BigMarker vs GoTo Webinar
BigMarker and GoTo Webinar both promise great virtual event hosting experiences. BigMarker is a powerful enterprise platform focused on massive scale and deep data capture. GoTo Webinar offers reliable, hassle-free events and high-end features like AI summaries. This comparison helps you pick your winner.
Feature-rich platform, requiring premium investment.
We found BigMarker delivers one of the most robust and highly-rated feature sets available for virtual event hosting, focusing on superb reliability and deep audience data capture. Overall, the platform is a feature powerhouse for enterprise events, though prospective users should weigh the reported high cost and documented inconsistencies in customer support responsiveness.
Pros
- All-in-one platform supports meetings, webinars, and virtual/hybrid events.
- Reliable video conferencing with superb sound quality.
- No software installation needed for event attendees.
- High feature depth: includes polls, tickets, autoresponders, and breakout rooms.
Cons
- Customer support responsiveness is frequently reported as poor or "abysmal."
- Considered an expensive service compared to alternative solutions.
- Backend interface is currently only available in English.
- Pricing is quote-based across all tiers, requiring contact with sales.
Reliable platform for high-capacity virtual events.
We assessed GoTo Webinar based on its robust feature set and clear, scale-based pricing structure. It seems designed for hassle-free delivery of professional, large-scale virtual events that include strong analytical tools. Overall, it is a highly viable platform for businesses prioritizing participant capacity and functional reliability.
Pros
- Supports very large events (up to 3,000 participants).
- Setup is fast and the platform is described as "hassle-free."
- Higher plans include modern features like AI Meeting Summaries.
- Unlimited Cloud Storage is available on the popular Pro plan.
Cons
- Precise numerical pricing is not displayed publicly on the website.
- Annual billing is required for all listed plans.
- Advanced features require the Pro tier or the Enterprise tier.
- No explicit money-back guarantee was mentioned.
AboutBigMarker
BigMarker is a robust platform connecting professionals through virtual and hybrid events. 💡 It specializes in hosting interactive streams, helping organizations run impactful webinars that achieve real business outcomes. This solution supports comprehensive event planning, whether you are managing a small webinar series or planning a large annual customer conference. BigMarker gives event planners and marketers the tools needed to stand out from the crowd.
AboutGoTo Webinar
GoTo Webinar is designed as an all-in-one platform for hosting virtual events of any size. It makes events easy, whether you are running remote staff trainings or complex multi-day conferences.
Setup takes just minutes, and managing your ongoing events is simple. You don't even need dedicated IT support to make it work! The system is built with enterprise-grade security to keep all attendee data safe and your events uninterrupted. 🔐
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Maximum Scale
BigMarker targets massive global events; GoTo Webinar focuses on reliability up to 3,000 users.
BigMarker supports colossal attendee limits up to 500,000 in its largest plan. It confidently handles massive global training and marketing broadcasts reliably. GoTo Webinar maxes out at a very respectable 3,000 live attendees in its top Enterprise tier. The difference is gigantic; BigMarker targets global broadcasters, not standard corporate webinars. For truly stadium-sized online events, BigMarker provides unparalleled capacity and infrastructure.
Pricing Clarity
BigMarker hides costs behind quotes; GoTo Webinar offers clear, tiered plan structures.
BigMarker uses quote-based pricing for all three tiers; you must contact sales. This suggests a high, variable investment tailored to unique needs. GoTo Webinar has clear tiers (250 to 3,000 capacity) priced per organizer, billed annually. While GoTo Webinar doesn't display exact numbers, the structure is understandable upfront. GoTo Webinar is easier to budget and understand before needing sales involvement.
Advanced Automation
BigMarker offers true 24/7 evergreen content; GoTo Webinar focuses on email automation.
BigMarker unlocks powerful Simulive and Evergreen automated event formats at the Enterprise tier. This automation allows content to run passively 24/7, maximizing lead generation. GoTo Webinar mentions pre-recording abilities and strong email automation for invites and follow-ups. BigMarker offers far more advanced formats for maximizing content longevity and autonomous marketing campaigns.
Enterprise Security
BigMarker includes explicit SSO/MFA security; GoTo Webinar mentions 'enterprise-grade' only.
BigMarker includes critical advanced security features like SSO and MFA in its Enterprise+ plan. It also offers Negotiable DPA terms for organizations needing major compliance standards. GoTo Webinar mentions standard enterprise-grade security across the entire platform. However, GoTo Webinar does not explicitly list SSO or MFA as included plan features. For serious corporate access control and compliance, BigMarker is superior.
