Best Video Conferencing Software 2022

By Lauren Hannula

Last updated 24 March 2022

In this Guide

Best Free Video Conferencing Apps
Best Remote Learning App
Best App for Google Users
Best Video Calling App
Best App for Quick Meetings
Best Bundle Software
Internet Plans for Video Conferencing
Data Plans for Video Meetings

Article Summary

Our picks for the best free video conferencing apps for students, teachers, and remote workers include:

Zoom—Best features for online learning and online teaching
Google Hangouts—Best for simplicity of use
Skype—Best for mid-sized groups and web-based calling
Cisco Webex—Best for small teams on short calls
Microsoft Teams—Best for Microsoft Office users

If you’re new to the world of virtual meetings, you might be wondering, “What is video conferencing, and which service should I use?” Video conferencing software is typically an installed app or browser-based service that lets a group meet in virtual “rooms” by video link. It’s like being in the office… but from your couch, while wearing your PJs.

Whether you're a student or teacher navigating the world of virtual learning, or a tech-savvy remote worker looking for the best video meeting app, the best video conferencing software includes enhanced collaboration features like group chat, screen and file sharing, and interactive whiteboarding. Here are our picks for the top video conferencing apps, plus some top-notch internet and data plans that ensure your meetings go smoothly.

Best Free Video Conferencing Apps

	Zoom	Google Hangouts	Skype	Cisco Webex	GoToMeeting	Microsoft Teams
# of Supported Participants	100 (More with paid account)	25 (More with paid account)	50	50 (More with paid account)	3 (More with paid account)	100 (More with paid account)
Meeting Time Limit	40 minutes Paid account: Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	40 minutes Paid account: Unlimited	40 minutes Paid account: Unlimited	60 minutes Paid account: Unlimited
Monthly Call Limit	Unlimited	Unlimited	100 Hours	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Features	Simultaneous screenshare Virtual backgrounds Breakout rooms Whiteboarding Live polling	Dial-in capability Calendar integration Group chat	Live subtitles Background blur Session recording Personalized number	File sharing Interactive whiteboarding Personalized feed view	25-video display Advanced organizer controls Group/private chat	Included with Microsoft 365 Business Syncs with Microsoft apps

Editor's Pick

Zoom: Best Features for Remote Learning

Pros	Cons
Free plan supports up to 100 people Simultaneous screensharing Fun perks like virtual backgrounds, polling, on-screen emojis	Time limit for free accounts Multitude of settings can be confusing

Zoom has virtually (get it?) taken over the video conferencing market, becoming the most-used video call app for online learning, business meetings, and casual hangouts. A free account supports up to 100 participants, though if you have more than three people on your call, your meeting is limited to just 40 minutes (so make that PowerPoint presentation snappy!). If you want to use Zoom for online learning classes or business meetings, you can upgrade to a paid account and host sessions for as long as you want.

You can view up to 49 of your students (or co-workers) on one screen, and even customize your background. You can teach a class about Gettysburg and set up a background that shows you at the same site! That's the kind of magic that's only really possible in an online learning environment.

Zoom offers in-video chat plus simultaneous screen and file sharing for real-time collaboration. The whiteboarding feature allows teachers and students to write, draw, and highlight material in real time. Its audio and video quality is top-notch, so as long as your internet speed is up to snuff, you'll avoid the dreaded frozen screen. You can also access Zoom on your desktop or, if you’re meeting on the go, via its smartphone app.

As for security, Zoom now offers end-to-end encryption, basically ending the “Zoombombing” era. Along with end-to-end encryption, Zoom has taken additional measures to increase its privacy protocols, including implementing required meeting passwords by default. Now that security is less of an issue, Zoom is a great fit for online learning, virtual learning, and online teaching.

