Zoom vs Google Meet vs Skype vs Webex vs Jitsi vs BlueJeans: Which is best for you?

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What you need to know about Zoom

Zoom

Zoom provides free high-quality video conferencing for up to 40 minutes per group meeting. With a Zoom Pro plan for $14.99 per month, you can host unlimited conferences with up to 100 participants (can be increased up to 1,000 with Large Meetings add-on which costs approximately $600 per year). The Pro plan also adds more features, such as cloud recording and streaming. More expensive Business plan enables recording transcripts, company branding, single sign-on and other enterprise features.

Even if you are using the free version of Zoom, you have a lot of settings to manage meeting participants and customize your conference. For instance, you can change or blur your background with a special setting, which makes it easier to work from home with a sense of privacy. For example, the background of your apartment can be replaced with a picturesque view of the virtual seaside.

What you need to know about Google Meet (Hangouts)

Google Meet (Hangouts)

With Google Meet, users can host and join online web meetings for free. However, there are some limitations you should be aware of when using the free version. You cannot hold a meeting for more than 1 hour a day, while the number of participants is limited to 100.

Google Meet allows free access to many useful tools such as live closed captions, desktop sharing, gallery view, and many others. However, some essential features, such as meeting recording, hand raise and breakout rooms are only available in paid plans.

What you need to know about Skype for Business

Skype for Business

Skype is perhaps one of the most popular video conferencing brands. Almost everyone has at least once used the free version of this program. For businesses and enterprises Microsoft has been offering Skype For Business, included in one of Microsoft Office 365 Business plans. Skype For Business provides video conferencing for up to 250 participants, call recording and anonymous polls. However, Skype For Business Online was discontinued on July 31, 2021, while Skype For Business Server will end mainstream support in 2024. Instead, users are encouraged to use the Microsoft Teams service instead, which, however, does not provide a lot of security and enterprise features Skype For Business used to.

Some other Skype features worth mentioning are:

  • Integration with Outlook and other Microsoft apps.
  • Shared workspace. Meeting participants can not only discuss the project, but also collaborate on documents and follow workflow progress.
  • Up to 6 participants on screen.
  • Host controls: if a presenter suddenly forgets to turn off the microphone or someone breaks the rules, the organizer can quickly fix it.
  • VoIP telephony provides cost saving.
  • Security. Skype features enhanced protection against hacker attacks.

What you need to know about Jitsi

Jitsi

Jitsi Meet is an open source WebRTC engine demo developed by 8X8 Inc. It provides free video meetings available from your browser. Jitsi does not provide desktop client apps, only mobile users can join a meeting from Jitsi app. Jitsi allows only 75 participants per meeting, which makes it an arguable choice for large-scale conferences.

If you're setting Jitsi on your server, you may require custom development and installation of additional software, which raises the need to hire an IT specialist. Finally, Jitsi may not be a good choice if you have unstable Internet connection: it’s very demanding in terms of system requirements and bandwidth.

What you need to know about Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based team collaboration software that comes with Microsoft 365 and Office 365 Suite. This platform is mainly designed for corporate messaging, calls, video meetings, and file sharing. With Microsoft Teams, you can host meetings for up to 300 users.

Microsoft Teams platform may have certain disadvantages, including confusing file structure, limited security options, poor meeting experience and adoption issues.

What will Microsoft Teams cost?

MS Teams tariffs start at $4.0 per user per month. It offers 5 different plans:

  • MS Teams Essentials at $4/user/month.
  • MS 365 Business Basic at $6/user/month.
  • MS 365 Personal at $6.99/month.
  • MS 365 Family at $9.99/month.
  • MS 365 Business Standard at $12.50/user/month.

MS Teams also provides a free plan with limited functionality.

The free version of MS Teams is the less efficient. Even though you can meet with up to 100 people, there’s no chance to have the recordings of your meeting. You benefit from most chat/collaboration features, but no productivity applications, services or security & compliance features. It's an excellent solution if you just want some basic communication and collaboration features.

Bigger businesses can't accomplish much from the features provided by the free version alone as it is designed to meet much smaller work environments and tiny start-ups.

MS Teams Pricing if Your Business is Small.

Microsoft Teams Essentials can look attractive at only $4 per user/month, but its functionality and cloud storage won't even cover the smallest business needs. Essentials offers up to 10GB of OneDrive, versus 1TB for Business Basic. MS Essentials's plan also lacks capacity to record and transcribe meetings, real-time translation, chat rooms and whiteboard integration.

