A quick question; do you really need teleconference service or video conferencing apps in 2021?
Yes, you really need one.
One thing we have learned in the year 2020 is how to work remotely as a result of the Corona Virus pandemic. And that’s why business owners, religious organizations, government parastatals and other institutions are looking for the best and most reliable videoconferencing software for their meetings.
I know that’s why you’re here.
You’ve probably heard or seen some of these teleconferencing software, but you’re yet to choose one out of them.
In this blog post, I will show you top 5 video conferencing apps you should have been using for your business or religious meetings.
What is Video Conferencing?
Video Conferencing is a visual connection between two or more people over the internet, using a videoconferencing app or software to communicate remotely (without seeing each other face-to-face).
People who are in the same meeting can share presentations, discuss and even transmit audio and video in real-time through the internet.
I know you’re aware of this.
But before going into the real deal, check out the features you should be looking for, when you want to choose a videoconferencing app.
6 Essential Features of Video Conferencing Software
Video Quality & Audio Output
Of course, you need the audio output to be the best and also the video quality should be in HD. If a teleconference service can’t provide this, then I don’t think such app is worth using.
Chatting
In some cases, the admins or hosts may need to communicate with each other, or in cases when the guest needs to speak to the the host privately, they should be able to do so by chatting.
Screen Sharing
Just like the video & audio output is very important in video conferencing apps, so also do the screen sharing features.
Maybe during a webinar, the host may need to share infographics or presentation slides with the attendants. Some religion groups use the video conferencing apps to share songs and video too.
Available on all Devices
If you choose a very good teleconference software for only iOS, Android or PC users, then you’re missing a lot. Because all fingers are not equal, some might not have that device you focus your product on.
So, it’s better to choose a web conferencing apps that is available on all devices, so that everybody in your circle will have no faulty reason on your side to complain.
Recording
Not all your guests will attend your web conference, some might not even enjoy it due to network or service issue. And you don’t want to repeat the same thing again.
The best thing to do is to record your meetings live. If you can’t find a meeting recording features on your video conferencing apps, then it’s time to change to another one.
Easy Users’ Interface
Everybody is not that tech-savvy, when you want to choose a teleconferencing software, you need to put your attendants and guests in mind. Choose a teleconference service that can be operated by another without prior experience or with little training.
Those are the features you must check out for, before you buy or choose any of the video conferencing apps in the market.
Now, let’s talk about these apps.
5 Best Video Conferencing Apps for Meetings in 2021
Zoom
Zoom is the best among all other video conferencing apps as at the time of writing this blog post.
According to them, they’re the leader in modern enterprise video communications with reliable cloud platform for audio and video web conferencing.
With over 300 million active Zoom app users as at April 2020, there’s definitely something special about this software. Before the Corona Virus pandemic outbreak, Zoom had 10 million users in December 2019 and this growth in numbers (and revenue) shows Zoom video conferencing app is the best outside there.
Personally, I attends a lot of virtual meetings even since March and Zoom app is what the meeting hosts use. I love it and I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Price of Zoom Video Conferencing Software
Zoom have just 4 packages and one of them will definitely be okay for your budget.
- Zoom BASIC Package is absolute FREE. But you’ll need to be logging out before or when it’s up to 40 minutes you’ve been on your virtual meeting.
- Zoom PRO Package costs $14.99/month/host and you can do your meeting for 24 hours if you like, instead of 40-minutes cap on the Basic package
- Zoom Business Package costs $19.99/month/host and you can have up to 10 different hosts.
- Zoom Enterprise Package also cost $19.99/month/host and you can have up to 100 different hosts.
You can get Zoom on Google Playstore, Appstore and your PC’s store. Or go here to download.
BlueJeans
About 5 months ago, I applied for a remote job as a frontend developer and the company gave me a date for interview. The company is in Canada and I am in Nigeria, how are we going to do it?
Yes, you get! We will use one of these video conferencing apps.
That’s what we used.
But this time, we use BlueJeans teleconferencing software.
BlueJeans is very very good and amazing. It’s very similar to Zoom but BlueJeans have better users’ interface.
Just like Zoom, BlueJeans claim to be the world’s leader in cloud video conferencing. But according to TrustRadius, “BlueJeans stands out when it comes to scalable web conferencing option“.
According to a user’s review, BlueJeans is a great video conferencing app for small group meetings.
My personal experience with BlueJeans app is very cool. And if your meeting is not going on well, you can switch to ZOOM from BlueJeans.
Unlike Zoom that offer free package for just 40-minutes which is still useful to some people, BlueJeans only have free trial of 7 days!
But BlueJeans is cheaper though.
