Shindig

Shindig is an online event platform that pairs presentations with attendee video conversations. It suits conference organizers who want networking and multi-session programming alongside a live stage. Its feature set is broad, but audience and usage caps make plan selection important.

Overview

Shindig is built for events that need more than a single presentation room. A central directory can connect concurrent events, sessions, panels, suites, and booths, while attendees move between private conversations and the live stage. That structure is useful for conferences and virtual expos; it is more than many organizers need for a basic meeting.

Events run in a browser through customizable URLs, with no download or account creation required for guests. Dedicated attendee apps are available for iOS and Android. Shindig also supports use cases including education, fan events, enterprise marketing, and workforce events.

Key features

Networking and participation

Private video chats support groups of 2 to 12. Attendees can move between conversations while continuing to see and hear the presentation, which keeps networking connected to the program rather than making it a separate activity. Hosts can promote attendees to the stage, open a first-come-first-served podium, or selectively spotlight participants. Those options give organizers control over audience involvement, though a program that does not need networking or live participation may not benefit from them.

Conference operations and security

Concurrent events and a central directory help organizers manage multi-session conferences, and virtual expo booths support exhibitor spaces. Shindig lists integrations with Stripe and PayPal for ticket payments, Zapier for exporting event data to CRMs, and SSO and API capabilities. Its stated SOC 2 Type II accreditation, single sign-on, no-open-mic architecture, anti-Zoombombing controls, and admin ban function address security and access needs for managed events.

Streaming, recording, and support

Events can be simulcast to Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and other social media, and HD recording files are available after events. Organizers can request full production support; administrators also have self-guided tutorials and videos. Shindig says it responds to hosting inquiries within 24–48 hours and offers self-guided demos for guests and administrators.

Pricing

Shindig has a free plan and paid plans from $99 a month. The key tradeoff is capacity: the free and Starter plans support up to 100 participants per event, while the higher tiers allow larger audiences and more admin seats.

• Free — free: One admin seat, up to 100 participants per event, a 40-minute maximum event length, four speakers on stage, and 1,000 user hours per month. It is suitable for short, small events, but the time cap and monthly hours limit make it a constrained option for recurring programming.
• Starter — $99 a month: One admin seat, up to 100 participants per event, unlimited events up to three hours each, up to six speakers, and 5,000 user hours per month. This removes the free plan’s 40-minute event ceiling, but does not increase the per-event audience limit or admin seats.
• Introductory — $750 a month: Ten admin seats, unlimited events up to eight hours each, and 10,000 user hours per month. Its participant limit is stated as up to 300 in the plan summary and up to 500 in the comparison table, so organizers should confirm the applicable cap before choosing it.
• Advanced Plans — custom pricing: Unlimited admin seats, 2,000 participants per event, 10,000+ Shindig Live viewers, and 10,000+ user hours per month. This tier is aimed at large events that exceed the lower plans’ audience capacity.

The pricing comparison gives monthly user-hour caps of 1,000 for Free, 5,000 for Starter, 10,000 for Introductory, and 10,000+ for Advanced Plans. The free plan is billed monthly; its listed price is free.

Platforms

Shindig supports web, iOS, Android, and API access. Browser-based guest access avoids requiring an app download, while the dedicated iOS and Android apps provide mobile options for attendees.

Who it's for

Shindig is a strong fit for organizers running conferences, virtual expos, or other structured events where networking, audience participation, multiple sessions, or social simulcasting matter. Starter works for organizers who need longer events but can stay within 100 participants and one admin seat. Larger teams and audiences should weigh the higher monthly cost of Introductory or seek custom pricing for Advanced Plans. For a simple meeting without these event needs, Shindig’s broader structure and its plan limits are harder to justify.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Attendees can network in small video groups without losing the stage presentation, making conversations practical within a live program.
• Pro: A central directory connects concurrent events, sessions, panels, suites, and booths, supporting multi-session conferences and virtual expos.
• Pro: Browser access requires no guest download or account creation, while dedicated mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.
• Con: Free and Starter both cap events at 100 participants; organizers need a higher tier to serve larger audiences.
• Con: The Free plan limits events to 40 minutes and 1,000 user hours monthly, while Starter still allows only one admin seat.
• Con: Introductory’s participant ceiling is stated inconsistently as 300 or 500, so organizers should confirm the limit before committing to $750 a month.

Alternatives

For a general meeting option with a free tier, Webex App offers meetings up to 40 minutes for as many as 100 attendees; choose it when that meeting format suits better than Shindig’s event directory and networking.

MootUp has a free Basic plan for meetings of up to five participants, limited to 40 minutes, with unlimited meetings, six environment templates, and SSL encryption; it is a fit when those small-meeting limits meet your needs.

EventsX offers a free plan with one admin seat, events up to 60 minutes, and up to 100 registrations per event, while its Business plan costs $99 a month; consider it when those event limits are preferable.

EventX has a free plan with unlimited events, 30 attendees per event, and a single user; it suits organizers whose events fit that smaller audience cap.

Micepad offers a free plan for up to 50 attendees and a Starter plan at $300 per event; choose it when those attendance and per-event pricing terms better fit.

Zoom Scheduler offers a basic plan with one personal booking page and one calendar connection; it is an alternative when booking pages, rather than conference programming, are the need.

SpatialChat has a free plan with two meeting hours daily, up to 12 participants, four customized rooms, and three shared screens or files at once; it is an option for smaller gatherings within those limits.

MEETYOO is another alternative.

Browse Virtual Event Platforms or Webinar Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose Shindig if you need a managed event platform that combines live presentations, attendee networking, and multi-session organization in one program. Its strongest reason to choose is that attendees can move among small private chats without losing the stage, backed by tools for participation and conference navigation. Look elsewhere if your events are simple meetings, or if the 100-person cap and one-admin Starter plan do not fit your team; larger audiences require a more expensive tier or custom pricing.