Zoom isn’t the only option anymore. Many newer tools give you similar video-conferencing power plus advantages Zoom lacks: longer free-meeting limits, better integration with popular tools, browser-based access without installs, good security and collaboration features, and more flexible pricing.
In the article below, you’ll find 11 widely used Zoom alternatives, such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoho Meeting, Jitsi Meet, GoTo Meeting, Adobe Connect, BigBlueButton, Whereby, RingCentral Video, Slack (Huddles & Clips): how much they cost (or if they’re free), what users like about them, and where they tend to fall short.
What is missing in Zoom?
When Zoom doesn’t fit your needs, whether you want simpler calls, better integration with your workflows, open-source privacy, or more affordable pricing, there are plenty of solid alternatives to explore.
Video conferencing tools vary a lot in ease of use, platform focus, collaboration features, and pricing, so this table sums up what people choose each option for and what to watch out for based on community feedback and expert reviews.
| Alternative | Why do people choose it | Things to watch out for |
| Google Meet | Easy, intuitive video calls with strong Workspace integration; solid free plan for up to 100 participants. | Some advanced controls (recording, admin features) are gated behind paid Workspace plans; limited custom layout options. |
| Microsoft Teams | Combines video conferencing with persistent chat, file sharing, and collaboration inside Microsoft 365. | Can feel heavy/cluttered for just meetings; learning curve for non-Teams users. |
| Cisco Webex | Reliable video quality and advanced collaboration tools; good for larger professional meetings. | Free tier is limited; some users report occasional stability quirks and complexity. |
| Zoho Meeting | Affordable web-based meetings with scheduling, screenshare, and webinars; integrates well across the Zoho suite. | Video quality and sync issues reported by some reviewers; browsers only (no full native desktop app). |
| Jitsi Meet | Fully open-source, browser-based, with no account needed; great privacy option. | Lacks enterprise-grade controls; UX is basic compared with commercial tools. |
| GoTo Meeting | Easy, mobile-friendly conferencing with solid reliability for business calls. | Some advanced collaboration features feel dated compared to Teams/Webex; pricing can scale. |
| Adobe Connect | Powerful, customizable virtual rooms and engagement features — ideal for training/webinars. | Can be complex to set up; mobile apps lag behind desktop features. |
| BigBlueButton | Open-source platform tailored for education and interactive sessions (whiteboards, engagement). | Requires hosting/tech setup; user interface is less polished. |
| Whereby | Simple browser meetings with minimal setup — guests join by link, no install needed. | Free tier is tiny (few participants/short meetings); limited advanced controls. |
| RingCentral Video | Built into a unified communications suite; reliable performance and analytics. | Typically part of a broader paid plan; may be overkill for ad-hoc calls. |
| Slack (Huddles & Clips) | Great for quick, informal team video chats and async clips inside Slack workspace. | Not designed for formal meetings or large groups; limited meeting features. |
See how much you can save on your stack
11 Zoom Alternatives: Full Breakdown
Here are some alternatives that most users prefer when switching to the tool.
1. Google Meet
Google Meet is a lightweight, browser-based video tool tightly integrated with Gmail and Google Workspace. Users praise it for simplicity and low friction (no app downloads). It’s widely used for quick meetings, remote interviews, client calls, and internal team syncs.
Key features:
- Browser-based meetings, no installation required.
- Screen sharing, captions, and recording (paid tiers).
- Google Calendar integration.
- Noise cancellation.
- Grid view, hand-raise, reactions.
- Easy joining via Gmail links.
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Key limits/Features |
| Free | $0 | 100 participants, 60-minute limit per meeting. |
| Business Starter | $6 – $7 /user/mo | 100 participants, 24-hour limit, 30GB storage. |
| Business Standard | $12 – $14 /user/mo | 150 participants, noise cancellation, recording, 2TB storage. |
| Business Plus | $18 – $22 /user/mo | 500 participants, attendance tracking, 5TB storage. |
| Enterprise | Custom Quote | 1,000 participants, noise cancellation, and advanced security. |
Best for
Individuals, freelancers, small teams, and anyone already using Google Workspace who needs fast, no-friction meetings.
| Pros (What users like) | Cons (What users dislike) |
| Simple UI, easy for non-tech people (Reddit users mention it “just works”) | Limited advanced features vs Zoom; fewer customization options |
| No downloads needed, runs smoothly in the browser | Weaker large-event capacity (less control in big meetings) |
| Seamless Gmail/Google Calendar integration | Some users complain about video quality dropping on weaker connections |
| Great for quick client calls | Fewer integrations compared to Zoom |
2. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams combines chat, video calls, documents, and collaboration, ideal for organizations already using Microsoft 365. It’s powerful but heavier than average tools.
