Video conferencing software have exploded in popularity recently thanks to advancements in technology, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise in remote working.
Today, many businesses use online conference platforms for meetings, conferences, and team updates. Virtual meeting platforms allow companies to bring people together to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss important topics over the internet.
With so many video conferencing software options available, it can be difficult to choose which platform is best for your organization.
Here’s a list of the 7 best video conferencing software:
- FreeConferenceCall.com
- Huddle.team
- Skype
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
- GoToMeeting
- WebEx by Cisco
Each of these platforms can provide high-quality audio/video and user-friendly collaboration tools that help your business connect with key people and hold successful virtual meetings. Read on to learn more about each platform.
1. FreeConferenceCall.com
Not to toot our own horn (okay, we’re going to) but we feel confident that FreeConferenceCall.com is the best virtual meeting platform available.
FreeConferenceCall.com features high-definition audio and video options, file sharing, screen sharing, call recording, transcription, instant messaging, and integrations with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.
Holding a large meeting? No problem! You can invite up to 1,000 participants to join in your virtual meeting with FreeConferenceCall.com.
Pros:
- Conferencing with up to 1,000 participants
- Excellent audio and video quality
- Available on all mobile devices and web browsers
- Charitable cause
Cons:
- No team management options
Pricing plan: Free (pay what you can). Some add-on features are available for a small fee, such as custom greetings for $2/month or a toll-free number for businesses for 3.9 cents/minute.
2. Huddle.team
If you have team members working remotely, Huddle.team from FreeConferenceCall.com is a perfect solution for all of your team’s communication needs.
Built to meet the needs of modern teams, Huddle provides the tools teams need to stay connected, share files, and boost collaboration and productivity — all without having to invest in hardware and IT support.
Huddle.team’s user-friendly interface offers unlimited audio and video conferences, virtual phones, and team chats to make team communication seamless and easy.
Pros:
- Local dial-ins for 75+ countries
- 24/7 live support through phone and online
- Integrates with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook
- Best pricing in the industry
- Dashboard for team leaders
Cons:
- Learning curve to get acclimated with various features
Pricing plan: Huddle.team Basic plan is $7/month and the Unlimited plan is $9/month.
3. Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype was one of the first platforms to offer free audio and video calls over the internet. While most people used it to connect with family and friends from afar, Skype has made a comeback by offering features for businesses.
Skype virtual meetings offer audio and video conferences, screen sharing, recording, document collaboration and instant messaging.
Unique features like conversation subtitles and chat recordings help Skype stand out from competitors. Skype for Business offers integration with Microsoft Office and strong security options.
Pros:
- Integrated into Microsoft Office apps (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, OneNote)
- Strong security
- Extra features include surveys, photo creation, live subtitles
Cons:
- Few customizable features for businesses
- Some users report connectivity issues
Pricing plan: Skype for Business price plans range between $5/user to $12.95/user each month. Extra features (such as international calling) are available at an added cost.
4. Google Meet
Google Meet (formerly Google Hangouts) is a video conferencing service that is fully integrated into Google’s G Suite software, making it an excellent choice for businesses already using Google Suite.
Team members can keep in touch throughout the day using Google Meet’s group chat and group call features. Users can integrate Meet into Gmail and Google Calendar, where you can easily send a Google Meet link and call-in number to invite people to participate.
Screen sharing capabilities and virtual whiteboard options allow for collaboration. Meeting participants can join from their mobile device, tablet or desktop without the need to download any additional software.
Pros:
- User-friendly design makes it easy to schedule, host, and join meetings
- 15GB of storage for meeting recordings
- Additional features include noise cancellation, live captions, and attendance reports
Cons:
- Does not integrate with Microsoft
- No breakout rooms in the free version
- Fewer interactive features compared to competitors
Pricing plan: Free 1-hour calls with up to 100 users. Small business owners can get Google Workspace Individual for $7.99/month per user (increasing to $9.99/month in April 2022). Google Workspace Enterprise pricing — designed for larger businesses — is available on request (contact Google sales).
5. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool designed for businesses of all sizes. The free tier offers video conferences (including document and screen sharing, recording, and group calls) for up to 300 people.
Easy desktop sharing and file-sharing make collaboration easy. Customizable options for file organization, video and audio conferencing and storing data are available for Business and Enterprise versions.
Pros:
- High-security features
- Integration with Microsoft 365
- 10GB cloud storage for file transfers and sharing
Cons:
- No meeting recording or phone dial-in provided option in free version
- User interface appears cluttered and may be confusing to new users
Pricing plan: Free 1-hour calls for up to 100 participants. Microsoft Teams Essential starts at $4.00 user/month, Microsoft 365 Business Basic is $5.00 user/month and Microsoft 365 Business Standard is $12.50 user/month.
6. GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a user-friendly virtual meeting platform that offers high-definition video conferences, in-meeting chats, conference calling and screen-sharing features.
This platform has a few features that encourage meeting participation and collaboration, including the “raise a hand” and polling options.
Businesses can customize online meetings with video dialogue transcriptions, customizable team settings and custom URLs for meeting invites, GoToMeeting is an excellent option that offers users flexibility and reliability.
Pros:
- ‘Call Me’ feature – no codes or PINs required
- Virtual whiteboard, drawing tools, and hand-over control for easy collaboration
- Unlimited cloud storage for meeting recordings
Cons:
- Limited in-room chat features
- Transcription feature does not translate to other languages
- Separate application required for background blurring feature
Pricing plan: GoToMeeting offers tiered pricing plans. Professional plans start at $12/organizer per month. Business plans start at $16/organizer/month. Enterprise plans for larger organizations are customizable, but you need to contact sales for pricing options.
Add-ons for any plan — such as toll-free numbers and call me features — cost an extra $5/month, and webinar capabilities are available for $20/month.
7. WebEx by Cisco
WebEx is a virtual meeting platform for teams of all sizes that offers audio, video, and messaging options. With special functionalities for training, webinar, and technical support, WebEx works great for remote working teams.
WebEx offers noteworthy user-friendly features that promote engagement and collaboration, including breakout rooms, screen sharing, live polling, and virtual backgrounds. One of the most fun options is the “real gesture” emoji feature. Give a thumbs up in front of your screen, and the platform’s AI converts it into a reaction emoji.
If your business has security concerns, WebEx features Transport Layer Security (TLS), with encryption, firewall compatibility, third-party accreditations, and secure scheduling options.
Pros:
- Great security, with encryption, firewall compatibility, third-party accreditations, and secure scheduling options.
- Users can start meetings on Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Workplace by Facebook
- Real-time transcription and translation in 100+ languages
- Enhances speaker audio and removes background noises
Cons:
- No cloud recording storage on free version
- Limited customer support
- More expensive than most competitors
Pricing plan: Basic plans are free. WebEx Suite – Business starts at $25/month, and Webex Suite – Enterprise customized premium plan pricing is available by contacting sales.
