9 Video Conferencing Software and Why They Stand Out

Video conferencing software is the answer for businesses interested in increasing productivity, reducing travel expenses, and fostering stronger relationships.

Instead of dealing with endless email chains, your business gets to interact with clients, employees, and vendors in real-time. You can also share dynamic presentations, read body language, and get decisions made faster.

And with the work-from-home culture now becoming a norm, it makes sense for teams to have easy-to-access video conferencing software that keeps them connected.

As most businesses in the US plan to increase their spending on video conferencing tools in the coming years, a Grand View Research report says that this market would see phenomenal growth by the end of 2030.

Image via Grand View Research

However, before you can take out your checkbook, you need to know how to deal with the current saturation of video conferencing software.

How can you tell what video conferencing software will suit your business needs?

What features should you look for, and which are the best video conferencing platforms currently available?

In this post, we make the process of choosing simple by listing the best video conferencing software, features that make them stand out, and their pricing. We also tell you how hard it will be to use the tool and whether you need advanced expertise to handle them.

Let's dive in.

How We Choose the Best Video Conferencing Solutions

• Features: We first take a look at all the features that a video conferencing software has to offer. These features are then compared with the rest to narrow down the list of the best ones.

• Quality: Video conferencing is critical to business operations, especially in a hybrid or remote setting. That’s why we analyzed the video quality and connectivity to ensure the platform can meet the needs of modern businesses.

• Ease of Use: Video conferencing doesn’t have to be difficult as it’s a prime communication mode for businesses. That’s why we analyzed the ease of use to find the best platforms.

• Pricing: A video conferencing solution should be affordable for businesses of all sizes, ranging from SMBs to enterprises. That’s why we have chosen free and paid platforms that are affordable for all.

• Reviews: Finally, we looked at the customer reviews for each platform before choosing the top ones. This gave us an insight into what the users feel about the platform, enabling us to better showcase the platforms.

9 Video Conferencing Software for Businesses Seeking Success

Before we can get into the list of video conferencing software, here are the most important features your brand should look for:

Screen sharing: Ensure the video conferencing software you choose has a share button feature. This way, you don't have to send items before the video meeting and hope people look through them.

Analytics: Analytics on a video conferencing platform allow you to monitor service quality so that you can streamline your virtual meetings experience.

Integrations: Look out for video conferencing software that integrates with other software you use.

Moderator tools: This gives the moderator the power to mute those not presenting, choose who presents, and place attendees on hold.

Recording functionality: Meeting recordings allow you to keep even those who didn't attend the video meeting in the loop.

Multiple device support: Video conferencing software should support different operating systems and devices.

Quality audio and video: Make sure you can clearly see and hear what others say or share during video conferences.

Strong security: Video conferencing software security helps you avoid situations where strangers join your meeting or steal sensitive information.

And now that you know what features matter most, here are the video conferencing software you can choose from:

1. Zoom

Image via Zoom

As a popular video conferencing software, Zoom lets you hold audio and video calls across multiple platforms.

What's more?

This video conferencing software is scalable and offers numerous supportive tools that make communication effective for any kind of business.

Key Features

• Unlimited group and one-to-one meetings
• Record meetings to cloud and leverage searchable transcripts
• Streamlined calendar and team chat
• Meeting moderation tools and easy screen sharing
• Ability to host webinars with up to 50,000 people and Livestream events on social media
• Create, build, and easily manage events
• Zoom meeting room with advanced features including Smart Gallery, Hot Desking, virtual receptionists, enhanced voice commands, etc.
• Industry-specific features including those for education, healthcare, finance, and government
• Ability to build integrations and apps that enrich your zoom experience

Pricing

• Free
• Pro – $15.99 per month per user
• Business – $19.99 per month per user
• Business Plus – $25 per month per user
• Enterprise – Contact sales for pricing

Pros

• Social media streaming
• HD video and audio
• Team collaboration tools
• Video recording features for both free and paid plans

Cons

• Zoom has security issues and poor customer support.

Usability

• Easy to use

Tool Level

• Beginner

2. Microsoft Teams

Image via Microsoft Teams

As one of the more robust video conferencing software, Microsoft Teams provides features you need for video conference, file sharing, messaging, calling, and collaborating in one place.

