Web conferencing has gained popularity in recent years and many business people have recognized the importance of software products that allow them to communicate via the internet.
The main goal of using web conferencing technology is to communicate with different stakeholders including customers and business partners in different parts of the world. Many businesses have also spread out across various geographic locations and thus it’s difficult to communicate with employees who are working in different regions. Another major challenge is the fact that it’s extremely expensive to travel just to convey a message.
The good news is that companies can use web conferencing software to overcome these communication barriers and bring life to their meetings with people who are in different geographical regions, rooms, or floors without having to travel. Online conferences are lively because the attendees can see and hear each other in real-time.
What are the Top Web Conferencing Software: Google Hangouts, Cisco Jabber, Skype for Business, AnyMeeting, WebEx, Join.me, GoToMeeting, Zoom, TeamViewer are some of the Top Web Conferencing Software.
What are Web Conferencing Software?
Web conferencing software allows participants to conduct meetings over the internet. It allows users to remotely attend meetings with the help of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging, video conferencing, screen sharing, and file sharing technologies. This means business partners, employees, managers, and customers in distant locations can join video conferences and communicate in real-time.
Web conferencing software also includes features that allow users to share presentations, take part in webinars, make conference calls, conduct video meetings with several attendees, and communicate with customers face to face. Companies can also use web conferencing software to carry out remote training sessions and run product demos without incurring any traveling costs. There are many web conferencing software products to choose from depending on your business needs.
The above-mentioned products and other web conferencing applications may differ in one way or the other, but most of them have the following features.
What are Web Conferencing Software
- Online Meetings/Web Conferencing: The most important feature of web conferencing software is the ability to facilitate online meetings with employees, partners, colleagues, and customers. Users can conduct HD video conferences with multiple participants, engage in conversations, and collaborate.
- Screen and File Sharing: Sometimes web conference participants want to demonstrate something on the screen or show documents to other participants. The best web conferencing software products allow users to share screens and files.
- In-App Chats: In addition to conducting video conferences and sharing screens, users can communicate with each other via live chats. They can send instant text messages and get immediate responses.
- Mobile Support: One of the most intriguing features of web conferencing software is the ability to participate in online meetings on the go. The most effective web conferencing applications are available on mobile devices such as iPads, iPhones, and Android devices.
- Security: The best web conferencing applications come with enhanced security features such as user authentication, confidential participant lists, and secure connections.
Some of the benefits include:
- Quick and secure communications.
- Reduced communication costs because there’s no need to travel.
- Improved business due to timely online meetings, training sessions, collaboration, and online marketing events.
Top Web Conferencing Software
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a singular communications platform developed by Google to help users initiate and engage in various communications channels, including text, voice or video chats. The platform has proven to be effective in either one-on-one implementation or in a group. Hangouts are integrated into Google+ and Gmail. For added mobility and versatility, mobile apps for iOS and Android devices are also available. Despite being perceived as a messaging platform for individual users, Google Hangouts handles with ease the communication demands of corporate environments. The advantage in such case is that the employees get to communicate using a platform reminiscent…
• Live broadcasting capabilities (Hangout On Air)
• Voice and video calls can be initiated through Google Hangouts with anyone who has a Google account
• Text Chat functionality for speakers and attendees: Useful for organizing who will speak next and answering private problems/questions as well as general 'behind the scenes' discussions
• Outbound: Make calls to other Hangouts users or to phone numbers on the traditional phone network
• Screen-sharing: Google lets participants share their screens for presentations
• Intelligent Muting and Auto Screen Focus
• Text Chat functionality for speakers and attendees: Useful for organizing who will speak next and answering private problems/questions as well as general 'behind the scenes' discussions
• Outbound: Make calls to other Hangouts users or to phone numbers on the traditional phone network
• Screen-sharing: Google lets participants share their screens for presentations
• Unlimited viewers: While there are participant caps for webcasts, there are no caps on viewers
• Low Cost: To run a Google Hangout simply requires a device with a webcam and microphone
• Federation: Exchange IMs with users of IM clients other than Hangouts
Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a unified communications application available with VoiceMaxx CE, enabling users to be more productive from anywhere. Jabber comes with ready to go integration with Microsoft Outlook. As well as sharing the contacts directory, Jabber presence and click-to-communicate features are transferred into Outlook. It shares presence information and IM with other XMPP-based systems, such as GoogleTalk and IBM Lotus Sametime. Also, the Jabber Software Development Kit (SDK) allows users to connect Jabber to their own web platforms, making its features available through the site. What may as well be considered as a distinct advantage is the lack of…
• Muting: Grant participants the ability to address the meeting and retract when desired
• Easy, one-click communication with individuals and groups
• Fully integrated video, IM, conferencing and sharing capabilities
• Predictive Contact Search
• Logout Inactivity Timer
• Keyboard Shortcuts for Calls and Messages
• Fully integrated video, IM, conferencing and sharing capabilities
• Predictive Contact Search
• Logout Inactivity Timer
• Security: User authentication and security measures like confidential attendee lists keep conferences private and secure
• Bandwidth Usage: Software optimized to perform well without taking up an exorbitant amount of bandwidth
• Performance and Reliability: Software is consistently available (uptime), with high audio/video quality and without dropping calls
Skype for Business
Skype is a web-based communications tool that offers video chat, international calls, and texting via the web. Dubbed by users and experts as one of the best VoIP solutions providers in the world, Skype offers instant messaging, group video conferencing, video chat, group chat, collaboration functionalities such as document and image sharing. With Skype contacting actual landlines and mobile phones is also offered for super low rates with no peak times. Currently, Skype is owned by Microsoft, and brings on board all functionality and responsiveness expected from this reputed provider. Skype is very popular for its free video chat and…
• Screen sharing & Group screen sharing
• Group calls & Forward calls
• Skype Number & Caller ID
• One-to-one video calls, Group video calls and Skype to Skype calls
• Video messaging, Instant messaging, Send texts (SMS) and Voice messaging
• Skype is a free communications app
• Business communication $2 per user per month.
