Video Conferencing and Webinar Platforms

10/30/2022
Video conferencing is a communication platform that allows people to meet online using video, audio, and screen sharing. It can be used for webinars, virtual events, and virtual classrooms. It’s an important part of working in distributed teams because it allows you to communicate with your team members regardless of their location.


The best video conferencing options for you will depend on your team needs and budget but generally speaking the more expensive options will offer better quality and more features. If you don't need all the bells and whistles then there are cheaper options available that may be more suitable for your situation.


Skype.

Skype is a popular video conferencing tool that is owned by Microsoft. It has over a billion users and is used in more than 60 languages. Skype allows you to call anyone, anywhere in the world for free and also makes it easy to video conference with up to 25 people at once.

Skype is available on all major operating systems including PC, MacOS, Android and iOS devices as well as Linux servers hosting your business applications.


Google Meet.

If you’re looking for a free conferencing solution, Google Meet is the way to go. Google Meet offers high-quality audio and video, plus screen sharing and remote control features that make it easy to collaborate on projects remotely.

It's also simple to use; if you already have a Gmail account (and who doesn't?), there are no additional logins required. You can invite people via email or SMS text message. You can even schedule meetings directly from your calendar!

With up to 15 participants at once and unlimited recording storage available, Google Meet makes it easy for everyone involved with the project or presentation to feel part of the conversation no matter where they are in the world.


ZOOM

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile devices and desktops. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle and training rooms.


Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing platform that enables users to collaborate remotely with ease. Enterprises, universities and small businesses all use Zoom to communicate on projects, share documents or simply connect with their teams.

Zoom is an online video conferencing service that allows you to connect with anyone, anywhere. The platform brings people together through video, voice and chat - making it simple for teams to stay connected from anywhere in the world.

Zoom's communication tools include:

- Zoom Rooms for screen sharing, presentations and collaboration on projects

- Zoom Video Meetings for scheduling and starting calls between two people or up to 200 people at a time


Zoom is used for enterprises, education, government, healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Zoom has a feature called “customer success manager” that helps you get set up with all the right software and hardware to do video conferencing. They also have a great knowledge base that can help you find out how to use the program or answer any questions you may have.

When you use Zoom at work, you'll be able to meet with coworkers and clients around the world. You can also collaborate with team members who are working remotely by taking advantage of Zoom's screen sharing feature, which enables users to share their screen so that everyone can see what’s happening on each other’s computers during meetings.


WebEx.

WebEx is a web conferencing service provided by Cisco Systems, the company behind the iconic "Are you a jellyfish?" ad campaign. It's a platform for hosting, sharing and participating in online meetings. WebEx is used by more than 500,000 organizations and 100 million users worldwide.

  • WebEx Meeting Center: A cloud-based platform for hosting online meetings that can be accessed via desktop or mobile apps (iOS and Android).

  • WebEx Meetings App: An iOS app that lets you join conference calls or start new ones without having to download any software.

  • WebEx Event Center: An event management solution that provides tools to coordinate calendars, manage participants and communicate with them before and after an event takes place.

  • WebEx Socialize: A social media platform where users can share presentations during live events through Twitter feeds or Facebook Live feeds.


AnyMeeting.

AnyMeeting is a video conferencing service that is designed for small businesses and individuals. AnyMeeting is a great option for people who want to host a webinar but don't want to pay for a service that they don't need. The company offers free plans, which include up to 1,000 minutes per month with one hour of recording time and 100 participants in each meeting.


Cisco Webex Events.

Cisco Webex Events is a powerful tool for organizing and managing events. It's an incredibly useful tool for hosting webinars, virtual events, or conferences. If you're looking for a platform that will allow you to manage your organizing process from start to finish, Cisco Webex Events is the right choice for you.


Cisco Webex Events is cloud-based software that allows users to create event pages and share information about their events via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The system also features one-click registration capabilities with PayPal integration; it also supports payment processing through credit cards as well as PayPal accounts (if they are set up).


GoToWebinar.

GoToWebinar is a web conferencing tool that is used for large events. It's a great choice if you're looking to host events that have over 500 participants, or if you want to get the most out of your GoToWebinar by creating an engaging experience for attendees.

The features available on GoToWebinar include:

  • Screen sharing capabilities

  • Chat functionality

  • Video and audio streaming to mobile devices


ClickMeeting.

One of the most simple and easy to use video conferencing apps on this list, ClickMeeting is a good solution for small businesses. It's not as robust as some other options available, but it does come with a free trial—and if you're just looking for an easy way to connect with colleagues and clients, it'll do the trick.


Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace where you can get work done and make decisions with your team. It’s great for small teams that need to collaborate in the same place at once, but don’t want the complexity of a more robust collaboration tool like Zoom or Google Meet.

Microsoft Teams was released by Microsoft in March 2016 as an alternative to Skype for Business, which had replaced Lync in 2013. In 2018 Microsoft rebranded it as part of its Office 365 suite under the name Microsoft 365 Groups: Teams & Skype Meetings, which includes other products such as SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business.


Considerations when choosing a video conferencing vendor

Choosing the right video conferencing vendor is an important decision and should be based on the specific needs of your company;

  • Compatibility with your existing technology. If you're already using a cloud-based platform or have invested heavily in on-premise solutions, it's ideal to find a video conferencing provider that can integrate with these systems. This will make it easier for users to access meetings and also cut down on costs associated with switching over to new platforms.

  • A good reputation: You should select a company that has been around for several years and has a proven track record of delivering quality products and services at competitive prices. It's also wise to choose one with multiple offices around the world so it can serve customers worldwide without lag time issues arising due to distance between locations (which may result from poor internet connectivity).

  • Customer support: Make sure that any vendor you choose offers 24/7 support via phone call or email so users don't get stuck during critical times when assistance is needed most urgently; this could lead them away from using video conferencing altogether.


Conclusion

Video Conferencing has become an essential tool for business communication and collaboration. It allows employees to have face-to-face meetings with colleagues, partners, and clients around the globe without having to worry about traveling costs or time spent away from their desk. Video conferencing can be a cost-effective alternative to hosting physical conferences where attendees may not be able attend due to work or personal obligations.


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