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With people around the world forced to work from home due to the COVID 19 pandemic, companies have turned to video conferencing for discussing projects, work status & other work related matters. Zoom app, a video conferencing tool had gained a lot of popularity worldwide, not only only for wok discussion but all sorts of virtual online gatherings.
However, a recent influx of security issues on Zoom has caused some fluctuation in Zoom use. Major companies including Google, SpaceX, and NASA have banned the use of Zoom across their staff.
Here are the 7 best alternate to zoom app for free video conferencing which are also some of the best free video conferencing apps in 2020 & are a secure alternative to zoom:
1. Skype:
Let us start with one of the most popular video conferencing software Skype, a product of computing giant Microsoft. It provides a smooth video conferencing experience allowing up to 50 participants to join the video conference for an unlimited amount of time.
The service is not only free of charge but also free of connecting hassles. All you need is to install the software in your system & send the link to the users so they can join through their Skype.
The software has a call recording feature which enables you to record the calls & save it for up to a month.
2. Google Hangouts:
Next software comes from the leading search engine, Google. Google Hangouts is the most well-known and widely used video conferencing software. It comes in 2 variants Paid (Hangouts Meet) & the free variant (Google Hangouts).
The paid version comes with video calls facility with up to 250 participants. You can even hold presentations and record meetings and save them to Drive.
The free version is also as impressive as the paid one - You can connect with up to 150 users at a time but the presentation & recording facility is not available in this version.
3. Discord:
Discord is a communication app popular among gamers. It is a proprietary freeware VoIP application and digital distribution platform designed for video gaming communities, that specializes in text, image, video and audio communication between users in a chat channel. If you want a free Zoom alternative, this app can work out exactly as per your video conferencing needs. Discord recently raised the limit for Go Live video calls from 10 users to 50. And the app is available on most web browsers, as well as Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
4. Jitsi Meet:
Jitsi Meet is an encrypted, open source video conferencing platform which uses P2P mode allowing for end-to-end encryption. Its a free of cost platform & with no hassles.
You don't need an account. Joining the call is simple - just open "meet.jit.si" in your web browser, Enter your video conference name under "Start a new meeting" & click "Go"
Though a maximum of 75 participants can join, it is advised to keep the numbers to below 35 for better connectivity & call experience.
It also has screen sharing options & background blurring control to provide more security.
5. Zoho Meeting: (Paid)
Zoho is an open-source video conferencing service which allows you to host end-to-end encrypted video meetings and calls.
A maximum of 100 participants can join a meeting at a time. To access the meeting, participants simply need to connect to the shared link or a dial-in using web browsers, desktop clients or mobile apps. The facilities Zoho offers are screen sharing, call recording with total control, document sharing like spreadsheets, presentations.
Its a paid software & plans begin at minimum $8 per month.
6. Cisco Webex: (Paid)
Cisco Webex is another popular video conferencing software. The free version comes with certain limitations allowing only 50 participants for 40 minutes. It also features HD video, screen-sharing and recording options.
The paid plans are categorized as:
Starter Plan ($13.50/host per month with 50 attendees)
Plus Plan ($17.95/month with 100 attendees)
Business Plan at ($26.95/month and five-license minimum for up to 200 attendees)
Enterprise Plan (Price on request)
7. Microsoft Teams: (Paid)
Microsoft Teams is a video conferencing platform from Microsoft. Unlike Skype, Microsoft Teams is a paid platform allowing you to host video meetings for up to 250 people.
Teams offers standard video conferencing tools, like screen sharing and the ability to record meetings. With Teams you can also share files up to 1TB per user and collaborate using desktop Office programs and SharePoint Online. Premium version also supports online webinar & training sessions.
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