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.
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