The Best Video Conference & Online Meetings Software for Remote Teams

Before the consequences of a global pandemic forced us into internet meetings and virtual family gatherings, video conferencing applications made their way into the mainstream. Even if your employer did not offer an option to work remotely, you’d likely attended a video-based meeting at one point.

Fast forward to post-pandemic living, and companies everywhere depend on video technology for face-to-face online meetings. Not only have countries on a global scale begun to hire from talent pools in various countries, but their local teams have either relocated or have the free reign to work from home.

With office buildings closing left and right in favor of a more lenient and more productive (according to research) way of working, video conferencing has gone from a luxury to a necessity. Maintaining communication and business relationships is essential to upholding those values, and companies everywhere will turn to the best video conferencing software in 2022 to make it happen.

The Benefits of Conferencing Software

Remote teams need conferencing software, and many applications have come a long way since the birth of early video apps like Skype. It’s not to say that Skype isn’t still relevant for some people, but the business world has long since surpassed it from a technological standpoint.

Video conferencing holds so many business-related benefits that it’s become difficult to consider going back to the way things were before COVID-19. Scheduling in-person meetings or flying someone in for an interview seems almost archaic in practice. Most job applicants will not even consider taking a position that doesn’t offer a remote option.

Empowering the Digital Workforce

Video conferencing creates a collaborative work culture that employees enjoy, and it’s become part of the fundamental requirements needed to empower the digital (or remote) workforce. Video conferencing means that your team can maintain a connection regardless of their location.

Consistent video conferencing improves your global collaboration rate and speeds up decision-making efforts exponentially. Humans have a notoriously declining attention span, and video conferencing caters to that from a business perspective. In general, it makes us more efficient in the workplace.

Simplify Management Practices

Modern video conferencing software makes it possible for management to stop burdening their teams with troubleshooting issues every time they log on for a meeting. By choosing one conference solution, you can avoid overcomplicating things. One simple, consolidated meeting solution allows teams to focus on their meetings instead of facing the burden of constant troubleshooting.

Redundancy Reduction

One of the most significant benefits of the remote work revolution we’re experiencing is the reduction of redundancy. The need for video conferencing encourages employers to update old legacy systems in favor of digitally modernized applications that provide plenty of value in face-to-face video conferencing solutions that include audio, event live-streaming, chat, and meeting recording.

Access to so many communication aspects in one video solution dramatically reduces the workflow redundancy when a team or specific person cannot attend a meeting. Plus, having a pristine and previously-recorded copy of the content introduced in previous meetings will eliminate monotony in that respect.

Communication Reliability

Video conferencing is fast, secure, and puts you in immediate contact with your teams. There’s no doubt that efficient video conferencing technology has become a critical business function, and most applications have risen to meet the demand. When choosing an online meeting software application, you should always prioritize the app’s reliability for instant and consistent communication.

Boost Productivity

Communication and rallying with co-workers can positively affect the mindset and, as a result, boost productivity. In combination with the modern workforce, video conferencing boosts productivity and lowers travel costs.

Asking in-house employees and remote workers to meet face-to-face (over video) could potentially reduce feelings of seclusion and harbor a team-oriented outlook. Video conferencing is one of the best ways to provide a human connection to virtual interaction. Feeling connected to the workplace helps keep employees present instead of disconnected.

The Best Online Meeting Software for 2022

The authentic assessment of your current video software lies in whether it provides you with the benefits mentioned above. Is your existing platform increasing communication, boosting productivity, and creating a better work-life balance for your employees? The answer is probably “yes.”

However, is that same software meeting your needs regarding updates and modernized features, cost, and reliability? Because video software has become so widely used and distributed, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re getting the most out of yours. If a particular app doesn’t quite fit your criteria, there are others to consider.

Let’s discuss the best online meeting and video conferencing software for 2022, pros and cons included. By the end of our list, you should know whether your current platform is perfect for you or if it’s time to upgrade!

Zoom

The tried and true classic, Zoom, is possibly the leader of all video conferencing software ever to exist, at least thus far. Zoom was around before the pandemic, but it rose to fame when businesses had to send their employees home and turn to a remote-based framework overnight.

From therapy sessions to board meetings, everyone across the globe utilized Zoom at one point or another. Zoom is easy to use and requires only an account and a sent meeting link to join and invite other attendees. Zoom is cloud-based and has allowed many businesses to operate on a hybrid-remote platform since its beginning in 2013.

Zoom is intended for businesses, and their subscription tiers offer the ability to host meetings with up to 500 people. Small companies can get away with the free version of Zoom, but appointments are limited to 40 minutes. Zoom starts at a reasonably-priced baseline, but there are many add-ons and subscription upgrades that require larger businesses to reevaluate their needs constantly.

Zoom Pros

Ability to stream meetings and webinars to your Facebook business page
Zoom supports large audiences (for a price)
The free version of Zoom is reliable
Scalable for businesses of all sizes
Access to Google Calendar support
Super user-friendly

Zoom Cons

Too many add-ons and subscription tiers
Inadequate comment controls
Requires users to download the Zoom app
HD Video is NOT the Zoom standard
Cloud file sizes remain inconsistent and depend on your subscription

Google Meet

One might say that the ultimate Clash of the Titans in the video conferencing world takes place between Google Meet and Zoom. Google formally launched Google Meet in March 2017, but it worked its way into mainstream applications in March of 2020 when the world went into lockdown.