Best of all?

Microsoft Teams has a free version suitable for individuals, startups, and small businesses and a paid version for large businesses that need more comprehensive features.

Key Features

• Video, audio, and call recording plus live transcriptions
• Robust functionalities for screen sharing, setting up calendars, holding video calls, adding team members, etc.
• Share different types of content, including your device screen, PowerPoint slide deck, Microsoft Whiteboard, and audio
• Host monitoring features including the ability to prevent attendees from turning on their cameras
• Ability to customize backgrounds and viewing modes
• Security features including data encryption while in transit and rest
• Powerful chat capabilities including the ability to search, pin chats, categorize conversations, etc.

Pricing

You can try the paid plans for one month free

• Microsoft Teams Essentials – $4 per user/month
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic – $6 per user/month
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard – $12.50 per user/month

Pros

• Numerous collaboration features and cloud storage
• Easy file sharing
• Detailed team analytics and reports
• Microsoft Office integrations

Cons

• The user interface on Microsoft Teams may not be friendly for beginners or people without some technical knowledge.

Usability

• Moderately easy

Tool Level

• Intermediate

3. Google Meet

Image via Google Meet

Google Meet is a video conferencing software developed by Google and formerly known as Google Hangouts Meet.

It's also a video conferencing solution that integrates easily with other Google apps, caters to many meeting participants, and doesn't require installing to hold meetings.

Key Features

• Good video and audio quality with background noise filtering capability
• Screen sharing and the ability to dial-in phone numbers
• Record meetings and easily save them on Google Drive
• Live streaming option with up to 10 000 participants
• Moderation features including polls, Q&A, hand raises, breakout rooms, etc.
• Compatible with Android or iOS and browsers including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.
• Easy integrations with the G-suite tools and Google calendar

Pricing

• Google Workspace Business Starter – $6 per user/month
• Google Workspace Business Standard – $12 per user/month
• Google Workspace Business Plus – $18 per user/month
• Google Workspace Business Enterprise – Contact sales team

Pros

• Unlimited meetings
• Strong security
• Easy tool to use for clients familiar only with Google tools

Cons

• Functionalities such as noise cancellation, dial-in phone numbers, and breakout rooms are only available in paid plans.

Usability

• Easy to use

Tool Level

• Beginner

4. Zoho Online Meeting Software & Platforms

Image via Zoho

Zoho Meeting is one of the simple-to-use video conferencing software for anyone looking for basic features.

It enables you to host webinars or web conferences and offers various features that make it easy to connect with audiences and clients at an affordable cost.

Key Features

• All-in-one solution for audio-conferencing, webinars, and video conferences
• Join meetings through phone calls
• Record, store, share, or download meeting links
• Screen sharing available for applications or monitors when making demos and presentations
• Sync online meetings with your Google email calendar and receive meeting notifications and invitations straight to your inbox
• Scheduled and instant meetings with the ability to share joining links via SMS, email, or chat
• Moderator controls and ability to hold private meetings
• Integrations with Zoho sales & marketing tools plus group collaboration tools

Pricing

Zoho meeting offers volume discounts on monthly and yearly billing.

• Free Plan – $0 (100 participants)
• Meeting Standard – $1 per host/month (10 participants)
• Meeting Professional – $3 per host/month (10 participants)
• Webinar Standard – $8 per host/month (25 attendees)
• Webinar Professional – $16 per host/month (25 attendees)

Pros

• Available on browser and mobile apps
• Automated email reminders
• Strong security features
• Interactive conferencing feed

Cons

• This video conferencing platform has fewer features compared to others with better pricing.

Usability

• Easy to use

Tool Level

• Beginner

5. CyberLink U Meeting

Image via CyberLink

CyberLink U Meeting goes beyond basics to give your comprehensive video conferencing software features for medium-sized and small businesses.

What's more?

It's a handy video conferencing software for teachers and people who rely on online course platforms.

Why is this?

With this video conferencing software, you can hold roll calls online, ask for student information, hold breakout sessions, generate discussions, etc.

