It’s safe to say 2020 has been the year of virtual meetings. Everything from large-scale conferences to staff meetings, to meetings with prospects, are hosted remotely. Chances are, your sales process has moved fully online as well.
Video conferencing tools are a worthwhile investment for organizations of all sizes, especially with remote work becoming the norm. In fact, since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the video conferencing software has seen a 500% increase in demand, and 67% of companies have increased their spending on video conferencing tools.
The right video conferencing tool is necessary to continue conducting business in 2020 and beyond, and choosing the right software is an important decision.
While many video conferencing tools may appear similar on the surface, there are key differences and features of each platform that are different from the rest. Continue reading to determine which tool is best for you and your organization.
Video Conferencing Tools
- Zoom
- UberConference
- GoToMeeting
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
- Cisco Webex
- Skype
- Slack Video Conferencing
- Join.me
- Cisco Jabber
- Zoho Meeting
- AdobeConnect
1. Zoom
- Best for: Universal video software
- Price: Free, with paid plans starting at $14.99/month per host
Zoom has likely been the most-used app of 2020. The platform is accessible for hosting video conference calls of all sizes and gives both the host and guest the ability to join and begin meetings with just one click.
Zoom is also part of the HubSpot ecosystem and connects seamlessly with your CRM.
2. UberConference
- Best for: Simplicity
- Price: Free, with paid plans starting at $15/month per host
UberConference is an easy-to-use video conferencing tool. Meeting participants can join calls hosted on this platform from anywhere — no downloads required. UberConference also has built-in AI technology that provides full meeting transcriptions, and custom hold music to promote a positive user experience.
As a HubSpot partner, UberConference integrates directly with the HubSpot meetings tool, allowing you to schedule video calls directly from your CRM contact records.
3. GoToMeeting
- Best for: Mobile capability
- Price:Plans starting at $12/month per user
GoToMeeting is a collaborative tool that offers one-click online meetings, virtual meeting spaces, and webinar capabilities. This platform also has a robust mobile interface, which allows users to host and join meetings from their mobile devices — ideal for sales and business professionals working on-the-go.
4. Microsoft Teams
- Best for: Microsoft Office users
- Price: Meeting plans starting at $20/month per user
If your organization uses Microsoft Office as your main software suite of choice, Microsoft Teams is a good video conferencing option. This video conferencing tool makes virtual collaboration possible with screen sharing, chat functionality, digital whiteboards, and direct integration with your favorite Microsoft Office apps.
5. Google Meet
- Best for: G Suite users
- Price: Plans starting at $6/month per user
For teams who rely on G Suite apps, Google Meet is a solid video conferencing option. Google Meet offers secure, straightforward video meeting software for teams and businesses. Meetings scheduled with Google Meet are easy to join for users on an array of devices and integrate directly with Google Calendar — one of the top calendar applications for individuals and businesses alike.
6. Cisco Webex
- Best for: Enterprise users
- Price: Free, with paid plans starting at $13.50/month per host
Cisco Webex offers hassle-free video conferencing software for businesses of all sizes. The platform is secure, reliable, and lends well to video calls, webinars, and large-scale virtual events. Cisco Webex also has robust enterprise options for accounts that need many users and remote support for all your customer service needs.
7. Skype
- Best for: Easy one-on-one meetings
- Price: Free
Chances are, you’re familiar with Skype software. A pioneer in video conferencing, Skype’s software is easy to use and ideal for hosting one-on-one conversations with your contacts all over the world.
8. Slack Video Conferencing
- Best for: Internal team communication
- Price: Free, with paid plans starting at $6.67/month per user
If you need to have a quick face-to-face conversation with a colleague, turning your written message to a video call is easy with Slack. Their video conferencing option is built into the tool, making it easy to collaborate with team members within the app.
9. Join.me
- Best for: Personalization
- Price: Plans starting at $10/month
With Join.me individuals, teams, and businesses can create a personalized video conferencing experience. Notable features include custom URLs for easy sharing, custom meeting backgrounds, high-quality audio, and one-click meeting sharing.
10. Cisco Jabber
- Best for: Cross-device communication for enterprises
- Price:Contact Cisco
Cisco Jabber is a powerful communication tool that is compatible with a wide range of devices. The Cisco Jabber Call Experience offers robust video conferencing capability that can work with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS systems. This tool is ideal for large enterprises that need robust chat and video calling software.
11. Zoho Meeting
- Best for: Simple online meetings and webinars
- Price: Plans starting at $8/month per host
Zoho provides secure, straightforward meeting software at an affordable price. This online meeting platform has various measures in place to keep your meetings safe, including controlled participant entry and meeting encryption.
Additional features include the creation of instant meetings and built-in RSVP capability so you know exactly who to expect at your meeting.
12. AdobeConnect
- Best for: Creative businesses and Adobe Creative Suite users
- Price: Plans starting at $50/month
For those who need a robust virtual platform for meetings and high-level events, AdobeConnect is a great option. AdobeConnect offers virtual rooms perfect for breakouts in large meetings and to promote team collaboration.
This tool also has advanced video and audio editing tools so you can share high-quality recordings of your virtual meetings.
Picking the Right Video Conferencing Tool
When it comes to picking the right tool, it depends on what your unique needs are and how much budget you have available. As you make your decision, determine what kind of meetings you are planning to host, how many users will need access to your tool, and what features are most important to you.
For tips to help you use video during the prospecting process, check out this post.