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What are the best Zoom alternatives?
Here's my pick of the best Zoom alternatives.
Let's get started.
1. Zoho Meeting.
Zoho Meeting is another popular Zoom alternative on this list that helps you organize webinars and online meetings and to broadcast demos. It allows you to join or start the meeting without having to install the software.
While you can host the meeting only through the iOS app, it allows you to join meetings using the Android and iOS apps. You also have an application extension for Firefox and Chrome browsers.
Plus, it allows you to record your session on the cloud, download them, or share the recording using a short link. You can also connect via telephone by dialing over 100 local numbers and 55 toll-free numbers in multiple countries.
In addition, it offers numerous features for organizing video conferences, including:
- Chat in session.
- There is no time limit for meetings.
- Host online meetings with audio, video, and screen sharing.
- Send email reminders, get responses, and include meeting links.
- Automatically schedule and sync meetings with the Google or Zoho calendar.
- Use polls and Q&A to drive engagement and track responses through webinar analytics.
- Moderator controls, such as the ability to change presenters, mute or remove participants, etc.
- You can also moderate messages and allow participants to express themselves between sessions.
There is also a “Lock Meeting” feature that allows you to organize private meetings and control participant access. So you can even prevent anyone from accessing it, even if they have the participant link.
Additionally, Zoho Meeting allows you to make your attendee a presenter or add a co-organizer at any time during the meeting. You can also co-brand your meetings and webinars by adding your brand name or logo to email invitations and reminders.
The ability to create custom registration forms, add custom fields, and integrate the registration form on blogs and web pages also helps you increase the number of leads.
When it comes to security, communication takes place under the layer of secure SSL/128-bit AES encryption protocols.
Pricing
Zoho Meetings is offered with four payment plans:
- Meeting-10: $2.5 per month (for up to 10 participants)
- Meeting-25: $5.0 per month (for up to 25 participants)
- Meeting-50: $7.5 per month (for up to 50 participants)
- Meeting-100: $10 per month (for up to 100 participants)
You also get a 14-day free trial and a free version that allows you to organize webinars and online meetings with limited functionality.
Start with Zoho Meeting
2. GoToMeeting.
GoToMeeting is an online video conferencing platform that offers a one-click meeting option to join, host, or manage online meetings. It's hands down the best of all the Zoom alternatives on this list.
The entry-level payment plan allows you to accommodate up to 150 participants, while the enterprise plan allows up to 3,000 participants.
It works on any device like PCs, Macs, and mobile phones and offers built-in support for Cisco, Lifesize, and Polycom devices. Plus, it works with an H.323-compatible video conference room system and allows you to add up to 25 webcam feeds.
Among its most important characteristics are:
- Screen sharing.
- Conference call.
- Video conferencing.
- Mobile conference.
- Cloud recording.
- Recording and transcribing meetings.
- Virtual whiteboard and drawing tools.
- Voice commands to join meetings instantly by simply asking Siri.
- Security features such as SAML SSO login
- Split screen function to see both participants and what is on the screen.
The video conferencing platform also integrates with the Office 365 plugin to help you plan, manage, and participate in online meetings.
There is also a “shuttle mode” that allows you to attend or host meetings on the go on low bandwidths. You also have the option of choosing between VoIP and paid voice options.
GoToMeeting has an administration center that helps you manage users and their access to multiple functions. You can also assign keyboard and mouse control to another speaker or even a participant.
The tool also offers a “call me” feature, which allows you to be automatically notified by a call when a scheduled meeting is about to start. It also allows you to join the meeting by phone call, without a code or PIN.
Additionally, it offers up to 25 HD video streams per session and provides access to diagnostic reports to get an overview of the conference and participants.
Pricing
GoToMeeting offers three paid plans:
- Professional: $12 per month
- Business: $16 per month
- Company: Based on quotations
Standard features include HD video, screen sharing, web audio, dial-up conference, corporate messaging, voice commands, etc. You also get a 14-day free trial to test the product before you buy it.
Start with GoToMeeting
3. RingCentral.
RingCentral is a communication and collaboration solution that allows you to organize online meetings with up to 500 participants simultaneously. You can join meetings directly from your browser without downloading the app.
It also allows you to switch between audio and video calls and switch devices between meetings without interruption.
RingCentral also allows you to:
- Share your screen.
- Edit files in real time.
- Create up to 50 meeting rooms.
- Collaborate using whiteboards and annotations.
- Share content and send text messages.
- Share files in your team's message threads.
- Manage the conversation with in-meeting chat.
- Join a video call directly from the message thread.
- Record your meetings as many times as you want and share the highlights on the cloud.
RingCentral also integrates with Microsoft Outlook to help you schedule meetings with one click and update them instantly. You can also sync it with iCal Google Calendar and send email or text invitations from your devices.