Everyone with a Google account has access to Google Meet, and it’s effortless to send personal invites via email. Google Meet is completely free to use, and larger businesses can upgrade to Google Workspace for a low monthly fee. The Google Meet platform is clean, minimal, and very user-friendly.

Google Meet can handle meetings with many participants rather well, though you might experience the occasional lag in streaming and frozen faces. Google guarantees security through its IT infrastructure.

Google Meet Pros

Simple interface
Easy to use and available on both your computer and phone application
Integrates into Google Calendar
Excellent AV quality, even with large audiences
You can save sessions for later review
Minimal data consumption

Google Meet Cons

Specific features not included in the free plan
The microphone has stability issues
Google Meet records and stores videos
Participants have to rejoin when the screen freezes
Can accommodate up to 100 participants and will not work for a larger corporation

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a highly reliable video conferencing software that’s built quite a following in recent years. Teams users can shift effortlessly between video calls and messaging while utilizing the fully integrated Microsoft Suite if your company uses 365. If it doesn’t, you might find Microsoft Teams to be a bit on the expensive side, depending on the size of your team, as Microsoft Suite 365 charges monthly per user.

However, if you have access to everything Microsoft Teams has to offer, you’ll find that administrators can create meetings that host up to 10,000 attendees. Microsoft Teams provides plenty of features, including live closed captioning, background blur technology, recording, screen sharing, and chat functions.

The Microsoft Teams video connecting software is robust and enables users to join from anywhere. The app is quick to download and even faster to connect.
Find the right Microsoft Teams for your business.

Microsoft Teams Pros

High-quality product
Near unflappable connectivity and video quality
Integrates the Microsoft 365 Suite
Ideal for businesses already using 365
Many appealing features
Can accommodate large crowns and webinars

Microsoft Teams Cons

Very expensive if your company doesn’t already use 365
Without Microsoft software, the app performance is minimal

GoTo Meeting

GoToMeeting is one of the most affordable products available on the video conference market today. It holds up rather well to the competition, focusing on remote communication and collaboration and plenty of conference call features that employers love.

GoTo is an excellent video conferencing alternative for beginners, boasting an easy-to-navigate intuitive platform. GoTo starts at $12 per month/per organizer, so you can really keep it as affordable as possible. GoTo offers a free 14-day trial, which is a plus for trying out any new service.

The setup process for GoTo is relatively easy, from start to finish, in just a few clicks. You can schedule meetings with one click from any device.

GoTo Pros

Super easy to use and download
Very affordable pricing that you can build on as your team and needs grow
Unlimited meeting recordings
Flexible features such as built-in audio, handover control, meeting rooms, toll-free conferencing, and a virtual whiteboard

GoTo Cons

Everyone must download the software to join meetings
Transcripts are in English only, which is not ideal for global companies

Whereby

Whereby is one of the easiest ways to host video meetings and, developed in Norway, falls under the umbrella of very security-conscious European countries. No app or software download is required for Whereby, and you can join a meeting from your web browser.

Whereby is one of the simplest ways to start a video conference with your family or friends and works very well for companies that need to meet with fewer than 100 employees at once. Whereby is exceptionally secure and offers a 7-day free trial without credit card information.

Whereby Pros

The security is top-notch
GDPR compliant
Record, download, and share video conferences
Supports screen sharing and picture in picture
Easily integrates into Google Calendar
Very affordable ($7 per month)

Whereby Cons

Hosts up to 100 participants
Not ideal for larger businesses
It lacks some features that other tech giants offer

Webex

Webex is a quality answer for companies searching for a video conference solution. Calling, meeting, and messaging all wrapped into one; Webex is newer on the video conferencing front but didn’t have any problems drumming up a following. Webex helps businesses work smarter through seamless, interactive collaboration.

Webex offers three different plans encompassing its call, meet, and message tiers. Each tier is affordable, ranging from $12 to $20 per user. The Webex connection offers a typically flawless broadcast, depending on the quality of the internet connection available. Overall, Webex is a fantastic connective tool for businesses of many sizes.

Webex Pros

Collaboration across devices and locations
Background noise removal and voice enhancement
Customize layout
Affordable
Automatic transcriptions

Webex Cons

Web conferences tend to lag in certain areas with poor connection
It consumes lots of data which can be a problem for those working from home

Dialpad

Dialpad is intuitive and relatively easy for all video conference experience levels. Dialpad was built entirely on the Google Cloud platform and offers businesses a phone system with stellar security, mobility, and flexibility. Dialpad integrates with G-Suite, Salesforce, and Zendesk to create maximum productivity.

Dialpad can connect everyone in your company at once. It’s a premium dialer that filters through calls that agents make, allowing team leads to pick out specific characteristics. The system is efficient and connective for team members and clients. Dialpad starts at $25 per month per user.

Dialpad Pros

Narrative Voice Intelligence
Real-time transcription and post-call summaries
Connects teams for meetings and your sales team to clients
Maximum productivity
Close monitoring of business calls
Effective live chat

Dialpad Cons

Call-center service should be an option
It can get pricey if there are too many members

The Video Conferencing Software for You

The online meeting software you choose will help streamline your business process and keep your team connected regardless of location. Your video conferencing and calling app should contain all of the features you require without any cons that might derail your operations. Great conference software is imperative, primarily as the world moves toward remote-based work.

The Best Video Conference & Online Meetings Software for Remote Teams Now