The Best Video Conferencing Software of 2024

The best video conferencing software has quickly emerged as a must-have purchase for most modern teams. Currently, 45% of teams use video calls on a daily or weekly basis, and 75% of CEOs believe their video calling practice will eventually replace common voice-only calls.

For most people, the sudden explosion of video conferencing popularity started during 2020, when the rise of the pandemic pushed countless companies into a new remote working trend. To keep teams connected and avoid the threat of isolation, businesses began shifting more aggressively into the video market. Since then, we’ve discovered a host of benefits from video.

Video has reduced the need for business travel by 47%, and many experts believe it helps to positively influence company culture.

The question is, which video conferencing tools are best?

What Is The Best Video Conferencing Software?

The best video conferencing software is any tool capable of helping your team members to collaborate, connect, and interact as effectively as possible. Since demand for video conferencing technology has begun to increase at an incredible rate, the number of tools available has evolved.

Today, there are countless exceptional video conferencing services out there. We’ve examined some of the top-performing services on the market, to help you narrow down your choices.

1. Zoho Meeting

Best Overall

Easily one of the most popular video conferencing tools on the market today, Zoho Meeting is part of the comprehensive Zoho ecosystem of productivity, sales, and support tools. The online meeting application combines webinar functionality with state-of-the-art meeting technology, to boost remote collaboration sessions and strengthen conversations.

Zoho Meeting benefits from being inherently easy to use and scalable, with industry-standard security built-in, and a host of interactive tools to keep your users engaged. There’s the option to share your screen, record and share web meetings, and even join with phone or computer audio.

Key Features

• Webinar functionality: Zoho Meeting includes meeting and webinar functionality in one software solution. You can host live video webinars, or record and share video screens with your audience. There’s also screen-sharing included.
• Analytics and insights: Insights into your meetings and webinar sessions can give you a better overview of engagement levels for your team, so you can determine what it takes to get everyone on the same page.
• Scalability: Zoho Meeting has some excellent scalability, with meetings for up to 100 participants, and massive webinar sessions. You also don’t need to set up any complex settings when you’re launching a small or large call.

Zoho Meeting Pricing

Affordability is a significant draw for Zoho Meeting, and there’s even a free tier available with unlimited meetings and webinars for up to 30 minutes. The free version comes with meeting chat and notes, multiple video layouts, and meeting reactions. Alternatively, you can choose a premium package based on your number of participants.

For 10 participants, you’ll pay $3 per host per month, whereas 25 participants cost $6 per host per month, and the pricing goes up from here. There’s also the option to purchase Webinar functionality separately, starting at $16 per organizer per month.

2. GoToMeeting

Best for Small Business Web Meetings

Flexible and easy to use, GoToMeeting is a standalone videoconferencing service delivered by the LogMeIn brand. This powerful service ensures teams have a number of great ways to communicate and collaborate, without unnecessary complexity. You don’t even need to download an application to use the meeting service, which also runs on Android and iOS.

GoToMeeting is also well-known for taking security seriously, with powerful enterprise-grade security powering mor than 80 million online meetings per year. The company also offers an industry-leading 99.996% uptime, which is something you don’t always get from some video conferencing tools.

Key Features

• Enhanced video and audio: Crystal-clear audio and HD video are included as standard with all GoToMeeting accounts. You’ll have access to one-click meetings and powerful previewing for your webcam too.
• Flexible access: You can access meetings from your desktop, or download a dedicated smartphone app for conversations on the move. The GoToMeeting app also supports toll-free and “call me” options.
• Management and security: The latest security features offer exceptional peace of mind with encrypted sessions, meeting locks, and extensive account control. You can also access recording and transcriptions for compliance purposes.

GoToMeeting Pricing

GoToMeeting offers relatively cost-effective pricing, often on a discount rate, if you’re willing to pay on an annual basis. The packages include:

• Professional: $12 per month per organizer for up to 150 participants
• Business: $16 per organizer per month for 250 participants

There are also add-ons available, like GoTo Webinar for $20 per month, and toll-free numbers. For the Enterprise package pricing, you need to contact GoTo directly.

