Video conferencing is becoming more and more common. And as its popularity continues to grow, more companies are offering free services that are quite good. If you are looking to save the $15-40 a month that it will cost for a video conferencing service, consider these free options that might have all the features you need.
ezTalks
ezTalks offers a lot of features for their free plan. The only downside is the 40 minute cap on meetings with 3 or more participants (and you count as one!). So only be ready for a truly free plan if all your meetings are 1:1 and will last under 40 minutes. If not, you will have to either pay up or switch services.
Advantages
✔ No Download Required
✔ Up to 100 Participants
✔ Call Recording
✔ Private Rooms
✔ HD Video
✔ Whiteboard Tool
Disadvantages
✘ 40 Minute Cap on Meetings with 3+ Participants
Zoom
Zoom and ezTalks are virtually the same with their features and limitations. The only real difference is that zoom doesn’t provide recordings, but they do offer simultaneous screen sharing. Curious as to what that means? It allows more than one person to share their screen at the same time, which is very valuable for collaboration and more interactive meetings.
Advantages
✔ No Download Required
✔ Up to 100 Participants
✔ Private Rooms
✔ HD Video
✔ Simultaneous Screen Sharing
✔ Whiteboard Tool
Disadvantages
✘ 40 Minute Cap on Meetings with 3+ Participants
✘ No Recording
UberConference
UberConference might not have the bells-and-whistles that ezTalks and Zoom offer, but UberConference allows you to have longer meetings with 3+ participants. So if you will be having meetings over 40 minutes that aren’t just 1:1, then UberConference is a great option. The only glaring downside is the lack of private rooms. Every meeting is done through the same link, meaning anyone who knows the link can enter into your meeting (unless of you block each meeting once the necessary people are all there). Although I’ve never encountered a problem of someone just dropping in, I know it might cause concern for some. And one last note, Chrome is required for screen sharing. So if you relentlessly dislike Chrome, this shouldn’t be your choice.
Advantages
✔ No Download Required
✔ Up to 10 Participants
✔ Call Recording
Disadvantages
✘ No Private Rooms
✘ No Whiteboard Tool
✘ Requires Chrome for Screen Share
Join.me
Join.me has few features and many limitations on their free plan. While the paid plan might be suitable for your agency, I wouldn’t look here if your goal is to utilize a free service and save money.
Advantages
✔ No Download Required
✔ Whiteboard Tool
Disadvantages
✘ Tricks User into Downloading
✘ Only 3 Participants
✘ No Recording
✘ No Window Sharing (Just Screen)
Cisco WebEx
I had to include one of the more “enterprise” services, even though they are very lacking on features for their free plans. You can’t even find the free plan on their pricing. It’s hidden! And for good reason--the plan is horrible!
Advantages
✔ Whiteboard Tool
Disadvantages
✘ Download Required
✘ Only 3 Participants
✘ Free Plan is Hidden