What you need to know about BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton is open-source video conferencing software. BigBlueButton's features may not be enough for business communication, as this solution is mainly designed for online training sessions. You can share audio, video, slide shows, and collaborate with students using the whiteboard, shared notes, polls, and chat. However, the software must be installed on an Ubuntu Linux server, and its deployment and ongoing maintenance requires an in-depth knowledge of this operating system.

What you need to know about Webex

Cisco Webex

Webex Meetings is a cloud-based video and content sharing solution that you can join via desktop, mobile or browser. With video meetings, file sharing and team messaging, this solution provides unified communications for any business, from small and medium-sized to enterprise level. Webex lets you organize conferences with up to 200 participants. Users also note the lack of the native application for Linux as a significant disadvantage.

The free version is only available for some countries and regions. If you need to schedule meetings over 50 minutes long or have access to additional Webex features, you should purchase the paid version.

What you need to know about BlueJeans

BlueJeans

BlueJeans Meetings is a video conferencing service which provides meetings from 100 to 200 participants depending on your plan. BlueJeans does not provide a free version, while paid versions start from $9.99 host/month in Standard plan to $13.99 host/month in Pro plan (Enterprise pricing is only available upon request).

BlueJeans delivers a variety of digital collaboration tools, such as smart meeting tools, such as meeting highlight, action item tagging and meeting recaps. In Pro plan you can also enjoy integrations with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho and Okta among others.

Bluejeans video conferencing offers the following collaboration tools:

Stop comparing, try TrueConf!

TrueConf is a leader in enterprise video conferencing and collaboration. Our award-winning software has been recognized by thousands of companies around the world. TrueConf video conferencing solutions connect workplaces, browsers, mobile devices and meeting rooms of any size. Our software simplifies team collaboration and provides advanced tools for managing meetings and participants, helping you focus on what matters most.

Best video conferencing software comparison chart

TrueConf Google Meet Compare Zoom
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Skype for Business Compare Jitsi
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Cisco Webex Meetings
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BlueJeans

Market vision

Software server for use within a corporate network.

Cloud-based video conferencing service

Cloud-based video conferencing service.

Software server for use within a corporate network.

Open source WebRTC engine demo developed by 8X8 Inc.

Cloud-based video conferencing service.

Cloud-based video conferencing service.

Deployment scenario

On-premises, cloud or hybrid
Cloud
Cloud or hybrid
On-premises or cloud.
Cloud, on-premises and hybrid
Cloud
Cloud

Conferencing and collaboration

Conferencing and collaboration

4K (UltraHD video support)

+
-
-
-
-
-
-

Maximum number of participants in a meeting

1,500 250 1000 250 75 200 125

Maximum number of on-screen participants

Up to 49 on request. 49 Up to 49. Up to 25 over H.323/SIP gateway. 6 12 25 25

Ad-hoc conferencing

+
-
+
+
-
-
-

Address book with presense

+
-
+
+
-
-
-

Messaging and file sharing

+

During meetings only

+
+
+

During meetings only

During meetings only

Recording

+

Available in G Suite Enterprise Essentials only

+
+
+
+
+

Remote desktop

+
-
+

Available only when purchasing the first two levels of user CAL licenses.

-
+
+

Role-based conferencing

+
-
+
-
-
-
+

Client applications

Client applications

Windows

+
-
+
+
-
+
+

macOS

+
-
+
+
-
+
+

Linux

+
-
+
-
-
-
+

Android

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Android TV

+
-
-
-
-
-
-

iOS

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

WebRTC (Browser based)

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Interoperability

Interoperability

Compatibility with H.323/SIP endpoints

+

For video conferencing interoperability an external third-party gateway is required.

Requires purchasing of additional subscription for every legacy endpoint.

For video conferencing interoperability an external third-party gateway is required.

Still in beta for SIP. H.323 support not available.

+
+

Integration with CCTV systems

+
-
-
-
-
-
-

Audio conferencing

+

Only dial-in feature available in paid G Suite licenses.

+

Available only when purchasing all three levels of user CAL licenses.

+
-
-

Email invitations via SMTP integration

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Meeting room experience

Meeting room experience

Availability of room solution

Via free TrueConf Room app.

Via Google Meet hardware kits

Requires purchasing additional license for $499

Via Skype Room Systems compatible endpoints.

