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» What is Zoom Application?
Zoom is a video conferencing and webinar software that allows the user to conduct group meetings and video webinars at different locations at the same time. The app offers a robust set of features like video webinars, conference rooms, and online meeting features.
» Why Do You Need An Alternative to Zoom?
In the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internet has seen a surge in the use of the Zoom Video Conferencing application. According to the research by Wandera, there has been a 225% increase in the use of Zoom Connections.
But recently, we heard that the Zoom application is vulnerable to some security issues. This has raised concerns among Zoom users. Even big brands like Google, Nasa, and SpaceX have abandoned the use of Zoom application.
» Here is the List of the Top 9 Zoom Alternatives
1. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is the management and collaboration software available integrated with Office 365 for Video Conferencing. The software is available with the necessary features for free. You can use the software for online meetings, making online calls, and high-quality audio-video sharing. Microsoft Teams can also be used to host corporate meetings with 300 people basically, and in the paid version, you can connect with up to 10000 people.
The application also supports assistance for scheduling meetings, real-time note-taking of meetings, screen sharing, recording of the meeting, and instant messaging service. The best feature of the application is that you can personally hold meetings on a 1:1 basis with your email account. Even a guest can join your sessions.
› Features
• Conference from anywhere
• Enhance productivity
• The smooth running of the digital workplace
• Include a large number of audience for digital events
• In-built feature of note-taking of meetings
› Pricing
• The Basic Plan starts from $4.00 per month per user to host online video conferencing for up to 300 people.
2. Skype
Skype is a very popular way to conduct online meetings. Skype application is available for all modes of communication like phone, desktop, and laptop. With the free version, you can host a meeting or hold a video conference for most people. You can also record calls while having a video conference. Skype also has a smart messaging system while you are in an online meeting.
For corporate use, Skype also offers screen-sharing services for easy presentation. However, users can use the service for sharing holiday photos or any images while in progress video calls. The application also supports end-to-end encryption to secure your conversations with your friends and family.
› Features
• High Definition video and audio calls
• An instant messaging feature along with emoji and reactions sharing
• Call recorder with live captions and subtitles
• Screen sharing
• Calling feature with affordable international rates
› Pricing
• Calling subscription starts from $3.59 per month for making calls in the US.
3. GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a collaboration tool for business and personal use. The application offers one-click online meetings by using your laptop and mobile devices. The application also offers a platform for GoToRoom hardware, where you can conduct a business conference with all the necessary integrated tools.
With the GoToMeeting application, users can also conduct business webinars with interesting and useful tools like reporting and analysis reports, designing and distributing handouts, and online recording. For all the paid services offered by GoToMeeting, you get a free seven-day trial without the use of credit cards.
› Features
• Screen Sharing
• Integrated VoIP calls
• High-definition video conference
• Real-time meeting recorder along with a necessary transcription
• Schedule meetings from anywhere
› Pricing
• The Professional plan of GoToMeeting starts from $12 per month with a threshold of 150 participants.
4. Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is an online conferencing and webinar application that lets you hold online meetings at ease. The application is available on your mobile. Hence you can meet people from anywhere in the world. Hosting meetings is as simple as meeting a person in one click. The user can also check the background of the person by checking the profile.
The user can also share the document or presentation with one-click screen sharing. Invite your audience with the invite link, and even a guest can join your meeting. With Cisco Webex, you can conduct a conference with as many as 100,000 people.
› Features
• Video conferencing with HD video and audio output
• All the fundamental tools for team collaboration like whiteboards screen sharing and messaging
• Create and host significant public events like webinars
• Calling facility for the users
• Tools for creating and hosting online training schedules
• Support management for customers and users
› Pricing
• Webex meet costs $12/user
5. InterMedia
InterMedia is an online tool for conducting seamless meetings for businesses of all sizes. With this online tool for video conferencing and meetings, you can conduct business meetings with any laptop or mobile device. The application offers seamless video conferencing so that the user does not experience the call drops or stutter in between the meetings.
The application is designed to use interactive tools for conducting meetings and the latest AI technology for a faster and more reliable meeting experience. The host can use the tools of the application for marketing the products and conducting training sessions, and webinars for all kinds of businesses.
› Features
• Launch quick polls and handouts for the meeting
• 720p HD Video Conferencing supporting 12 webcams
• Audio conferencing by phone or computer
• Personalized background with brand logo
• Capturing meeting notes for later distribution
› Pricing
• The plan is free for up to four web participants and starts at $9.99 per month for ten web participants.
6. Google Meet
Google Meet is a new way of meeting people online. Anyone with a Google Account can sign up for Google Meet with one single click. Create online meetings for free, with a maximum of 100 web participants, and conduct 60 minutes per session. However, Google Meet is allowing the sessions of the meeting of 24 hours till September 2020. Google Meet is designed not only for businesses but also for schools and organizations to conduct open meetings and conferences. For using Google Meet from the browser, no application download is required.
› Features
• Security features like two-step verification and encryption for safe and secure meetings
• Google Drive storage for the users
• 24/7 customer support
• Live captions during the meeting
• Invite up to 100 participants for the meeting in free version
• Compatibility with all kinds of devices
• Audio and video preview screen
› Pricing
• G Suite Essentials starts from $10 per month for a maximum of 150 participants. However, the features of the G Suite essentials are free up till 30 September 2020.
7. Zoho Meetings
Zoho Meetings is a secure online way of conducting business meetings. Since the world has adapted to remote working and online conferencing, Zoho Meetings provides seamless tools and features for video conferencing and conducting business webinars. With Zoho Meetings, the user gets useful productivity tools like the scheduler to schedule meetings and webinars for the employees, get RSVP, send reminders to the participants, and distribute agendas and handouts of the meeting. The user can also conduct a private meeting that is confidential without any interference from external guests.
› Features
• Use the application from your browser without the need to download the app
• Sync meetings with the online calendar
• Add multiple presenters to the meeting
• Secure the sessions with the highest level of a security layer
• Analytics for the webinar
› Pricing
• The basic plan starts from $1.00 per month per host for a maximum of 10 participants.
8. ezTalks
ezTalks is an online collaboration and video conferencing tool for all kinds of businesses. The user can enhance the team's productivity by using the tools of the ezTalks like audio and video online meetings and video conferences, screen sharing tools for presentation and sharing docs, and interactive whiteboard to present and draw ideas. ezTalks values user privacy and protects your data from the intruders. Hence you get the Advanced layer of encryption standard to protect the network and data of the users. Imports contacts from Google and Outlook for making invites for the meetings.
› Features
• Advanced features of meeting controls
• Conduct a large number of meetings with the free version
• Join in the meeting with the Phone audio
• Integrated Outlook plugin
• Schedule meetings with Calendar
› Pricing
• The standard plan starts at $10 per month.
9. RingCentral
RingCentral is the superior online meeting tool that helps you create and host extraordinary meetings online with digital collaborative tools. The application offers high-quality HD video conferencing features that come along with many tools and techniques. RingCentral also offers online meetings with a real-time instant messaging service to host a seamless and reliable meeting for your business. The application also supports datasheet sharing for passing information and whiteboard solutions to explain ideas and training to the employees and RingCentral rooms for interactive and multiple sessions.
› Features
• Screen Sharing
• HD Video with the tagging feature
• Meetings from anywhere on any device
• Collaboration tools for the team
• Instant messaging service
› Pricing
• The basic plan starts from $20 per month per user for meetings of a maximum of 100 participants.
Conclusion
The above list of Zoom is not exhaustive, and there are tons of options available online. Research and use the apps according to your need. We hope the article was helpful and informative for you.