Besides calendar applications, it also integrates with The most popular CRMs, including Zendesk, Salesforce, and more.
You also have real-time analytics to assess system performance, monitor service quality, and track the use of all services.
Additionally, you can use its built-in webinar tool to host up to 10,000 participants with up to 500 moderators worldwide.
Pricing
RingCentral offers four paid plans:
- Essentials: $19.99/user per month
- Standard: $24.99/user per month
- Premium: $34.99/user per month
- Ultimate: $49.99/user per month
These pricing plans are for a maximum of 20 users; pricing changes depending on the number of users. Additionally, the entry plan is only for messaging and audio calling, while the other three plans also allow for video conferencing.
Start with RingCentral as a video conferencing service
4. Google Meet.
Google Meet is the advanced professional version of Google Hangouts and is suitable for video conferences and webinars.
It allows you to launch a call in HD with up to 250 participants (with its Enterprise plan), with 16 participants visible at a time.
You can access Google Meet on Android and iOS. Additionally, the mobile app allows you to view and control meeting participants, conference details, chat rooms, and more.
It also allows you to invite attendees directly from the Google calendar via email after creating the event.
In addition, you get all the standard features: screen sharing, call or video recording, connecting to a video conference, live subtitling during meetings, multi-device compatibility, etc. You can also record your meetings and save them to Google Drive or Google Calendar as an event.
Other advanced features include
- Pin, mute, or remove participants
- Video and audio preview screen.
- Adjustable layouts and screen settings
- Share files, links, and text messages with participants.
- Integration with Google and Microsoft Office applications.
The Enterprise plan also allows you to live stream your meeting to 100,000 attendees at the same time. Its Premium plan also offers full access to the smart noise cancellation feature, G-Suite, and Google's security layer.
Overall, it doesn't offer a lot of advanced features, but you have enough features to organize a simple video conference.
Pricing
Google Meet offers three plans:
- Free: Always free
- Google Workspace Essentials: $8 per active user/month
- Google Workspace Enterprise: Based on a quote
The free plan allows for 100 participants and meetings of up to one hour in length, while the Enterprise plan allows 250 participants and 300 meeting hours.
5. Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based video conferencing tool that can accommodate up to 10,000 participants (with its most advanced plan).
It allows you to organize video meetings, audio calls, share documents, and send text messages remotely. Plus, you get high-quality video, audio, and screen sharing features as well as AI support.
It offers multiple collaboration features, including screen sharing, email invitation, digital whiteboard, meeting discussions, file sharing, and more.
You can also control settings such as assigning presenters and attendees, removing uninvited attendees, muting, co-writing files, and more.
Microsoft Teams also allows you to change the background from its background list or upload your own custom background.
The “Raise your hand” function allows you to alert participants when you have something to say. You can also download the list of participants for future reference and access recordings and notes from previous meetings.
In addition, it allows you to record all meetings in the cloud and share them with other users. You can also chat one-on-one with users and use live subtitles to follow every word said during the meeting.
Additionally, Microsoft Teams partners with Logitech, Poly, Crestron, HP, Lenovo, and Yealink for direct access to Team Room devices. Integration with Outlook or the mobile app also helps you schedule and control meetings from anywhere at any time.
Pricing
Microsoft Teams offers four plans:
- Freemium: Free plan
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $5.00 user/month (annual commitment)
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 user/month (annual commitment)
- Office 365 E3: $20.00 user/month (annual commitment)
The first three plans allow 300 participants, while the Office 365 E3 plan allows you to host up to 10,000 attendees. Additionally, all plans offer standard features like screen sharing, custom backgrounds, scheduled meetings, chat messages, data encryption, and more.
6. Skype.
Skype has existed in the world of video conferencing services for a long time. It's a popular Zoom alternative that lets you video call and greet participants around the world for free.
With Skype's Meet Now feature, you can create a conference with up to 100 users at a time in HD quality from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. And you can do it directly from your browser without installing the app—just create a meeting link and share it with your audience.
Skype also allows you to record video or audio calls and share your screen with others on the call. You can share PowerPoint presentations, videos, audio, images, etc. with the whole team in full screen.
It also allows you to share your current location with each video conference participant. Additionally, it has a drag-and-drop file sharing feature that allows you to share images, videos, presentations, etc. up to 300MB.
To hide your current background, you can blur it or change it before you start the call.
Other key features include:
- Live subtitles.
- End-to-end encryption.
- Outlook integration.
- Raise your hand to indicate who wants to talk next.
- Search within the conversation whenever you want.
- Capable of translating instant messages, voice calls, and video calls in real time.
- Possibility to respond to messages with funny emojis or to use @ to mention people in the conversation.
Additionally, Skype forwards your calls to another number or to a voicemail when you're not available.
