Daily.co vs Hopin: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Daily.co and Hopin is a common decision for video conferencing buyers in 2026. Both Daily.co and Hopin are established players, founded in 2016 and 2019 respectively. Daily.co serves 300K+ developers users while Hopin has 100K+ orgs users globally. Daily.co differentiates with video api and audio api, while Hopin leads with virtual events and expo halls. In this head-to-head comparison, Daily.co earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 92/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🔵
Daily.co
Video Conferencing
92
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
🎪
Hopin
Video Conferencing
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

Daily.co
Hopin
Starting Price
$0.004/participant/min
$99/mo
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
300K+ developers
100K+ orgs
Founded
2016
2019
Rating
4.6/5
4.2/5
Best For
Developers embedding video calling and conferencin...
Organizations running large virtual conferences an...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Daily.coHopin
92Ease of Use81
93Features88
99Value for Money83
93Customer Support81
91Integrations84
94Scalability88
90Learning Curve86

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Daily.co
+Best-in-class video API for developers
+Generous free tier
-Developer-focused, not end-user product
-Requires coding to use
Hopin
+Best-in-class virtual event platform
+Networking features are unique
-Expensive for large events
-Overkill for simple meetings
AI Verdict

After comparing Daily.co and Hopin across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Daily.co takes the lead with a score of 92/100 versus Hopin's 84/100. Daily.co's key advantages include "best-in-class video api for developers" and "generous free tier". That said, Hopin has its own strengths — particularly "best-in-class virtual event platform" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both Daily.co and Hopin offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Daily.co's paid plans start at $0.004/participant/min while Hopin begins at $99/mo. Evaluate which paid features — Recording, Transcription (Daily.co) vs Networking, Sessions and stages (Hopin) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose Daily.co if you need developers embedding video calling and conferencing into their own applications. Go with Hopin if your priority is organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events. Both are strong video conferencing tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE DAILY.CO IF:

Developers embedding video calling and conferencing into their own applications.

CHOOSE HOPIN IF:

Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Daily.co better than Hopin in 2026?
Daily.co scores 92/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Hopin's 84/100. Daily.co stands out for "best-in-class video api for developers" and is best for Developers embedding video calling and conferencing into their own applications. Hopin is known for "best-in-class virtual event platform" and suits Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Daily.co and Hopin?
Both offer free plans. Daily.co starts at $0.004/participant/min and Hopin at $99/mo. When comparing value, consider that Daily.co (founded 2016, 300K+ developers users) includes features like Video API, Audio API, Recording. Hopin (founded 2019, 100K+ orgs users) offers Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Daily.co and Hopin?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Daily.co excels at Video API, Audio API, Recording, while Hopin focuses on Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking. Daily.co's main advantage is "best-in-class video api for developers", though some users note "developer-focused, not end-user product". Hopin's strength is "best-in-class virtual event platform", but "expensive for large events" can be a drawback. Both serve the Video Conferencing market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Daily.co to Hopin?
Switching between Daily.co and Hopin is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Before migrating, export your data from Daily.co and check Hopin's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Video API, Audio API, Recording (Daily.co) vs Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking (Hopin). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Daily.co or Hopin?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Daily.co is ideal for Developers embedding video calling and conferencing into their own applications, while Hopin fits Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

Explore More Comparisons & Tools