Key Features

• Schedule online meetings and sync them with your Outlook or Google calendar
• Collaboration and interaction tools including virtual whiteboards, desktop screen sharing, annotation pens, and laser pointers
• Record, store discussions, and hold breakout sessions
• Ability to collect participant information and take roll-calls
• Broadcast feature to manage who can join meetings as a viewer or participant

Pricing

• Basic – Free for 25 participants and max 30 minutes
• Pro 50 – $9.99 per month per host for up to 50 participants and 24hrs max per meeting
• Pro 100 – $14.99 per month per host for up to 100 participants and 24 hrs max per meeting.
• Pro 200 – Contact sales
• Enterprise – Contact sales

Pros

• Numerous viewing options
• Strong security features
• Dedicated features for educational organizations plus public/ private organizations
• Tutorials on software use

Cons

• Compared to other video conferencing software, their video quality is disappointing.

Usability

• Easy to use

Tool Level

• Beginner

6. MyOwnConference

Image via MyOwnConference

The MyOwnConference webinar platform is ready to offer you intuitively understandable and visually appealing webinar rooms. A cross-platform service, MyOwnConference allows you to conduct and listen to webinars anytime from any device.

Key Features:

• Can access webinars from anywhere in the world
• Conduct and participate in webinars directly from your browser
• Webinar recording for up to 10 hours in full HD quality
• Screen sharing, video sharing, YouTube sharing, or document sharing directly from the computer
• Proprietary TCP-based technology alternatively to WebRTC for host webinars with poor connections or through VPN
• One-time events or webinar series scheduling
• Webinars branding and customizations
• Automated webinars

Pricing:

• Free forever for 20 attendees only
• Daily plans – From $8
• Monthly plans – From $25
• Yearly plans – from $20 per month when you pay annually

Pros:

• Proprietary TCP-based technology for webcasting
• Can conduct webinars without additional software installation
• Any paid plan automatically gets access to all the features, regardless of its cost

Cons:

• Unique TCP-based broadcasting technology is not available for Linux/Unix yet;

Usability:

• Easy to use

Tool Level:

• Beginner

7. RingCentral HD Video Conferencing

Image via RingCentral

For a comprehensive series of robust features, leverage video conferencing software from RingCentral.

Their HD Video Conferencing software offers flawless HD quality video and audio plus powerful in-meeting capabilities.

What's more?

You can choose to set up a live virtual meeting room or schedule a meeting with flexible joining options.

Key Features

• All-in-one solution for video, calling, and instant messaging
• Host meetings with up to 500 people and easily share applications, presentations, desktops, whiteboards, etc., from your device
• Advanced annotation tools to comment on or highlight parts of shared documents
• Record and easily distribute meetings
• Create up to 50 breakout sessions where attendees can share video, screens, audio, whiteboards, etc.
• Integrates with Microsoft Outlook, iCal, and Google Calendar so you can easily sync calendars, schedule, or update meetings
• Ability to share content, files, and presentations from Google Drive or Dropbox
• Build your own integrations or integrate with popular cloud applications

Pricing

• RingCentral Video Pro – Free plan
• RingCentral Video Pro+ – $11.99 per user per month
• RingCentral Webinar – Starts at $75 per month per user
• RingCentral Rooms – $49 per month per user

Pros

• Multi-device connectivity
• Real-time analytics
• Strong security features
• Cloud-based

Cons

• Advanced analytics and integrations on this video conferencing software are only available with the paid plan.

Usability

• Easy to use

Tool Level

• Beginner

8. Webex

Image via Webex

Webex is an all-in-one video conferencing software by Cisco. While Webex App is for personal meetings and small businesses, Webex Suit meets the collaboration requirements on an enterprise level.

This easy-to-use video conferencing software can be used by signing up for free. This platform renders high-quality video and audio for desktop and mobile users.

Key Features 

• Intuitive interface
• Cloud-recording
• Interactive whiteboard, screen sharing, and closed captions
• Live stream meetings on YouTube and Facebook
• Professional and fun messaging features
• With hybrid work solutions, reimagine work style, security, manageability, and performance
• Live-polling and Q&A

Pricing 

• Basic Plan – $0
• Business Plan – $25 per user/month
• Enterprise Plan – Contact their sales team

Pros 

• This video conferencing software is compatible across different devices.
• Schedule meetings from any third-party calendar app
• The free plan offers ad-free meetings.
• Live and on-demand webinars to facilitate learning.
• One of the best video conferencing software in terms of security.
• Real-time technical support

Cons 

• The meeting length is limited to 40 minutes in the free version
• Paid plans are relatively expensive

Usability 

• Easy to use

Tool Level 

• Beginner

9. GoTo Meeting

Image via GoTo Meeting

GoTo Meeting is one of the most preferred video conferencing software we have in the market today. It brings you the best of flexibility, features, and enterprise-level security to collaborate with people around the globe.

