Gather vs Hopin: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Gather and Hopin is a common decision for video conferencing buyers in 2026. Both Gather and Hopin are established players, founded in 2020 and 2019 respectively. Gather serves 10M+ users while Hopin has 100K+ orgs users globally. Gather differentiates with virtual offices and customizable 2d spaces, while Hopin leads with virtual events and expo halls. In this head-to-head comparison, Gather earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 90/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🎮
Gather
Video Conferencing
90
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
🎪
Hopin
Video Conferencing
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

Gather
Hopin
Starting Price
$7/user/mo
$99/mo
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
10M+
100K+ orgs
Founded
2020
2019
Rating
4.5/5
4.2/5
Best For
Remote teams wanting a fun, persistent virtual off...
Organizations running large virtual conferences an...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

GatherHopin
90Ease of Use81
89Features88
89Value for Money83
82Customer Support81
88Integrations84
87Scalability88
92Learning Curve86

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Gather
+Fun virtual office concept
+Great for remote team bonding
-Not for formal meetings
-Can be distracting
Hopin
+Best-in-class virtual event platform
+Networking features are unique
-Expensive for large events
-Overkill for simple meetings
AI Verdict

After comparing Gather and Hopin across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Gather takes the lead with a score of 90/100 versus Hopin's 84/100. Gather's key advantages include "fun virtual office concept" and "great for remote team bonding". That said, Hopin has its own strengths — particularly "best-in-class virtual event platform" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both Gather and Hopin offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Gather's paid plans start at $7/user/mo while Hopin begins at $99/mo. Evaluate which paid features — Proximity-based audio, Screen sharing (Gather) vs Networking, Sessions and stages (Hopin) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose Gather if you need remote teams wanting a fun, persistent virtual office for daily presence. 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 GATHER IF:

Remote teams wanting a fun, persistent virtual office for daily presence.

CHOOSE HOPIN IF:

Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gather better than Hopin in 2026?
Gather scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Hopin's 84/100. Gather stands out for "fun virtual office concept" and is best for Remote teams wanting a fun, persistent virtual office for daily presence. 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 Gather and Hopin?
Both offer free plans. Gather starts at $7/user/mo and Hopin at $99/mo. When comparing value, consider that Gather (founded 2020, 10M+ users) includes features like Virtual offices, Customizable 2D spaces, Proximity-based audio. 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 Gather and Hopin?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Gather excels at Virtual offices, Customizable 2D spaces, Proximity-based audio, while Hopin focuses on Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking. Gather's main advantage is "fun virtual office concept", though some users note "not for formal meetings". 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 Gather to Hopin?
Switching between Gather and Hopin is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Before migrating, export your data from Gather and check Hopin's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Virtual offices, Customizable 2D spaces, Proximity-based audio (Gather) 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: Gather or Hopin?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Gather is ideal for Remote teams wanting a fun, persistent virtual office for daily presence, 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.

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