Organizations today are adopting a hybrid workforce with some employees working remotely while the rest reside on their premises. As a result, businesses are using video conferencing software more to promote collaboration among teams not at the same location. These solutions have found a lot of uses in the modern working environment including:
Business meetings
Virtual team gatherings
Remote education
Job training
And more.
Video conferencing is widely used in business today, in fact, 82% of businesses will likely incorporate video conferencing software into their operations. So, if you’re looking to use a video conferencing solution for your online meetings, this post is for you. In this post, we’ll cover the best 8 online meeting platforms you can use, starting with what businesses should look for in an online meeting platform.
Part 1: How to Choose a Video Conferencing Software?
There are several factors to consider when choosing an online meeting platform:
Compatibility: The platform should support the devices and operating systems that the business uses.
Functionality: Ideally, the software chosen should have useful features like screen sharing, recording, and virtual whiteboarding.
User experience: It should be easy to use and navigate.
Security: The platform should be secure and private to keep a business’ data secure from cyberattacks.
Cost: It should be affordable or at least within the budget.
Customer support: It should have reliable customer support just in case you encounter any issues.
Based on the criteria above, here are the 8 best online meeting platforms listed in the next section.
Part 2: The Best 8 Online Meeting Platforms
Since virtual meetings are getting more popular, there are numerous online meeting platforms in the market currently. For this reason, choosing the best one for you can be challenging. To help with that decision, we have reviewed the best 8 online meeting platforms which you can use.
1Zoom
Zoom is a popular choice for both personal and professional use. It offers a wide range of features, including high-quality video and audio, screen sharing, and the ability to host meetings with up to 1000 participants. It also has a user-friendly interface and is available on multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile, and web.
It is worth mentioning that Zoom has had security problems where uninvited participants join meetings (“Zoombombing”).
Another downside is that the free version has a 40-minute time limit for meetings with more than two participants. You can get around this by subscribing to the premium version for $14.99/month.
2Google Meet
Google Meet is part of Google Workspace. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform and offers these features: Screen sharing, Real-time captions, and the ability to join meetings via phone. It also integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace tools, such as Google Calendar and Gmail.
However, the free version is limited to meetings with up to 100 participants and does not offer some advanced features that are available in the paid version. To get the paid version, you’ll have to subscribe to the Google Workspace license which costs $6 per user per month for the Business Starter plan. For the Enterprise plan, you will have to get in touch with Google’s support to work out a custom price.
3Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of digital business collaboration tools. It offers a wide range of features for online meetings and communication. Apart from the features mentioned in Zoom and Google Meet, Microsoft Teams also has the ability to schedule and join meetings from Microsoft Outlook, and integration with other Microsoft apps and services.
However, the free version is limited to meetings with up to 300 participants. It does not offer all features that are available in the paid version - which costs $70-100/year as part of the M365 license.
4Skype
Skype is a popular platform for video and voice calls, as well as instant messaging. It offers a range of features for online meetings, including screen sharing, the ability to record meetings, and integration with Microsoft Office. It is available as a desktop, mobile, and web application. In later Windows versions, Skype comes pre-installed.
Skype has one limitation: The free version is limited to meetings with up to 50 participants. Fortunately, you can get the premium version for $2.99/month in the US.
Note: Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are useful to businesses of any scale. Specifically, small and medium-scale enterprises can use the free versions while large corporations might need to pay for the premium versions to unlock additional features.
5GoTo Meeting
GoTo Meeting is a professional-grade platform for online meetings and webinars. It offers features such as high-quality video and audio, screen sharing, and the ability to host meetings with up to 3000 participants. It also has a range of integrations with other tools, such as Salesforce and Google Calendar.
Unlike the previous ones, it is a paid platform and does not offer a free version. It costs $12/month and is one of the most expensive solutions on this list.
6Webex
Webex is a comprehensive platform for online meetings, webinars, and video conferencing. It offers a range of features, including high-quality video and audio, screen sharing, and the ability to host meetings with up to 1000 participants.
Webex has a fairly limited free version in their basic plan. To unlock more features like live polling and post meeting transcript, you can subscribe to its Business plan which costs $25/month.
7BlueJeans
BlueJeans is designed for enterprise use. It offers features such as high-quality video and audio, screen sharing, and the ability to host meetings with up to 50,000 participants. It is also available on multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile, and web.
BlueJeans is only available on a paid plan for $9.99/month for the Standard plan.
8Join.me
Just like Zoom, Join.me is suitable for both personal and professional uses. It can host meetings with up to 250 participants. Also, it integrates with other tools such as Microsoft Outlook and Salesforce. It has an app for all platforms However, the free version has some limitations compared to the paid versions.
For example, it does not include features such as the ability to record meetings or customize the branding on the platform. It also has a time limit of 40 minutes for meetings with three or more participants. In addition, the free version includes ads, which may be a drawback for some users. To access all features and remove the time limit and ads, a paid subscription is required ($14/month).
Note : WebEx, GoToMeeting, Join.me, and BlueJeans have relatively expensive paid plans, hence made for larger businesses looking to use more features during their virtual meetings and have the resources to cover these costs.
Depending on the business use cases, any of the above video conferencing software can be a solid contender to meet your collaboration needs. After going through this review, you can make an informed decision on which one best suits your business.
Part 3: Tips: Explore More Useful Tools for an Effective Meeting
Video conferencing forms the foundation for collaboration during virtual meetings. To have a more productive meeting, there are more tools that you can leverage. One of these tools is AirDroid Cast.
