The Best Video Conferencing Software: Best Solutions For Remote Work, Productivity, And High-quality Streams

3 days ago

The world has changed a batch successful nan past 5 years. Due to much elastic activity schedules (and Summer Fridays), group are moving from extracurricular of nan agency now much than ever. Luckily, apical video conferencing package allows group to link and activity crossed varying locations and clip zones by hopping onto a quick meeting utilizing their laptop, desktop computer, aliases smartphone.

Video conferencing package comes successful galore forms and flavors from mini bolt-ons to productivity suites, standalone solutions, online-only services, and mobile apps. It tin beryllium difficult to find nan correct solution, but nan main factors you should see are really often you will request to usage it, really galore seats, aliases licenses, you will request to support, and whether you request collaborative tools. Above all, video conferencing package must beryllium reliable, efficient, secure, and productive.

What is nan champion video conferencing package correct now?

The champion video conferencing package solution correct now is Zoom. The work became a family sanction during nan pandemic and is now 1 of nan astir celebrated video conferencing solutions worldwide. Zoom boasts a user-friendly platform, breakrooms, virtual backgrounds, and collaborative devices for a reasonable price. Zoom's basal scheme for meetings nether 40 minutes is free, aliases paid subscriptions commencement astatine $13.33 per personification per month.

Alternatively, you could see Microsoft Teams if you are utilizing productivity devices and platforms successful Microsoft's ecosystem. Business plans are disposable from $4 per spot per month.

Also: Google Meet now automatically centers you - and it's benignant of freaky

ZDNET's squad has utilized video conferencing devices for arsenic agelong arsenic they person been around. To trim done nan noise, I person extensively researched, tested, and examined customer feedback while compiling my guideline connected nan champion options.

The champion video conferencing package of 2025

Zoom gained a immense pursuing during nan work-from-home surge of 2020 and is still 1 of nan apical performers successful video conferencing software.

Why we for illustration it: Zoom provides almost everything you want successful an end-to-end encrypted HD video convention platform. You tin subordinate from a dedicated desktop suite, mobile app, aliases web browser. Breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, collaborative whiteboards, surface sharing, unrecorded chats, video recording, and moreover an artificial intelligence companion are each disposable to heighten productivity.

Amid Zoom's detonation successful fame during nan pandemic, it besides came nether occurrence for information issues, but nan work now regularly performs information updates and has besides implemented role-based controls. There is besides a public bug bounty.

Also: The complete Zoom guide: From basal thief to precocious tips and tricks

Zoom still offers a free version, but it comes pinch a caveat -- free users are constricted to 40-minute meetings.

Who it's for: I've been utilizing Zoom consistently passim nan years. I tin spot why truthful galore customers are pleased pinch it, considering really user-friendly it is and nan wide scope of devices and features it offers.

Outside of free connections and use, Zoom offers a scope of individual and paid plans and galore bolt-ons and further services. An individual scheme allows you to big up to 100 participants, starting astatine $13.33 per period per user. Zoom's Business plan, priced astatine $18.32 per period per spot for 10 users minimum, tin support up to 300 -- pinch much capacity connected connection if you adhd nan Large Meeting bolt-on.

Who should look elsewhere: Zoom, either free aliases paid, will suit astir usage cases. But location mightiness beryllium a subset of users successful mini businesses who want much than nan free solution but can't rather make nan leap to nan first paid plan. If that's nan case, 1 of my different recommendations mightiness liking you.

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Microsoft's video conferencing software, Microsoft Teams, is different highly recommended action for businesses of each sizes astir nan globe.

Why we for illustration it: Countless companies usage Teams to link their labor and to pass pinch clients. The Teams video conferencing package is mostly very unchangeable and provides clear audio and visuals.

Although standalone signups are available, I would see this much of a Microsoft 365 productivity suite characteristic than a dedicated, standalone product. It's astir apt worthy looking astatine nan afloat 365 package alternatively than conscionable Teams for nan champion value.

Microsoft has now added its AI CoPilot adjunct functionality to nan Teams platform, and free accounts tin big meetings pinch up to 100 participants. Beyond AI, Microsoft Teams offers modular subscriptions pinch meetings pinch up to 300 participants, impermanent access, breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, AI notetaking, recordings, unrecorded captions, and unreality storage. You tin besides research Microsoft Teams Phone, a VoIP solution connected to Teams meetings.

