Zoom is conducting its annual virtual Zoomtopia conference for users this week. Considering the significant role the platform has played as a leading video communication service since the pandemic began, it's logical that the company is leveraging this event to introduce several new offerings. However, the focus isn’t on improvements to the fundamental Zoom platform itself. Instead, Zoom is announcing the general release of its OnZoom events platform and marketplace – previously available only in a private beta – and the introduction of Zapps, which integrates applications from its 35 initial partners directly within the Zoom environment.

OnZoom empowers hosts to organize single events or recurring event series, accommodating either 100 or 1,000 participants based on their subscription level, and to offer tickets for sale. This platform is designed for a wide range of users, including yoga instructors, non-profit organizations, and professional event planners, allowing them to list and sell tickets through the OnZoom marketplace. Currently, Zoom supports payments via PayPal and credit card, with the possibility of adding further payment methods in the future. Additionally, Zoom is collaborating with Pledgeling to enable nonprofits to collect donations during events.

According to the demonstration provided before today’s announcement, the platform offers a simple and intuitive experience for both event organizers and attendees.

For typical Zoom users, the launch of Zapps – a name the company acknowledges may not be ideal – is likely the more noteworthy development. The concept is to embed applications directly into the Zoom workflow, eliminating the need to constantly switch between different programs on a user’s computer.

“Zapps streamline access to the tools you need to stay productive and facilitate seamless information exchange between teams before, during, and after meetings,” the company explains. “Zapps function as an app store conveniently located where you need it most – within a Zoom meeting, chat, webinar, phone call, and even your contacts list.”

These applications can be initiated as screen shares, but crucially, they can also be distributed to all participants for simultaneous collaboration.

The initial 35 partners include well-known companies such as Asana, Atlassian, Dropbox, HubSpot, Slack, SurveyMonkey, Wrike and Zendesk.