Hopin vs Riverside.fm: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Hopin and Riverside.fm is a common decision for video conferencing buyers in 2026. Both Hopin and Riverside.fm are established players, founded in 2019 and 2019 respectively. Hopin serves 100K+ orgs users while Riverside.fm has 2M+ users globally. Hopin differentiates with virtual events and expo halls, while Riverside.fm leads with local recording and separate tracks. In this head-to-head comparison, Riverside.fm earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 92/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🎪
Hopin
Video Conferencing
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
🎙️
Riverside.fm
Video Conferencing
92
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

Quick Comparison

Hopin
Riverside.fm
Starting Price
$99/mo
$15/mo
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
100K+ orgs
2M+
Founded
2019
2019
Rating
4.2/5
4.6/5
Best For
Organizations running large virtual conferences an...
Podcasters and video creators recording high-quali...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

HopinRiverside.fm
81Ease of Use93
88Features93
83Value for Money96
81Customer Support84
84Integrations94
88Scalability95
86Learning Curve91

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Hopin
+Best-in-class virtual event platform
+Networking features are unique
-Expensive for large events
-Overkill for simple meetings
Riverside.fm
+Studio-quality local recording
+Separate audio tracks per guest
-Not for live streaming or meetings
-File upload after recording
AI Verdict

After comparing Hopin and Riverside.fm across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Riverside.fm takes the lead with a score of 92/100 versus Hopin's 84/100. Riverside.fm's key advantages include "studio-quality local recording" and "separate audio tracks per guest". That said, Hopin has its own strengths — particularly "best-in-class virtual event platform" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both Hopin and Riverside.fm offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Hopin's paid plans start at $99/mo while Riverside.fm begins at $15/mo. Evaluate which paid features — Networking, Sessions and stages (Hopin) vs Video and audio, AI transcription (Riverside.fm) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose Hopin if you need organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events. Go with Riverside.fm if your priority is podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews. Both are strong video conferencing tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE HOPIN IF:

Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events.

CHOOSE RIVERSIDE.FM IF:

Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hopin better than Riverside.fm in 2026?
Riverside.fm scores 92/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Hopin's 84/100. Hopin stands out for "best-in-class virtual event platform" and is best for Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events. Riverside.fm is known for "studio-quality local recording" and suits Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Hopin and Riverside.fm?
Both offer free plans. Hopin starts at $99/mo and Riverside.fm at $15/mo. When comparing value, consider that Hopin (founded 2019, 100K+ orgs users) includes features like Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking. Riverside.fm (founded 2019, 2M+ users) offers Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Hopin and Riverside.fm?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Hopin excels at Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking, while Riverside.fm focuses on Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio. Hopin's main advantage is "best-in-class virtual event platform", though some users note "expensive for large events". Riverside.fm's strength is "studio-quality local recording", but "not for live streaming or meetings" can be a drawback. Both serve the Video Conferencing market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Hopin to Riverside.fm?
Switching between Hopin and Riverside.fm is possible since both operate in the Video Conferencing space. Before migrating, export your data from Hopin and check Riverside.fm's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Virtual events, Expo halls, Networking (Hopin) vs Local recording, Separate tracks, Video and audio (Riverside.fm). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Hopin or Riverside.fm?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Hopin is ideal for Organizations running large virtual conferences and networking events, while Riverside.fm fits Podcasters and video creators recording high-quality remote interviews. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

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