Microsoft 365 Personal, nan service's individual plan, starts astatine $10 per month. Companies will want to research Microsoft's business plans, starting astatine $4 per personification per period billed annually, aliases $4.80 per personification per period billed monthly.

Who it's for: Anyone looking for a limited, free video conferencing solution aliases business users acquainted pinch Microsoft products.

Who should look elsewhere: Many customers are happy pinch nan service, but immoderate said they person knowledgeable occasional method issues and unexpected crashes. If you aren't utilizing Microsoft apps, you mightiness for illustration nan elasticity of Zoom.

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If you request a video conferencing solution for short, casual meetings and you for illustration Google's ecosystem, you should research Google Meet.

Why we for illustration it: Google Meet prizes simplicity supra each other -- person an invitation, unfastened nan nexus successful your browser, cheque your mic and camera, and distant you go. If you're already utilizing Google Workspace tools, adopting Meet makes sense, particularly if you're collaborating pinch group who usage various systems and mightiness not beryllium capable to judge downloads.

Recent upgrades see AI-backed "next step" prompts arsenic good arsenic improvements to Google's unrecorded captioning feature.

Also: Google Meet's AI action items and caption history conscionable changed nan gathering game

It's important to statement that this web-based action is nan astir compatible pinch nan Google Chrome browser. Google relationship holders tin induce up to 100 participants and clasp one-hour meetings for free.

Who it's for: Anyone who wants an easy, occasional video conferencing solution. For example, it mightiness suit emerging business owners who request a level for short occasional meetings, aliases personification who wants to affordably research AI successful nan video conferencing space.

You tin usage Google Meet for free, and Workspace plans commencement astatine $7 per spot per month. If you request to big meetings pinch up to 150 participants, you will request to see signing up for nan Business Standard plan, priced astatine $14 per spot per month. On some of these plans, you will salary half value for nan first 3 months.

Who should look elsewhere: Customer reviews bespeak that Google Meet is simply a awesome action for ad-hoc and smaller meetings, and arsenic a semi-frequent user, I agree. However, I would still perchance opt for Zoom aliases Teams successful a predominant business setting.

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Cisco's WebEx video conferencing package is simply a solution specifically geared towards endeavor users.

Why we for illustration it: Years ago, I would person to stifle a groan whenever a customer scheduled a gathering utilizing Cisco WebEx software. It was buggy, clunky, and downright unpleasant to use. But times person changed, and truthful has Cisco's attack to web conferencing. It's now a coagulated proposal for ample businesses.

Cisco WebEx is now an fantabulous video conferencing action suitable for endeavor use. There is simply a plethora of precocious features including messaging, AI assistance, section and unreality recording, collaboration tools, almanac integration, interactive whiteboards, and unrecorded polling, which galore customers appreciate.

Who it's for: Enterprise users. Meetings are unlimited, and you person almost each characteristic a business coming would want successful a video conferencing solution. You tin besides adhd WebEx calls for home and world convention calling.

Pricing for businesses originates astatine $12 per spot per month, aliases $144 per personification annually. Custom endeavor plans are besides available.

Who should look elsewhere: You tin usage WebEx for free, pinch up to 100 attendees successful 40-minute meetings, though if you want a free solution, I'd opt for Zoom arsenic a much well-known, consumer-friendly option.

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GoTo Meeting is my apical prime for collaborative productivity, considering really overmuch customers admit its activity tools.

Why we for illustration it: If you're connected nan hunt for a video conferencing package solution pinch intuitive notetaking and position tools, GoTo Meeting mightiness suit you much than different platforms.

This action useful good connected browsers, mobile phones, aliases done your desktop PC, positioning itself arsenic a solution for distant and hybrid workers. You tin easy stock your surface and return notes, arsenic good arsenic talk and annotate presentations. Transcriptions and unreality retention are besides available.

A adjuvant Commuter Mode besides reduces bandwidth if you request to be a gathering connected nan road.

Who it's for: Users who request a solid, unafraid video conferencing solution pinch a attraction connected personification collaboration. You'll bask nan breakout rooms, screen, mouse, and keyboard sharing, and, successful particular, GoTo Meeting drafting tools.

Free accounts are constricted to meetings pinch 100 participants. Professional plans commencement astatine $12 per personification per month.

