Since the beginning of March 2020, the world has changed the way friends, families and companies communicate. With some countries implementing “social distancing” rules, people have resorted to perhaps one of the methods most used by companies that generally have their members dispersed in different regions and that has evolved in recent years: video conferences.
In this article, we will be reviewing some of the most used tools by companies and that can be useful for an organization.
Note: Currently there are many tools on the market, so we made a small comparison of the most used in America and Europe, taking into account those that can be used personally (for video conferences of less than 10 people) without cost and professional use at a low cost.
Contents
ZOOM
Today it is one of the most popular among companies, Zoom was founded in 2011 and is based in California, USA and became a public company in 2019. Its average daily users went from 10 million in 2019 to 300 million by the end of April 2020. Today it is valued at USD 42 billion despite recent criticism regarding the security and encryption of meetings and data, which according to some sources have been violated in recent months.
Different plans
Zoom free: This free option is the best if we are looking for a tool that allows us to hold short meetings. Allows to host up to 100 participants with the limitation of 40 minutes per meeting if they are more than 3 people.
Zoom Pro: With a cost of USD 13.99 per month per host, it allows 24-hour meetings of up to 100 participants. It also allows the recording of meetings, user management, calendars and other interesting functions designed for small companies.
Zoom Business and Enterprise: USD 18.99 per host, it has more advanced options for 300 or more participants, with telephone assistance, integration, among others.
Initial zoom registration is simple and members can access a meeting via the web (without installing any applications) or through their desktop or mobile application. For more information, you can access at www.zoom.us.
GOOGLE MEET
This tool is the evolution of Google Hangouts (2013), created by the technology giant in 2017, together with Google Chat. Initially created for G-Suite users and with a prior invitation, due to the COVID-19 crisis, Google released access to anyone with a Gmail account, thus increasing its number of users significantly to about 100 million.
Until September 30, 2020
You are allowed to host meetings of up to 100 participants (must have a Gmail account) up to 24 hours per meeting and the number of meetings is unlimited per month. You can also share the screen and join a meeting from a mobile or web easily.
Note: After September 30, 2020, the meetings will be limited to 1 hour per meeting, however, it will remain at no cost.
G-Suite essentials: For users or companies with the famous Google product suite at a cost of USD 10.00 per active user per month (with more advanced options). It should be noted that until September 30, the use of the Meet options for G-Suite members is also free. To start using this tool, go to apps.google.com/meet/
SKYPE
Skype is a popular video call program that has the function of screen sharing and allows a group video call of up to 50 simultaneous users in its free version. Since 2013, the Windows Live Messenger network (formerly MSN Messenger) was integrated into Skype after the purchase from Microsoft.
This application also includes a feature called SkypeOut that allows users to call conventional telephones, charging different and low rates depending on the country of destination, being able to call almost any telephone in the world. For more information, you can visit their website at www.skype.com/
WHEREBY
This is perhaps one of the fastest and easiest to use options available. By setting up a simple link (example: whereby.com/company) members can quickly and easily access a meeting. Focused on security and with simpler privacy policies (the company is Norwegian and complies with European policies), it is definitely highly recommended for small group meetings.
It has a free version that allows meetings of up to 4 people without time limitation, allows screen sharing, configures a simple link to the site and is accessible from any web browser or device. You can start right now at the following link: whereby.com
With any of these applications, you can start meeting with your team for free or at a relatively affordable cost. Each one has its qualities and has its limitations, however, the most important thing is that you can keep in touch with the members of your company and make web meetings a habit since it is very likely that COVID-19 will be with us during a longer period of time.
What do you think about this topic? Which of these applications is your preference?
If you have any questions or queries you can contact us or write your query at the bottom (comments section).
Image by rauschenberger via pixabay.com under creative commons license.
