The value of webinar attendance in terms of lead generation is undeniable, but the webinar costs associated with getting them there and converting them are far less clear. This guide will give you a complete understanding of the average cost of a webinar and how you can host more webinars for less. Let's plunge in!
What Goes Into the Cost of a Webinar?
Before we talk dollars, let’s talk components. Hosting a webinar involves several moving parts, and each one can add to your final cost:
Webinar platform (your main tool)
Promotion & ads
Landing pages or sign-up forms
Email reminders and follow-ups
Content creation (slides, video, etc.)
Speakers or guest experts
Post-webinar tools like analytics and replays
Not all of these are “must-haves,” but most webinars use at least a few.
The Price of Webinar Platforms
This is the most money you'll need to spend upfront. If you're looking for an affordable video conferencing and webinar platform, then platforms like AONMeetings are seriously worth a look. AONMeetings has cheap webinars and video conferences. With other systems, basic functions cost a lot.
What AONMeetings has to offer:
Standard Plan: $3.99 per user per month
The Pro Plan costs $6.99 per user each month
The ordinary plan comes with a lot of things, such as registering for webinars, setting up paid webinars, sharing documents and screens, live polling, a whiteboard, closed captions, meeting summaries, and more. There are no extra fees.
Compared to Zoom Webinar and GoToWebinar, which charge $40 or more per host every month and limit the number of people that can join, that's a good deal.
AONMeetings doesn't charge extra for waiting rooms, breakout rooms, or moderator tools, which is a great way to save money. Most platforms do.
Webinars That Are Free vs. Paid
If you want to build your email list or authority, you may host a free webinar. Some of your most important costs are:
Subscription to the platform ($6.99 a month)
Design (free if you do it yourself, $50 to $200 if you hire someone else)
Advertising (we'll talk more about that later)
Things are different when you hold a paid webinar. You want to make money, thus you'll need:
Processing payments (AONMeetings works with Stripe)
AONMeetings sign-up form and landing page
Tracking attendance and following up
Webinars that cost money make money. Maximizing value takes the place of controlling expense.
Promotion
The best things in the world are useless if no one comes. Depending on how you do it, promoting a webinar can cost nothing or hundreds of dollars. A breakdown:
Free promotion of organic products:
Posts on social media
Send an email to your list
Banners or popups on the web
Paid for promotion:
Ads on Facebook and Instagram cost between $50 and $300
$100 to $500 for Google Ads
Affiliate or influencer marketing: different
A good way to save money is to focus on email and social media. They are free and very effective when used with the right message.
Making Tools and Content
This part is sneaky and easy to miss, and it can waste time and money. Here’s what you might spend:
Slide deck: Free with PowerPoint or Google Slides
Video editing (if pre-recorded): $0 if DIY, or $50–$300 per hour if hiring someone
Stock images or music: $10–$50 depending on the source
Copywriting for invites and landing pages: Free if you write it yourself, or $100–$500 if you hire a pro
A lot of this can be DIY if you’re comfortable creating content.
Post-Webinar Costs
Even when the webinar ends, your work isn’t done. Here's what happens next:
Sending follow-up emails
Uploading the recording for on-demand access
Reviewing analytics
Repackaging content into a blog, YouTube video, or course
With AONMeetings, you get built-in recording, closed captions, smart meeting summaries, and replay options. No need for pricey add-ons or separate software.
Hidden Costs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Sometimes, it’s the hidden stuff that really adds up. Here are a few:
Upgrades for more participants – many platforms cap your audience unless you pay more
Extra storage for recordings or replays
Add-ons like analytics, polls, or integrations
Support or onboarding fees
With AONMeetings, the pricing is super transparent. You know exactly what you’re getting, and everything—from moderator controls to unlimited monthly meetings—is included. That’s a big deal if you’re trying to keep costs predictable.
What’s the Real Cost to Host a Webinar?
It all depends on how big you go. A basic, high-quality webinar can cost less than $10 a month if you choose the right platform. On the flip side, a premium, well-promoted paid webinar could run a few hundred bucks—but also generate a serious return.
The key is this: choose an affordable video conferencing and webinar platform that doesn’t nickel-and-dime you. Hosting a webinar doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.