BigBlueButton vs RingCentral Events: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for BigBlueButton and RingCentral Events side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, BigBlueButton leads on a free plan; RingCentral Events leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
BigBlueButton
A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (RingCentral Events requires payment)
RingCentral Events
Virtual, hybrid and onsite event platform (formerly Hopin)
Best for you if:
- • You want virtual events platform
| At a Glance | BigBlueButton | RingCentral Events |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $99/mo, billed monthly Events Pro plan |
Category | Video Conferencing Education & Learning | Event Platforms Webinar |
Rating | 4.2/5 Capterra 4.2 · G2 4.2 93 reviews | 4.8/5 G2 4.8 301 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Each annual license includes only 10 admin seats; additional admin seats are purchased separately and prorated based on the remaining billing cycle |
Choose BigBlueButton or RingCentral Events?
Choose BigBlueButton if
- You want a fully free tool (RingCentral Events requires payment)
- You want designed specifically for educational pedagogy, not just general conferencing
- You want deeply integrated with leading Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- You work in video conferencing, not event platforms
Choose RingCentral Events if
- You want virtual events platform
- You want good for large events
- You work in event platforms, not video conferencing
In-Depth Analysis
BigBlueButton
A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools.
Strengths
- Pro: Designed specifically for educational pedagogy, not just general conferencing.
- Pro: Deeply integrated with leading Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- Pro: Offers live analytics to gauge student engagement and identify struggling learners.
- Pro: Open-source, allowing for customization and self-hosting.
- Pro: Supports a wide range of interactive features for student engagement.
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires self-hosting or commercial support for deployment and maintenance.
- Con: May have a learning curve for new users unfamiliar with its specific educational tools.
- Con: Reliance on third-party hosting or self-management might be a barrier for some institutions.
Key features
RingCentral Events
Virtual, hybrid and onsite event platform (formerly Hopin)
Hopin was acquired by RingCentral in 2023 and rebranded as RingCentral Events.
Watch out
Each annual license includes only 10 admin seats; additional admin seats are purchased separately and prorated based on the remaining billing cycle
Strengths
- Pro: Virtual events platform
- Pro: Good for large events
- Pro: Networking features
- Pro: Expo booths
- Pro: Analytics
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Declined post-pandemic
- Con: Complex for simple events
- Con: Performance issues reported
- Con: Layoffs concerns
Key features
Plans and prices: BigBlueButton vs RingCentral Events
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| BigBlueButton | No plan prices on file | bigbluebutton.org |
| RingCentral Events |
| hopin.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on BigBlueButton pricing and RingCentral Events pricing.
Key Takeaways
BigBlueButton
- Has a free plan
RingCentral Events
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.2/5
What the data shows
On the data below, BigBlueButton leads on a free plan; RingCentral Events leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- RingCentral Events has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 93 reviews for BigBlueButton, 4.8/5 from 301 reviews for RingCentral Events).
- RingCentral Events starts at $99/mo, billed monthly; BigBlueButton has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only BigBlueButton has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do BigBlueButton and RingCentral Events compare in 2026?
On the data below, BigBlueButton leads on a free plan; RingCentral Events leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. RingCentral Events has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 93 reviews for BigBlueButton, 4.8/5 from 301 reviews for RingCentral Events). RingCentral Events starts at $99/mo, billed monthly; BigBlueButton has no public paid plan price on file. Only BigBlueButton has a free plan.
What are BigBlueButton and RingCentral Events used for?
BigBlueButton: A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools. RingCentral Events: Virtual, hybrid and onsite event platform (formerly Hopin).
What does BigBlueButton cost vs RingCentral Events?
BigBlueButton is free. RingCentral Events's cheapest paid plan is Events Pro at $99/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between BigBlueButton and RingCentral Events?
BigBlueButton's main strength: designed specifically for educational pedagogy, not just general conferencing. RingCentral Events's main strength: virtual events platform.