Shindig

Shindig is an online event platform that combines stage presentations with attendee video conversations. It is best suited to organizers running conferences or other programs where networking and audience participation matter. Its event tools are substantial, but the free plan’s short sessions and tight usage cap make plan choice important.

Overview

Shindig connects a live stage to private video conversations and a central directory for concurrent events, sessions, panels, suites, and booths. That structure makes it a natural fit for multi-session conferences and virtual expos, but likely more than a single-room presentation needs.

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

Key features

Networking and participation

Private chats accommodate groups of 2 to 12, and attendees can move between conversations while continuing to see and hear the stage. That keeps informal networking connected to the program. Hosts can promote attendees to the stage, open a first-come-first-served podium, or spotlight selected participants, giving organizers several ways to manage audience involvement.

Production and event operations

Shindig can simulcast events to Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and other social media, and HD recording files are available after events. Stripe and PayPal integrations support ticket payments; Zapier can export event data to CRMs. SSO and API capabilities support integration and access needs, while the platform states it has SOC 2 Type II accreditation.

Its no-open-mic architecture, anti-Zoombombing controls, and admin ban function address common risks in audience events. Full production support is available on request, and administrators can use self-guided tutorials and videos. The team says it responds to hosting inquiries within 24–48 hours and provides self-guided demos for guests and administrators.

Pricing

Shindig is freemium, with paid plans from $99/mo. The key trade-off is capacity: the free and Starter plans cap events at 100 participants, while Introductory and Advanced expand the audience substantially.

• Free — free, billed monthly: One admin seat, 100 participants per event, a 40-minute event maximum, four speakers on stage, and 1,000 user hours per month. It can suit a short pilot or small event, but the duration and monthly usage cap constrain recurring or longer programs.
• Starter — $99 a month: One admin seat, up to 100 participants per event, unlimited events up to three hours each, and up to six speakers. This removes the free plan’s 40-minute ceiling, but not its audience ceiling; the plan comparison gives it 5,000 user hours per month.
• Introductory — $750 a month: Ten admin seats and unlimited events up to eight hours each. The plan summary says up to 300 participants per event, while the pricing comparison says up to 500; organizers should confirm the applicable cap before choosing it. Its monthly usage cap is 10,000 user hours.
• 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 is aimed at larger programs that exceed the lower tiers’ audience limits.

Across the plans, the stated monthly user-hour caps are 1,000 for Free, 5,000 for Starter, 10,000 for Introductory, and 10,000+ for Advanced. These quotas matter for events with many attendees or extended programming, even when a plan allows unlimited events.

Platforms

Shindig supports web, iOS, Android, and API access. Browser-based events lower the entry barrier for guests, while dedicated mobile apps give attendees another way to join.

Who it's for

Shindig suits conference and expo organizers who want stage programming, private attendee networking, and a directory to tie multiple sessions together. It can also serve education, fan, enterprise marketing, and workforce events where managed audience participation is useful. It is a weaker fit for a simple meeting that does not need networking, booths, or multi-session organization, and the lower tiers may not suit events that need more than 100 attendees or long sessions.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Attendees can network in small video groups without losing the stage presentation, making conversation part of the event rather than a separate room.
• Pro: Session directories, concurrent events, and virtual booths support conference-style programs with multiple destinations.
• Pro: Stage promotion, podium access, and selective spotlighting let hosts choose how audience participation works.
• Con: Free events stop at 40 minutes, and the 1,000 monthly user-hour cap can limit repeated or heavily attended use.
• Con: Starter remains capped at 100 participants per event; organizers need the pricier Introductory tier for larger audiences, and its stated cap varies between 300 and 500.
• Con: Advanced pricing is custom, so large-scale organizers cannot assess its cost from a fixed monthly price.

Alternatives

Choose Webex App instead for conventional meetings: its free plan allows unlimited meetings of up to 40 minutes and 100 attendees, rather than Shindig’s conference directory and private networking emphasis.

MootUp is another freemium option. Consider it if its free plan’s five-participant, 40-minute meetings and six environment templates match your needs.

EventsX offers a free plan with unlimited events, up to 60 minutes per event, and 100 registrations per event; consider it when registration limits and event length are a closer fit.

EventX is an alternative with a free plan, a free trial, and a 30-attendee event cap on its FREE tier.

Micepad offers a free plan for up to 50 attendees and a Starter plan priced at $300, paid once, billed per event; consider it if that event-based pricing and smaller audience fit better.

MEETYOO is an alternative with a free plan that allows up to 500 registrations per event.

SpatialChat may suit smaller gatherings: its free plan allows up to 12 participants, two hours of meetings daily, and four customized rooms.

EventHash is another alternative for event organizers.

Browse Virtual Event Platforms or Webinar Software for more options by category.

Verdict

Choose Shindig for a conference or virtual expo where attendees should be able to network while following a live stage, and where sessions, booths, and audience participation need to work together. Its strongest advantage is that combination of conversation and structured programming; look elsewhere for a straightforward meeting or if the 100-person caps and paid-plan costs do not fit your event.