The best Zoom alternatives handle your video calling and conferencing needs if you can’t (or don’t want to) use Zoom. Many video chat users are looking for alternatives to Zoom due to security and privacy concerns, want features that Zoom doesn’t offer or simply want to try something different.
Even with social distancing regulations mostly gone, everyone still needs these services if they are still working remotely from home. And it’s still a great way to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away.
Over the past few years, millions of people have used Zoom, one of the best video chatting apps and video calling software solutions during the pandemic. But other video calling services like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Skype are adding new features and functionality to keep up with Zoom. So, if you are looking for Zoom alternatives for your video conferencing needs, here are the best options.
Google Meet (Free and Paid)
Google Meet is the most popular and widely used Zoom alternative. Meet was previously only available to paying G-suite customers, but the company added a free tier until the end of 2021. Make video calls with up to 250 participants, hold presentations, record meetings, and save them to Drive. You can also easily send a meeting link to participants outside your company.
Google recently added more Zoom-like features to Meet, such as grid view, custom backgrounds, and fun filters. And now Meet is integrated with Gmail, so you can start a video call right from the left column of your email browser window. Google has plans for more promotions in the future.
Go to Google Meet (Opens in a new tab)
Microsoft Teams (paid and free)
Microsoft Teams allows paid users to host video meetings of up to 300 people. Unlike Microsoft-owned Skype, Teams offers standard video conferencing tools, such as screen sharing and the ability to record meetings. Teams is included in two different Office 365 plans, which also offer Office apps, 1 TB of OneDrive storage, and more.
There is also a free version of Teams, although it comes with fewer features than the paid version. But you’re in luck, because Microsoft has launched a six-month free trial of paid plants to meet the high demand caused by the pandemic.
Microsoft Teams (Opens in a new tab) Free for six months and paid plans start at $5 per user, per month.
Skype (Free)
The popular Skype video chat software is well known and widely used, and the new Skype Meet Now feature is here to challenge Zoom. Meetings can accommodate up to 50 users, users no longer need an account to login, just a link. Check out Skype vs Zoom face-off for more details.
There is a text chat window, but other than that, Skype doesn’t have the meeting organizing tools that other Zoom alternatives offer. But it is free and can be used on the web, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Download Skype for free. (Opens in a new tab)
Facebook Messenger Rooms (Free)
Facebook never compromises on the digital area, so it enhances the video chat options with Messenger Rooms. The new feature allows Facebook members to create public or private video chat rooms that can hold up to 50 people for an unlimited amount of time. In comparison, Zoom’s free calls can accommodate up to 100 participants for 40 minutes. In a very rare move, Facebook is allowing people without accounts to join a Messenger Room via a link.
Participants can use Facebook’s augmented reality filters, such as Snapchat filters. Other features can brighten up dark rooms and spice up your look. Room calls aren’t end-to-end encrypted, but Facebook says it won’t listen in on any calls. Room creators can remove participants at any time.
Go to Facebook Messenger (Opens in a new tab)
Discord (Free)
If you want a free Zoom alternative, search Discord. The communication app is popular among gamers, but it can be used by anyone looking for encrypted chat, messaging and video calling. Users create a dedicated ‘server’, which can be organized into rooms (similar to Slack) that host video and text chats.
Discord recently raised the limit for Go Live video calls from 10 users to 50 users. The app is available on most web browsers, as well as Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Download Discord for free. (Opens in a new tab)
Zoho meeting (paid)
This open source video conferencing service allows you to host end-to-end encrypted meetings and video calls for up to 100 people. Participants do not need to register to log in; They can access meetings through a link or dial-up via web browsers, desktop clients, or mobile apps. Zoho even provided a file useful chart (Opens in a new tab) Compare his product to Zoom.
Zoho Meeting offers a suite of meeting tools, such as screen sharing, the ability to record calls, and moderation (you can mute participants, for example). And you can easily pull out documents, spreadsheets, and presentations because the service is integrated with Zoho’s Office suite. But note that there is a different pricing plan for webinars, which can make them quite expensive.
Zoho Meeting pricing Starts at $8 per month.
GoTo Meeting (paid)
One of the first video conferencing services available, GoToMeeting is a feature-packed Zoom alternative. The entry level plan allows 150 participants, while the enterprise plan can have up to 3,000 participants.
GoToMeeting provides all the standard tools, such as the ability to record meetings and share your screen. You can also have multiple meeting facilitators. The service can be accessed on web browsers, Mac, PC, Linux, iOS and Android.
GoToMeeting Pricing (Opens in a new tab) It starts at $12 a month.
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