-
+
+

Control via browser or mobile application

+
+
+
+
-
+
+

Authorization and security

PIN, user password or unprotected login.

Requires authentication with Google account.

Password or unprotected login.

+
-
+
-

Automatic speaker tracking

Via free apps TrueConf Tracker and TrueConf Weathervane

-
-
-
-
-
-

Enterprise capabilities

Enterprise capabilities

Single sign-on & NTLM

+
+
+
+
-
-

Requires moving Active Directory to Azure cloud.

Federation

+
-
-
+
-
-
-

Active Directory import

+

Requires importing Active Directory to cloud.

Requires use of command line tools

+
+

Requires moving Active Directory to Azure cloud.

-

Pricing and maintenance

Pricing and maintenance

Licensing

Licensed based on the number of online users.

Licensed based on the number of active users who host or join a video meeting or open a file in Google Drive.

Licensed based on the number of hosts.

Licensed based on the number of users or devices that have access to the system.

Free of charge.Requires knowldege of Linux systems administration and API development skills.

Licensed based on the number of hosts.

Licensed based on the number of hosts.

All-in-one infrastructure

+
-

Requires purchasing additional subscriptions in the cloud or installing additional virtual machines.

Requires deploying new servers for additional server roles.

-
-

Requires purchasing additional subscriptions in the cloud

Maintenance complexity

Low. System administrator does not require special skills or trainings.

Low. System administrator does not require special skills or trainings.

Low. System administrator does not require special skills or trainings.

Very complicated deployment and maintenance

High. Programming skills and knowledge of Jitsi API might be needed.

Low. System administrator does not require special skills or trainings.

Low. System administrator does not require special skills or trainings.

Free version

12 users/hosts, no time limits.

Web conferencing with 1 host, up to 100 participants, no more than 40 minutes.

1 host, up to 100 participants with a duration of no more than 40 minutes.

180 days trial period.

Jitsi is open source and freely available to use and develop with.

Only in the cloud with 1 host and up to 100 participants with a duration of no more than 50 minutes.

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Royal Government of Bhutan

Royal Government of Bhutan

TrueConf helps us run effective video meetings. Depending on the meeting’s type, we select one of TrueConf ’s video conferencing modes and communicate without limits. Additionally, thanks to BYOD concept, there isn’t much need for purchasing additional video conferencing equipment.

Jigme Lhendup, ICT Officer, Department of IT and Telecom

Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport

The greatest thing about TrueConf is that it worked perfectly right off-the-shelf. Their products proved both reliable and user-friendly.

Mehmet Berk, Sales Marketing and Operations Director

ForexTime LTD

ForexTime LTD

Best thing about TrueConf is simplicity and fast installation. Very fast and efficient customer support, meeting scheduler & local implementation.

Kiril Beljaninov, IT Systems Administrator

ClinicTracker Patient Portal

ClinicTracker Patient Portal

Our partnership with TrueConf has allowed us to deliver an integrated telehealth service platform on web, desktop, and mobile environments. It’s just one more way that we have listened to our customers and developed a solution to an emerging need.

Joshua Gordon, President and CEO

Department of Justice and Home Affairs

Department of Justice and Home Affairs

TrueConf is very easy to install and configure according to the needs of our organization. Seamless integration with Active Directory groups has also been a great asset for us.

Giovanni Minasi, IT System Engineer

University of Oriente Santiago de Cuba

University of Oriente Santiago de Cuba

TrueConf Server is one of the most complete and stable systems that we have deployed here in our network. We have also had great attention from technical support, who have always been able to answer all our questions.

Ernesto Eduardo Diaz Conde, System Administrator

Commercial Bank of Kuwait

Commercial Bank of Kuwait

Thanks to TrueConf, we managed to deploy a budget-friendly video banking system that did not require complicated software, big-ticket equipment or large-scale developer support. By implementing TrueConf solution, we improved our quality of client service and optimized business processes with reduced costs.

Bader Qamhieh, Head of IT Department

ZTM Bad Kissingen

ZTM Bad Kissingen

TrueConf is easy to use and the quality is very good. In Germany there are high data safety requirements and there are only a few conference solutions left, while TrueConf delivered very good and flexible options.

Waldemar Pautov, Project Manager

Banpara Bank Brazil

Banpara Bank Brazil

We’ve created a completely automated bank branch to bridge the distance between the bank and our clients. With the help of TrueConf state-of-art technologies we are doing our best to simplify customer experience.

Marcelo Fiori, Voxel Digital CEO