In modern business and communication, video conferences are becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, software makers do their best to make the process easier and to keep improving it.
Top picks for video meetings
As a result, we currently have many convenient video conferencing platforms with features for different categories of users. You can access almost all video conference apps using different operating systems and devices: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and tablets. Also, many platforms allow free use, although this often comes with limited features.
Bearing this in mind, let’s review some of the most popular video conference apps.
MyOwnConference
MyOwnConference is one of the most presentable web-based video conferencing apps that helps make a perfect impression on business partners by ensuring excellent technical support for all online meetings. It has been conquering the market at an accelerated pace.
Here are some MyOwnConference benefits
- Differs from many other platforms due to its easy interface.
- Plans are priced by group size, from a handful of people up to several thousand, with disk space scaling alongside. The current tiers are on the pricing page.
- A system of available discounts: 5% off from two months, 10% from three, 15% from six and 20% when paying for 12 months.
- Free account that allows for up to 5 attendees, disk space of 500 MB, and video recording of up to 20 minutes.
- Stable and high-quality sound and images.
- Connection to social networks.
- Screen and cursor sharing and drawing tools.
- Moderated text chat saving history.
- Continuous recording of up to 10 hours with an unlimited number of recordings.
- Polls and surveys.
- A free plan you can run a real meeting on before committing to anything.
The only real disadvantage of using MyOwnConference is that the interface has several different features which can take some time to get used to.
MyOwnConference pricing
- Aside from the free plan for up to 5 attendees, there are paid one-day, monthly, and yearly options. Rates depend on the group size you pick, and the current ones are on the pricing page.
- Presenters come with the plan rather than as a separate charge. Each tier sets how many can be on air at once, from two on the free plan up to twelve on the largest, so adding somebody to your host team does not move the price.
Zoom video conferencing
It’s one of the oldest video conferencing apps. It is well-known among businessmen who often hold online meetings, conferences, and webinars.
Some of the benefits of using the app are
- Clear video calls with a reliable connection.
- A free tier for group meetings, which needs an account to use.
- Several different plans are available; (Basic (free), Pro, Business, and Enterprise).
- Different services to choose from Zoom: Meetings, Premium Audio, Video Webinar, Rooms, H.323/SIP Connector, Developer Platform.
- Unlimited video recordings.
- The participant limit can be raised well beyond the standard tier at additional cost.
- Access to useful features, including desktop sharing, an easy interface, and chat.
- Easy management of attendees using features such as adding, allowing them to record videos, mute and unmute and locking meetings.
Zoom prices per host rather than per event, so what you pay follows the number of people in your team who run meetings. Check the current tiers and limits on its own pricing page before you compare.
Zoom pricing
- There is a free version of the program, but this is capped at 40 minutes and there is no recording available.
- Paid tiers run from Pro through Business to Enterprise, and each one is billed per meeting host rather than per event, so the bill follows how many people in your team run meetings. Current rates are on the Zoom pricing page.
- A Zoom Room is a separate subscription on top of that, billed per room.
WebEx
Webex runs video meetings for sizeable audiences, with several tiers by attendee count and a flexible Enterprise plan above them.
Some of the benefits of using the program are
- High-quality video.
- Screen sharing is available.
- High level of security.
- Ability to lock a room and prevent people from joining.
- Ability to join a meeting using other services such as Polycom.
- Useful features are available to use, such as chat and a whiteboard.
The main downside of Webex is that the full feature set assumes you are inside the Cisco ecosystem, and the interface carries more of that history than a newcomer expects.
Pricing
- Pricing for using the app depends on the plan.
- The entry plan is billed per host per month.
- Plus and Business sit above it, both billed per host per month, and Cisco publishes the current figures on its own pricing page.
- If you are interested in the Enterprise Plan, you need to call the company about flexible options.
GoTo Meeting video app
It’s one of the most popular video conferencing apps around. This is due to its range of features.
The benefits that can be had from using GoTo Meeting include
- Several plans graded by attendee count.
- A free trial period.
- Screen sharing is available.
