Updated October 2026
Platform Overview
When selecting software for virtual events, GoTo Webinar and Zoom Webinars are two frequently considered platforms. Both enable hosts to present to a large audience, but they are built with different structures and approaches. Understanding their core design helps in choosing the right tool for your specific webinar needs.
GoTo Webinar: The Dedicated Webinar Platform
GoTo Webinar is a platform designed specifically for hosting webinars. It provides a range of tools for managing presentations, including robust admin controls, custom branding options for registration pages, and detailed analytics. It functions as a standalone application focused on the entire webinar event lifecycle, from promotion to post-event reporting.
Zoom Webinars: The Ecosystem Add-On
Zoom Webinars is an add-on that extends the functionality of the widely used Zoom Meetings platform. It uses the familiar Zoom interface to support webinar style broadcasts with designated panelists and view only attendees. Its integration into the broader Zoom ecosystem is a key aspect of its design, offering a low learning curve for those who have used Zoom before.
Setup and Day-to-Day Workflow
The process for creating and running events differs between the two platforms, reflecting their underlying design.
GoTo Webinar Workflow
Setting up an event involves using the GoTo Webinar application to schedule and configure all aspects. The workflow centers on its dedicated dashboard, where you create the event, customize registration questions and branding, manage presenter invitations, and set up polls or handouts. On the day of the event, presenters use the GoTo Webinar interface to manage the live presentation and audience interaction.
Zoom Webinars Workflow
For Zoom Webinars, setup begins within a user's existing Zoom account. The workflow is an extension of scheduling a meeting, but with additional options for webinar-specific features like Q&A panels and attendee registration. For presenters and attendees already accustomed to Zoom Meetings, the day to day experience of joining and interacting feels very familiar, which can simplify adoption.
Feature Comparison
Both platforms provide core features for hosting webinars, with some differences in their offerings for engagement and customization.
| Feature | GoTo Webinar | Zoom Webinars |
|---|---|---|
| Browser-Based Access | Available | Check vendor |
| Screen Sharing | Full-featured | Full-featured |
| Recording | Cloud & local | Cloud & local |
| Breakout Rooms | Check vendor | Available |
| Virtual Backgrounds | Check vendor | Full support |
| Automated & Evergreen Formats | Check vendor | Check vendor |
| Registration Pages | Customizable | Basic |
| Email Reminders | Basic reminders | Basic reminders |
| Polls & Surveys | Available | Available |
| Q&A Management | Advanced | Good |
| Handouts | Available | Check vendor |
| AI Features | Check vendor | AI Companion available |
| Branding | Customization available | Check vendor |
Where Each Platform Fits
The best choice depends on your organization's existing tools, primary use case, and specific feature requirements.
Where GoTo Webinar fits:
- Users who prefer a standalone platform dedicated entirely to webinars.
- Organizations that require advanced admin controls and security features.
- Presentations focused on corporate training or internal communications.
- Situations where detailed post-event analytics and reporting are a priority.
Where Zoom Webinars fits:
- Organizations already integrated into the Zoom ecosystem.
- Users who value a familiar interface to ensure ease of adoption for presenters and attendees.
- Events that can benefit from using breakout rooms for interactive sessions.
- Webinars that are supplementary to other communications managed through Zoom.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
- Does your team's familiarity with the Zoom interface influence your decision?
- What level of registration page customization is required for your brand?
- Do you need breakout rooms to facilitate smaller group discussions within your webinar?
- How important is having a browser-based option for your attendees that does not require a software download?
- What are your requirements for Q&A management and post-webinar reporting?
- Are you looking for a standalone webinar platform or an add-on to an existing communication suite?
Paid webinars and checkout
| Feature | GoTo Webinar | Zoom Webinars |
|---|---|---|
| Paid webinars and checkout | Paid registration via connected Stripe (source) | Check vendor |
GoTo Webinar supports paid registration through a connected Stripe account (GoTo Webinar documentation).
Also worth comparing: WebinarKit (our product)
If your main goal is marketing and sales, other platforms are built specifically for that purpose. WebinarKit uses AI to build your entire sales webinar, from the script to the slide deck, based on your offer. It can also handle chat questions for you with AI responses. Unlike platforms that charge per attendee, WebinarKit offers funnels, registrants, and attendees without that limit. It also provides automated, like-live, and other webinar formats, along with built-in email and SMS follow up, all designed to help you convert viewers into customers.
For a side by side look, read WebinarKit vs GoTo Webinar.