BEST SOFTWARE REVIEWS
BEST VIDEO CONFERENCING SOFTWARE
Advanced video conferencing applications incorporate useful tools and features that cannot be found in other software. People need programs that allow them to create waiting rooms, share their screens, send and receive files, chat, draw collaboratively on a shared whiteboard, and more. These are the best video conferencing apps of the moment.
Skype may not be the most advanced app out there, but its feature set is constantly growing. And when Microsoft itself brands it as a "Communication tool for free calls and chat", you can bet they'll offer a generous free tier.
The program allows HD video calls (including call reactions) for groups of up to 50 people, providing useful features such as live subtitles, the ability to call landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world, call recording, and so on.
Since Skype can also run in a browser, it is perfect for users who don't know how to, or don't want to install new applications on their smartphones.
People who want to use the program in a commercial environment can purchase one of the affordable Skype for Business/Microsoft Teams plans, which allow video calls for up to 10,000 participants, adding an extra array of useful features such as instant messaging, document collaboration, etc.
LogMeIn has created its popular video conferencing platform back in 2004. It is a solid product which utilizes the powerful 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) security mechanism and runs on desktop computers, iPads, iPhones and Android-based tablets and smartphones.
Hosts can create a list of specific applications/windows that can be shared with participants, thus preventing people from getting access to confidential information.
GoToMeeting provides multi-monitor support, can record and play back video sessions. Plans start at $14/month for up to 150 participants, while the enterprise plan supports online meetings for up to 3,000 people.
Some of the more advanced features include transcriptions, drawing tools, keyboard and mouse sharing, mobile cloud recording, data storage in SOC2 Certified Data Centers, integrations with Microsoft Office, Slack, Google Calendar, Salesforce, learning management systems, and more.
Who would have thought Google will provide access to its secure business meetings solution for free?
Google Meet encrypts audio and video data on the fly, using the Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) and Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) protocols. Additionally, the service supports several 2-step authorization methods, including support for hardware keys.
Individuals can host free video meetings with up to 100 participants, while organizations can stream their live events to up to 100,000 people within their own Google-integrated domains/platforms. It is possible to create conference links that self-destruct at the end of the meeting, or links for recurring meetings, which will remain valid for as long as the event continues to be active.
Since the service is fully hosted by Google, people who want to join a meeting using their browsers don't need to install any other software. You can even join a live event from your phone by dialing in the custom number that's automatically generated by the platform for each meeting.
Sound and video quality are optimized automatically, depending on the available Internet bandwidth. The advanced noise cancellation mechanism makes sure that any unwanted noise is filtered, while the "Live Captions" feature ensures that anyone can follow along.
Google Meet has been thoroughly tested by companies such as Salesforce, Airbus, Twitter, Whirlpool, etc. so if you choose this platform you can be sure that you'll be in good company.
