Video conferencing has been on our radar for a while, but lately, it's become a key player in how we conduct our lives. Whether you need a free program to chat with your mates, one geared towards teaching large groups, or you're after a high-quality service for PCs and Macs to connect with clients, there's a solution for everyone.
We've scoured the internet for the best video conferencing services and apps available in the UK, comparing their many features including screen-sharing, monitoring and security. Read on for useful tips on how to choose the best software for your home, business or education needs alongside a list of our top 10 recommended downloads on iOS and Android.
Quick List - Top Video Conferencing Softwares
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In this section, we'll go through the essential nuggets of information needed to make an informed decision on the best software for you.
There are two main reasons someone would want to use video conferencing software – personal or business. Here we'll look at what each option requires from their software.
When it comes to connecting with friends and family, video conferencing is taking over as the primary way for us to call each other. With many people deciding to move away from their home towns, video conferencing allows everyone to meet as if they were in the same room.
If this is your main reason for using a video conferencing software, you won't need all the bells and whistles of many of the priced choices (unless you want to use the whiteboard functions for playing games!). In that case, all you need is a simple program that's free and has a high-quality video output.
On the other hand, additional features could really up your game if you're a business. They become especially important if you're pitching work to potential clients, or you're using webinars and large-scale conferences to reach new audiences.
Another essential thing to think about when you're sussing out video software is the integrations. Does the software work with the systems that you're currently invested in? Is everyone, whether employee or customer, able to connect to the video without needing to jump through a series of hoops?
The bottom line is, if the software is for business purposes, you probably need a few more functions for it to be worth the extra money.
When choosing how you interact online, privacy is one of the most important things to consider. We could write an entire article on safeguarding your privacy, but the main thing to look out for when buying a video conferencing software is end-to-end encryption.
When an app, a piece of software, or a program has end-to-end encryption, it means that whatever is said or done through that service will only be accessible to those who have joined. End-to-end encryption instantly masks the data so that a third party can't read it, or decipher what it says.
Unfortunately, not all companies price their services in the same way, so it can get a little complicated.
Video software that is priced per host is best for companies looking to invest their time in providing webinar-type meetings and content. These will usually allow a relatively high number of attendees, but restrict you to just one or two hosts.
Conversely, if the software is priced per attendee, it would cost a fortune to host webinar or lecture-type conference calls. These are better suited for collaborative work in small teams, where anyone can become a host or take over the meeting
The features are where you begin to really tell one software from another. When looking at video conferencing software, the features usually fall into two main categories – webinar and collaborative. The list below should help you work out your must-haves.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RingCentral Inc RingCentral Meetings | ![]() | The Highest Quality Video Conferencing Software | |
2 | Zoom Zoom Cloud Meetings | ![]() | The Most Popular Video Conferencing App Around | |
3 | Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Teams | ![]() | Integrate Video Conferencing Into Your Microsoft Package | |
4 | Cisco Cisco Webex Meetings | ![]() | Premium Video Services for a Reasonable Price | |
5 | LogMeIn Inc Join.me | ![]() | The Modern Video App With Features for Small Businesses | |
6 | Facebook Inc Facebook Messenger | ![]() | A Fun Way to Chat With Your Facebook Friends | |
7 | Google LLC Google Meet | ![]() | Google's Latest Video Software Built for Business Meetings | |
8 | LogMeIn Inc GoToMeeting | ![]() | The Easiest Software With a Simple Interface That Anyone Can Use | |
9 | BlueJeans Network BlueJeans Video Conferencing | ![]() | The Cloud-Based Solution for All the Essentials | |
10 | Apple Facetime | ![]() | The Free Version With All iOS Devices |
If your company attend many international meetings and conferences, then RingCentral Meetings is an excellent choice. It performs well no matter what you seem to throw at it, and includes a vast range of features including scheduling, recording, annotating, screen-sharing, calendars and chat functions.
Ringcentral is also excellent at integration, working with big brands like Microsoft 365 and smaller chat features like Slack. But one of their most notable features is their analytics service, which can pinpoint the exact performances down to your ISP, location and so on in order for them to be tweaked and improved.
Zoom Meeting provides video and audio calls in HD, making them some of the best quality out there. They have a generous free account and an incredibly user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice for connecting with friends and family.
As well as the standard video call that allows 1000 attendees, Zoom also has a chat function, file sharing capabilities, and a built-in security system. If you're looking for a video solution for work, their paid version allows for a few more business-friendly features.
