Zoom Alternatives: Which One Is the Best For You in 2023?

Is your business looking for apps for video conferencing?

Amid the coronavirus lockdown, all businesses, small and large, are leveraging web conferencing tools and video calling to stay connected.

While Zoom is one of the most popular video conferencing software solutions, it’s popularity for online meetings seems to be dwindling.

Reports about hackers hijacking professional video call meetings (aka “Zoombombing”) raised serious privacy and security concerns.

Several Zoom users complained that their video call meetings were disrupted by uninvited attendees.

Furthermore, these uninvited guests showcased offensive and objectionable images and videos when screen sharing during several video calls.

Sounds strange, right?

After the company came under fire, Zoom’s CEO Eric Yuan issued an apology on behalf of the video conferencing software.

Even the FBI has released a warning regarding such hijacking cases related to Zoom web conferences.

With the growing concerns, Zoom has now added new security features to their platform.

But if you’re still looking for a more secure Zoom alternative, it’s totally understandable.

A lot of marketers are faced with this question:

Which is the best Zoom alternative?

There are tons of video conferencing options available but not all of them are worth your money.

Not sure which app to choose?

Let me help you out.

Remote Work Edition: 9 Best Zoom Alternatives For Video Conferencing

Before we look at some of the best Zoom alternatives out there, let me add a disclaimer for you.

I’ve listed all the video conferencing platforms specifically keeping in mind professional and e-learning purposes.

You may be already be familiar with video conferencing services like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet for virtual meetings.

But there are other mobile apps and Zoom meeting alternatives you might not have heard of.

If you are expecting FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, or Houseparty on the list, you’re in for a disappointment.

Of course, they make everyone’s lives quite easy. But they don’t provide features that remote teams need to collaborate effectively.

With a free video conferencing tool like Zoom, you can easily schedule your meetings and even use screen sharing with your coworkers.

But none of the tools designed for personal, such as Facetime or simple Google apps on your phone incorporate these features.

Now that we’ve got that cleared up, let’s move on to discussing Zoom alternatives that you can use for professional purposes.

On this list, I’ve reviewed the main features and compared the pricing of the tools to help you find the best Zoom alternatives.

Ready to go?

Disclosure: This content has a few affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I will get a commission (without any extra cost to you).

Alternative to Zoom #1: Livestorm

Whether you’re looking to schedule an online meeting or want to host a webinar, Livestorm has a software solution to cater to your needs.

The best part is that users can get access to online meetings even if they haven’t installed the app.

From small business to large enterprises, it’s a good fit for all kinds of businesses.

Top Features:

• Automate your webinars with predefined workflows
• Make live webinars interactive with chat, questions, and polls
• Create webinar registration pages and automated emails within Livestorm
• Record video meetings and webinars easily
• Seamless integration with over 1500 apps

Pricing:

• Webinar and Meet Basic Plan: Free
• Webinar Premium Plan: $109 per host per month
• Meet Premium Plan: $39 per host per month

Free demo available here.

Alternative to Zoom #2: Zoho

Zoho comes with a suite of products, including a top-class online meeting software solution.

In addition to this, they also have an easy-to-use Zoom alternative for hosting webinars.

Keeping in mind the varying needs of businesses of different sizes, they offer multiple plans for their software program.

Top Features:

• Get RSVPs for your meetings
• Embed a video conference link on your website
• Schedule email reminders for meetings
• Lock meetings for increased privacy
• Multiple integrations
• Moderate webinar attendees and record sessions easily
• Let attendees ask questions with the “Raise Hand” feature in webinars

Pricing:

• Meeting Plan: 8 € or $8.63 per host per month
• Webinar 25 Plan:  15 € or $16.19 per host per month
• Webinar 50 Plan: 23 € or $24.82 per host per month
• Webinar 100 Plan: 31 € or $33.46 per host per month
• Webinar 250 Plan: 63 € or $67.99 per host per month

Free sign up available. For a limited time, they also have a Free Plan on offer.

Alternative to Zoom #3: GoToMeeting

This video conferencing tool is designed to make remote working a hassle-free experience.

Even if you don’t have an ID on their platform, you can attend meetings that are hosted on the platform. It’s accessible to everyone.

