Zoom webinars are designed so the host and panelists can share their video, audio and screen. Attendees cannot share their video, but have the ability to interact via Q&A, Chat, and answering polling questions. The host can unmute the attendees. Attendees in webinars cannot rename themselves as well.
The key difference is that Zoom meetings are interactive while webinars limit the attendees participation. For a full list of differences and features see below.
CWRU faculty, staff and students can host Zoom events for up to 300 participants. Optionally you can request a large meeting license for up to 500 attendees or a webinar license for up to 1000 attendees.
If your event requires a large meeting or webinar license, please complete the Zoom webinar request form.
Zoom Meeting vs Zoom Webinar feature comparison
| Feature |
Meeting |
Webinar |
| Capacity |
Up to 300 participants |
Up to 1000 attendees |
| Participant roles |
- Host and co-host
- Participant
|
- Host and co-host
- Panelist
- Attendee
|
| Audio sharing |
- All participants can mute/unmute their own audio
- Host can mute/request to unmute participants
- The Host can set all participants to mute upon entry
|
- Only the Host and panelists can mute/unmute their own audio
- Attendees join in listen-only mode*
- The Host can grant audio permissions to one or more attendees
|
| Video sharing |
All participants |
Hosts and panelists |
| Screen sharing |
✓ |
✓ |
| Participants list |
Visible to all participants |
Visible to host and panelist |
| Email reminders |
N/A |
If registration is enabled |
| Chat |
In-meeting Chat |
Webinar chat |
| Meeting reactions |
✓ |
Only raise hand |
| Q&A |
N/A |
✓ |
| File transfer |
✓ |
N/A |
| Whiteboard |
✓ |
✓ |
| Annotation |
✓ |
✓ |
| Polling |
Polling for meetings |
Polling for webinars |
| Livestream |
Facebook, YouTube, Workplace by Facebook,
Custom Streaming Service |
Facebook, YouTube, Workplace by Facebook,
Custom Streaming Service |
| Registration |
Registration for meetings |
Registration for webinars |
| Closed captioning |
✓ |
✓ |
| Recording |
✓ |
✓ |
| Breakout rooms |
✓ |
N/A |
| Practice session |
N/A |
✓ |
| Waiting room |
✓ |
N/A |
| Require password to join |
✓ |
✓ |
| International dial-in numbers |
✓ |
✓ |
*Note: If the host or co-host enables Allow to talk for an attendee, they will be able to enable their microphone as well as mute and unmute themselves.