Share Phone Screen to PC with Attendees using AirDroid Cast
Screen sharing during virtual meetings is a great way to conduct demonstrations effectively. It is especially useful when:
Product developers need to demonstrate how a mobile application works on a phone.
New users require a step-wise demonstration of how to onboard and navigate an organization’s resources via a mobile device.
Projecting an iPad writing to the meeting screen, and so on.
With AirDroid Cast you can share your phone or tablet’s screen with virtual meeting attendees to enrich presentations and boost productivity. AirDroid Cast is a versatile cross-platform screen sharing and controlling tool built to help businesses collaborate seamlessly and without any limits.
Using AirDoid Cast you can easily convert your phone into an impactful collaboration tool by simply connecting it to a PC and sharing it on a virtual meeting platform. To enable you to achieve this, AirDroid Cast has the following features.
That being said, you can set up and use AirDroid Cast in 3 simple steps.
Step 1. Install AirDroid Cast for free
You’ll first need to download AirDroid Cast on your phone and PC. Click the below button to get the download links from the AirDroid Cast download page.
Select the link that suits your system and install it once the download is complete.
For AirDroid Cast Web, you’ll only need to install it on your phone. Provided the PC has a browser, for instance, chrome, firefox, etc.,
Step 2. Initiate casting request
Launch AirDroid Cast on your phone and PC. You’ll three options for initiating a casting request: Wirelees, USB, and Airplay
Use Wireless Connection : Here, you can either enter the cast code on your phone or use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code.
Via USB: First, ensure that USB debugging has been enabled on your phone. Connect your Mac and phone using a USB cable, then click on the Cable tab. Select your phone from the available devices.
Via AirPlay: If you’re using an iPhone and you want to connect to a Mac, this is the best way to do so. Click on the AirPlay tab and ensure that the AirPlay service is running. Next, go to Control Center>Screen Mirroring on your iPhone and then select the device labeled AirDroid Cast - xxx.
Step 3. Accept Casting permissions
After initiating the casting request, accept the permission to allow your phone to start casting and click the ‘Start Casting Now’ option on your phone. When you’re done, your phone’s screen will be mirrored to your PC.
Note : For the web application, all you have to do is go to “webcast.airdroid.com” and scan the QR code or enter the cast code on your phone.
Step 4. Use AirDroid Cast for your presentations
After connecting your phone and PC, you can share your phone’s audio or screen control your phone from the PC and conduct more coordinated presentations to the virtual meeting attendees. You can also choose whether to display in portrait or landscape for better clarity.
Visualize collaboration ideas using Jamboard
Jamboard is Google’s digital whiteboard designed for collaborative meetings and brainstorming sessions. It can be accessed through a web browser or through the Jamboard app on a mobile device. Users can add text, images, and drawings to the board and can also collaborate in real time with other users.
This can be particularly useful in virtual meetings where participants are not physically present in the same location. By using Jamboard, team members can contribute to the discussion and share ideas even if they are not in the same room. Some key features of Jamboard include the ability to:
Access the platform via a web browser or through the Jamboard app on a mobile device
Invite other team members to join a session and collaborate on the same board
Add text, images, and drawings to the board
Collaborate on content in real-time
Save and export boards for later reference or sharing
Overall, Jamboard is a useful tool for promoting collaboration and communication in virtual meetings and for supporting remote work.
Create riveting presentations using Mentimeter
Mentimeter is a presentation and audience engagement platform that enables users to create interactive presentations and gather feedback from their audience in real time. It can be used in a variety of settings, including virtual meetings. To use Mentimeter in a virtual meeting, users can simply create a presentation and share the link with their team members.
From there, team members can access the presentation and participate in the interactive elements, such as responding to polls and answering questions. This can be a useful tool for promoting collaboration and engagement in virtual meetings, as it allows all team members to actively participate and contribute to the discussion.
Part 4: Final Thoughts
Video conferencing is a big part of enterprise operations today because it is a cheaper and more convenient alternative. As a result, there are numerous online meeting platforms, and choosing the one that suits your business can be challenging. From this guide, you can assess one that suits your business needs.
Screen sharing from a phone to a PC can be a great way to enrich presentations and demonstrations during virtual online meetings. With AirDroid Cast, you can do this easily, conveniently, and across different platforms. Apart from sharing, you can control the mobile device on the PC using this solution.
Virtual meetings can be more convenient and cost-effective than in-person meetings, as they allow participants to attend from any location with an internet connection. They can also be more inclusive, as they allow people to participate regardless of their physical ability or location.
Additionally, virtual meetings can be more efficient, as they often allow for real-time collaboration and document sharing.
What are the best and most secure video conferencing software?
Elsa
Some of the best and most secure online meeting platforms include Zoom, Google Meet, Webex, and BlueJeans.
How do I choose a video conferencing software?
Elsa
Cost
The number of participants
Features: Consider what features you need, such as screen sharing, video conferencing, and document collaboration.
Security
Compatibility with your devices.
Which video conferencing software can handle the most participants?
Elsa
Microsoft Teams: allows up to 10,000 participants
Webex: allows up to 3,000 participants
Zoom: allows up to 1,000 participants
Google Meet: allows up to 250 participants
BlueJeans: allows up to 50,000 participants
What are the challenges to hosting an online meeting?
Elsa
Some potential challenges to hosting an online meeting include technical difficulties with the video conference platform, internet connectivity issues, difficulty managing participation and engagement from attendees, and time zone differences. Other challenges may include difficulties in replicating the benefits of in-person meetings, such as the ability to read body language or facilitate spontaneous group discussions.
Does the Online Meeting also work on the Smartphone?
Elsa
Yes, nearly all the popular virtual meeting platforms have mobile applications capable of running on mobile phones.
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