attendees’ arrival.

Mobile Event App

Keep attendees connected and engaged throughout the event with the vFairs Mobile Event App. Offering quick access to essential information such as event schedules, speaker details, and venue maps, the app allows real-time updates and facilitates networking among participants, making it an indispensable tool for enhancing the event experience on the move.

Lead Capture & Retrieval

Enable exhibitors and sponsors to effectively manage and capture leads with vFairs’ dedicated lead capture and retrieval app. By scanning attendee badges, exhibitors can collect contact details and categorize leads based on their conversation, noting them as hot, warm, or cold. This real-time lead data can be seamlessly exported to CRM systems for prompt follow-ups, ensuring potential opportunities are maximized.

Event Reporting

Gain valuable insights into event performance using vFairs’ detailed event reporting tools. Track metrics such as attendee engagement, session attendance, and overall feedback to evaluate event success and identify actionable areas for improvement. These comprehensive reporting capabilities empower organizers to refine future events and optimize attendee experiences.

vFairs vs. ON24

The differentiation between ON24 and vFairs, as reflected in G2 reviews, is influenced by a variety of factors.

Verdict

That was all for our ON24 review, to sum up, ON24 is a popular webinar platform available. ON24’s users appear to enjoy their services, but there are a few areas where they fall short. The most significant ones are the lack of a mobile app and limited networking and community-building features. 

Compared to ON24, vFairs has a more favorable rating for ease of use, support, and design. vFairs also provides technical support and a dedicated project management team for free. If you’re looking for an alternative to ON24, you can get a demo from the team at vFairs to see if it fits your needs.

Want to know how vFairs can take your event to a whole new level? Request for a demo today to start your vFairs journey.

ON24 Review: A Detailed look at Features, Pricing & User Reviews

Hira Yousaf

Hira is a content writer at vFairs. She has been working in the SaaS content market for around 3 years. Hira believes writing is her true calling, so she looks forward to exploring different niches. When she's not writing, she's either on a trip making new friends or probably spending quality time with her cats, Rio and Dusty!

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