Video Conferencing Software Comparison
There are many high-quality video conferencing tools to choose from, which can make it hard to decide which will fit best with your small business. We’ve spent more than 100 hours researching the best video conferencing platforms and have published our insights in the variety of resources listed below.
We’ve spent dozens of hours researching and hand-testing the leading video conferencing software tools, as well as interviewing customers to hear about their experiences using the tools. The details of our research process can be found in our article covering the best video conferencing software.
Throughout this article, you’ll find in-depth analyses comparing video conferencing software platforms. These analyses include the top competitors for each platform, as well as direct one-to-one comparisons between tools.
Table of Contents
- How To Compare Video Conferencing Software
- The Most Popular Video Conferencing Solutions Vs. Competitors
- Comparing Popular Video Conferencing Solutions Against Each Other
- Bottom Line
How To Compare Video Conferencing Software
The most important factors in finding the right video conferencing software for your business are participant limits and meeting time limits. Most of the platforms have free plans, and those plans have meeting time limits ranging from 40 minutes to unlimited time.
In general, most tools have the same features. The primary features in video conferencing software are:
- Group video and voice calls
- Chat within meetings
- Screen sharing
- Dial-in
- File sharing
- Webinars
- Mobile applications
The image shows how we ranked each video conferencing platform, from the lowest score to the highest. It’s important to note that a platform may have received a higher rating, but that doesn’t mean it’s best for all businesses.
For example, Zoom was given the highest rating in the category. However, the free plan is restrictive with 40-minute meetings and the paid plans can get pricey. Because of this, freelancers or small businesses would do better to choose a platform like Microsoft Teams or Google Meet for more affordable meetings.
Video Conferencing Comparison Overview
Our analyst rating consists of ratings regarding four main criteria: features, usability, pricing, and customer support. A SoftwarePundit Analyst rating over 85 is above average, and above 90 is excellent.
| Criteria | Zoom | Microsoft Teams | Google Meet | Webex | Skype | BlueJeans | GoToMeeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst Rating | 92 | 91 | 89 | 88 | 87 | 87 | 86 |
| Features | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Usability | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Pricing | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Customer Support | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
For more details about our reviews and scoring process, you can read about our review methodology.
The Most Popular Video Conferencing Solutions Vs. Competitors
Even if you’ve decided on the platform you’re interested in trying, it’s helpful to understand how each tool stacks up against its most popular competitors in the video conferencing space. We’ve written analyses to compare popular video conferencing software tools against their top competitors.
Zoom Competitors & Alternatives
Zoom is hands-down the most advanced video conferencing platform for businesses. It has high participant limits in the paid plans, advanced webinars, and is one of the most popular tools in the world with more than 300 million daily meeting participants. However, Zoom can get pricey. We recommend it to large businesses and smaller businesses who are looking for the most functional platform.
Read our full Zoom Review.
Google Meet Competitors & Alternatives
Google Meet is a powerful collaboration tool within the Google Workspace suite of tools. It’s browser-based and connects seamlessly with Gmail and other Google products. The main downside to Google Meet is that the video quality is the most variable of the platforms we tested. However, it’s an optimal choice for those searching for a hassle-free video conferencing platform.
Read our Google Meet Review.
Microsoft Teams Competitors & Alternatives
Like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams is a valuable tool within the Office 365 suite of tools. It’s more powerful than Google Meet and has webinars, which Google Meet does not. If you already use Microsoft products for your small business, choosing Microsoft Teams is a no-brainer.
Read our Microsoft Teams Review.
Comparing Popular Video Conferencing Solutions Against Each Other
Directly comparing one video conferencing tool to another is a great way to understand key differences between platforms. We’ve written a few one-to-one comparisons between video conferencing software tools to describe where they’re similar, how they differ, and the kind of customer that would likely prefer each option.
Skype vs. Zoom
Skype was once the leader in video conferencing platforms, but was overtaken by Zoom in the past few years. Skype should be considered if your main objective is to have high-quality international and landline calling. Otherwise, we recommend Zoom over Skype for more power.
Skype vs. Microsoft Teams
Skype is an ideal tool if you’re looking for a personal communication platform with free four-hour video calls. Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, is more robust and modern, and is better suited for those searching for a business communication platform.
Google Meet vs. Microsoft Teams
Among video conferencing tools, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams are the most similar in terms of their positions within a broader suite of communication tools. In general, Google Meet is slightly more user-friendly, while Microsoft Teams is more powerful. Your choice will likely come down to which tools you already use for your small business.
Google Meet vs. GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a platform known for providing high-quality webinars to its customers. Google Meet, on the other hand, is a pure video conferencing tool. If you’re on the hunt for powerful business webinars, opt for GoToMeeting. Otherwise, we recommend Google Meet because it’s a more valuable platform overall.
Zoom vs. Google Meet
Zoom is a much more advanced video conferencing platform, with higher participant limits and webinar functionality. Google Meet, however, is going to be better suited to freelancers or those who use Gmail for their business. Depending on your budget, one may be much more cost-effective than the other.
Zoom vs. BlueJeans
Zoom and BlueJeans are two powerful platforms. Zoom received a higher rating because it’s more advanced in general and has a free plan, which BlueJeans does not. However, BlueJeans is still easy to use and it’s fairly inexpensive, with plans priced between $12.49 per host per month and $19.99 per host per month.
Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams
Zoom is a more feature-rich and powerful video conferencing platform, while Microsoft Teams is better for most businesses due to superior ease of use and its place in the Office 365 suite of tools. If you have higher participant requirements, pick Zoom, but in the name of value and user-friendliness, we recommend Microsoft Teams for smaller businesses.
Bottom Line
When deciding between video conferencing software tools, you should take into consideration the number of team members you have, your current suite of software tools, and the amount of time you’d like to have for your meetings.
- If you want a quick and simple software product, consider Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.
- If you’re interested in the highest power and functionality, check out Zoom.
- If you are interested in powerful webinars, consider GoToMeeting, BlueJeans, or Webex.