Key features:
- Video meetings + persistent chat.
- File sharing + Office suite integration.
- Screen sharing, recording, transcripts.
- Channels, task boards, internal collaboration.
- Breakout rooms and webinar support.
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Key limits/Features |
| Microsoft Teams (Free) | $0 | 100 participants, 60-minute limit. |
| Teams Essentials | $4.00 /user/mo | 300 participants, 30-hour limit, 10GB storage (Standalone). |
| Business Basic | $6.00 /user/mo | Teams + Web versions of Office apps, 1TB storage. |
| Business Standard | $12.50 /user/mo | Teams + Desktop Office apps, webinar hosting. |
Best for
Companies, enterprise teams, and any organization fully invested in Microsoft 365.
| Pros | Cons |
| Deep integration with Word/Excel/Outlook, loved by corporate users | Can feel heavy and complex; steep learning curve |
| Combines chat + docs + video in one place | Some forum users say basic tasks take too many clicks |
| Great for internal teamwork | Performance issues are reported on older laptops |
| Strong security and admin controls | Harder to use for external/one-off meetings |
3. Cisco Webex
Webex is an enterprise-grade meeting platform known for stability, security, and high-quality webinars. Many IT admins prefer it for larger organisations.
Key features:
- HD video meetings.
- Advanced host controls.
- Polls, Q&A, breakout rooms.
- Webinars for up to thousands of participants.
- Enterprise-level security/compliance.
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Key Limits/Features |
| Webex Free | $0 | 100 participants, 40-minute limit. |
| Webex Meet | ~$12.00 – $14.50 /license/mo | 200 participants, 24-hour limit, recordings, and an AI assistant. |
| Webex Suite | ~$22.50 – $25.00 /license/mo | Meet + Calling plan, business phone number. |
| Webex Enterprise | Custom Quote | 1,000 participants, FedRAMP security. |
Best for
Enterprises, government, healthcare, and large webinar-heavy organizations.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very reliable for large meetings & training sessions | Overkill for small teams |
| Strong security + compliance features | More complex UI than casual tools |
| Loved by corporate IT departments | Some users complain about slower performance on personal devices |
| High-quality webinars | Not as intuitive for beginners |
4. Zoho Meeting
Zoho Meeting is a budget-friendly alternative frequently chosen by small businesses. It’s less flashy but covers essential meeting needs.
Key features:
- Video calls + webinars.
- Meeting scheduling + reminders.
- Screen sharing, recording.
- Browser-based access.
- Integrates with Zoho CRM/Projects.
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Key Limits/Features |
| Free Forever | $0 | 100 participants, 60-minute limit. |
| Meeting Standard | $1 /host/mo (10 participants)
$6 /host/mo (100 participants) |
Encrypted meetings, recording, 24-hr limit. |
| Meeting Professional | $3 /host/mo (10 participants)
$9 /host/mo (100 participants) |
Custom domain, multiple co-hosts, meeting notes. |
| Webinar Plans | $8 – $16+ /organizer/mo | Dedicated webinar features (registration, Q&A). |
Best for
Startups, freelancers, and small teams looking for low-cost video meetings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely cost-effective | More “basic” UI compared to Zoom |
| Good scheduling/reminder tools | Fewer advanced features for enterprise use |
| Works well for small teams | Forum users say video quality is hit-or-miss |
| Simple and reliable | Limited integrations outside Zoho ecosystem |
5. Jitsi Meet (Open-Source)
Jitsi is 100% free and open-source, popular among privacy-conscious users and tech-savvy teams. No account needed, just open a link.
Key features:
- Unlimited free meetings.
- No registration required.
- Screen sharing.