• Online Plan 2 (Skype for Business online meetings): $5.50 user/month
• Office 365 Business Essentials: $5.00 user/month
• Office 365 Business Premium: $12.50 user/month
• Files & contact sending
• Reliability and administration
• Built-in IM & Anytime IMs
• With one click, anyone can join an online meeting, from any device.
• Record meetings, share the screen, and annotate PowerPoint for real-time collaboration with up to 250 people.
• Expertly manage the online meetings with advanced calling options, like muting one or all participants and transferring presenter control.
AnyMeeting
AnyMeeting is a leading provider of web conferencing and webinar software for small businesses. It serves all the conferencing needs of small business -- from web, video and phone conferencing to large webinars -- in one simple, affordable package. Using the latest HTML5 and WebRTC technology in modern browsers, AnyMeeting eliminates the need for plugins or installations. Older browsers are also supported as viewers, and can easily dial-in for the audio. Keep track of critical meeting decisions, action items, and information, publicly and privately. Once the meeting is over, notes are emailed to all users. The software also provides extensive…
• Live Video Conferencing – Supporting up to 6 people at once
• Recording – Easily record and share meetings by just clicking the record button
• Ability to upload slides and pre-load audience polls
• Built-in time zone converter
• Integrated conference calling & VoIP
• Green room / attendee waiting room
• Lite 10 - $18 / month
• Pro 30 - $24 / month
• Ability to upload slides and pre-load audience polls
• Built-in time zone converter
• Integrated conference calling & VoIP
• Ease of use: Setting up a meeting is quick and simple, and so is presenting
• Innovative: Take advantage of the latest technical standards to provide exceptional audio performance through best in class echo cancellation
• Browser based: No downloading, so meetings start super quick and get productive fast
WebEx
Cisco WebEx is often described as a flexible audio and video conferencing solution designed for businesses of all sizes and represents a popular web conferencing software that integrates the primary tools that enable users to instantly conduct meetings online which are data, voice, and video. Available in various plans wherein each plan offers a specific capacity of workspace and meeting space, Cisco WebEx has the capability to hold multiple meetings providing users a real-time experience. This web conferencing software is also highly recommended for large-scale product launches and educational sessions. Its broadcast-quality audio, conference calls, and teleconferencing system allow users…
• WebEx Meeting Center facilitates easy access to meetings making attendees as active participants
• Seamlessly integrated voice, video, and content sharing, all in one meeting
• One-Click Meeting Access: Start a meeting and invite attendees instantly from your mobile device, video system, desktop, taskbar, or favorite applications
• Active speaker automatically displays the current speaker’s video in the active speaker window
• Video conferencing (full-screen, up to 7 video feeds, or split-screen)
• Markup tools and whiteboard
• Premium 8 - $24 / month
• Premium 25 - $49 / month
• Premium 100 - $69 / month
• One-Click Meeting Access: Start a meeting and invite attendees instantly from your mobile device, video system, desktop, taskbar, or favorite applications
• Active speaker automatically displays the current speaker’s video in the active speaker window
• Video conferencing (full-screen, up to 7 video feeds, or split-screen)
• Simple: Collaborate more effectively with customers, partners, and employees without the need to travel
• Reduce costs and allow IT to focus on core priorities
• Scalable architecture, consistent availability, and multilayer tenant security validated by rigorous independent audits, including SSAE-16 and ISO 27001
Join.me
Join.me is a cloud-based application that allows people, businesses, and organizations to meet online for various purposes in an instant. Flaunting a simple, user-friendly structure, Join.me makes it easy for companies to start or attend a meeting, collaborate and share ideas and discuss business even when they are nowhere near their desktops. Another distinctive advantage of this system is that it requires no complex installations or expensive training, as it is hosted in the cloud and ready to run upon implementation. It integrates with all leading contact management and email systems to facilitate contact import and blends easily in every…
• Bridged audio unlimited from phone or VoIP calls
• Pass presenter: Pass the presenter role to other meeting attendee
• One Click Screen Sharing: Simply press the "broadcast" button and start
• Mobile whiteboard: The simplest, most effective way to brainstorm, demonstrate ideas and close sales
• Follow-Up and Breakout Meetings: Can easily initiate meetings with select participants from the main conference interface
• Website, HTML Slides & File Sharing
• Lite - $10 / month
• Pro - $20 / month
• Business - $30 / month
• Eliminate geographic barriers: Opens up possibilities for communication with employees and customers worldwide
• Flexible: Send an email invitation or pick up the phone to alert attendees of the web conference
• Toll-free: Get competitive rates with no hidden costs or overage fees
GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a simple and very straightforward web conferencing system loaded with international features, making it an ideal option for business with multiple international locations and professionals with contracts and dealings with international clients and colleagues. The software sports a user-friendly interface and starting a meeting can be done in mere moments. The same flexibility and simpleness apply to its pricing scheme, and the numerous integrations it can offer (Podio, Slack, Accord LMS, Zapier, Microsoft Office 365, and many more applications). GoToMeeting is an excellent solution for businesses that have outgrown entry web and video conferencing tools and require a…
• One-Click Meetings: Launch meetings quickly from a variety of locations including Microsoft Office, email and instant-messaging tools
• Built-In Audio: Choose between VoIP and toll-based options at no extra charge
• Drawing Tools: Direct attention using drawing tools while sharing the screen
• Virtual Whiteboard: Brainstorm on a virtual whiteboard and show participants
• Keyboard & Mouse Sharing
• HDFaces Video Conferencing
• Starter - $26 / month
• Pro- $39 / month
• Plus - $64 / month
• Dramatically increase sales, marketing and training productivity and effectiveness
• Use seamless integration of calendars from Outlook to coordinate direct meetings
• Maintains industry-leading security as an integral part of its technology
Zoom
Zoom is designed exclusively for hosting webinars, teaching online courses, and conducting online training, video demonstrations, virtual meetings and video conference; and represents an easy to use online video conferencing and meeting software that integrates video conferencing, simple online meetings, and group messaging into a single cloud-based platform. Helpful for small to medium businesses, enterprises, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations; Zoom is built to host and broadcast online meetings that can cater to up to 100 interactive video participants and 10,000 view-only attendees. Offering quality video, audio, and screen-sharing capabilities and experiences, Zoom improves collaboration among teams, remote employees, and…
• Video conferencing: HD video, HD voice, Active speaker view, Virtual background
• Custom Personal Meeting ID
• The Zoom Chrome Extension allows hosts to schedule Zoom cloud meetings directly from Google Calendar
• The meeting Host can control the Participant's audio, video and screen sharing options
• The Zoom Dashboard allows administrators on the account to view information ranging from overall usage to live in-meeting data
• Detailed trending adoption analysis, ROI tracking, product roadmap discussions
• Pro - $14.99 / month / host
• Business - $19.99 / month / host
• Enterprise - $19.99 / month / host
• The Zoom Chrome Extension allows hosts to schedule Zoom cloud meetings directly from Google Calendar
• The meeting Host can control the Participant's audio, video and screen sharing options
• The Zoom Dashboard allows administrators on the account to view information ranging from overall usage to live in-meeting data
• Collaboration: Allows collaboration with up to 100 UR and external non-UR individuals
• Developer Platform: Simply browse through the resources and join the community to submit requests for APIs
• 323/SIP Connector: Enable room systems from a range of vendors to communicate with mobile, tablet, and desktop devices with a single touch
TeamViewer
TeamViewer is an application that allows remote control, online meetings, file transfer, desktop sharing, and web conferencing between computers. This solutions for remote access and support offers fast and secure device connections for everyone. Through innovations in technology and an incredibly fast and secure global network, the solution is paving the path towards a truly global workspace. TeamViewer also allows the user to remotely access and control the desktop of their computers and servers from anywhere, on a 3G or better internet connection. This access is device agnostic and completely secure. Any modern smartphone can now be the user’s window…
• Remote monitoring/management
• Endpoint protection
• Service management
• Backup
• Asset management
• Remote desktop access
• Contact for Pricing
• Endpoint protection
• Service management
• Backup
• Remote monitoring helps set up checks like online status, disk health and memory usage, and get notified when a certain threshold is exceeded.
• Asset Management provides a solution to view and generate reports on all the users’ devices’ hardware, installed software and more with only a few clicks.
• Endpoint Protection protects computers against threats such as viruses, ransomware, Trojans, rootkits and spyware.
TeamViewer
What are Web Conferencing Software?
Web conferencing software allows participants to conduct meetings over the internet. It allows users to remotely attend meetings with the help of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging, video conferencing, screen sharing, and file sharing technologies. This means business partners, employees, managers, and customers in distant locations can join video conferences and communicate in real-time. What are the Top Web Conferencing Software?
Google Hangouts, Cisco Jabber, Skype for Business, AnyMeeting, WebEx, Join.me, GoToMeeting, Zoom, TeamViewer are some of the Top Web Conferencing Software.