Who should look elsewhere: While galore users study that GoTo Meeting is simply a coagulated action for basal meetings and calls, others person complained of mediocre customer support, truthful I would perchance see different solution if rapid-dial assistance is important to you.

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To thief you determine connected nan video conferencing package solution that suits your needs nan most, see nan pursuing factors:

Best video conferencing software	Price	Seats	Noteworthy features
Zoom	Free aliases $13.33+ per month	100 - 300+	AI, HD calls, whiteboards, surface sharing, breakout rooms
Microsoft Teams	Free aliases $4+ per month	100 - 300+	HD calls, interactive tools, AI statement taking, breakout rooms
Google Meet	Free aliases $7+ per month	100 - 150+	Minimalistic personification interface, video and audio calls, sound cancelation, breakout rooms, AI
Cisco WebEx	Free aliases $12+ per month	100 - 1,000+	AI, sound cancelation, endeavor security, section and unreality recording
GoTo Meeting	Free aliases $12+ per month	100 - 250+	Presentation tools, statement taking, Commuter mode, multi-platform compatibility

Choose this video conferencing software..	If you want..
Zoom	The champion video conferencing package overall. Zoom has exploded successful fame successful caller years and provides a solid, intuitive level for productive meetings of immoderate size.
Microsoft Teams	Video conferencing package for integration pinch Microsoft Office apps. Teams does person its flaws, but it remains a celebrated action for organizations worldwide that usage Office apps.
Google Meet	A free aliases minimalist solution for occasional use. Google Meet provides a generous 60-minute clip limit for free meetings and scalable options for businesses successful nan Google ecosystem.
Cisco WebEx	An enterprise-grade video conferencing suite. Cisco WebEx offers an fantabulous array of devices for large-scale meetings and webinars, and robust information to boot.
GoTo Meeting	A gathering level for hybrid and distant workers to collaborate. GoTo Meeting provides awesome statement taking and position apps, enhancing gathering productivity.

When I evaluated nan champion video conferencing package of 2025, I focused connected nan pursuing factors:

Functions: I wanted to spot a assortment of functions and features successful my video conferencing solution recommendations. Encryption, collaboration tools, surface sharing, chat, recording, breakout rooms, and transcription are each features I see valuable to users.
Platforms: I person included video conferencing package suitable for a scope of platforms. This includes nan Windows and macOS operating systems, mobile devices, and entree done browsers.
Scalability: As your business expands, you whitethorn request to standard up, which could mean your video conferencing package needs to grip more. I included services pinch maturation scheme options, including subscriptions that gradually summation spot aliases licence numbers.
Security: Just arsenic Zoom recovered during nan pandemic pinch its spate of gathering intrusions that prompted accelerated updates and improvements, video conferencing solution providers must support a tight security posture, push updates, and spot vulnerabilities to support their customers safe. Security is simply a cardinal facet of my evaluations.
Cost: I person endeavored to see solutions suitable for a scope of budgets. Whether you request a free action for casual use, a video conferencing solution for mini businesses, aliases thing scalable, you'll find nan correct package connected my list.

Zoom, followed by Microsoft Teams, are nan astir celebrated video conferencing platforms. Zoom surged successful fame during nan pandemic and some solutions supply an fantabulous suite of connection and collaboration devices for modern businesses.

First and foremost, you request a unchangeable and reliable net connection, whether you take broadband aliases cellular. You will besides request a PC and a monitor, but you tin besides link connected a smartphone aliases tablet. A microphone and camera are besides basal if you scheme to participate. These whitethorn beryllium built-in depending connected your device.

Many video conferencing package providers let you to subordinate meetings done their dedicated software, and you'll request to download nan app. Alternatively, you whitethorn beryllium capable to participate done a browser session.

Yes, but it is limited. Zoom's basic plan restricts you to 40-minute meetings, basal video capacity, constricted whiteboards, and a maximum of 10 documents shared. It's still capable for most, but if your gathering goes complete nan clip limit, you'll person to restart it.

Slack is an fantabulous platform, but its superior usability is written connection and documentation. Slack has a characteristic called "Huddles" which allows squad members to hop connected speedy audio aliases video calls done nan app. Huddles is convenient but lacks nan precocious features of dedicated video conferencing services.