Remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised all manner of issues around IT security, namely that businesses have lost a great deal of visibility on the devices accessing their networks. Springing for a subscription usually means you can include more people in a meeting at one time, get better user management and administration controls and benefit from third-party app integration, to name but a few benefits. Many video-conferencing tools offer a free version, although these are often limited in their features and can include caps on the number of participants that can take part in a video meeting, as well as a time limit for meetings themselves.

Price should by no means be the defining factor in your decision, but it’s a good place to start.

*Skype for Business is being replaced by Microsoft Teams What to consider when selecting a video conferencing tool 1. The below table – which is by no means exhaustive – represents six commonly used video-conferencing platforms and chat apps, alongside some of the features worth considering when shopping around. Still, with a little research you can ensure that you are selecting the right service for your businesses’ particular requirements. Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco Webex and Skype: Choosing the right video-conferencing apps for you (free PDF) (TechRepublic)Įach video-conferencing service comes with its own list of pros and cons, as well as a variation in what it offers. This includes Cisco’s Webex – a webinar platform long-favored by organisations all over the world – as well as BlueJeans, which was recently snapped up by Verizon to become part of the telecom company’s 5G portfolio. There are a number of well-established providers that have been offering video-conferencing software for years, with equally rich feature sets.

Of course, Zoom, Microsoft and Google aren’t the only companies competing in this space – far from it. Video-conferencing services: which one should I choose?

Teams vs skype vs zoom