Editor's Pick

Google Hangouts: Best for Google Users

Pros	Cons
Simple and intuitive user experience No time limit on meetings Supported by Google’s uber-reliable technology	Lacks a number of enhanced features (video recording, direct messaging) Free version limited to 25 participants No simultaneous hosting or screen sharing

Google’s Hangouts app is a tried-and-true free video conferencing powerhouse and remains a solid choice for remote meetings. Anyone with a Google email address has access to the service from either its desktop platform or its dedicated smartphone app—and as many companies already integrate their own systems with the tech behemoth’s G Suite of products, Hangouts is a fast and accessible video conferencing system already on hand.

With a free Hangouts account, 10 people can gather in one virtual room—a respectable number, though a far cry from Zoom’s 100 participants. A single person can screenshare at a time, though all participants can utilize the chat sidebar to converse and share files during the presentation. Hangouts also includes dial-in capability for those who need to connect on the go.

Compared to the bells and whistles of Zoom, both Hangouts and Google’s paid version, Meet, lack a bit of luster. While Zoom allows meeting recording at all levels, only the most expensive paid version of Hangouts Meet supports this feature. The video quality can be a toss-up on any given day, depending on the number of participants on the call—which, as stated, only supports 10 people for free. That said, Hangouts’ free video conferencing app doesn’t limit your call duration, giving you as much time as needed to power through that brainstorm session. And Google’s end-to-end encryption offers reassurance for those worried about Zoom’s security issues.

Editor's Pick

Skype: Best Free Video Calling App

Pros	Cons
10-way voice calling Features include background blur and live subtitles Powered by Microsoft technology	Limited to 50 participants Quality is hit or miss Limited integration

Skype is the OG of video calling and continues to be one of the best free video conferencing apps out there. The Microsoft-owned platform offers video calling for up to 50 people at once, live call captioning, and even background blurring technology (for those days where you just don’t feel like cleaning before turning on your camera). Known for its web-based voice calling as much as its video conferencing capabilities, Skype offers 10-way calling on a personalized phone number to aid in privacy, as well as session recording from both its desktop/browser apps as well as its mobile app.

Not everything is coming up roses for the app, however: Call and video quality is notoriously spotty, and as a Microsoft entity, Skype has limited integration with systems outside of the Office 365 suite. Yet with double the number of supported participants as Hangouts coupled with just a few more included sophisticated features, Skype comes out ever so slightly ahead of Google Hangouts as both a reliable and free video conferencing app.

Editor's Pick

Cisco Webex: Best for Quick Meetings

Pros	Cons
Enhanced collaboration features included in free plan HD-quality video and audio Custom screen layout options	No recording or storage with free account Meeting time is limited unless you pay Limited app integration

Cisco’s free video conferencing option is excellent for smaller teams who typically engage in quicker meetings. You get a respectable allowance for participants—up to 50 for a free personal account—for as many meetings as you want, and you have access to collaborative features like interactive whiteboards, message threads, and animated GIFs to spice up your call. You can also personalize your video feed view on your own screen. But your meeting time is limited to 40 minutes, so you’ll have to put your speed-talking skills to good use if you max out your participants.

Once you upgrade to a paid account, your conferencing world opens up quite a bit. You’ll be able to record and transcribe your meetings, integrate your account with other applications like Facebook, Slack, and Google Calendar, and utilize up to 10GB of cloud storage depending on which tier your company chooses.

Editor's Pick

Microsoft Teams: Best Bundle Option

Pros	Cons
Included in Microsoft 365 business accounts Syncs with Microsoft Office apps	Not as user friendly Only makes sense with other Microsoft apps

Zoom gives the highest-quality video conferencing experience, but Microsoft Teams can offer you a whole suite of tools to go along with your video conferencing app. You can use Microsoft Teams for free, but the intention with Microsoft is to bundle its entire suite of programs under one umbrella. If you prefer using Microsoft tools over Google tools (like Microsoft Word over Google Docs, for example), then it makes sense to commit to Microsoft’s video conferencing app as well.

The Microsoft Suite allows you to bundle together several office programs and get an upgraded version of Microsoft Teams that allows for 300 participants at once. Folks who want a one-stop-shop for video conferencing and other Microsoft programs, the Microsoft Suite offers a lot of bang for your buck.