GoTo Meeting’s Smart Meeting Assistant is a great feature to automatically summarize meetings. The professional interface and ease of use make it one of the top video conferencing software.

Key Features

• Local or cloud recording
• Commuter mode for mobile meetings
• Custom backgrounds
• Smart Meeting Assistant automatically takes notes, marks highlights, and captures presentation slides
• Offers professionally branded online meeting room
• Call Me, a toll-free and optional feature to call and join a meeting
• Meeting diagnostic reports

Pricing 

• Professional Plan – $12 per organizer/month
• Business Plan – $16 per organizer/month
• Enterprise Plan – Contact their sales team

Pros 

• Easy workflow integration with Slack, Google Calendar, Microsoft 365, and other tools
• End-to-end encryption
• Streamline communication with meeting chat room and private messaging
• Rich resource center for learning
• 14-day free trial

Cons

• This video conferencing software does not offer a free plan

Usability 

• Easy to use

Tool Level 

• Beginner

FAQs

Q1.  What is the best video conferencing software?

A. The best video conferencing software include:

• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• Zoho Online Meeting Software & Platforms
• CyberLink U Meeting
• RingCentral HD Video Conferencing
• Webex
• GoTo Meeting
• Whereby

Q2. What is the best free video conferencing software?

A. The best video conferencing software with a free plan includes:

• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• Zoho Online Meeting Software & Platforms
• RingCentral HD Video Conferencing
• CyberLink U Meeting
• Webex
• Whereby

Q3. Is Zoom the best video conferencing app?

A. Zoom is great as a video conferencing software since it offers numerous options in both its paid and free plan. You get clear audio, flawless video, screen sharing capabilities, and so much more.

However, you can also check out other Zoom alternatives from this post for a more in-depth comparison of the leading video conferencing software.

Q4. What are examples of video conferencing platforms?

A. Examples of video conferencing software include:

• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• Zoho Online Meeting Software & Platforms
• RingCentral HD Video Conferencing
• CyberLink U Meeting
• Webex
• GoTo Meeting
• Whereby

Q5. What video conferencing tool do you prefer?

A. I prefer to use Google Meet for video calls because it makes it easy to connect with anyone with a Gmail account. It also has great features, even in the free version. As many video conferencing software offers a free version, you can always try their features to choose the best one for yourself.

 Q6. What's a good quality free video conferencing program for multiple people?

A. Video conferencing software that accommodates multiple people include:

• Google Meet
• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• RingCentral HD Video Conferencing
• Webex
• GoTo Meeting

Q7. What is the use of video conferencing software?

A. Video conferencing involves having face-to-face meetings online through a video call. It then becomes easy to interact with people from different locations while using different devices, including mobile and desktop with the help of video conferencing software.

Q8. How does a video conferencing system work?

A. Video conferencing systems enable you to host online video meetings or conversations.

Good video conferencing apps also offer other functionalities, including audio conferencing, screen sharing, instant messaging, etc.

Q9. What are the benefits of using video conferencing software?

A. Benefits of video conferencing include:

• Saves time and money
• Boost attendance
• Improves communication
• Encourages engagement from team members

Q10. What is the future of video conferencing and video meetings?

A. Experts expect that the video conferencing market will reach $16 billion by 2030. The market will continue to grow as more and more businesses adopt it as a means of communication and embrace a mobile workforce model.

Additionally, video conferencing software vendors continue to add advanced features that improve the user experience when running video meetings.

Stay Productive With the Best Video Conferencing Software

With the right video conferencing software, your business can easily connect with employees, decision-makers, clients, and vendors. It also becomes easy to make decisions without having to follow a trail of emails and messages.

But which video conferencing software, among the ones we reviewed, would suit your business?

Tell us below, and don't forget to share your video conferencing experience and whether the solutions delivered as expected.