3. TeamViewer Meetings

Best for Collaborative Meetings

Built for the age of collaboration, TeamViewer supports quick and agile videoconferencing with sensational security built-in. The service allows business leaders to connect their team members wherever they are, through secure VoIP calls, screen sharing, instant chat, and all the other tools you need for a better conversation, across devices.

With support for a host of platforms, one-click meetings for easy use, and huge huddles available for up to 300 people, TeamViewer can help to bring teams together in any environment – even in today’s world of hybrid work.

Key Features

• Security: TeamViewer takes security seriously with end-to-end encryption and a host of enterprise-grade security features. You can also share secure files in an end-to-end environment with your contacts.
• Flexibility: TeamViewer runs on all major devices and operating systems, and it allows oy u to access contacts anywhere in the world with easily accessible VoIP calls. You can even integrate the service into TeamViewer.
• Scalability: For larger meetings, TeamViewer supports up to 300 people in a secure environment, ideal for big conversations. The service is easy to set up and use no matter how big your meetings are.

TeamViewer Pricing

TeamViewer Meeting is available for free for up to 5 users. Altenratively, you’ll pay for your service based on the number of people you’re going to include in the meeting. 50 people will cost $9.49 per month per host, while 100 attendees costs $12.99 per month per host. There’s also a Company package for $19.99 per month per host.

4. Microsoft Teams

Best for Microsoft 365 Users

With over 270 million monthly active users, Microsoft Teams has quickly become one of the most popular collaboration and conferencing tools in the world. With a single application, Teams allows users to schedule video and audio meetings with people or teams, as well as hosting large meetings and webinars with up to 10,000 participants.

As part of the comprehensive Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Teams comes with access to a host of productivity features, as well as powerful video meeting capabilities, like the ability to replace your background with a new image.

Key Features

• Microsoft 365 integration: Microsoft Teams integrates with all of the tools of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, OneNote, and many others. It can also integrate with a wide range of other tools, thanks to the immersive AppSource marketplace.
• Unique video meeting features: Video conferencing functionality from Microsoft Teams includes access to call recording, live captions, background blurring or replacement, screen sharing, and countless other valuables tools.
• Flexibility: Users of Microsoft Teams can join a conference from virtually everywhere, whether you’re on a Bluetooth-connected headset, desktop computer, or a smartphone. There’s completely freedom for everyone to dial in.

Microsoft Teams Pricing

There are a number of ways to access Microsoft Teams, starting with the free package which supports up to 100 participants per meeting, And group meetings of up to 60 minutes. You also get 5GB of cloud storage, file sharing, data encryption, and unlimited chat. Paid options include:

• Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4 per month/user for everything in the free version plus unlimited group meetings for up to 30 hours, and 300 participants per meeting.
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 per month with everything in Essentials, plus recording and meeting transcripts, web and mobile versions of Office aps, and 1TB of storage per user.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per month for all the features of Business Basic plus webinar hosting, desktop versions of your office apps, and attendee registration tools.

5. Cisco Webex Business

Best for Enterprise Customers

Cisco Webex is powered by the incredible communication experts at Cisco. Known for offering exceptional stability, security, and reliability, Cisco provides business leaders with the peace of mind they need when connecting hybrid teams. The collaborative Webex ecosystem can even integrate with other tools from Zoom and Microsoft.

With a free version available for beginners, and access to state-of-the-art security to keep your meetings encrypted at all times, Cisco never disappoints for bigger brands. The solution can even support conversations between internal and external teams.

Key Features

• Flexible meeting functionality: Schedule meetings and turn chats into phone or video calls naturally with both internal and external teams. You can even access a calling system alongside your meeting tools.
• Excellent collaboration: Aside from video meetings and audio calls, you’ll also have access to instant messaging, whiteboarding, shared files, and other key tools.
• Scalability: Cisco allows you to expand your meeting experience as much as you like as your business evolves. You can even access dedicated hardware for your meetings, such as Cisco headsets and camera systems.

Cisco Webex Pricing

Though Cisco is flexible enough to cater for larger businesses, it’s also suitable for small companies, with a free package capable of hosting up to 100 participants per meeting, for up to 50 minutes. The service comes with 4 video meeting layout options, screen sharing, and mobile screen sharing.

Paid packages pricing are available upon request via their website.