- Open-source server hosting.
- Encryption options.
| Usage type | Cost | Details |
| Public (meet.jit.si) | Free | Unlimited time, ~75 participants max (35 recommended for quality). |
| Self-hosted | Free (Software) | You pay for your own VPS/Server (e.g., AWS, DigitalOcean). |
| Jitsi as a Service | Free (25 MAU*)
$99/mo (300 MAU) |
“JaaS” by 8×8. API access, recordings, dial-in.
(MAU = Monthly Active Users) |
Best for
Privacy-focused users, developers, NGOs, and small teams needing quick, no-cost meetings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Totally free, no sign-up required | Lacks many advanced features |
| Users love it for privacy and anonymity | Not ideal for large companies |
| Good for quick, temporary meetings | Video quality varies with server load |
| Can be self-hosted for maximum control | Limited moderation tools |
6. GoTo Meeting
GoTo Meeting is a long-established business video-meeting solution known for stability and reliability.
Key features:
- Video meetings.
- Voice conferencing dial-ins.
- Screen sharing.
- Calendar integration.
- Business-focused performance.
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Key Limits/Features |
| Free | $0 | 3 participants, 40-minute limit. |
| Professional | $12.00 /organizer/mo | 150 participants, HD video, screen sharing, no time limits. |
| Business | $16.00 /organizer/mo | 250 participants, unlimited cloud recording, and transcription. |
| Enterprise | Custom Quote | Up to 250+ participants, dedicated Customer Success Manager. |
Best for
Small-mid businesses that value reliability over “flashy” features.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stable and reliable for remote work | Less modern UI |
| Popular with SMBs and professionals | Lacks some advanced functions Zoom has |
| Straightforward setup | Users say it feels “outdated” at times |
| Good customer support | Smaller community than Zoom/Teams |
7. Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is a powerful tool for education, training, and e-learning, especially for interactive sessions. More complex than mainstream meeting tools.
Key features:
- Interactive layouts.
- Breakout rooms.
- File sharing, whiteboards.
- Engagement tracking.
- Deep customization.
| Plan | Price (Monthly/Annual) | Key Limits/Features |
| Standard (Meetings) | $50 /mo | 25 participants. Highly customizable “Pods” layout. |
| Webinars | $130 /mo | 100 participants. Registration management, analytics. |
| Learning | $370 /mo | 200 participants. Virtual classroom features, LMS integration. |
Best for
Educators, trainers, course creators, and structured learning environments.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent for training, workshops, webinars | Overkill for basic meetings |
| Customizable room layouts | More complex interface |
| Good engagement analytics | Higher cost |
| Strong educational toolset | Requires training to use effectively |
8. BigBlueButton (Open-Source for Education)
BigBlueButton is an open-source tool built specifically for online teaching.
Key features:
- Whiteboards.
- Breakout rooms.
- Real-time notes.
- Polling.
- Integrates with LMS platforms.
| Usage type | Cost | Details |
| Self-Hosted | Free (Software) | You pay for your own server (requires Ubuntu server). |
| Managed Hosting | ~$7.99 – $40+ /mo | Third-party providers (e.g., BiggerBlueButton). Costs scale by concurrent users/classrooms. |
| Dedicated Server | ~$100 – $180+ /mo | Dedicated hardware for high-volume schools (via providers like BBB Plugin). |
Best for
Schools, tutors, e-learning platforms, and online course instructors.
| Pros | Cons |
| Purpose-built for education | Less polished UI |
| Real-time teaching features | Requires more setup |
| Popular in schools/universities | Not ideal for corporate meetings |
| Free and open-source | Fewer enterprise features |
9. Whereby
Whereby is a simple, lightweight browser-based meeting tool. Popular with freelancers and small businesses.
Key features:
- Simple meeting links.
- Browser-only usage.
- Basic recording.
- Chat and reactions.