Price of BlueJeans Video Conferencing Software
Unlike Zoom, BlueJeans have 3 packages;
- BlueJeans Standard Package cost $12.99/month and if you’re going to subscribe for a year, then you’ll pay $9.99/mon
- BlueJeans Pro Package costs $17.49/month and you pay $13.99/month if you’re going to purchase the service for a year.
- BlueJeans Enterprise Package is the third. But the price is not revealed, you will need to contact BlueJeans for the price.
You can learn more, or download BlueJeans app here.
Google Meet
The next on this list of best video conferencing apps is Google Meet.
Google Meet is previously known as Google Hangouts Meet, an enterprise video conferencing software which is free to all Google users.
Note that once you have just one google account or Gmail, you have access to all Google products for FREE.
We all know Google for their amazing products. Well, unfortunately, the era of teleconference service met Google suddenly. But it’s never too late for the tech giant to join the list.
During this pandemic when Zoom is busy making huge amount of money for their amazing product, Google think otherwise and they had to add some features to make the Google Meet a standard and free among other video conferencing apps.
I’ve personally used Google Meet countless time to hold meetings with clients and I must tell you that it’s very cool.
No hassle at all.
You don’t need to download any app, all you need is click on link to join either on your PC or smartphone and you can enjoy your meeting(s).
But you should only use Google Meet if you want to hold small meetings, maybe with friends or clients that are not more than 10.
Price of Google Meet Video Conferencing Software
- Free Package: Google Meet is basically free for 1 hour (60 minutes) where you can have up to 100 participants.
- Google Workspace Essentials: But if you want to enjoy full features of Google Meet, you can simply subscribe for as low as $8/month. You can have up to 150 participants and 300 hours of meetings per month.
- Google Workspace Essentials: You can have up to 250 participants here. You need to contact Google Meet for pricing.
You can download Google Meet app on all app stores or go here to download.
Skype
Skype is an household name for business owners. It’s more like messenger app created for businesses to communicate than being a video conferencing app.
But we still have Skype on the list of best teleconference service. Because you can now do more than chatting or video calling, you can now host a meeting and anybody can join even without having a Skype account.
One of the benefits of Skype over other video conferencing apps is that you can still communicate with your employer, employee or colleagues even after meeting through Instant messaging.
Skype is very powerful ever since it was launched and I can categorically tell you that choosing or using Skype is also a wise decision.
If you subscribe to Skype premium package, you will get a private free phone number and other amazing features you will surely love.
Price of Skype Video Conferencing Software
- Skype is FREE just like Google Meet. But to enjoy more features, you can choose any of the following;
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: This costs $5 per month for each user.
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: With $12.50/month and per user, you’ll get this package.
- Office 365 E3: This package costs $20 per user for each month.
You learn more or get Skype here at their official website.
Facebook Messenger Room
The last man on the list.
Facebook needs no introduction, as the brand itself is famous than any pandemic outbreak in the world. We know Facebook as social media or an Instant messaging app, but Facebook Inc., is changing or upgrading their game.
Facebook Messenger Room or simply “Messenger Room” is a video conferencing app which allow users or host to have participants up to 50 and the participants don’t necessary need a Facebook account.
Users compare Messenger Room to be a compatible competitor with Zoom but I can’t personally testify to that.
Can Facebook Messenger Room be connected with WhatsApp?
According WhatsApp Frequently Asked Questions;
You can access Messenger Rooms from shortcuts within WhatsApp that switch you to the Messenger app or the Messenger website in your mobile or web browser. Messenger is a separate app and website, so when you create a room, you’ll need to log in with your Facebook account.
I will recommend Facebook Messenger Rooms to those who want to hold a webinar or sell a product. Currently, Room is not up to the tasks those aforementioned teleconferencing software are capable of doing. But Facebook is trying to invest more on it.
Price of Facebook Messenger Room Video Conferencing Software
- Facebook Messenger Room is totally FREE.
If you’re a active user of Facebook and you make calls on it frequently, you can stick to Messenger Room for your teleconferencing.
Those are the 5 best web conferencing apps!
Got any question on these 5 Best Video Conferencing Apps?
If you want to ask of the best among these 5 teleconferencing apps, the answer is Zoom.
Zoom is currently the best and undisputed video conferencing app as at now. But also note that Skype also got additional features that Zoom can’t offer such as Instant Messaging, private calling etc.
And Facebook Messenger Room is totally FREE, if you’re thinking of hosting a webinar for your Facebook students.
We also have BlueJeans, a replica of Zoom on the list but cheaper. Finally, we have Google Meet which I will advise you check out too.
Which of these video conferencing apps have you been using and what can you say about it? Kindly give us the opportunity to learn from you by using the comment box below.
