The Zoom videoconferencing app has become highly popular for online meetings and online classrooms during the coronavirus pandemic all over the world. The following alternatives include more generalized online video meeting applications that allow you to participate without having to actually register for the app (unless you’re the host).
CISCO Webex
Webex as an online meeting has got a fairly generous free version that’s worth checking out. For the current emergency, it has expanded the features of the freemium version from 50 to 100 participants, gotten rid of the 40-minute limit on meetings, and added call-in abilities.
Important Features
- Up to 100 participants
- Call-in for audio
- Unlimited timing for each meeting
Starleaf
StarLeaf is an online meeting platform for large companies. They don’t quote a price on their website; you have to call a salesperson. It is also offering its basic video and messaging product free of charge during the COVID-19 period.
Important Features
- Up to 20 participants
- Forty-six minutes for each meeting
Skype Meet Now
Skype’s maximum number of participants can vary, depending on your platform and device. This online video platform also allows you to create a free video meeting without having to actually sign up for the service. If you’re okay with registering for a free account, you get more features in the app.
Important Features
- Record the call for up to 30 days
- Share presentations
- Can blur the background
Google Meet
Google has announced that it is going to make Meet available starting in early May 2020. There are features for you to schedule a meeting using Google Calendar, and Google includes a number of security features such as the ability to admit or deny entry.
Important Features
- Up to 100 participants
- Unlimited meeting time until September 30th; afterward, 60-minute limit
Hangouts
You can use Hangouts to video chat with up to 10 people. There aren’t a lot of additional features available now. You can add text messages and share screens.
Important Features
- Up to 10 participants
- Voice conversations can have up to 150 participants
Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is an open-source online video platform that lets you easily meet online by simply navigating to the site and clicking on “Go.” If you’re more technically inclined, you can develop your own via Jitsu Videobridge.
Important Features
- Can blur the background (currently in beta)
- Up to 75 participants (up to 35 for the best experience)
- Public or private chat
- Integrates with Slack, Google Calendar, and Office 365
Whereby
The Pro version ($9.99 per month) offers up to 12 participants per room in up to three meeting rooms. The free version is rather limited as it gives you the use of a single meeting room with up to four participants, along with the ability to lock rooms. Each room has its own URL that you get to choose.
Important Features
- Up to four participants in the free version
- Screen-sharing
- Ability to “lock” rooms
- YouTube integration
Online Video Meeting with Chat Apps
Here are a few more online learning platform alternatives to Zoom
Slack
Slack is an app for text chat mainly, but it also gives you the ability to make voice and video calls you can make a video call to an individual. But if you want to host a meeting between several people, you’ll need to look for an alternative.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams can easily collaborate on various Office documents. Currently, Microsoft is offering a free version of Microsoft Team that includes videoconferencing. Remember that when you sign up, and it asks you how you want to use Teams, don’t click the option “For friends and family.” It will just take you to Skype.
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