- Keyboard and mouse sharing is available.
- Dial-in conference line to use.
- Drawing tools on the paid plans.
- The mobile app on the paid plans.
- Recording on the paid plans.
The disadvantages of using the software are that it can use a lot of bandwidth, and you need to invest extra money in order to get the premium features.
Pricing
- After an initial free trial, there are two pricing options available.
These are GoTo Meeting Professional, which seats 150 people in a meeting, and GoTo Meeting Business above it at 250. Both are billed per organizer per month, so the bill follows how many people on your side run meetings rather than how many attend. Both cost less when billed yearly, and the current figures are on the GoTo pricing page.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular communication and integration tools for businesses that use other Microsoft tools. There are several benefits that you can get from using this solution.
Here are some of those benefits
- Full integration with Office 365.
- Ability to separate chat into different conversation channels.
- Access to email and OneDrive all in one place.
- Access from across all devices as there is a mobile app to use.
- A high level of cybersecurity, certified against standards such as ISO 27001 and the SOC reporting framework.
- Ability to record audio and video for meetings and group calls.
The less positive aspect of using Microsoft Teams is that it’s only really convenient to use when Microsoft tools are widely used in the organization.
Microsoft Teams pricing
- You can sign up for a free Microsoft Teams account if you already have a Microsoft account.
- The free account allows a sizeable meeting, and the current cap is on the Teams plan comparison.
- Everyone who joins needs a Microsoft account.
You can also access Microsoft Teams through the Microsoft 365 business plans, from Business Basic up to the enterprise tiers, all priced per person per month. You need to make an annual commitment to all of these plans.
Zoho Meeting video tool
Zoho Meeting is a good video conferencing tool if you want solid video content with screen sharing. There are some limitations with Zoho Meeting when it comes to recording and sharing on social media.
Top features that you can expect when using Zoho Meeting include
- Instant and scheduled meeting availability.
- Screen sharing capabilities.
- Options to record and share.
- Controls for moderators.
- Mouse and keyboard sharing options.
The restrictions of using Zoho Meeting include a lack of customization options and a lack of features when compared to other solutions.
Zoho Meeting pricing
- The pricing of Zoho Meeting has two different options available.
- The first option is free which gives you access to one host and five participants.
- The paid option is billed per host, with a cap on participants per meeting.
- You can add hosts at extra cost, but the per-meeting participant cap stays where it is.
Summary of video conference apps
The list of video conference apps is not restricted only to the platforms described above. We could go on with FaceTime, Google Meet, Jitsi and a dozen others.
The majority of video conferencing apps have great features that are necessary for a complete and convenient web meeting. They are like a joint remote workplace for teams that allow working on projects together while not being in the same place. Features such as best screen sharing apps, mouse and keyboard sharing give participants a chance to make improvements in projects online. At the same time, drawing and marking tools make the process more vivid visually. Finally, you can record the whole thing, so no detail that matters to the work gets lost.
Developers keep shipping new applications with better features, and it is hard to guess what video conferencing will be capable of a few years from now.
FAQ
What types of devices can run video conferencing apps and why does that matter?
Most video conferencing platforms can be accessed from a variety of devices including Windows PC, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android tablets and phones because developers aim to make the process easier and more flexible for users.
Why do many video conferencing apps offer a free plan even though features are limited?
Free versions are offered in order to let users test the platform and join meetings without immediate payment while the paid plans provide more features and larger participant capacity so that the provider can monetize advanced usage.
What key features should you look for in a video conferencing app?
Screen sharing, keyboard and mouse sharing, drawing tools, polls and surveys, recording and compatibility across devices are important features because they enable collaboration and capture of the meeting.
What are common disadvantages of the video conferencing apps covered here?
Some common drawbacks described are that premium features may be expensive, large groups may require higher cost plans, and an interface with many functions may require time to learn before full use.
How should you choose the best video conferencing app for your organization’s needs?
You should assess your team size, required participant limits, integration with existing tools, ease of use, cost and feature set and then test a few platforms in real conditions because the best app depends on your specific priorities rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.



