Table of Contents
When contemplating the selection of the Best Free Video Conferencing Apps, it’s crucial to take into account a comprehensive list of paramount attributes. While the allure of a no-cost option might be enticing, it’s of utmost importance to evaluate the functionalities on offer and the expected value. This consideration gains even more significance if there’s a future plan to extend your usage beyond the confines of the free tier.
Because the capacity to foster visual communication is at the core of video conferencing, a key requirement for any free video conferencing software is the provision of alternatives for visual communication that are simple to operate. An excellent video conferencing solution should function adequately across a variety of broadband speeds, provide the opportunity for customization, and interact with the camera of your device in a fluid manner in order to ensure that the video transmission is of a high quality.
Best Free Video Conferencing Apps Comparison Table
| Product | Whereby | Jitsi | Google Hangouts | CISCO Webex Meetings | Skype |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Conferencing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Sharing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Integration Options | Limited | Extensive | Extensive | Extensive | Limited |
| Maximum Participants | Up to 50 | Up to 75 | Up to 250 | Up to 1,000 | Up to 50 |
| Mobile Apps Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Quality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Call-in by Phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File Sharing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| End-to-End Encryption | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Backgrounds | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Whereby
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Customizable Rooms | Personalized meeting rooms for a branded experience |
| Screen Sharing | Share your screen with other participants |
| Recording | Record meetings for future reference or sharing |
| Chat | In-meeting chat for real-time communication |
| Mobile Apps | Mobile apps available for on-the-go meetings |
Whereby is the most advanced video conferencing software available for use by single users as well as groups of varying sizes. Whereby gives you the ability to setup and operate meetings with as few as two people or as many as one hundred people in the most straightforward manner possible, free from the technological headaches that other video conferencing solutions generate. Whereby streamlines video conferencing, making it possible for you to have productive meetings directly within your browser with the single press of a button.
The Good
- Customizable meeting rooms for a personalized touch
- Easy screen sharing for effective collaboration
- Recording feature for capturing important discussions
- In-meeting chat for convenient communication
- Mobile apps for flexibility and convenience
The Bad
- Free plan has limitations on the number of participants and features
Jitsi
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Source | Free and open-source video conferencing platform |
| Browser-Based | No downloads or installations required |
| End-to-End Encryption | Ensures secure communication and privacy |
| Screen Sharing | Share your screen with other participants |
| Chat | Text chat functionality during meetings |
But, as with all open source software, the fact that users can use Jitsi as much as they want for free can be a big downside. Jitsi doesn’t even have a paid plan, which is rare compared to the other options on our list. What happens if you choose to pay more to get more benefits and better customer service?
Most open-source software teams don’t have the resources to build and manage high-end software. As a result, you can expect bad customer service, less focus on security, and long wait times for bugs to be fixed.
The Good
- Free and open-source platform with no cost involved
- Browser-based, eliminating the need for downloads or installations
- End-to-end encryption for enhanced security and privacy
- Screen sharing feature for effective collaboration
- In-meeting chat functionality for convenient communication
The Bad
- May lack some advanced features available in commercial solutions
Google Hangouts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Group Video Calls | Make video calls with multiple participants |
| Screen Sharing | Share your screen with other participants |
| Chat | Real-time messaging during video calls |
| Integration | Seamlessly integrates with other Google services |
| Mobile Apps | Mobile apps available for on-the-go communication |
Google Hangouts is available to everyone who has a Google account and wants to use it. Google Hangouts enables users of free Gmail and G Suite Basic to participate in group video chats with up to ten other people simultaneously. Additionally, the service provides simultaneous voice chat and makes it possible for participants to join a conference through the use of email or a link that can be shared.
As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, Google has eased certain restrictions for all subscribers of G Suite and G Suite for Education, regardless of their subscription tier. Customers now have access to a feature that allows them to host video conferences with up to 250 people until July 1, 2020.
The Good
- Group video calls with multiple participants
- Convenient screen sharing feature for collaboration
- Real-time messaging for efficient communication
- Integration with other Google services for streamlined workflow
- Mobile apps for easy communication on the move
The Bad
- Limited features compared to more dedicated video conferencing platforms
CISCO Webex Meetings
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| High-Quality Video | HD video quality for clear and crisp visuals |
| Screen Sharing | Share your screen with other participants |
| Recording | Record meetings for future reference or sharing |
| Collaboration Tools | Whiteboarding, file sharing, and annotation features |
| Security | Secure communication with encryption and password protection |
CISCO is a brand name that is typically connected with expensive enterprise products that are typically out of reach for free customers. Webex is the company’s solution for online conferencing, and it comes with a powerful free alternative for those who are looking for a video conferencing solution with the minimal essentials.
You can have as many as one hundred people on a single call, and the duration of the session is completely up to you. There are no restrictions on the number of calls that may be made, and the free account grants you one gigabyte of storage space in the cloud to use. Support for features such as screen sharing, video recording, and file sharing is typically included in conferencing software.
The Good
- High-quality video for a visually immersive experience
- Screen sharing feature for effective collaboration
- Recording capability for easy reference or sharing
- Collaboration tools like whiteboarding and file sharing
- Strong security measures for protected communication
The Bad
- Free plan has limitations on the number of participants and features
Skype
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Video Calls | Make one-on-one or group video calls |
| Screen Sharing | Share your screen with other participants |
| Messaging | Real-time text messaging during video calls |
| File Sharing | Share files with other participants |
| Mobile Apps | Mobile apps available for on-the-go communication |
Skype was developed for a less formal form of video conferencing, and its intention from the beginning was for it to be offered at no cost. There is no need for you to be concerned about Skype constantly suggesting that you switch to a premium version (cough FreeConference cough).
The chat windows that you use are the first thing that you see when logging into Skype. Simply hitting the camera icon that is located in the top right corner of the screen will allow you to quickly begin video conferencing. Oh, and it’s ridiculously simple to send animated GIFs and emoticons.
The Good
- One-on-one or group video calls for flexible communication
- Screen sharing feature for collaborative work or presentations
- Real-time messaging during video calls for efficient communication
- File sharing capability for easy sharing of documents or media
- Mobile apps for convenient communication on mobile devices
The Bad
- Limited features compared to more dedicated video conferencing platforms
Questions and Answers
A: Yes, Zoom is a famous and well-liked free app for video conferencing. It has good quality video and audio, can handle a lot of people in a meeting, and has tools like screen sharing and recording.
A: Yes, Microsoft Teams has video conferencing tools that you can use for free. Users can host meetings with up to 100 people, share their computers, and work together in real time.
A: Yes, Google Meet is a free and effective app for video conferencing that works well with other Google services. It has HD video and voice quality, lets you share your screen, and can be used with Google Calendar to schedule meetings.