Let’s Clear This Up Once and For All
Not all “event tech” is created equal.
A video conferencing app is built for meetings.
A conference app is built for... well, conferences.
If you're still using Zoom to run your events—or worse, lumping in-person and virtual under one clunky hybrid umbrella—you're missing the point (and leaving money, energy, and attendee engagement on the table).
Let’s break down the difference.
🎥 What’s a Video Conferencing App?
Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet—you know the names. These tools exploded during the pandemic for one simple reason: they kept us connected while we were stuck at home.
But they weren’t built for events.
They were built for remote meetings, team stand-ups, and classrooms. Not 1,000-person conferences, not exhibitor booths, and definitely not for hallway conversations and serendipitous networking.
Key Features of Video Conferencing Apps:
- Screen sharing
- Chat & breakout rooms
- Webinar-style broadcasts
- Recording & transcription
- Calendar integrations
Great for remote work. Not great for in-person events.
📱 What’s a Conference App?
A conference app is built for live events, attendee engagement, and sponsor value. It’s a digital companion to your physical experience—not a replacement for it.
But here’s the catch: most traditional conference apps are broken.
They’re clunky, download-heavy, and rarely used. By the time your attendee finds the App Store, forgets their password, or loses interest—your schedule updates, sponsor branding, and buzz are already dead in the water.
That’s why Presso built something better:
A Progressive Event App (PEA) that works like a website but behaves like a premium app—no downloads, no installs, no excuses.
⚖️ Conference App vs. Video Conferencing App: Side-by-Side
| Feature | Video Conferencing App (Zoom, Teams) | Conference App (Presso) |
|---|---|---|
| Built for In-Person Events? | ❌ | ✅ |
| Requires Download? | No (mostly) | No (with Presso) |
| Agenda & Speaker Info | ❌ | ✅ |
| Live Schedule Updates | ❌ | ✅ |
| Networking Tools | ⚠️ (chat only) | ✅ (profiles, chats, meetings) |
| Sponsor Visibility | ❌ | ✅ (ads, booths, banners) |
| Custom Branding | ❌ | ✅ |
| Engagement Tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Designed for Connection? | ❌ | ✅ |
🤝 Real Engagement Starts With Real People
The difference between the two isn’t just technical—it’s philosophical.
Video conferencing apps isolate.
Everyone’s in their own box. Cameras off. Mics muted. Multitasking in full force.
Conference apps connect.
They facilitate conversation. They support the flow of the room. They make the experience richer, easier, and more valuable—for attendees and sponsors alike.
📍 Real-World Example: What Happens Without a Conference App
Imagine this:
- You’ve printed the agenda—but now the keynote speaker’s delayed.
- Your sponsor paid for exposure—but attendees never saw their logo.
- Your VIP networking drinks are starting—but no one knows where.
Now imagine this with Presso:
- Your updated agenda pushes instantly to every attendee.
- Sponsors get their brand front-and-centre, visible in every pocket.
- Your networking venue? It’s pinned, mapped, and messaged—instantly.
You’re not just solving problems—you’re creating value.
💡 Why Branded Conference Apps Are a Must-Have in 2025
Here’s what the best conference apps (like Presso) give you that Zoom never will:
1. A Branded Experience
Your event is a brand moment. From first tap to final session, attendees should feel immersed in your world—not Zoom’s.
2. Real-Time Information
Schedules change. Rooms shift. Speakers run late. Presso lets you update everything instantly—no printouts, no panic.
3. Networking That Works
Presso connects attendees with chats, profiles, and contact exchanges. The kind of features that spark real conversations, not Zoom fatigue.
4. Sponsor ROI That’s Actually Trackable
Logos, placements, engagement metrics. With Presso, your sponsors don’t just show up—they get seen, clicked, and remembered.
5. No Downloads, No Drop-Offs
Presso works in-browser. One link = full access. No app store logins. No bounce rates. No “where’s the schedule?” headaches.
💰 And What About Cost?
Presso’s pricing is refreshingly simple:
£1 per attendee.
That’s it. One flat, predictable fee that includes:
- Schedule & speaker info
- Live announcements
- Chat & networking tools
- Sponsor placements
- Analytics
- Instant, app-free access
No per-feature upsells. No dev team needed. No bloat.
🚀 Ready to Simplify Your Next Conference?
You don’t need another app download.
You don’t need to convince people to turn their cameras on.
You need a tool that meets your audience where they are—on their phones, in the venue, ready to engage.
That’s Presso.
Let your next event run on one link. Not on a platform made for Tuesday morning team calls.
❓FAQs (Conference App vs. Video App)
What’s the main difference between a conference app and a video conferencing app?
A video conferencing app is built for remote communication—like Zoom or Teams. A conference app is designed to support live, in-person events with agendas, networking, sponsor visibility, and real-time updates. Presso is the latter.
Can I use Zoom for my in-person conference?
Technically, yes—but you shouldn’t. Zoom lacks the tools attendees expect at real events: schedules, networking, branded experience, sponsor integration. It's a meeting platform, not an event experience.
Do attendees have to download Presso?
Nope. Presso is a Progressive Web App (PWA). It opens instantly in-browser. No downloads. No updates. Just one tap and they’re in.
How does Presso help with sponsor ROI?
Sponsors get visibility across banners, listings, and interactive placements—plus real engagement analytics. You deliver data and impact, not just logo placements.
What if my event schedule changes?
Presso lets you push instant updates to every attendee’s phone. No reprints. No confusion. Just a live, living event guide in their hands.