5 Zoom alternatives to look out for are notably Skype, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, but beyond these, a couple of great variants for video conferencing exist with a bunch of services and features to their functionality trail.
In spite of the current COVID19 Pandemic which has attracted bullish growth demand for video conferencing services, Zoom has acted as a clear leader. However, potential security and privacy flaws are to its functionality which has forced some users to search for other alternatives.
For the fact that Zoom is free to use with a 40-minute duration cap, its alternatives are also free with similar to Zoom. Among these, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Cisco Webex, and Messenger Rooms are some of the best to give a try.
5 Zoom Alternatives to consider for Reliable Video Conferencing
Google Meet
Google Meet is remarkably one of the best video conferencing services in the same league as Zoom. Since Google Meet is a Gsuite service, it’s free to use with the ability to add up to 250 users for text, voice, and video chats under the free plan.
To get started with Google Meet, you simply have to sign in using your Google account as a mandatory pass to join or host a meeting on the platform. With a bunch of similarities to Zoom, you’ll enjoy Google Meet’s features even with the free plan (meetings) available for both Gsuite and Individual Google account holders.
Microsoft Teams
Think of Microsoft Teams as a direct competitor to Zoom since it was launched as a serious video conferencing contender in the presence of Skype––another Microsoft service. Teams is part of Office 365 with all functions available for businesses and individuals alike.
To get started with Microsoft Teams, you simply have to register for a Microsoft outlook email address which tags with free access to Office 365 products. By default, the free version of Microsoft teams ships with a 60-minutes duration cap for video calls, unlimited chat messages, and 10GB of Onedrive cloud storage.
Skype
Skype is a legendary video conferencing service that existed way before Zoom left the founder’s launchpad. Having been acquired by Microsoft in 2011, Skype has since evolved year by year with newer features to its functionality, and now, the platform offers direct video calls, and voice calls based on a contacts structure.
In fact, Skype is very secure and respects user privacy which has made it a darling for most users year in year out. To get started, you simply need a Microsoft account to use the service and start interacting with your contacts synced on the platform.
By features, Skype offers screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, screen recording, and extra features similar to what Zoom offers.
Cisco Webex Meetings
Cisco Webex is a secure video conferencing platform built by Cisco Systems for Individuals and businesses interested in hosting webinars, online classes, and virtual business discussions. It’s a platform designed for all categories of users, whether small, mid-sized, or large scale businesses to interact through virtual meetings.
To get started with Cisco Webex, you simply have to fill in the signup form on the service website which grants you a free account that comes with a 40-minutes duration cap for active sessions. By features, Webex is an all-in-one service that can fulfill all your video conferencing needs.
Facebook Messenger Rooms
Messenger Rooms is another great video conferencing service built on Facebook’s billion-user glory. With the service, you can create private or public rooms through Facebook Messenger with a limitation of upto 50 users per room.
However, unlike any of the 4 Zoom alternatives, Rooms are not end-to-end encrypted, meaning they’re not secure to the dot, with a loophole for man in the middle attacks. On a merit patch, Messenger Rooms is the easiest service to get started with since it only requires you to log in to your Facebook account.
In summary, Zoom has a bunch of loopholes tamed around its security and privacy concerns from users. Even though the platform previously introduced end to end encryption and fixed possible Zoom bombing flaws, it still ranks as a clear target since it presently ranks as the most popular solution.
Hence, with Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Cisco Webex, and Messenger rooms, you have multiple choices to choose from, and not limit your taste to Zoom. So, the next time you feel like giving Zoom a break, consider its alternatives for a feature tour.