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The Top 5 Virtual Instructor-Led Training Platforms For 2021

Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is when a facilitator leads a remote training class through a virtual learning platform or software. VILT creates a synchronous remote learning environment where participants can collaborate and learn in real-time together. 

We’ve sorted through countless VILT hosting platforms and generated a list of the top 5 popular VILT platforms. 

  1. Zoom
  2. Google Meet
  3. Microsoft Teams
  4. Webex
  5. Adobe Connect

When you think of virtual meetings or online conferencing, what platforms come to mind? Perhaps you thought of Zoom or Google Meet. Well, in addition to these two major players in the virtual instructor-led training (VILT) realm, there are other virtual training platforms to consider. 

As a full-service learning partner, Roundtable Learning has been helping clients for decades with identifying the right learning technology solutions for their organization. We’re here to help your organization narrow down your search for the best VILT learning platform. 

This article will define what VILT is, then explore the top 5 popular VILT platforms and the key features, pricing, and user capacity for each. 

What Is Virtual Instructor-Led Training? 

Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is when a facilitator is leading a remote training class through a virtual learning platform or software. Similar to traditional instructor-led training (ILT), VILT is synchronous, collaborative, and happens in real-time over a digital platform. 

VILT can be held in several ways, including:

  • Webinar — A webinar typically has 1 facilitator and several participants. Learners may be asked to complete polling, voting, or video conferencing
  • 1:1 — Similar to peer-to-peer training, there is 1 facilitator and 1 participant. 
  • Small Group — Typically has 3-5 participants with 1 facilitator in a virtual classroom setting and is often used to learn new processes or tasks.
  • Lecture — A large group of learners with 1 facilitator who leads the session. 
  • Workshop — Participants come together and learn a new software or task through hands-on training. Learners are able to walk away and have time to practice on their own, with additional homework or a follow-up session later on. 
  • Virtual Classroom — Similar to a lecture, learners are muted and simply watch the facilitator walk through the activity. 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations are faced with converting their current ILT program into VILT. In order to do so, organizations must adapt their existing program for the new normal of a remote workforce. 

Once your learning content is converted to fit a virtual format, though, how do you know which VILT platform to use to host your training? Enter our list of the top 5 most popular VILT hosting platforms. 

Read More: ILT vs. VILT vs. eLearning vs. Video Learning: Traditional or Digital Learning

The Top 5 Virtual Instructor-Led Training Platforms For 2021

1. Zoom 

Release Date: 2012

Key Features

  • Personal meeting rooms
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Calendar integration
  • Waiting room
  • Multi-screen sharing
  • Touch-up appearance 
  • Join by dial-in phone number

Business Plan Price: $199 per year per license

Maximum Capacity: Zoom Enterprise can host up to 500 participants

Number of Users: As of April 2020, Zoom had over 300 million daily meetings hosted on their platform.

Used for teleconferencing, telecommuting, distance education, and social relations, Zoom provides video telephony and online chat services through a cloud-based peer-to-peer software platform.

2. Google Meet

Release Date: 2017

Key Features

  • Enterprise-grade video conferencing
  • Encrypted video calls and messaging
  • Integrated with Google Workspace
  • Live captions
  • Noise cancellation
  • Join by dial-in phone number

Business Standard Price as part of a Google Workspace Plan: $8 per user per month

Maximum Capacity: Google Workspace Enterprise can host up to 250 participants

Number of Users: Last year, Google Meet had roughly 100 million daily users.

Previously known as Hangouts Meet, Google Meet provides secure video meetings for teams and organizations. Participants can share their screen, raise their hand, join breakout rooms, and participate in polls and Q&A’s.

3. Microsoft Teams

Release Date: 2017

Key Features

  • Screen share
  • File storage
  • Application integration
  • Secure access
  • Link to other devices
  • Share meeting recordings and notes
  • Breakout rooms

Microsoft 365 Business Basic Plan Price: $5 per user per month 

Maximum Capacity: Office 365 E3 can host up to 10,000 participants

Number of Users: In October 2020, Microsoft Teams reached 115 million daily active users.

Microsoft Teams is a business communication platform developed as part of the Microsoft 365 family of products. With Microsoft Teams, users can host video conferences, virtual events, and audio conferencing.

4. Webex

Release Date: 1996

Key Features

  • Noise removal and speech enhancement
  • On-screen emojis
  • Real-time translation
  • Present content as personal meeting background
  • Meeting templates
  • Transition calls to meetings

Business Plan Price: $26.95 per host per month

Maximum Capacity: Business Plan can host up to 200 participants

Number of Users: In May of 2020, Webex had roughly 100 million daily conference participants. 

With HD video and audio, screen sharing capabilities, group messaging, and more, Cisco’s Webex allows users to video conference and meet online over a secure connection with anyone in the world.

5. Adobe Connect

Release Date: 2019

Key Features

  • Polls, Q&A’s, and whiteboards
  • Advanced customization options through pods, layouts, and custom branding
  • Secure access
  • Drawings and annotations

Adobe Connect Meetings Price: $50 per month

Maximum Capacity: Adobe Connect Webinars can host up to 1000 participants

Number of Users: Since its launch, Adobe Connect has had over 2.5 million users and 15,000 customers worldwide. 

Adobe Connect is a newer software for VILT, web conferencing, and webinar hosting. Adobe Connect was formerly part of the Adobe Acrobat family and has changed names several times from Presedia Publishing System to Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro. 

Which Virtual Instructor-Led Training Platform Is Right For Your Organization?

Throughout this article, we’ve covered key information about the top 5 most popular VILT hosting platforms. We hope that moving forward with your VILT, your organization feels more confident about your decision and can find the platform that best fits your needs.

Are you looking to revise your current VILT or start designing your own custom VILT today? Schedule a meeting with one of our experts, or read more information about all things learning technologies at our resource center. 

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