Top Features:

• Supports mobile conferencing
• Easy screen sharing
• Built-in drawing tools for better collaboration
• Record meetings in real-time
• Switch between presenters easily
• Integrations with multiple apps

Pricing:

• Professional Plan: $12 per organizer per month
• Business Plan: $16 per organizer per month
• Enterprise Plan: Contact their sales team

14-day free trial available.

Alternative to Zoom #4: Google Meet

This video conferencing Zoom alternative is similar to Google Hangouts, but it’s features are designed keeping in mind the needs of the professional world.

Google Meet, which comes as a part of G Suite and G Suite for Education, can support a maximum of 250 participants and up to 100,000 viewers for live streams.

Top Features:

• Join meetings directly via an email invite or a Google Calendar event
• Native apps for Android and iOS users
• Allows a dial-in from a phone
• Secured meetings
• Smart screen sharing

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: £4.14 or $5.19 per user per month
• Business Plan: £8.28 or $10.38 per user per month
• Enterprise Plan: £20 or $25.06 per user per month

You can try it for free.

Alternative to Zoom #5: BlueJeans

BlueJeans is a cut above the other video conferencing Zoom alternatives because it brings business intelligence to the forefront.

It is a tool that makes it easy to schedule and manage your online meetings and live streaming events.

Top Features:

• Automated transcription
• Host livestream events
• Dynamic video conference summaries
• Real-time alerts along with live meeting control options
• Automated ROI analytics
• Get in-meeting analytics
• Seamless integration with multiple apps

Pricing:

• BlueJeans Standard: $9.99 per host per month
• BlueJeans Pro: $13.99 per host per month
• BlueJeans Enterprise: Contact their sales representatives

Don't miss your chance to try it for free.

Alternative to Zoom #6: WebinarNinja

If you are looking for a webinar-focused Zoom alternative, WebinarNinja should be your go-to tool.

This all-in-one webinar software program can help you run different types of webinars, including live webinars as well as pre-recorded ones.

Using this Zoom alternative, you can host multiple remote meetings simultaneously.

It comes with a set of comprehensive marketing tools to help you grow your business.

Top Features:

• Run polls and Q&A sessions
• Display multiple offers in webinars
• On-demand webinars
• Set up drip campaigns
• Get webinar insights
• Built-in webinar marketing feature

Pricing:

• Starter Plan: $49 per month
• Pro Plan: $95 per month
• Plus Plan: $159 per month
• Power Plan: $249 per month

Try it for free for 14 days.

Alternative to Zoom #7: Newrow

Newrow has a clear mission — They want to help educational institutions and corporations distribute knowledge easily and in a personalized manner.

From creating online courses and virtual classrooms to managing webinars, this Zoom alternative is great for educators and professionals alike.

Top Features:

• Digital whiteboard with collaborative features
• Cloud recordings for virtual classes and webinars
• Screen sharing
• Broadcast notes for session participants
• Create online tests and multimedia quizzes
• Upload and share files with secure cloud storage

Pricing:

• Meeting 15 Plan: $32 per month
• Meeting 25 Plan: $51 per month
• Custom Plan: As per your requirements
• (Extra) Recording Plan: $20 per month

Free signup and trial available.

Alternative to Zoom #8: Cisco Webex

Cisco Webex has been recognized as a leader in the video conferencing space by Forrester and IDC.

What makes it stand apart from the other Zoom alternatives is that it has an extremely intuitive interface that makes it provides a smooth user experience.

What’s more, this tool leverages the latest technologies to bring in innovation.

Top Features:

• Interactive sessions with chat, screen sharing, polling, and Q&A
• Screen sharing and file-sharing options
• Add quick sketches
• Get hands-free help via Webex Assistant
• Face detection and noise cancellation
• Real-time analytics
• Instant AI-powered transcripts

Pricing:

Contact their sales teams for details on pricing plans.

Free sign up available.

Alternative to Zoom #9: LiveWebinar

If you’re looking for an alternative that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, you can try LiveWebinar.

It offers all of the advanced functionalities that other webinar software solutions have to offer.

With their easy integration features, you can also embed this tool directly on your site.

