Blackboard Collaborate vs. Webex Events (formerly Socio)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Blackboard Collaborate
Score 7.4 out of 10
N/A
Blackboard Collaborate is an online, collaborative learning platform well-suited for the education industry and corporate learning needs. It includes features such as screen and application sharing, web conferencing, and integration with Blackboard Learn.
$300
per year
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Webex Events (formerly Socio) gives event professionals event tech to power every stage of the event planning & execution process.N/A
Pricing
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Editions & Modules
Classroom
$300.00
per year
Department
$9000.00
per year
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Mobile Capabilities
Comparison of Mobile Capabilities features of Product A and Product B
Blackboard Collaborate
-
Ratings
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
8.6
10 Ratings
4% above category average
Responsive Design for Web Access00 Ratings8.510 Ratings
Mobile Application00 Ratings8.710 Ratings
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile00 Ratings8.510 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Blackboard Collaborate
-
Ratings
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
9.4
9 Ratings
14% above category average
Calendar integration00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Meeting initiation00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Integrates with social media00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Record meetings / events00 Ratings8.48 Ratings
Slideshows00 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Event registration00 Ratings8.87 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Blackboard Collaborate
-
Ratings
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
8.0
8 Ratings
0% above category average
Live chat00 Ratings8.08 Ratings
Audience polling00 Ratings8.17 Ratings
Q&A00 Ratings8.08 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Blackboard Collaborate
-
Ratings
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
8.7
7 Ratings
2% above category average
User authentication00 Ratings8.67 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions00 Ratings8.77 Ratings
Confidential attendee list00 Ratings8.97 Ratings
Online Events Marketing
Comparison of Online Events Marketing features of Product A and Product B
Blackboard Collaborate
-
Ratings
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
8.6
8 Ratings
4% above category average
Branding options00 Ratings8.37 Ratings
Attendee list export00 Ratings8.98 Ratings
Virtual Event
Comparison of Virtual Event features of Product A and Product B
Blackboard Collaborate
-
Ratings
Webex Events (formerly Socio)
8.2
9 Ratings
2% above category average
Registration, RSVP, and ticketing00 Ratings8.36 Ratings
Email marketing00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Livestreaming00 Ratings8.08 Ratings
Audience engagement00 Ratings8.09 Ratings
Event recording00 Ratings8.38 Ratings
Virtual booths00 Ratings7.07 Ratings
Networking00 Ratings7.88 Ratings
Event analytics00 Ratings8.48 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Small Businesses
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
OneCause
OneCause
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Cvent Event Diagramming
Cvent Event Diagramming
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Panopto
Panopto
Score 7.6 out of 10
Cvent Event Diagramming
Cvent Event Diagramming
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
(31 ratings)
9.1
(60 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.9
(6 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Blackboard CollaborateWebex Events (formerly Socio)
Likelihood to Recommend
Class Technologies, Inc
I would say it is very useful for group collaborations online, as well as virtual classrooms where you wish your students/guests to collaborate in an adaptable environment; however I would advise against using the shared screen to display audio or video, nor would I encourage the use of the shared board with a group of people with disciplinary issues (as there is no accountability for who wrote/drew what).
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Cisco
WebEx Events is a great tool for hosting both an event website and an onsite event app. If you are looking to integrate an on onsite and online event, they have this capability, as well. The staff is always very helpful and I am able to get answers to my questions in a timely manner
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Pros
Class Technologies, Inc
  • The Whiteboard feature is perfect for tutoring. We use it to write out formulas, draw diagrams, etc while in video chat to enhance explanations.
  • The file attachment feature is also very handy. This means we don't have to do a follow-up with a student using their email to send files of handouts, etc.
  • It's great that we only have to share a classroom access link for a student to enter a session. With other products, they had to set up a username and log-in with an account. Link access means 1 less hassle.
  • We are currently beginning to use the "record session" feature video sessions to use as training for new employees.
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Cisco
  • It has quite a few optional and customizable features that can be utilized.
  • It's easy to integrate your existing tools like Zoom, YouTube, Vimeo, and streaming services.
  • It's flexible in the way that you upload content in that you can enter things one at a time on the website, or use a spreadsheet to upload a larger amount of content.
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Cons
Class Technologies, Inc
  • Some of the newest computer high resolution screens are not as compatible with the interface. The font and windows are much smaller and the user is not able to increase the size of the windows to make it easier to read/navigate.
  • The audio can sometimes be inconsistent and tune in and out when someone is speaking. This is not every time though and many times the audio is clear.
  • The login process takes a bit longer to get into the program. You have to go through a few step process and loading time to get into the application.
