My Review of HeySummit Virtual Event Software (Updated 2026)

Kris Broholm
Virtual Summit Strategist · 20 March 2026 · 10 min read

Verdict
The best all-in-one virtual summit platform for online business owners who want to launch without the tech headache.
Pros
- ✓Purpose-built for summits — not a webinar tool repurposed
- ✓Speaker portal saves hours of back-and-forth
- ✓Ticket tiers and all-access pass built in
- ✓Strong affiliate and referral tracking
- ✓Excellent customer support
Cons
- ✗Monthly pricing adds up for infrequent hosts
- ✗Customisation options are limited on lower tiers
- ✗Limited email options and templates - for best results consider a dedicated service like ConvertKit
Update 2026: HeySummit has launched a huge number of updates since this review was first posted, and a thorough update is in the works to showcase these new features — including networking areas, multiple stages and video streams per session, advanced speaker management, and even more flexibility inside the ticket flow.
Introduction
In this HeySummit review I'll be going over all the important features, and share my thoughts on why I consider it to be the best virtual event platform on the market today.
Unlike a lot of other HeySummit reviews out there, this is written by somebody who has actually used the software to run massively successful events with thousands of participants — so I have a lot of experience and insight to share.
Want to try HeySummit for yourself? Start your free 14-day trial here — no credit card required.
What is HeySummit?
HeySummit is virtual event software that makes it easy for people, companies, and marketers to run online conferences or "summits" — great for networking in your industry, generating targeted leads, and making serious revenue.
My Results with HeySummit
I've run numerous major online conferences inside HeySummit with more scheduled. One of my most successful client events had over 17,000 registrations and generated six-figure revenue.
I've personally tested more than 10 different solutions for running online summits. They range from underwhelming to, frankly, awful. HeySummit stands apart.
HeySummit Features
What sets HeySummit apart is its comprehensive feature set. It's built specifically for virtual events, so everything works together out of the box — no piecing together separate tools for tickets, affiliates, emails, and analytics.
What I Like About HeySummit
Flexibility with event and ticket types
No matter how I want to run an event, HeySummit handles it. Pre-recorded sessions, live sessions, or a mix of both — all supported natively. I can make events free, paid, or a hybrid with time-limited free access and a VIP upgrade. I can even stack multiple ticket tiers. Whatever the format, HeySummit is built for it.
Built with marketing in mind
This is where HeySummit really shines. The key marketing features are baked in by default:
- Affiliate marketing system — speakers get their own dashboard and custom referral links, no third-party software needed.
- Sponsorship management — built-in widgets and email sponsor printing.
- Lead capture — multiple widget options to build your email list with free tickets.
- Urgency and upgrade prompts — when a free session expires, HeySummit automatically prompts the viewer to upgrade.
- Stripe checkout, discount codes, and detailed analytics — all included.
Easy to use from day one
HeySummit is intuitive enough that anyone comfortable navigating a tool like WordPress will feel at home. Everything is managed from a central dashboard — one change updates the entire event site instantly. Scheduling is set-and-forget too, so sessions become available or lock automatically without any manual intervention during the event.
What I Don't Like About HeySummit
I'm genuinely enthusiastic about HeySummit, but it's not without its rough edges.
Customisation has limits
Editing core text requires going through a clunky translation module rather than editing in place. Some elements can't be removed at all, which makes it awkward to match a client's brand precisely. The email editor has the same issue — functional and smart, but limited in visual customisation.
What I do for emails
For marketing emails I use ConvertKit — but HeySummit's built-in email system has improved significantly and now handles transactional and segmented emails well. The trade-off is it's not the prettiest, but it saves the hassle of connecting CRMs and paying for additional software.
The default design is a bit bland
HeySummit's default visual design is functional but not exciting. It won't turn away registrations, but it's not going to win any design awards either. With the Growth plan and above you can apply custom CSS, which helps a lot.
HeySummit Pricing
HeySummit offers three plans, all of which include unlimited events, unlimited attendees, and 0% transaction fees. Prices as of early 2026:
Starter — $39/mo (annual) or $49/mo
- Landing Page Builder and Theme Editor
- Video & Streaming Integrations
- Speaker Dashboard and Reporting
- Multiple Ticket Types, Add-Ons, and Giveaways
- Customizable Emails and Custom Payment Gateway
Growth — $79/mo (annual) or $99/mo
Everything in Starter, plus:
- Custom Domain and Custom CSS/JavaScript
- Zapier Integration and Import Tools
- Evergreen Talks and Live Chat
- Integrated Affiliate Program
Success — $279/mo (annual) or $349/mo
Everything in Growth, plus:
- Private, In-Person, and Hybrid Events
- Full API Access and Outgoing Webhooks
- Email Broadcasts and Sequences
- Attendance Insights, Certificates, and Sponsor Booths
- Remove HeySummit Branding
- Advanced Ticketing and Checkout Playbooks
Not sure which plan is right for you? Try HeySummit free for 14 days and explore all plans inside the trial.
What does 'active events' mean?
HeySummit counts "Active Events" as events currently open for registration. If you run your summit once a year, you don't need to keep paying the subscription while registration is closed. Existing participants and ticket holders retain access to all content.
Does HeySummit Store the Videos?
No — I use Vimeo Pro for video hosting. It's very affordable, handles streaming and embedding seamlessly, and doubles as a live streaming/webinar platform when needed.
Conclusion
HeySummit is, in my opinion, the best virtual event management software on the market in 2026. The limitations are real but minor compared to the depth of what it offers. If you're serious about running a profitable virtual summit, this is the platform I recommend without hesitation.
Click here to start your free HeySummit trial and get your virtual summit off the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HeySummit free to use?+
HeySummit offers a free trial but requires a paid plan to run a live event. Plans start from around $24/month. For serious summit hosts, the Starter or Pro plan is recommended.
What makes HeySummit different from Zoom or Hopin?+
HeySummit is purpose-built for virtual summits, not general video conferencing. It includes a speaker portal, session scheduling, ticket tiers, all-access pass delivery, and affiliate tracking out of the box — features you would have to cobble together with Zoom or Hopin.
Can I sell tickets through HeySummit?+
Yes. HeySummit integrates with Stripe so you can sell free and paid tickets, all-access passes, and VIP upgrades directly through the platform.
Does HeySummit integrate with my email marketing platform?+
Yes. HeySummit integrates with major email platforms including ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, Mailchimp, and others via native integrations and Zapier.
Who should use HeySummit?+
HeySummit is ideal for coaches, course creators, and online business owners who want to run a virtual summit without building a custom tech stack. It is especially good for people hosting their first or second summit who want a guided, structured platform.

About the author
Kris Broholm
Virtual Summit Strategist
Kris Broholm is a virtual summit consultant with 7+ years of experience helping online business owners plan, launch, and profit from virtual summits. He has served over 100,000 participants and generated $250k+ in front-end ticket revenue for his clients.
He is the creator of the Total Summit System and a recommended consultant for HeySummit.