6. RingCentral

Best for Integrations

RingCentral is one of the most popular providers of cloud-based communication tools on the market today. The company’s video meeting service is extremely reliable, with HD functionality available on a range of devices, so you can connect with your colleagues wherever they are. There’s even access to handy one-click meetings.

With end-to-end encryption, business leaders can ensure their private meetings stay secure, and RingCentral can also easily integrate with a wide range of other tools, including Slack, and Microsoft 365. With RingCentral, you can even access meetings without a download.

Key Features

• Integrations: RingCentral plays well with other tools, such as Slack and Google, so you can connect all of your applications in the same place – on any device. You’ll even be able to switch devices on the go without having to leave the meeting.
• Powerful meeting features: RingCentral meetings offer a range of extra functionality options, including screen sharing, annotations, breakout rooms, and advanced meeting insights. You can also use live transcription with AI assistance.
• Collaboration: There are tons of great collaboration tools to improve teamwork with the RingCentral service, including immersive breakout rooms, dynamic whiteboards, and add-ons like RingCentral Rooms

RingCentral Pricing

RingCentral Video starts with a free package for 100 participants in each meeting, and unlimited meetings. You can also access a premium version for $11.99 per month per user with up to 200 participants, single sign-on, extra cloud storage per user, and more.

7. Google Meet

Best Free Option

Part of the popular Google Workspace environment, Google Meet, previously Google Hangouts Meet, is one of the most accessible and affordable tools for video conferencing in the modern market. Trusted by companies around the world for quick and intuitive meetings, Google Meet makes it easy for anyone to launch a video session in no time.

The world-class cloud-based experience requires absolutely no software download, so you can start a meeting instantly. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about security issues, thanks to end-to-end encryption and various built-in protections.

Key Features

• Ease of use: Google Meet takes the headaches out of video meetings, with dedicated dial-in numbers, a simple download-free experience and absolutely no complex set-up. You can start a 30-person meeting in no time.
• Productivity tools: Google Meet integrates with the rest of the Google Workspace platform, so you can access things like Google Calendar for setting up events and meetings in the future. There’s also access to range of conference room features.
• Hardware: Google Meet works with virtually all meeting room hardware options following H.323 and SIP standards. However, you can also access dedicated Meet hardware too, such as whiteboards and meeting screens.

Google Meet Pricing

There’s absolutely no payment required for the basic version of Google Meet, so you can jump in without spending anything. The only pricing options you’ll need to consider are for Google Workspace, if you want to upgrade your entire productivity experience. Google Workspace packages start at $6 per month per user, but you don’t need a premium plan to access Meet.

8. Zoom

Best for Cutting-Edge Features

For most people, Zoom is the company from the video conferencing landscape that first help to accelerate the shift to video. Offering a more flexible way to connect with your colleagues through a quick and easy interface, Zoom offers enterprise-grade security and amazing functionality in one. It can even support up to 1,000 participants at the same time.

Zoom allows users to save meetings locally or to the cloud, with access to transcripts with searchable text. There’s also a host of collaborative tools built-in, such as instant messaging, screen sharing, and file sharing.

Key Features

• Security: Zoom has gone above and beyond with its security in recent years, using end-to-end encryption, password-protected meetings, and breakout sessions to give teams more control over who can access each meeting.
• Scalability: You can access meetings for up to 1,000 participants at the same time, or upgrade to a full webinar session if you want to present to a larger audience.
• Collaboration tools: Zoom comes with a host of collaboration tools already built-in, such as support for Zoom whiteboard with 3 editable boards, and access to social media streaming, instant chat, and screen sharing.

Zoom Pricing

Like many of the best video conferencing tools on the market today, Zoom comes with a free package available for hosting up to 100 participants for up to 40 minutes. You can also have unlimited one-on-one meetings with a 30 hour limit. Paid packages include:

• Pro: $149.90 per year per license with social media streaming 1GB of cloud recording, group meetings for up to 30 hours, and Zoom whiteboard.
• Business: $199.90 per year per license with the features of Pro, plus hosting for 300 participants, single sign-on, managed domains, company branding, recording transcripts, and up to 99 licenses.
• Enterprise: $240 per month per meeting with all the features of Business plus unlimited meetings, recording transcription and support for up to 500 participants.