- Clean minimal UI.
| Plan | Price | Key Limits/Features |
| Free | $0 | 1 room, 4 participants, 45-minute limit. |
| Pro | $8.99 /mo | 1 host, 3 rooms, 100 participants, no time limit. |
| Business | $11.99 /host/mo | Starts at 3 hosts. Unlimited rooms, 200 participants. |
Best for
Consultants, freelancers, and quick one-on-one calls.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely easy, no installs | Lacks advanced features |
| Good for client calls | Not ideal for large meetings |
| Clean UI, no clutter | Fewer integrations |
| Fast and reliable in the browser | Limited customization |
10. RingCentral Video
RingCentral is widely known for its cloud phone systems, but it also has a video product. Particularly useful for businesses that value high-definition quality and uptime.
Key features:
- No-download joining.
- AI-Powered Insights.
- Team huddle.
- Switch devices live.
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Key Limits/Features |
| Video Pro (Free) | $0 | 100 participants, 50-minute limit, 10 hours of cloud recording (stored for 7 days). |
| Video Pro+ | $10.00 /user/mo | 200 participants, 24-hour limit, 100 hours of cloud recording (stored for 1 year), SSO. |
| RingEX Core | $20.00 /user/mo | Video Pro+ features include a full business phone number/system (PBX) and unlimited SMS. |
Best for
Businesses that need a phone system + video.
| Pros | Cons |
| Browser-native | Strict free limits |
| 99.999% uptime | Free plan deletes cloud recordings after only 7 days |
| Unified app (business phone and video meetings). | Complex interface |
| Dashboard on usage and quality of service (QoS) for IT admins | Mobile heavy |
11. Slack (Huddles & Clips)
Slack is not a full Zoom replacement, but users love its quick voice/video “Huddles” for internal team discussions.
Key features:
- Quick Huddles for fast communication.
- Audio + video + screen share.
- Slack channels + collaboration.
- Clips (short asynchronous video messages).
| Plan | Price (Annual billing) | Video features (Huddles & Clips) |
| Free | $0 | 1-on-1 Huddles only. 90-day message history. |
| Pro | $7.25 /user/mo | Group Huddles (up to 50 people), audio/video clips. |
| Business+ | $12.50 /user/mo | All Pro features + 99.99% uptime SLA, SSO. |
Best for
Internal teams already using Slack daily who need light video/chat communication.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for internal, quick discussions | Not a full meeting platform |
| Integrated fully with chat & workflows | Limited video features |
| Easy for small team check-ins | Requires Zoom/Meet for external meetings |
| Asynchronous Clips are useful | Not suited for large meetings or webinars |
What to consider when choosing a video tool
11 tools are a lot, so how to choose the one that suits your business needs the most? Here are some ways to do this evaluation.
- Number of participants & meeting frequency/duration. If you hold large meetings or frequent long calls, you need a tool that scales accordingly.
- Purpose of calls. E.g. quick check-ins, collaborative work (file sharing, docs), external client meets, webinars, teaching/training, etc. Different tools shine in different use cases.
- Ease of use/setup friction/accessibility. It is important that participants are from different places, varying tech skills, or you want minimal barriers (browser-based, no install).
- Integration with your existing stack (calendar, docs, cloud storage, collaboration tools). If you already use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho, or similar, picking a tool in the same ecosystem reduces friction.
- Security & privacy/compliance needs. It is especially important if you deal with sensitive data (finance, regulation, personal data). Look for encryption, access control, and data-sovereignty options.
- Cost vs budget/frequency of use. Free or low-cost tools may be enough for small/occasional use; for frequent meetings or large teams, paid plans with richer features may be worth it.
- Scalability and long-term flexibility. It includes the ability to grow with more users, larger meetings, integration with other tools or workflows as your needs evolve.
How to match those needs with the right tool
Now, let’s move to what you need most and how a specific tool can compensate for it.
If you need quick, ad-hoc calls with minimal setup, low friction
Choose a tool that’s browser-based, easy to join, free or low-cost, ideal for small teams, freelancers, or irregular calls.
Good choices:
- Google Meet, especially if you use Google accounts or Gmail/Calendar. Browser-based, integrates easily.
- Jitsi Meet is open-source, free, and no sign-up is needed, which is good for privacy-conscious users and fast calls.
- Whereby is a simple, lightweight, straightforward UI, good for one-off calls or small teams.
Why: These tools sacrifice advanced enterprise features but excel in low barrier to entry, quick joining, and simplicity, useful when you just need a fast catch-up, client call, or small-team sync.
