ZDNET

Google Meet has become my default recommendation for most teams, especially those already using Google Workspace. The free tier generously supports up to 100 participants, and everything runs smoothly in your browser without downloads. I found the automatic integration with Gmail and Calendar fully eliminates the constant back-and-forth of scheduling, which is a relief.

The video and audio quality consistently impressed me during testing. Google's noise-cancelation filters out background sounds without making voices sound robotic. This matters when you're on calls from coffee shops or busy homes. The platform now includes AI-powered features through Gemini integration on paid plans, offering meeting summaries and smart recaps that actually save time during follow-ups.

Also: This Google Meet tool could help you look better in meetings - even the early ones

Paid plans start at $6 per user monthly through Google Workspace Business Starter. This tier removes the 60-minute time limit and adds intelligent noise-cancelation plus dial-in numbers. The Business Standard plan at $12 monthly includes meeting recording saved directly to Google Drive, breakout rooms, and polling features that make interactive sessions much easier to manage.

The interface stays deliberately simple. Beginners appreciate this, but power users might find it limiting. You won't get the extensive customization options that platforms like Zoom offer, but most teams don't actually need those features anyway.

Google Meet features: Up to 500 participants | Meeting recording | Breakout rooms | Live captions | Noise cancellation | Screen sharing | Virtual backgrounds

Microsoft

Microsoft Teams dominates in enterprise environments for good reason. The platform handles everything from quick video calls to massive company-wide broadcasts, with participant limits reaching 10,000 attendees on enterprise plans. I tested Teams multiple times over the last few years. The integration with Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint creates a truly unified workspace with no context switching.

Security features justify the higher price tag for regulated industries. Teams includes end-to-end encryption, advanced compliance tools through Microsoft Purview, and granular administrative controls that IT departments actually need. The platform's Together Mode creates an interesting shared virtual space that makes larger meetings feel more engaging than traditional grid layouts.

Also: Microsoft Copilot is taking over Teams. Here's how AI will shape your daily workflow

Pricing starts at $4 per user monthly for Teams Essentials, which includes unlimited meetings up to 30 hours and 300 participants. Most businesses opt for Microsoft 365 Business Standard at $12.50 monthly, bundling Teams with desktop Office apps and 1TB cloud storage. The Business Premium plan costs $22 monthly and adds advanced security features including Microsoft Defender and endpoint management.

The main drawback that hits new users is that Teams packs so many features that the interface feels cluttered. You'll need time to learn where everything lives. This makes it less ideal for occasional users or external collaborators who just need simple video calls.

Zoho

Zoho Meeting delivers remarkable value for budget-conscious businesses. The platform starts at just $1 per host monthly when billed annually, supporting 10 participants with essential features including screen sharing and recording. This pricing undercuts nearly every competitor while maintaining solid core functionality that actually works.

The interface strikes a nice balance between simplicity and capability. You won't find advanced features like AI noise cancellation or fancy virtual backgrounds. But everything you need for professional meetings exists in easy-to-find locations. Teams already using other Zoho products benefit from excellent integration with Zoho CRM, Projects, and Calendar. But connections to non-Zoho tools remain sadly limited.

Video and audio quality generally performs well, though I've noticed occasional blurriness during bandwidth-constrained calls with larger groups. The platform includes separate editions for meetings and webinars, with webinar pricing starting at $7.50 monthly for 25 attendees. Recording capabilities and cloud storage come standard on paid plans, with recordings saved in the Zoho ecosystem for easy access.

Again, the biggest limitation affects companies that rely heavily on third-party integrations. While Zoho Meeting connects smoothly with other Zoho products, you'll struggle to build complex workflows with external tools that platforms like Google Meet or Teams handle effortlessly.

Zoho Meeting features: Up to 250 participants | Screen sharing | Meeting recording | Webinar mode | Polls and Q&A | Calendar integration | Mobile apps

Jitsi

Jitsi is the premier open-source video conferencing platform for privacy-conscious organizations. Anyone can use the free public instance at meet.jit.si without creating accounts or installing software: Just share a link and start talking. The platform supports unlimited participants theoretically, though performance depends entirely on your server specifications when self-hosting.

Organizations wanting complete data control can deploy Jitsi on their own infrastructure. The setup process requires technical knowledge. It runs best on Ubuntu with proper configuration of components like Jitsi Videobridge and Jibri for recording. However, this gives you something valuable that commercial platforms can't offer. You get absolute certainty that your meeting data stays on servers you control.

The platform implements end-to-end encryption and doesn't collect user data, making it ideal for healthcare, legal, and government organizations with strict privacy requirements. Integration options include SIP support for traditional phone systems and APIs for embedding into custom applications. The active open-source community regularly contributes improvements and maintains extensive documentation.

I can say from experience that self-hosting demands ongoing maintenance and technical expertise. You'll need someone who can handle server management, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and keep everything updated. For teams without dedicated IT resources, the free public instance works fine for basic needs but offers no guarantees around uptime or support.

Jitsi features: Unlimited participants | Screen sharing | Recording | End-to-end encryption | No downloads needed | Custom branding | SIP integration

Screenshot by Ritoban Mukherjee/ZDNET

Whereby wins on pure simplicity. You get a permanent room URL that works every single time. No generating new links, no scheduling interfaces, no confusion about where to click. I like how participants join instantly through their browsers without downloads, registrations, or technical friction that typically derails client meetings.

The free plan supports one host and up to 100 participants in a single room, perfect for consultants, therapists, or small business owners running regular client calls. Paid plans start at $9 monthly for the Pro tier, adding recording capabilities and removing the Whereby branding. The Business plan at $12 per host monthly supports up to 200 participants with custom branding and priority support.

Video and audio quality remain consistently reliable even on slower connections, though Whereby lacks the advanced noise cancellation found in Google Meet or Teams. The platform includes useful features like breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, and waiting room controls that give hosts appropriate management capabilities without complexity.

Whereby deliberately keeps things minimal. That means missing features that power users expect. You won't find extensive analytics, advanced security controls, or deep integrations with business tools. The platform works beautifully for straightforward video calls but struggles when you need sophisticated meeting management or enterprise-grade capabilities.

Whereby features: Up to 200 participants | Screen sharing | Breakout rooms | Virtual backgrounds | Recording | Custom branding | Waiting room

Screenshot via ZDNET

Screenshot via ZDNET