Skype also allows you to call landlines and mobile phones, but at an additional cost. You can also get a Skype number in another region or country to receive calls just like a regular phone. It also allows you to send SMS (text messages) anytime and anywhere.
Pricing
It's generally free, but landline and calling services start at $2.99 per month.
7. Cisco Webex.
Cisco Webex is a video conferencing solution that helps you organize online HD video meetings and keeps you connected through messaging.
It also offers other collaboration features like screen sharing, calling, file sharing, whiteboarding, AI transcripts, recording, and more, making it one of the best Zoom alternatives for businesses.
Additionally, Cisco Webex is now equipped with numerous AI-based features. For example, you can now react during a meeting with hand gestures or send emojis and gifs during the meeting. It also uses artificial intelligence to put the most important messages at the top of the list and saves shared files alongside those messages.
Cisco Webex offers numerous other features for team collaboration, including:
- The Webex assistant translates into 10 languages in real time.
- Personalize your space with custom images, colors, and co-branding.
- Integrate a one-on-one phone call into a video meeting.
- Two-way whiteboard for better interaction
- You can record meetings and take notes.
- Organizers can conduct surveys after the call via email, SMS, or IVR.
- Pre-built integrations with business apps like Zendesk, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and more
One of its unique characteristics is its AI-powered Webex assistant, who takes notes on meeting highlights for future reference.
This video conferencing software also offers pre-designed meeting invitation templates, including for brainstorming sessions, quick catch-up meetings, etc. It also allows you to use your screen or presentation as a virtual background and remove annoying background noise.
You can also review the information and analytics provided by the Control Hub, including real-time data usage, usage, environmental conditions, and more.
Additionally, Webex comes with two main devices, namely the Webex Desk Camera and the Cisco Webex Board. The Desk works with monitors, laptops, or the Webex Desk Hub, while the Webex Board allows you to organize video conferences, create whiteboards, and annotate content wirelessly.
It is also equipped with a 4k wide angle camera and stereo speakers.
Pricing
Cisco Webex offers four plans:
- Free: $0 per host, per month
- Starter: $13.50 per host, per month
- Business: $26.95 per host, per month
- Business plan: Based on a quotation
The free plan accommodates 100 meeting participants, the Starter 150 plan, while the Business and Enterprise plans accommodate up to 200 and 100,000 participants, respectively.
8. Google Hangouts.
Google Hangouts is a simple communication tool created by Google and available on mobile phones and desktop computers. You can use it to send messages to your contacts, start free video or voice calls, organize small meetings, etc. It allows you to make individual or group video calls with up to 10 users at a time.
Plus, anyone with a Gmail account can use Google Hangouts without a paid subscription. Google's communication platform allows you to welcome up to 150 participants during an audio call, with the video call limited to 10 participants.
Google Hangouts provides all the basic features like:
- Instant messaging.
- Audio and video calls.
- HD video conferencing.
- Auto screen focus.
- Smart mutation.
- Integrated screen sharing.
- Mobile application on iOS and Android
- Share documents, images, and other files with other meeting participants.
The Hangout app can also detect and show the person speaking through smaller live shots at the bottom of the screen. It also allows you to easily switch between the rear and front cameras of the device or to mute your microphone and camera.
Depending on the bandwidth of your Internet connection, Google Hangouts can stream live meetings in HD quality. It also offers stickers, GIFs, emojis, and funny images to promote interaction between users.
You can also have individual or group chats with Google Hangouts. And it records all messages even after the conversation is over, which is convenient for future references.
Overall, Google Hangouts is a simple meeting tool that offers standard features, but you won't get features like recording, automatic caption, additional integrations, and more.
Pricing
It's completely free or part of G Suite.
9. Eyeson.
Eyeson is a video collaboration tool that helps you conduct video meetings directly from your browser. It's GDPR compliant and allows you to invite participants through a link — which they can use to join the meeting without downloading the software.
You can easily share the link via WhatsApp, email, or any other method. You can also start the meeting at any time from its iOS and Android mobile application.
Eyeson's bandwidth always stays at 1.5 Mbit/sec to ensure that it works at the same quality regardless of Internet speed. To save more bandwidth, you can host the meeting in Eco Mode, where the tool cuts the video and helps you listen to the audio clearly.
In addition, it allows you to create an unlimited number of meeting rooms for various meetings and to accommodate up to 25 participants per call. The multi-speaker layout also allows you to see up to 9 participants in a single video stream.
In addition, it offers important key features such as:
- Screen and file sharing options.
- Live streaming on Facebook and YouTube.
- Record your sessions and download them.
- Get a complete overview of your video call history.
- Take photos during the video call for future reference.
- Get pre-meeting reminders and push notifications.
- Insert GIFs from the Giphy library during group or one-on-one discussions.