If you work with a small to medium team regularly, and cost matters
You want a stable, budget-friendly tool that handles recurring calls and small-team collaboration, without overspending.
Good choices:
- Zoho Meeting. It has affordable plans, enough features (screen sharing, scheduling, recording, browser-based). Great for startups/small teams.
- Google Meet. If you already use Google tools, paid plans are fairly priced for added functionality.
- Jitsi Meet. Good if privacy or zero-cost is a priority and your team is small enough.
Why: These tools strike a balance among cost, necessary features, and usability, good for lean teams or freelancers managing ongoing collaboration.
If you need collaboration + integration with document workflows, tasks, file sharing, and team chat
When meetings are part of larger workflows (documents, tasks, shared drives, team chat, internal collaboration), you want a “hub” more than just video.
Best choice:
- Microsoft Teams. It integrates deeply with Microsoft 365: docs, chat, calendar, file sharing. Ideal if you already use Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Why: You get a unified workspace, such as video + chat + docs + collaboration, which reduces switching between tools and simplifies team workflows.
If you expect growth, need scalability, or host frequent / larger meetings
When your projects or collaborations might expand (more people, clients, external partners), or you need reliability for heavier usage.
Good choices:
- Cisco Webex. It is an enterprise-grade video conferencing, good for larger meetings, stable video/audio, and advanced features for corporate-level meetings.
- Microsoft Teams. It scales well if your organization grows, plus collaboration tools.
- RingCentral Video. It is often listed as among the best overall alternatives to Zoom with competitive pricing and solid security.
Why: These tools offer a mix of scalability, reliability, and enterprise-ready controls, suitable for expanding teams or formal meetings with many participants.
If you occasionally run webinars, trainings, classes, or need interactive features
When you want more than just “talk + screen share”: you need breakout rooms, whiteboards, polling/Q&A, structured participant management, useful for education, training, workshops, and online courses.
Good choices:
- Adobe Connect. It is built for interactive virtual classrooms, trainings, and workshops; offers deeper engagement tools than standard video calls.
- BigBlueButton. It is open-source and designed for education/group classes, with whiteboards, breakout rooms, and real-time notes. Good if you want free/open-source with decent functionality.
- Webex. Enterprise webinar/meeting features that often support large-scale training or event-style calls.
Why: These tools offer the specialised functionality (breakouts, polls, whiteboards, participant management) that basic meeting apps usually lack.
If security, data privacy, or regulatory compliance is a priority
When your calls involve sensitive data (e.g., fintech content, regulatory information, client privacy). You need a platform with good encryption, access controls, and maybe even data-sovereignty options.
Good choices:
- Jitsi Meet. open-source, can be self-hosted, giving you more control over data and privacy.
- Webex / RingCentral Video / Microsoft Teams. Enterprise options tend to have stronger security, admin controls, and compliance capabilities.
- Zoho Meeting. Some alternatives highlight privacy and compliance as a selling point.
Why: Security features (encryption, access controls, admin oversight) matter especially when sensitive information or regulated data is involved, not just convenience.
We can unlock discounts on 10,000+ tools you already use.
How to Save on Your Stack?
Video conferencing tools help you cut travel and communication costs and keep teams connected, but no single platform perfectly fits every use case. The smart question here is “What fits my team and budget right now?”
What Spendbase helps you do:
- See and cut software waste: Get full visibility into every conferencing and collaboration tool you pay for so you can reduce duplicates, unused licenses, and overlapping subscriptions.
- Save with discounts & cashback: Tap into Spendbase’s discount marketplace and virtual cards to lower subscription costs and earn cashback on tools you already use.
- Control renewals and spend centrally: Track renewals, forecast budgets, and avoid surprise auto‑renews across your whole SaaS stack.
Ready to pay less on software (not just pick tools)?
Sign up to Spendbase for free and start finding savings across your conferencing apps and the rest of your SaaS stack.
You might want to read
Cost optimization
Why the Azure Ecosystem Is the Secret Weapon for B2B StartupsCost optimization
How Virtual Cards Change T&E Expense Management and Business TravelCost optimization
Free Azure Credits to Prototype Your MVP in Weeks, Not Months