Modern Utility Features
GoTo Webinar includes AI and unlimited storage; BigMarker does not advertise these features.
GoTo Webinar’s popular Pro plan includes Unlimited Cloud Storage for all event recordings. This Pro tier also provides modern efficiency tools like AI Meeting Summaries, saving teams time. BigMarker’s feature descriptions do not mention unlimited cloud storage or AI summarization capabilities. GoTo Webinar provides significant newer utility valued by professional teams seeking workflow optimization.
Ease of Setup
GoTo Webinar is 'hassle-free' and launches quickly; BigMarker targets complex, high-feature execution.
GoTo Webinar clearly markets itself as 'hassle-free' and says setup takes 'just minutes.' It lets users focus entirely on content, not technology struggles. BigMarker is engineered for complex virtual event execution and high feature depth. The complexity required for 500k attendees implies a steeper operational curve. GoTo Webinar wins for a simpler, quicker path to professional events.
Global Accessibility
BigMarker offers live translation and captioning; GoTo Webinar does not list these tools.
BigMarker’s Enterprise+ tier includes robust Live Translation and Live Closed Captioning features. It provides specialized multi-language support required for global, diverse audiences. GoTo Webinar does not list specific language or live interpretation features in its standard plans. If your events serve multiple international regions and languages, BigMarker is essential for accessibility compliance.
Presenter Capacity
BigMarker supports 64 simultaneous webcams; GoTo Webinar supports only 6 co-organizers.
BigMarker enables up to 64 presenters sharing webcams simultaneously in the Enterprise plan. This allows for massive panel discussions and interactive streams. GoTo Webinar supports multi-presenter webinars allowing up to six organizers to share during a session. For events featuring very large panels or collaborative sessions, BigMarker offers much higher presenter capacity.
Our Verdict
The choice between BigMarker and GoTo Webinar simplifies down to required capacity and complexity. GoTo Webinar is perfect for most professional teams needing reliable, mid-to-large-scale events. BigMarker is aggressively targeting the largest enterprise customers requiring truly massive capacity. BigMarker’s superpower is its staggering scale, supporting up to 500,000 live attendees in its top tier. It offers advanced enterprise controls like full SSO security and critical global features such as live translation. Choose BigMarker if your virtual events resemble global broadcasts requiring every available enterprise feature. GoTo Webinar shines in ease of management and modern utility features, promising setup in minutes. It provides excellent value with features like Unlimited Cloud Storage and AI Meeting Summaries in the popular Pro plan. GoTo Webinar is the hassle-free engine for highly efficient marketing and training webinars up to 3,000 attendees. The deciding factor is budget versus attendee volume. You must contact sales for BigMarker pricing, implying a significant, custom investment. GoTo Webinar offers clear, tiered plan structures, making budgeting much easier to manage. Pick BigMarker if you run mission-critical, large-scale events needing 24/7 automation and top-tier security. Choose GoTo Webinar if you value rapid setup, transparent commitment, and robust AI features for events maxing out at 3,000 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for large event capacity: BigMarker or GoTo Webinar?
BigMarker is the clear winner for maximum capacity and scale. Its Enterprise+ plan supports an immense 500,000 participants easily. GoTo Webinar is limited to 3,000 participants, which is still large, but far from BigMarker's scale.
Can I get a free trial to test BigMarker or GoTo Webinar?
GoTo Webinar offers a free trial of their popular Pro plan without requiring a credit card initially. BigMarker does not explicitly list a free trial option on its site. You must contact the BigMarker sales team for a custom quote.
Does BigMarker have AI features like GoTo Webinar’s summaries?
GoTo Webinar includes useful AI Meeting Summaries in its Pro plan tier. BigMarker does not currently advertise or feature AI summarization capabilities in its plan details. GoTo Webinar provides greater modern utility in this specific area.
Which platform offers better security for corporate users?
BigMarker is superior for strict corporate security requirements like SSO and MFA. These features are standard in its flagship Enterprise+ plan. GoTo Webinar refers to ‘enterprise-grade’ security but does not explicitly list SSO capabilities.
Can I run automated, 24/7 webinars for lead generation?
Yes, BigMarker offers powerful automated solutions like Evergreen and Simulive webinars. These features are available starting in the Enterprise tier to extend content reach constantly. GoTo Webinar focuses more on live or pre-recorded sessions and strong email automation.
Which platform requires a mandatory annual commitment for plans?
GoTo Webinar requires customers to commit to annual billing for all listed paid plans. BigMarker’s commitment terms are not explicitly stated, as all pricing is handled via custom quotes.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.