Top Features:

• Drive participation with chat, polls, and prominent calls-to-action
• Arrange surveys, events, and forms into automated events
• Send invitations via text and emails
• Add branding and customization for your LiveWebinar sessions
• Provide integrations with multiple marketing tools
• Easy recording options along with storage space

Pricing:

• Free Plan: $0 per month!
• Pro Plan: $11.99 per month
• Business Plan: $95.20 per month
• Custom Plan: Contact their sales representatives

FAQs

Q1. Are there safe alternatives to zoom?

A. Yes, there are safe Zoom alternatives, including:

• GoToMeeting
• Meet
• Cisco Webex
• Signal
• Newrow
• BlueJeans
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet

Q2. Which is the best app for video conferencing?

A. These are the best solutions for your video conferencing needs:

• Zoom
• GoToMeeting
• RingCentral Meetings
• Cisco Webex
• BlueJeans
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• Join.me

Q3. How does Zoom work?

A. Here is how Zoom works:

Start by choosing a plan. The free plan offers unlimited meetings limited to 100 participants and 40 minutes.

The paid plans start at $149.90 per year per license.

To start your meeting as the host:

• Click on “Host a Meeting” and choose whether to keep video conferencing chat on or off.
• Create an account or log in.
• Launch the application, open your meeting, and send details (meeting link and or ID) to other participants.

If you are a participant, open Zoom, click “Join a Meeting,” or click on the invite link shared by your host.

Enter meeting details provided by your host at the prompt, and join.

Once in the meeting, you can start screen sharing by clicking on “Share Screen.”

Click on “Stop Sharing” when another person needs to share their screen.

Q4. Is Zoom for free?

A. Yes. Zoom offers a free plan where you can have unlimited one-on-one meetings with 100  participants. However, the sessions only last 40 minutes.

Q5. Why is Zoom so popular?

A. The platform is easy to use, has an intuitive interface, and allows people to access meetings without a login.

Their free version also allows people to host 100 participants and leverage personalized tools, including changing backgrounds, holding encrypted calls, and sending direct messages.

Q6. How does Zoom video conferencing compare to its competitors?

A. When compared to other platforms, Zoom is easy-to-use and seamlessly connects with all mobile and desktop devices.

Participants can also join meetings easily, share screens, record meetings, and practice presentations before making statements.

However, it currently does not have the best security and privacy features, as people can Zoombomb meetings, even without invitations.

In this case, you can opt for a Zoom alternative like GoToMeeting, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Cisco Webex.

Q7. Is Livestorm free?

A. Yes.

They have a free plan that includes all features, unlimited events, and unlimited moderators.

It also offers four people in instant meetings and a maximum of twenty minutes and ten registrants per event.

Q8. How to set up video conferencing for business?

A. Set up your business’ video conference with these steps:

• Have everything, including displays and a video conferencing system prepared for your meeting. You can also have your conference call microphone and phone ready.
• Test your wifi and ensure you have the right lighting.
• Connect your video system to the display(s).
• Send or email participants an invite.
• Confirm your audio and video output are excellent.
• Start your conference call and moderate your meeting.

Q9. What are the disadvantages of Zoom?

A. Some disadvantages of using Zoom include:

• Subscriptions and add-ons are pricey.
• It has poor security and privacy features. Uninvited guests can join the meeting to disrupt your meeting or share inappropriate material, a phenomenon called Zoombombing.
• There are lots of limitations on their free plan.
• It requires a fast internet connection for smooth operation.

Ready to Pick a Zoom Alternative?

There’s no doubt that Zoom is easy-to-use and makes it easy to collaborate with a remote team.

But if the recent controversies related to Zoombombing are leaving you anxious, there are multiple Zoom alternatives that you can choose from.

Not only do they match Zoom’s advanced features, but some of them also provide a sweeter deal.

I hope the list of Zoom alternatives above helps you find a solution that is well-suited to your business’ needs.

Did I miss any Zoom alternatives that are worth covering on this list? Please mention them in the comments section.

Also, feel free to reach out to me if you need help with your content and SEO strategies.

Disclosure: This content has a few affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I will get a commission (without any extra cost to you).