The COVID-19 pandemic has created an increased demand on technology as many workers are working from their homes.
Despite the pandemic, this hasn’t changed the need to hold meetings among staff, management, and clients.
Video conference platforms have seen a significant spike since most states have issued stay-at-home orders. It’s likely that companies that may have not been using this technology will continue to do so after the pandemic is over.
According to Owl Labs, 96% of respondents agree or strongly agree that video conferencing is effective for improving the connectedness of remote team members. Owl Labs also found that most businesses use multiple video conferencing platforms and are not loyal to any one service provider.
As you consider video conference service platforms, consider what core features are necessary for you to conduct meetings and day-to-day discussions. Do your meetings require drawings or presentations? Is it mostly chat-based? How many people do you need to attend the meetings at one time?
Most platforms have a limited free tier with premium features at varying costs. Some are offering promotions for businesses during the pandemic.
The following video conferencing platforms are not listed in any particular order. I’m not affiliated with any of the companies, products, or services.
Before using, make sure you check with the company’s terms of use to ensure you’re in compliance. Verify prices with service, which can change without notice.
Zoom
Zoom is one of the most popular video conferencing platforms on the market.
You can get free video conferencing for up to 100 participants and unlimited one-on-one meetings. The free plan is limits you to 40 minute meetings if you have more than 3 participants. Paid plans start at $14.99 a month, which give you additional meeting time and space.
Zoom also allows you to send secure group texts, images, and audio files from your mobile and desktop devices. For an additional subscription, Zoom Phone also give you the ability to receive business phone calls and listen to voice mail.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is more than a video chatting platform and used to be part of the now discontinued Google+ social network. You can send messages, photos, and animated GIFs. These features may not be something you’re looking for in a business setting, but it can be an option if you’re a smaller company or not-for-profit.
Hangouts allows you to video chat with up to 10 people for free. You can also connect a Google Voice account for a phone number, SMS, and voicemail integration.
Learn more about Google Hangouts.
Skype
Skype offers both a personal and business version. Just like Google Hangouts, Skype allows you to send messages, voice calls, and video calls.
You can video call up to 24 people at once for free.
GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a premium service that offers a free 7 day trial. Plans start at $14 ($12 per month for annual plan) for 150 participants. Its Enterprise plan can have up to 3,000 participants.
You can sync your calendar and give people the option to call in to listen to the conference or listen from their computer.
Desktop and mobile apps are available for iOS and Android devices.
Cisco Webex
Cisco is a premium video conferencing platform that allows chats, video conferences, and audio chats.
Cisco recently made changes to its free plan by increasing the number of allowed participants in each meeting from 50 to 100. The length of meetings was also increased from a 40 minute to “as long as you want.”
Premium plans start at $14.95 per month (13.50 per month for annual plan). Cisco’s top plan allows for up to 200 participants.
In select countries, users can call in to a dedicated number or use their computer audio to listen to meetings.
Jitsi
Jitsi is an open source free video conferencing platform.
You do not need an account to start a video conference. Being that Jitsi is an open source platform, there is less restrictions than some of its premium counterparts.
Jitsi allows you to have an unlimited number of users for video conferences. Video conferences are also encrypted by default.
Mobile and desktop apps are available, but the streams will also work in web browsers.
A nice feature is the ability to invite users by pretty URLs, meaning you can create URLs that match your domain name and not one with a hard to remember room. Keep in mind, while the videos are encrypted, this could increase any security vulnerabilities with the stream.
BlueJeans
BlueJeans offers 3 premium video conferencing plans. The platform’s basic plan allows video meetings of up to 50 people and costs $12.49 per month ($9.99 per month for annual plan). BlueJean’s Enterprise plan allows up to 100 attendees.
Similar to other services, you have the ability to message and conduct voice or video meetings.
One interesting feature is the option to use “safe driving mode” which allows you to attend “distraction-free meetings” when you’re on the road.
RemoteHQ
RemoteHQ is a web-based video conference platform that offers a free and premium plan.
The free plan offers a maximum of 1 room and 5 participants at a time. You can customize the room with a custom name, URL, have screen sharing capabilities, group chat, file uploads, and slack integration.
The premium plan, which costs 12.99 per month ($9.99 per month for annual plan) gives you a shared browser, digital whiteboard, audio recording, and synced file viewing. Under the premium plan, you get 10 rooms with a maximum of 15 participants in each.
One of the premium features that stands out is real-time transcription. Some businesses charge a lot of money for transcription services. The ability to transcribe meetings is helpful and can provide the team with meeting notes immediately following the meeting.
Talky
Talky is a basic web-based video conferencing tool. It’s more of a group video chat than conferencing tool. It’s comparable to Google Hangouts.
You can create a room on Talky’s website and share the URL with your partners for free. Each room supports a maximum of 6 users.
All your chat partners have to do is click the shareable link, which can be protected, and access through a supported browser.
Highfive
Highfive doesn’t only provide you video conferencing capabilities but it also provides you the equipment like web cams and microphones.
The company offers 3 premium plans that start at $199 per month when billed annually. All plans have a maximum of 125 participants, unlimited meetings, minutes, and screen sharing.
Highfive also allows you to participate in BlueJeans, Webex, and Zoom meetings.
If you’re looking for whiteboard capability, that’s currently available on its top-tier plan.
StarLeaf
StarLeaf allows you to conference and share multiple screens with up to 100 attendees.
Another interesting feature is the ability to stream your video conference with up to 1,000 viewers. Not only that, you also have the option to record any meeting in “high definition, including all video, audio, and shared content.”
StarLeaf is clearly built for larger businesses and companies. You have to contact them for prices and demos.
StarLeaf is offering a basic version of its platform during the pandemic.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft offers limited free audio and video calling and screen sharing capabilities.
You will need an upgraded subscription to hold meetings for up to 250 people and online events for up to 10,000 people.
Microsoft Teams is especially useful if you are already utilizing existing Microsoft products and services as it allows for collaboration among “team members.”
Learn more about Microsoft Teams.
What video conferencing have you used? Any recommendations not on this list?
Joe Gullo