Platform options comparison

Web, Portal app and Standalone Native: What's the difference?

Overview

The CrowdComms platform can be accessed as both a web based platform via a custom URL or by downloading a native / traditional app from the Apple app store and Google Play store. Work is involved with making the platform available as a native app and there are approval processes which require extra lead time. You can read the full process here 

Web

The CrowdComms platform is available as a web based solution as standard. On first setup, you will be able to open the platform in its current format using the web link available in the admin CMS. This url can be customised to ensure you have a branded link for users to access via. 

The web based solution is responsive and works across devices including desktop, tablets and mobiles ensuring your users have consistent experience and full access to functionality regardless of the way they choose to access the platform. 

Benefits: 

Negatives: 

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Portal App

In the event technology world, this goes by a number of names: portal; container; housing app. At CrowdComms we call this a portal app.

The portal app can "house" multiple events or platform projects over time, with new events being added to the existing portal. You have one generic branded portal app to house all of your events. The standard approach is to brand the portal in line with you overall company brand for example 'CrowdComms Events' would be branded in line with https://www.crowdcomms.com/ and all the events housed within this portal organised by CrowdComms would have their own specific branding ensuring once users land on the specific event view, its a branded event experience. 

Benefits: 

Negatives:

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Standalone native app

This option provides you with a custom app name, app icon and splash screen that users can search and download from the Apple app store and Google Play store. For high profile events it may be a priority to ensure users can search for the event name in the app stores and download an app listed and branded with the events specific branding rather than the company branding as with the portal option. If this is the case the standalone native app is the way to go. 

Benefits: 

Negatives:

CrowdComms Container App

If you do not have time or budget to go with a custom branded native app, our CrowdComms container app is always available to use. 

This provides the same benefits of a branded native app including push notificiations, however instead of seraching for your app name, attendees will download the CrowdComms container app and enter your event code to access. 

The limitation is the app icon will be CrowdComms and there will be no branded splash screen on first load. 

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Our recommendation

Virtual Events and webinars: Web based platform is usually the best option. Simple to setup and easy for all users to access regardless of the device. 

Hybrid and physical events: Web based platform promoted alongside a portal app. The portal app is by no means essential however if you have users on route to your venue or manoeuvring between sessions, exhibitors etc, a native app with information specific to the physical event and push notifications for on going communications is beneficial. The web based solution is widely used pre and post event and should always be communicated along side the native portal app to give users the option to choose their preferred method of access. 

Web vs native comparison

The primary difference between the web based version and native app is how users access the platform. The web based version is accessible via a custom URL whereas the native app is downloaded from the Apple app store or Google Play Store.

A major benefit of the CrowdComms platform is that the interface is identical across the web and native version and there is one admin dashboard to upload and edit content. There is no duplication of work and the user experience is consistent regardless of users preferred method of access. This ensure users who access the platform on desktops pre event are comfortable with the user interface when they download the native app for access onsite at in person events. This is essential for hybrid events to allow your remote audience accessing the desktop version to have the same experience as the in person audience on mobile phones. 

There are subtle differences in terms of the features available. A notable difference is push notifications which is a feature of native apps and therefore not available on the web based version. If you opt to stick with web which many clients do for ease and due to the consistent user experience, you still have the ability to send pop up alerts in platform and email alerts to ensure your attendees are up to speed with the latest information. 

Feature(s)  Web based Native add on (Same platform accessed via app stores) 
Customisation  Yes Yes
Custom URL Yes No
Security Settings Yes Yes
Push Notifications  No Yes
In Platform email alerts and notifications  Yes Yes
App store listing with custom app name and branding No Yes
Agenda Yes Yes
Session video player with engagement panel

Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Stream hosting Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Yes with Virtual / Hybrid platform.

No with Event app for in person only event. 

Video player Yes Yes
Personalised schedules Yes Yes
Round table discussion rooms Yes No
Zoom breakout integration  Yes Yes
Speaker profiles Yes Yes
Attendee profiles Yes Yes
1-2-1 private chat messaging Yes Yes
1-2-1 private video calls Yes No
Company profiles Yes Yes
Sponsor opportunities Yes Yes
Event information Yes Yes
Floor plans Yes Yes
Google maps Yes Yes
Documents Yes Yes
Social media Yes Yes
Activity feed / social wall  Yes Yes
Live polling Yes Yes
Q&A Yes Yes
Session feedback

Yes

Yes
Surveys Yes Yes
Gamification  Yes Yes
Analytics and reporting Yes Yes

 

 

Hybrid or virtual platform vs Event app (in-person only) platform

The platform itself is the same and built using the same admin dashboard. The primary difference in feature set is that the hybrid / virtual platform comes with the session video player with engagement interface to allow remote audience to participate in real time with streamed sessions. Hosting for the live streams is also supported for this version of the platform.  

 Live stream engagement interface: Available on the virtual and hybrid platform 

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The in person platform comes at a lower price point due to the support and running costs being lower for an in person platform where data costs related to hosting a stream are removed.

Feature(s)  Hybrid / Virtual Platform (Web based)  Event App, In-Person Platform (Web based)
Customisation  Yes Yes
Custom URL Yes Yes
Security Settings Yes Yes
Push Notifications  No, available if you include native submission in your package No, available if you include native submission in your package
In Platform email alerts and notifications  Yes Yes
App store listing with custom app name and branding No, available if you include native submission in your package No, available if you include native submission in your package
Agenda Yes Yes
Session video player with engagement panel Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Stream hosting Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Personalised schedules Yes Yes
Round table discussion rooms Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Zoom breakout integration  Yes Yes
Speaker profiles Yes Yes
Attendee profiles Yes Yes
1-2-1 private chat messaging Yes Yes
1-2-1 private video calls Yes No, only included with the hybrid / virtual platform  package
Company profiles Yes Yes
Sponsor opportunities Yes Yes
Event information Yes Yes
Floor plans Yes Yes
Google maps Yes Yes
Documents Yes Yes
Social media Yes Yes
Activity feed / social wall  Yes Yes
Live polling Yes Yes
Q&A Yes Yes
Session feedback

Yes

Yes
Surveys Yes Yes
Gamification  Yes Yes
Analytics and reporting Yes Yes