Here are the main difference between both roles:
Participant:
1. Restrictions in terms of the possibility of activating his/her microphone and camera and using annotations. The host or a leader must give him/her these rights.
2. No access to presentation functions, rights management and numerous settings.
3. “Public” and “private” chat is not allowed by default for participants.
4. Activities become accessible thirty minutes before they start.
5. They do not have access to the activity’s “Preparation” mode.

Leader:
1. He/She has all the activation rights for the devices and can manage the rights of participants.
2. Access to the presentation tools (leader’s interface).
3. No chat restriction.
4. Access to the preparation of his/her activities upon their creation.

You can also look at the Roles grid in Via to access all specificities.