Eyeson also allows you to share the screen, PDF files, images, and other media files. Integration with major third-party applications like Slack, Trello, Jira, Freshdesk, Talkdesk, Zendesk, YouTube, and more also helps you streamline your tasks.
Pricing
Eyeson offers two pricing plans, including:
- Basic: starting at $9 per host, per month
- Company: Based on a quotation
Both plans offer basic features like ten meeting rooms, screen sharing/webcasting, click-to-click PDF presentation, access to iOS and Android mobile apps, and more.
10. BlueJeans.
BlueJeans is a video conferencing tool that helps you organize virtual events and meetings in HD video quality. You can also organize general meetings, interactive live events, and webcasts for large numbers of people.
The platform allows up to 50,000 attendees to visualize only with 150 presenters and allows participants to join meetings by browser without any installation.
Its Smart Meetings feature helps you mark critical moments for the business, mark event highlights, and assign actions to teams. Collaboration features like in-meeting file sharing, whiteboarding, and annotation help you engage with attendees.
Other interactive features include polls, moderator controls, questions and answers, event discussions, handouts, and more.
The Command Center allows you to take full control with real-time, actionable insights into network conditions, meeting performance, and user-focused return on investment. It helps you monitor and fix problems before they get worse.
You can broadcast your events live on Facebook or Workplace by Facebook and record all types of events on the cloud. The virtual meeting platform also offers security features that help you prevent fraud, manage identity, and keep your meetings private.
You can also launch meetings directly from other business applications like Microsoft Teams, Office 365, Google Calendar, Slack, Trello, and more.
Additionally, Bluejeans supports major meeting hardware from Cisco, Poly, Lifesize, and other popular brands.
Pricing
BlueJeans offers three pricing plans:
- BlueJeans Standard: $9.99 per host, per month
- BlueJeans Pro: $13.99 per host, per month
- BlueJeans Enterprise: Based on a quote
The Standard plan allows you to accommodate up to 50 participants, the Pro plan allows 75 participants, and the Enterprise plan allows 100 participants. All plans offer features like unlimited 1:1 meetings, private and group chats, screen sharing, and more.
11. Join.me.
The best way to communicate with team members remotely ($10 per month)
Join.me is an online video conferencing software that helps you organize online meetings and invite participants using a custom URL. You can create a personalized meeting link based on your brand requirements and send it to attendees. Attendees can simply click on the link and join your meeting.
Additionally, you can personalize the meeting background by adding your brand logo or your own photo.
Join.me allows you to record, schedule, and control virtual meetings remotely. You can start screen sharing with a simple click on the “Broadcast” button. Additionally, it allows Google Chrome users to join the call without downloading the software.
Other key features are as follows:
- Programming in one click.
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android.
- iOS whiteboard function and desktop app
- Control the mouse and keyboard of your team members (which also makes it a good TeamViewer alternative).
You can also switch presenters between meetings and allow them to share their own screens. With its PRO subscription, you can share the screen with up to 250 people.
Additionally, you can use the Join.me Scheduler or sync with Google and Microsoft calendars to schedule meetings. It also allows you to start the meeting from the calendars.
The tool also offers numerous audio calling features, such as toll-free numbers to join the meeting and conference numbers for the United States and over 50 other countries. Plus, it allows you to control audio calls with actions like Active Speaker, Roll Call, and Individual Mute. You can even start a VoIP conference call at no additional cost.
Pricing
Join.me offers three payment plans:
- Lite: $10 per month (5 participants per meeting)
- Pro: $20 per month (250 attendees per meeting)
- Businesses: $30 per month (250 participants per meeting)
All plans include features like screen and window sharing, meeting lock, report creation, quality customer service, chat and file sharing, and more.
FAQs
Is Google Meet a good alternative for Zoom?
Google Meet is a great alternative to Zoom because it's a web app-based meeting tool, unlike Zoom, which you need to download as a separate video conferencing app. Plus, with a Google Business account, you get all the premium features included in your account.
What is the best Zoom alternative?
GoToMeeting is emerging as the best overall alternative to Zoom because it's suitable for virtually every type of business. Plus, it offers all the features like screen sharing, whiteboarding, teleconferencing, video conferencing, mobile conferencing, cloud recording, transcribing, and more.
Summary.
Here's my pick of the best Zoom alternatives. Choosing the right video conferencing or team collaboration platform is critical, especially after COVID-19.
It is possible to choose one of the many video conferencing platforms that fully meet your needs.
If you need a tool to collaborate with your small team remotely, I suggest using Join.me, BlueJeans or Eyeson. For a large company that wants to welcome a large audience, Microsoft Teams is a suitable option. On the other hand, FaceTime and Google Hangouts are more suitable for personal video chat.
Which of these Zoom alternatives are you considering using, and why? Let me know in the comments below.