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Cisco
  • Sometimes I feel like it uses too many resources and makes my computer go slower
  • Chats of the webinar dissappear by default, but sometimes important info is shared and could be nice to have the option to save it
  • The quality of the video gets chosen by webex by default, sometimes maybe it would be nice to get the option to fix manually what's the minimum quality you want. Just to not talk with pixels
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Likelihood to Renew
Class Technologies, Inc
It is a tool that faculty likes to use. It has so much flexibility to allow students to see a class even if they happen to not be available in the classroom.
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Cisco
Of course something could happen to our orgs ability to put on a conference or Socio could fundamentally change their product or their customer service - but barring any magor shift there is nothing that is even close to competing for our attention here.
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Usability
Class Technologies, Inc
Blackboard Collaborate is reliable and feature-rich. It's a great web conferencing tool for teaching & learning, offering polls, chat, video and audio, whiteboard, content sharing, and breakout rooms. Blackboard Collaborate can be used for virtual office hours, lectures, guest speakers, training, professional development, conferences, technical support, academic advising, and so much more. Blackboard Collaborate can be used separately from the learning management system or it can be integrated for a single sign-on experience. It supports recordings, playbacks, private sharing, and MP4 downloads. Overall, it's a solid tool and very reliable.
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Cisco
No answers on this topic
Reliability and Availability
Class Technologies, Inc
The availability of the software is quite impressive. You can access it at any time that you want and from anywhere that you want, but that depends on how the software is set up by the University. There might be sudden outages due to not having enough space on your database, which we had that very issue happen recently here at our University. During that time, you could not access their blackboard at all until it was brought up online again.
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Cisco
No answers on this topic
Performance
Class Technologies, Inc
The performance of the software is remarkable. The loading speed of the pages is more than satisfying, it all depends on the users internet package. So far, there wasn't any issue of Blackboard slowing down other software or systems when integrated with them
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Cisco
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Class Technologies, Inc
Sometimes they do planned maintenance. Depending on the time zone you’re in, this may be in the middle of the night. That’s great. Sometimes this maintenance isn’t completed overnight however, and you need to use the platform and it is down. I’ve never been able to successfully contact them to report an outage or get assistance when it is down. I just have to wait until it comes back up to go to class, review sessions, etc.
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Cisco
Socio (now WebexEvents) is one of two products I use that gets customer service right. Not only can you get an answer from an actual person quickly during business hours - but if you are asking after hours, you know the response will be waiting for you in the morning. Not only are they fast, but they are also smart about their products and customers. There is very little back and forth trying to explain the problem I am having, or the new way I am trying to use their product, that may even be novel for them.
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Alternatives Considered
Class Technologies, Inc
Nearpod does not allow for the same type of synchronous environment that Blackboard collaborate does. Further, Nearpod, as the name suggests is best suited for a face-to-face classroom that is, preferably, one-to-one. While it has some of the same functions as Nearpod, Blackboard collaborate is best suited for remote transmission rather than face-to-face
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Cisco
We have used multiple virtual event platforms in the past, as well as trialed several. We ultimately decided on Webex due to the aesthetics of the website, the incredibly easy build-out process, the 24/5 support, the user-friendly front-end interface, the multiple ways to monetize sponsorships, and ultimately... the price. The value for what you get is incredible compared to other platforms.
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Scalability
Class Technologies, Inc
The reason for this rating is that the software is a pretty good tool that can be utilized for use in all of the Universities around the world. It has the capability to fulfill the needs of various different education systems. Although, there are slight improvements that are needed, therefore the rating is at 8.
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Cisco
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Class Technologies, Inc
  • Because faculty can schedule sessions on-the-fly without IT involvement, they are able to accomplish goals that they plan for weeks in advance as well as impromptu goals that come up at a moments notice.
  • Integration with the campus Learning Management Systems provides quick and easy scheduling of sessions that can be joined easily by students in those courses.
  • Scheduling of meetings can also be done through the web interface directly which enables administrative departments not associated with courses in the learning management system to also schedule meetings not affiliated with courses.
  • On-campus users can schedule meetings without outside participants by sending an open "guest link" URL that allows users to participate despite not having an account within the system iteself.
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Cisco
  • User retention has increased by 25% with the help of Webex Events
  • Lead retrieval at events is made very simple, thereby saving a lot of time for us
  • Session tracking gives us a lot of valuable insights, helping us understand our users better
  • Lead location tracking is present which helps us segment our audience better
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ScreenShots

Webex Events (formerly Socio) Screenshots

Screenshot of Webex Events (formerly Socio) Video Rooms: Attendees can chat, join topically based discussion rooms, set-up 1:1 video meetings, and connect from anywhere.Screenshot of Webex Events (formerly Socio) Data Dashboard: From high-level attendee engagement analytics to drill down sponsor ROI metrics, Socio’s Data Dashboard offers insights to see what’s working (and what’s not) in real-time.Screenshot of Webex Events (formerly Socio)  Lead Retrieval: So sponsors and exhibitors can capture leads with enriched data by scanning attendees’ QR codes and exporting them straight to their CRMs.