That said, even with Microsoft's extra programs, Zoom still offers a better video conferencing experience. Microsoft has never been known for its awesome user experiences, and it's the same story with Microsoft Teams, which isn’t nearly as user-friendly as Zoom.

Also, we can’t forget that Zoom nearly doubles Microsoft Team’s max meeting limit. For larger groups, Zoom just can’t be beat right now.

Honorable Mention: GoToMeeting

Pros	Cons
Commuter mode reduces distractions while on the go Paid options include collaboration features (note-taking, PDF capture) Enhanced administrator controls	Extremely limited free option (3 participants) 40-minute meeting limit Other services offer the same features for cheaper

Previously a paid-only service, GoToMeeting has recently introduced GoToMeeting Free… but compared to its competition, it has some significant limitations. You can only meet with up to 3 people for a maximum 40 minutes per call, and many of the best features are reserved for its paid options. But you do get all of the basics that will satisfy most people’s video conferencing needs, including screen sharing and in-meeting chat with file sharing.

If you’re interested in upgrading to a paid account, GoToMeeting’s capabilities open up considerably. You’ll get support for 150-3,000 people depending on your price level, and you have unlimited call time at your disposal. Much like Zoom, GoToMeeting has sophisticated conferencing features such as personal meeting rooms, group and private chat, and screen sharing. The higher-tiered plans include unlimited cloud storage and video session recording, note-taking, and drawing tools (much like Zoom’s whiteboard feature). It also has a unique Commuter Mode, allowing you to participate in your video conference while on the road without sacrificing your safety.

All that said, if you only have a small number of people you need to connect with, one of the above free options is likely a better choice for you.

Internet Plans for Video Conferencing

No matter how high-tech your video conferencing equipment is, it will be all for naught unless you have an adequate internet plan that supports your video calling needs. Even if your software claims to adapts to your connection quality, you still want to make sure you’re setting yourself up for a smooth experience.

Here are a couple of the most popular internet plans for video conferencing.

#1	Diallog	Diallog Plus Cable 75/10 Mbps $25/mo Go	$25/mo	Go
#2	Cogeco	Cogeco UltraFibre 1Gig Unlimited Fibre 1000/1000 Mbps $54.99/mo Go	$54.99/mo	Go
#3	oxio	oxio 1000 Mbps Cable 1000/50 Mbps $85/mo Go	$85/mo	Go
#4	Distributel	Distributel Unlimited Fibre 500 Mbps Fibre 500/500 Mbps Deal: Limited Time Offer: FREE installation & activation when you join DistribuTel on a 1 year term $44.95/mo Go	$44.95/mo	Go
#5	Telus	Telus PureFibre Internet 250 Fibre 250/250 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $80/mo Go	$80/mo	Go

Data Plans for Video Meetings

If you’re jumping into your meeting from your commute, you’ll need a good wireless data plan—preferably an unlimited plan with hotspot access https://www.whistleout.com/Int.... Here are a few plans that fit the bill.

#1	Rogers	Rogers Infinite Extra Plan Unlimited 175GB at speeds up to 1Gbps $90/mth Go	$90/mth	Go
#2	Bell	Bell Extra 75 Plan Unlimited 75GB 5G Speeds up to 250 Mbps Deal: This plan includes $10/mo. credit with Autopay $55/mth Go	$55/mth	Go
#3	Telus	Telus Premium Unlimited 5G+ Can-US Unlimited 200GB at 5G+ speeds up to 2Gbps Deal: Limited-time Offer! Get $5/mo. off when you activate on this plan and enroll with pre-authorized payments $105/mth Go	$105/mth	Go
#4	SaskTel	SaskTel totalSHARE Nationwide Unlimited Full speed data Deal: Get $20/mo. off when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at full price + $10/mo. off for 24 months with this plan + Get Student Promo up to $20/mo. off $60/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$60/mth + $50 Upfront	Go
#5	Videotron	Videotron 65GB All-Inclusive Cell Phone Plan Unlimited data Deal: Get $10/mo. off when you bring your own device $55/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$55/mth + $50 Upfront	Go