Meetings and webinars comparison - Zoom Support (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Zoom meetings and Zoom webinars? ›

The big difference between Webinar vs. Meeting on Zoom is that the Webinar function is designed to interact with a larger audience. If you want to conduct an online class or hold a virtual conference, Zoom Meeting isn't designed for this type of communication. That's where Zoom Webinar comes in.

Limitations of hosting multiple meetings simultaneously

Users cannot host multiple webinars at the same time. Users cannot host 1 meeting and 1 webinar at the same time.

Note: The Zoom desktop client, mobile app, and web client have different features than the Zoom web portal. The Zoom web portal is primarily used for changing your profile, meeting settings and Zoom Phone settings. You can also use the web portal to schedule, view, and edit meetings.

Sign in to the Zoom web portal. In the navigation menu, click Meetings. Click the name of the meeting you would like to convert to a webinar. Scroll down and click the Convert this Meeting to a Webinar link, located to the right of the Start, Edit, Delete, and Save as Template options.

The Differences Between Webinar and Web Conferencing

There is a simple question to highlight the difference in the use cases for these two categories: are attendees participants or viewers? Web conferences have participants. Webinars have viewers (and presenters). Participants are active, engaged meeting attendees.

Webinars let you connect with large online audiences and share video, audio, and content from any location and device for better engagement. Most organizations offer recordings of the webinars they host; a link to the recording is made available so that the live webinar can be replayed at a later time.

A webinar is a view-only platform where the attendees cannot see each other and the host cannot see, but can manage, the attendees. A webinar has registration, reporting and in-meeting chat for attendees.

1) Attendees are not seen or heard in a Webinar – When you attend a Webinar, you should be able to see and hear the presenters. You will not be able to see or hear other attendees and they will not be able to see or hear you.

Nothing! You can rest assured that your webinar will go on without disruption until you actually end it or leave it. It will not automatically turn off no matter how long you leave it running.

Generally speaking, Zoom is best for larger organizations and educational institutions due to its high participant capacity, advanced sharing and presentation features, and host management tools.

Do both parties need Zoom to use it? ›

If someone invites you to their meeting, you can join as a participant without creating an account. However, if the host has restricted joining meetings using authentication profiles, then the participant will need a Zoom account to access the meeting. Learn more about joining a Zoom meeting without an account.

The Zoom Desktop Client and Mobile App have different features than the Zoom web portal. The Zoom web portal is primarily used for changing your meeting settings and Zoom Phone settings. You can also use the web portal to customize your profile.

With the free option, you can entertain webinars with a maximum duration of 40 minutes and up to 100 attendees. Zoom Pro: The Pro plan is designed for small teams and includes all the features of the unpaid plan, with extended meeting durations of up to 24 hours for both group meetings and webinars.

Zoom allows you to schedule meetings with multiple occurrences so that each occurrence uses the same meeting ID and settings.

NOTE: Editing the meeting details will not change the meeting link. If you've already sent out the meeting details and now the timing of the meeting needs to change, your participants do not need a new link!

You will not be able to see or hear other attendees and they will not be able to see or hear you. The Webinar hosts will see your name on the attendee list and you will be able to post questions. If you cannot hear the presenters, check to make sure that your speakers are not muted and that the volume is set high.

Unmute / Mute : If the host gives you permission, you can unmute and talk during the webinar. All participants will be able to hear you. If the host allows you to talk, you will receive a notification about staying on mute or unmuting.

While Zoom meetings are available for free and can accommodate up to 100 participants, Zoom webinars have specific pricing schemes tailored to cater to larger audiences and advanced features for hosting virtual events.

Likes and dislikes about Zoom Webinars

I like how it is customizable, can handle a large amount of attendees, and has the ability to use multiple hosts just in case an emergency happens or someone else has to take over the webinar for any reason.