Best Free Video Conferencing Software

If you’re low on budget and won’t be using your video conferencing tools very often, you may be tempted to use a free service. Many of the best video conferencing tools either come with free versions or demos you can use without spending anything. However, there are limitations on what you can do with these options.

For instance, while Google Meet is free to use, it doesn’t have the same advanced features of some other tools, like live transcription or virtual backgrounds. While Zoom and Microsoft Teams have free versions, these also limit the number of people you can include in a conference, and how long those conferences can last.

While free tools are fine if you’re only going to be having small meetings with a handful of people, it’s best to double check what kind of compromises you’ll be making for a free service.

Best Video Conferencing Software for Small Business

For a small business, there are a few specific considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right video conferencing software. First and foremost, you’re going to need a more affordable pricing package to ensure you don’t break your budget. Options like Zoho Meeting, Zoom, and Google Meet should help you to keep your outgoing costs relatively low.

Microsoft Teams and Zoom both have free versions which are quite generous in the number of people you can invite into your meeting.

It’s also worth noting there are other things to keep in mind when choosing your video conferencing tools besides cost. For instance, if you’re a small business owner, you might want to avoid having too much downtime to worry about while your teams learn how to use new tools. A relatively simple service you can easily set up and provision will be crucial.

Video Conferencing Software Buyers Guide

What Is Video Conferencing Software?

Video conferencing software is an online tool or service which allows for communication through video streams and audio in meetings, seminars, and webinars. Usually, this software will come with the ability to host a certain number of people in a meeting for a specific length of time.

Depending on the nature of the video conferencing software you choose, you may also be able to access bonus features like recording, screen sharing, chat, and background blurring.

What Are the Benefits of Video Conferencing Software?

Video conferencing can help to bring context and depth to meetings between distributed employees and teams. Around 87% of remote employees say they feel more connected and involved with their teams when they’re using video conferencing, and 55% of businesses believe video increases employee engagement.

Video can help to improve employee relationships and preserve company culture in a business embracing trends like remote and hybrid work. The right video conferencing strategy can even save companies money, by ensuring teams don’t have to travel as often for in-person conversations.

What To Look for In the Best Video Conferencing Software?

The exact features you’ll need for your video conferencing software will depend on what kind of meetings you’re going to be having. Some companies might need an advanced video conferencing service which supports things like virtual backgrounds and calendar synchronization. Others will just need a simple and secure way to communicate.

Some of the most common things to look for in video conferencing tools include:

Encryption/ Security

It’s crucial to make sure your conversations remain secure and protected when using video conferencing tools. Look for a service which offers end-to-end encryption for all of your calls and meetings, as well as enterprise-grade security services. You may also want access to various access control options, so you can determine who can join your meetings.

Collaboration tools

Video meetings are usually a valuable part of a modern collaboration session. It makes sense to have collaboration functionality built into your meeting tools if you’re going to need to access these features anyway. Look for services like digital whiteboarding, screen and file sharing, and messaging. You might also want to be able to record meetings or transcribe conversations in real-time.

Flexibility (access)

Users of a video conferencing service should be able to access the tool whenever they choose, from any device or platform. The ideal service will work across all devices, from smartphones to tablets. It’s also worth looking for something that can easily work with a range of devices, like headphones, microphones, and webcams, for your meeting rooms.

Scalability

Depending on the size of your business, you might need access to more video conferencing licenses and users as you grow. Your ideal solution should be able to scale to include as many meeting participants as you need. You may even want to look for a service which comes for access to meetings and webinar functionality in one.

Video Conferencing Software FAQ

Choosing the Best Video Conferencing Software

As video conferencing continues to rise in popularity, there are plenty of fantastic tools for today’s business leaders to choose from. Our ideal overall choice is Zoho Meeting, but the right pick for you will depend on various factors. If you’re looking for a more flexible range of advanced features with a simple interface, Zoom could be the ideal choice.

If you’re interested in enterprise-level meetings, you can look at Cisco Webex, with it’s state of the art scalability and incredible security. Alternatively, consider Microsoft Teams if you’re already using the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. If you’re in search of something simple you can use for free, Google Meet is likely to be the choice for you.

Let us know your experiences using the best video conferencing tools in the comments below!