Nowadays, it’s becoming increasingly common for businesses to have teams that are spread out all over the world. One of the tools that many companies are using to connect their global teams is online meeting platforms. Online meeting platforms make it easy for team members to communicate, collaborate, and share information across long distances.
With so many different online meeting platforms on the market right now, how can you know which one is best? We created this guide to help you find the right platform for your business. Here are some of the top features we recommend looking out for when you’re shopping around:
Table of Contents
Best Online Meeting Platforms
. Zoom
Who should use it?
Zoom is ideal for anyone who works remotely or has remote team members. Zoom allows for simple, easy setup meetings or regular meetings in your personal meeting room. Quickly create and share a private meeting link with an individual or team and connect remote team members through video.
Top Free Features:
- Host up to 100 participants
- 1-1 and group meetings
- Unlimited meetings
- HD video and audio
- Screen sharing
- Scheduled meetings
- Private and group chat
- Host controls
2. Google Hangouts
Who should use it?
Google Hangouts is a simple way to connect with Google contacts (or those outside of your network) and can be used for personal or business reasons. Use this tool for individual conversations, team meetings, recorded demos, and more.
Top Free Features:
- Up to 25 video participants
- Video, audio, and messenger conversations
- Video meeting recordings
- Join calls using Google Calendar
- Screen sharing
3. Dialpad Meetings
Who should use it?
The free version of Dialpad Meetings is ideal for teams of 10 or less. The free version limits your video call duration to 45 minutes, so it’s ideal for shorter meetings. Since it allows unlimited video conferences, you can use this video conferencing tool for recurring meetings, like 1-1s or monthly team debriefs.
Top Free Features:
- Up to 10 participants
- Unlimited conferences
- Call recording
- HD Audio
- Screen and document sharing
- Mobile apps
4. TrueConf Online
Who should use it?
TrueConf offers a free plan with up to three participants in video calls. This solution is great for small teams or individuals who need a simple tool to host video calls or collaborate with small groups. The collaboration features like remote desktop control are helpful for those in support who may need to help a client solve a problem.
Top Free Features:
- Up to three participants on team calls
- HD video
- Collaboration tools (screen sharing, remote desktop control, recorded calls, file transfer, and shared virtual whiteboard)
5. Skype
Who should use it?
The free version of Skype works well for small teams with less than 10 total members. It is a good tool if you need a simple way to video chat from your computer, phone, or tablet and tend to have smaller group meetings or 1-1 conversations. Skype also offers a tool called Skype in the Classroom specifically designed for online education.
Top Free Features:
- Up to 10 people on video calls
- HD video calling
- Screen sharing
- Video call recording
- Interactive video chats
- Location sharing
6. FreeConference
Who should use it?
FreeConference ideal for smaller teams or meetings with five or fewer participants. One major perk of this video conferencing tool is its ease of use — no downloads are required to start using it. Plus, moderator controls allow the individual who’s running the video conference to keep the meeting on track.
Top Free Features:
- Up to 5 online meeting participants
- Screen sharing
- Document sharing
- Moderator controls
- Text chat
7. Lifesize Go
Who should use it?
Lifesize Go can be used by remote employees, remote freelancers, or those working with clients who rarely host larger group meetings. While they have plans that include solutions for bigger teams, the free version offers a nice amount of features for individuals and small group conversations.
Top Free Features:
- Up to 8 participants
- No restrictions on meeting length
- Screen sharing
8. Slack Video Calls
Who should use it?
Slack users can take advantage of the call feature by simply using the command /call or clicking the phone icon at the top of the conversation with another Slack user. This is an easy way to make calls right from Slack if you need to ask a teammate a quick question. You can also Slack with up to 15 people if you start a call from a channel, enabling the rest of the channel’s members to join. This tool is good for teams looking for a supplementary video calling solution for small teams.
Top Free Features:
- Group calls of up to 15 people
- Individual calls
- Messenger
9. Facebook Live
Who should use it?
Facebook Live is a great fit for businesses, influencers, or individuals who are looking to broadcast demos, videos, or showcase their company culture while streaming live. Your followers on Facebook can comment and chat live, you can select a custom audience for the video, and you can schedule videos ahead of time to gain excitement.
Top Free Features:
- Broadcasts up to four hours
- Advanced scheduling
- Custom audiences
10. YouTube Live
Who should use it?
YouTube Live, like Facebook Live, is a platform for demonstrating a product with live Q&A, hosting an educational session to teach your audience while screen sharing or using a whiteboard, or hosting a live conversation with members of your team.
Top Free Features:
- Three stream quality options (normal latency, low-latency, ultra-low latency)
- Added delay
- Live questions from the audience
- Private live streams (people can only access with the link)
- Advanced scheduling
- Live automatic captions
- Location tags
best virtual meeting platforms for large groups
| Tool | Price | Pros | Cons | Size | Quality | trScore (Out of Ten) |
| Zoom | Free | +Easy call scheduling +Call recording functionality | -Application required -Limited Meeting time on free plan | Best for large groups | Usually high video quality | 8.6 |
| GoToMeeting | Free | +Integrations with email platforms +Simple on screen controls for presenters | -Recordings aren’t stored indefinitely -Steep learning curve | Free for small groups, premium can handle large groups | Usually high quality, can worsen with worse bandwidth | 7.8 |
| Skype | Free | +User Friendly interface +High Quality Mobile apps | -Limited integrations outside of Microsoft apps -Participants need accounts | Usable for Groups of all sizes | High Quality audio, Video can be hit or miss | 7.8 |
| Lifesize Video Conferencing | $$$$ | +High Quality hardware +Easy account management | -Limited customization options -Limited available integrations | Best for large groups | High Quality Audio and Video | 7.8 |
| BlueJeans | $$ | +Easy to add participants to meetings +Straightforward meeting scheduling | -Limited Mac support -No way to save chat dialog | Best for large groups | High Quality audio and video | 8.3 |
| Webex Meetings | $$$ | +Browser and app based +Integrations with calendar apps | -Limited customizability -Initial setup can be complex | Suitable for groups of all sizes | High Quality audio and video | 8.2 |
| Join.me | $ | +Easy to share meeting controls +Simple to use browser extensions | -Browser extensions not useful with multiple users -Limited screenshare functionality | Suitable for groups of all sizes depending on pricing tier | Video and Audio Quality dips with any connection interruptions | 7.9 |
Conclusion
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