Are you looking for the best free video conferencing apps? Are you working remotely as well? If yes, you have landed on the right page. As the global workforce moved toward working from home culture due to the spread of COVID-19, video conferencing apps are the need of the hour for every enterprise. From holding virtual meetings and taking client calls to maintain day-to-day communication among the teams, video conferencing apps play the role of a virtual office.

However, every company has its own set of priorities while choosing video conferencing software. It is determined based on the industry the company is working in, size, agility, and data security requirement, support, and budget.

Though there are some premium enterprise-grade video conferencing apps available in the market, most companies look for agile software that supports more users at-a-time during meetings and conferences, is secure, and is also free. It might seem impossible, but it’s not.

Best Free Video Conferencing Apps – Why Prefer Video Conferencing Over Audio?

According to a study done by Owllabs on The 2020 State of Video Conferencing, when in-person communication isn’t an option, video conferencing is more preferred by companies over audio-only medium. The study shows video communication as 30% more effective than audio-only setups since it increases engagement.

Fortunately, there are multiple options available for enterprises to choose from regarding video conferencing apps. Here’s our list of 5 Best Free Video Conferencing Apps of 2021.

App List

  • Google Meet
  • Zoom Meetings
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Jitsi
  • CXEngage Engage Video

1. Google Meet: AI-Powered, Greater Conversation # Ranked No.1 Free Video Conferencing App!

Google-Meet-Best-Free-Video-Conferencing-App
In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Google re-engineered their Google Hangout Video service as Google Meet. And has it taken their business to a whole new level! Anyone having a google account can access this free video conferencing app, either on Android and iOS phones or on Gmail. Google Meet has a free version, which is available to all as default. It can also be upgraded to two types of paid service – Google Workspace Essential and Google Workspace Enterprise. However, the free version also provides an array of exciting advantages to its users.

Benefits:

  • The free version of Google Meet allows up to 100 internal and external participants at a time.
  • Integration with Google Calendar is possible.
  • Screen sharing is allowed.
  • The layout can be adjusted manually and automatically.
  • Live closed caption is available.

Security:

  • It has smart anti-abuse features.
  • 2-step verification is mandatory.
  • Encryption in transit and at rest.
  • It can be enrolled into Google’s Advanced Protection Program.

Limitations:

✖ The free version does not allow to live stream.
✖ Intelligent noise cancellation is unavailable in the free Google Meet.
✖ Dial-in phone service is available only in selected countries.
✖ Complaints about poor video quality and reliability are common.

2. Zoom Meetings: Leader In Enterprise-Standard Free Video Conferencing Solution

ZOOM-Best-Video-Conferencing-Apps-2021-1
Zoom’s enterprise-level video conferencing suite gives SMEs and corporates the freedom to engage from anywhere, anytime. It has been named as a leader for the fifth consecutive year in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant report for Meeting Solutions. This has been possible because of Zoom Meeting’s 3 key features:

  • Unparalleled Usability – Zoom ensures meetings are easy to invite, start, join, and collaborate for all its users.
  • Integration with AI-Powered Home Devices – Zoom Meeting can easily be integrated with Alexa or Google Home. This gives participants the freedom to use it from anywhere, anytime, even when you are busy cooking your meal or watering your plants.
  • Top-Notch Meeting Security – Data security is the ultimate requirement for any company. Zoom’s robust security settings ensure your meetings are seamless, encrypted, have role-based security, and are protected by a passcode. Additionally, the waiting room feature ensures a participant can only enter if the host allows it.

Benefits:

  • The free video conferencing app version allows up to 100 internal and external participants at a time.
  • Unlimited number of group and 1:1 meetings are allowed
  • Group meetings can be held for up to 40 mins at a stretch
  • Screen Sharing and co-annotation feature is available
  • Whiteboard can be accessed for making notes while a meeting is on.

Limitation:

✖ The free version does not allow to live stream.
✖ Intelligent noise cancellation is unavailable in the free Google Meet.
✖ Live transcripts and recording transcripts are not available in the basic version
✖ Facility to add a co-host is also unavailable.
✖ Does not have the capability to control spam or bandwidth.
✖ Requires the app to be downloaded.

3. Microsoft Teams: Not Just For Business # Free For Users

Microsoft-Teams-Best-Free-Video-Conferencing-App
Skype is one of the oldest yet still extremely popular video conferencing applications by Microsoft. While Skype can be used both for enterprise and personal use, Microsoft Team has been majorly focused on enterprise use. However, recently, Microsoft has shrugged out of its three-piece suit and rolled out a free personal version for Teams, where anyone can call, chat and hold video meetings.

Benefits:

  • Usually, 100 people can participate in a single call. However, the number has been increased to 300 to support WFH culture during this COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Group meetings can be held for up to 60 mins at a stretch.
  • Screen sharing, scheduling meetings, and customized background features are available.
  • The web version of the word, excel, and PowerPoint can be integrated

Security:

  • Microsoft Teams ensures data encryption at rest and in transit.

Limitation

Advanced features like 24-hour long group meetings, hosting webinars, call recordings, integration with the whole Microsoft 365 suite, better security compliance, and admin support are only available on Premium paid versions.

4. Jitsi Meet: Open-Source App With Plenty Of Features

Jitsi-Meet-Best-Free-Video-Conferencing-App
This Free Jitsi Meet video conferencing app you might never have heard of before. The beauty of this app is that it is open-source, which means it’s supported in all kinds of operating systems like Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and has a web version as well. Since it is open-sourced, its software can be tweaked by anyone, anytime, using Jitsi Video bridge.

Benefits:

  • Jitsi Meet can support up to 100 participants at a time.
  • An unlimited number of groups and 1:1 meetings are allowed.
  • Screen sharing and dramatic fake background features are also available.
  • Calls can be recorded and shared using Dropbox. Therefore, ensure you have a Dropbox account.
  • Uninvited participants can be kicked out.
  • A calendar integration feature is also available.

Security:

One of the major drawbacks of using an open-source Free video conferencing app is enterprise data might not be 200% secure. Although every call is end-to-end encrypted, minute chances of data getting lost remain.

Limitation:

✖ Meetings can not be scheduled in advance.
✖ The meeting begins only when the host starts.
✖ Often seem like a non-professional app.

5. Cxengage Engage Video: Video Conferencing For Call Centers

One of the most popular free video conferencing apps used in cloud contact centres is CXEngage Engage Video. It can be accessed from email, chat, SMS, and social media. Since it is a fully integrated, single-platform solution, it eliminates the need for any separate application downloads, installations, accounts syncing, or subscriptions for both agent or customer. Being able to directly see either party, resolving issues becomes easier as miscommunication can be avoided.

Benefits:

  • No separate downloading required
  • The web version is quick and easy-to-use
  • Allows HD quality video
  • Screen-sharing capability is enabled.

Limitation:

✖ Migration to the cloud system requires onboarding and having paid premium access.
In conclusion, video conferencing is a powerful tool for businesses, students, and people who want to stay connected while being far away. These free video conferencing apps are some of the most popular ones. However, there are millions more available out there. But our bottom line is to take advantage of such an app that offers you the most benefits all while ensuring the data security of both the enterprise and the participants.

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