If you already use Office 365, Microsoft teams are one of your best choices. The program allows for a bounty of integrations with Microsoft apps, making your presentations impressive and your videos run smoothly.
Impressively, hosts can give live presentations and webinars for up to 10,000 attendees. The software also allows for desktop sharing, which is especially important for online presentations. Microsoft Teams also offers a range of extra features including screen sharing, recording and chat functions.
Cisco provides a premium service for a mere fraction of a premium price tag. For starters, their basic video conferencing packaging allows up to 150 participants and includes screen sharing features, private chat rooms, and 25 simultaneous video feeds on a call.
With end-to-end encryption, your secrets are safe, and you can choose between connecting via the desktop app, through your browser or even with your mobile for meetings on the go. Perfect for commuters.
One of the most attractive features of Join.me is the interface – it's easy to use, the site is modern and straightforward, and it offers a generous free plan. The video service can stream up to 10 videos at once, and some plans also include webcam features.
If you're using an iOS device, you also have a whiteboard feature and screen-sharing options. These work especially well if you've got a small team who need to collaborate on documents and designs.
Facebook messenger is an excellent starting point if you're using video chats for personal meetings. There is a great free version, which is all you need for this type of thing, which allows you to share your screen and do web presentations. You don't even need to have a Facebook account to join a call.
Suppose you want additional features more suited to business purposes, like whiteboarding, recording or sharing content to social channels – in that case, you probably want to go for a program that's a little more comprehensive. But if you just need the bare bones to connect with friends, this is an excellent option.
Google Meet (formerly Hangouts) is free to anyone with a Google account, so it's an excellent option if you're on a tight budget. Built specifically to aid business meetings, it allows for many attendees and hosts to join any one call. Plus, it integrates with a wide range of applications, including other video conferencing software.
This is one of the few applications which is accessible through the cloud rather than downloading software. This, along with their dial-in feature, makes it easy for commuters to join whilst on the go. The only downside is the lack of security, as there's no end-to-end encryption.
With GoToMeeting, you can connect via audio or video and share screens. The interface is very straightforward to use, making it simple to create meetings even for those who are a little bit technically challenged! You can also download a meeting transcription for your records.
One of GoToMeeting's biggest perks is that it is incredibly mobile-friendly, even compared to some of the more prominent brands on this list. This is perfect for taking meetings on the go; they even have a commuter mode. In terms of features, that's about it, so it's only really suitable for the basics.
The BlueJeans cloud-based video conferencing software doesn't offer a free service, instead, they offer scalable pricing tiers. The basic version allows for 50 attendees who can join calls from any device, both computer and mobile, which is an excellent bonus. BlueJeans also provides free audio to over 40 countries.
It's an excellent option if you're looking for the essential functions – to meet, chat, use a whiteboard, and share your screen – but there are few additional features if you want a more in-depth program. For instance, some plans don't include recording or file sharing.
Even if you don't own an iPhone, most people by now know what Facetime is – it's a simple way to video call your contacts. What some people don't know is that the group feature actually has the ability to add up to 32 participants. However, aside from that, it doesn't come close in terms of features compared to many other choices.
If you're using video calls for business purposes, it's probably best to buy a specialised program. That said, it is one of the best at providing privacy to conversations with its end-to-end encryption, but of course, you can only use it with Apple devices.
It allows businesses to keep their employees connected, even if they're working from home. You can interact with customers in real-time, host webinars for training purposes, or work with a worldwide team.
This service isn't just limited to business now either. Video conferencing software enables people to socialise with their loved ones without having to spend time and money on travel costs. You can maintain the face-to-face experience without the hassle of leaving your home.
Getting the right software for your home or business needs will make a huge difference to how smoothly things run day-to-day, but that's not all you'll need. Check out our suggestions to get organised, work comfortably, and make sure you never lose connection halfway through an important call!
We hope you found our buying guide to video conferencing software useful and that it's pointed you in all the right directions to begin shopping. We suggest downloading the free versions of a couple and see which ones you prefer. Enjoy!
Author: Roxy Pratley
No. 1: RingCentral Inc|RingCentral Meetings
No. 2: Zoom|Zoom Cloud Meetings
No. 3: Microsoft Corporation|Microsoft Teams
No. 4: Cisco|Cisco Webex Meetings
No. 5: LogMeIn Inc|Join.me
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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