Online meeting tools are becoming more and more important for freelancers by each day, and it’s always a good idea to search and find software that suits your and clients’ needs. By using video conferencing software freelancers not only enjoy meetings with different clients but have higher chances of fully understanding each contract, task, and requirement.
Clients also love to meet remote workers from time to time, and video conferencing software allows that despite the location differences.
Every freelancer should use these apps at least from time to time because they definitely make your online business look professional, and be that way. We have made long research with the purpose to find the 5 best video conferencing software for freelancers. This list can help every online worker find at least one app that suits them perfectly:
Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex claims that everyone who wants to enjoy high-quality video conferences can now do it with a single button push. There’s no need to have the technical knowledge to create a good video conference call or meeting. Some other amazing pluses other video conference and meeting software may not have would be Webex Events, where you can host engaging and interactive webinars. Cisco Webex also allows its users to enjoy webcasting with literally more than 100,000 participants. Webex Training can be another interesting ability Cisco Webex offers, especially to freelancers. You can lead different training with more than 1,000 participants. Bring people you need from all parts of the globe with this reliable and high-quality video conference software. Take a look at the pros and cons of Cisco Webex.
Approximately, Cisco Webex gets 8 out of 10 when we summarize feedback coming from users all around the world.
Pros:
- Simplified use for any device – no downloads or plugins needed.
- Exceptional audio, video, and online content sharing.
- Easily focus on what’s important due to its custom layouts.
- Automatically connects to your video device once you enter a meeting room.
- Security – lock your room so it becomes protected end-to-end.
- Free basic plan.
Cons:
- Can’t meet at any time from any location.
- There may be issues while trying to set it up with UCM.
- Meet Plan (upgraded version of the software) costs $13.5 monthly, which users find a bit expensive.
- Call plan with premium calling features is $17, which may be too much for freelancers who need many other tools for their online business.
Zoom
Zoom is the first choice of numerous freelancers and remote workers all around the globe. It’s mostly used for calling external clients. Zoom claims that they provide collaboration places for different individuals and make online businesses grow on many different levels. This video conference platform offers HD video and audio collaboration, integrations, and bots you can use on Zoom, full-featured and simple webinars, the ability to connect your teams and have streamlined communication, and so on.
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Zoom is also following the latest trends in online and remote business, and they’ve realized that more and more people are starting to work from home. Therefore, Zoom has created the ability to connect even a hybrid workforce, connecting both remote work and in-office teams, which is amazing for bigger companies that hire freelancers as well. When compared to Cisco Webex, we can see that Zoom has a little bit cheaper monthly prices for upgraded versions, although not much different. For example, if you want to enjoy the Pro version of Zoom, which allows group meetings that can last up to 30 hours, 1GB of cloud recording, social media streaming, and other upgraded services, you’ll have to pay $139.90 per year. Small businesses and large enterprises will probably need something better from that, so they’ll take yearly Zoom licenses that cost from $189 to $223. For freelancers that work on their own, that may be a little bit too much.
Pros:
- Easy to use; intuitive user experience.
- Free version offers hosting up to 100 participants, which is almost always enough for freelancers.
- Unlimited meetings that last up to 40 minutes – suitable for freelancers and clients.
- Free 25MB of cloud storage.
- Seamless transition to video.
- Screen sharing.
- Remote control.
Cons:
- Too many subscriptions and ad-on.
- Lack of comment control.
- HD video is not standard.
- Cloud file sizes are not consistent.
GoTo Meeting
Here’s another video conferencing software freelancers can use to communicate with their teams and clients. GoTo Meeting is not as popular as the two ones we’ve already mentioned, but it can definitely satisfy your needs. Mobile meetings, cloud recording, meeting transcription, and integrations are definitely some of its biggest pluses, but we will also like to sort out these pros:
Pros:
- Users can have full control over the equipment of a participant.
- Sharing documents in real-time.
- Only a data connection is required to start a meeting.
- The ability to have large meetings.
Cons:
- Stable Internet connection is a must.
- Quality of the equipment you use can change your Gotomeeting experience.
- Getting the call that’s already in the process may be a bit difficult.
- Premium features a lot of people need are a bit too expensive – $19 per month. A-Pro plan that allows you to have 150 participants in a meeting is up to $29 monthly.
Google Meet
Your client has told you to set a meeting for a few remote workers. What is the first platform or video meeting software you think of? Yes, most freelancers and online workers would answer this question in the same manner – they first think of Google Meet. The best thing about Google Meet is that you can literally create a meeting in 10 seconds or less.
Just go to your Gmail and make one click on the cameras in the corner below – congratulations, you’ve already entered a virtual room that will become an online place for meeting with your colleagues, in just a few seconds.
Take a look at some pros and cons of using Google Meet as your video conference software:
When it comes to pricing, Google Meet is free for everyone who has Gmail account and wants to create and enjoy video conferences for up to 100 participants. The free version of Google Meet allows video meetings that last an hour – to 60 minutes.
Other software for video conference freelancers use really doesn’t have such affordable pro and upgraded plans of software of this sort. Luckily, Google Workspace Essentials offer conferences that can last 24 hours and have 150 participants – all that, for $8 per month.
Pros:
- Great app for communicating with literally anyone you want, not only business clients.
- An unlimited number of meetings.
- Live captioning during meetings.
- Video and audio preview/test screen.
- Controls for meeting hosts.
- Messaging with video conference participants.
- Adjustable layouts.
- Adjustable screen settings.
- Affordable upgraded versions.
Cons:
- If you don’t have a Gmail account, you can’t access the meeting.
- Quality of the equipment you use can change your Google Meet experience.
- Blank presentation issues.
- Browser freezing problems.
- Very limited features.
Microsoft Teams
Amazing software not only for freelancers, remote and online workers but also for students. Microsoft Teams claims that its users are able to create make amazing things happen at home, school, or at work. Here are some of the most important pros and cons if you still haven’t found your video conferencing app:
The great thing about Microsoft Teams is that you get unlimited video calls, as well as audio and chats. Freelancers who choose this software for video conference meetings love its feature where they get 2GB of personal storage, as well as 10GB of file storage for your remote team.
Pros:
- Increased focus on work, which allows freelancers to complete tasks with patience and precision.
- Team productivity can also increase – amazing for small freelancing or remote teams.
- 7-day free trial, so you can try it if this software suits you.
- Easy implementation.
Cons:
- Limited flexibility.
- Users claim that file structures may be a bit confusing.
- Many don’t share the same online meeting experience, probably due to the fact that the quality of the equipment plays a huge role. This is the same for GoTo Meeting and Google Meet, as mentioned above.
Conclusion:
When we take a look at our top 5 video conferencing software for freelancers – now when it’s finished, we can easily come to the conclusion that all these apps are actually similar. Therefore, you can focus on the pros and cons to find those smaller details which can help you get a personalized experience you would enjoy.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to at least try all their free trials and versions, so you can be 100% sure what suits your online business needs the best.
Freelancers usually start with Google Meet or Zoom, and many stay on that software.
