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Best Web Conferencing Software

Best Web Conferencing Software

By Daniel C. Daniel C. Verified by Inês P. Inês P. Last updated: October 23, 2024 (0)
Table of contents

With more employees working from home and more clients spread throughout the world, web conferencing software has become widely popular. These platforms provide an easy way to run online meetings over the internet, where participants need only a device with video and audio capabilities and an internet connection. Besides creating the ability to have face-to-face meetings, the best web conferencing software comes with helpful tools that enable users to have efficient and collaborative sessions with one another. Those tools are also the perfect way to showcase a product to a client or provide seamless, professional customer support.

Best web conferencing software of 2024

Editors' choice
GoToMeeting logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
One-click meetings
Call into conferences
AES-128 encryption
Highly customizable
Microsoft customers
Microsoft Teams logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Large number of integrations
Reliable video calls
Quick, sharable recordings
Outstanding browser client
Small businesses
RingCentral Video logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Seamless integration with RingCentral Office
Web conference features
24/7 customer support
Straightforward to use
Webinar hosts
ClickMeeting logo
Editor's rating:
(4)
Comprehensive features portfolio
Flexible pricing
Easy to use
Mobile admin app
GoToMeeting
Editors' choice: GoToMeeting
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • One-click meetings
  • Call into conferences
  • AES-128 encryption
  • Highly customizable
  • Variety of customer support options
  • Simplistic apps
  • Light on in-call features
Starting price: $12/mo Visit GoToMeeting
Screenshots
Offers
Up to 16% off GoToMeeting
14-day free trial of GoToMeeting
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft customers: Microsoft Teams
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Large number of integrations
  • Reliable video calls
  • Quick, sharable recordings
  • Outstanding browser client
  • Free forever version
  • No end-to-end encryption
  • Not possible to record on mobile
Starting price: $5/mo Visit Microsoft Teams
Screenshots
Offers
20% off Microsoft Teams
RingCentral Video
Small businesses: RingCentral Video
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Seamless integration with RingCentral Office
  • Web conference features
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Straightforward to use
  • Available on both desktop and mobile
  • Customer support robot should be refined
Screenshots
ClickMeeting
Webinar hosts: ClickMeeting
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Comprehensive features portfolio
  • Flexible pricing
  • Easy to use
  • Mobile admin app
  • Extensive knowledge base
  • No money-back guarantee
  • No live chat customer service
Starting price: $25/mo Visit ClickMeeting
Screenshots
Offers
20% off on all ClickMeeting subscriptions
Only $0.24 per attendee per month
Free 7-day trial account at ClickMeeting

Web conferencing software features to look for

While the most important features change depending on the company’s needs, some should always be part of the web conferencing software provider’s package.

Collaborative tools

You should be able to run conferences as seamlessly over the internet as in person. For this reason, it’s essential that web conferencing software offers the necessary tools to enable participant collaboration, such as screen and presentation sharing, remote control, and a whiteboard.

Meeting follow-up

Advanced web conferencing software comes with helpful features to allow recording the sessions for later playback. Some web conferencing platforms also come with the ability to record only a meeting’s highlights and create automatic transcripts, saving precious time for everyone attending the web conference.

Security features

Cyber crime is on the rise, and web conferencing platforms are one of the top targets. Consequently, it’s essential to find a provider that has in place all the necessary security measures to safeguard your web conferences.

Third-party software integration

It’s no secret that employees struggle with the number of platforms they use on a daily basis. Finding a solution that integrates with the services already in place is vital to enable users to use the software seamlessly from the get-go. One example of this is the ability to schedule and start meetings with one click from the user’s email or live chat.

 

How to use web conferencing software

In its essence, web conferencing is just a communications channel that enables people to speak and see each other no matter what the distance is between them. Therefore, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the purposes web conferencing software can be used for.

Typically, organizations use web conferencing software for two main reasons: to enable employees to run meetings with each other regardless of whether they’re working from home or in different hubs, and to speak with customers without leaving the office.

For internal communication, web conferencing software enables colleagues to have meetings just as they would in person. This means that participants can take advantage of web conferencing platforms to make presentations, work together on a file, or have discussions regarding an important topic. For external communication, web conferencing software is the perfect way to demo the company’s services, provide one-on-one training, discuss contract terms, and more.

It’s also important to note that web conferencing software can (and should) be usable from all types of devices. While the most common way to run meetings is through a computer, there’s also the possibility of joining online meetings through a mobile or a conference phone. Especially when dealing with customers, it’s also essential to find web conferencing software that can be used without the need for installation, offering the option to join meetings through a browser instead.

Free vs paid web conferencing software

Most web conferencing software providers offer the use of their services completely for free. Although a bit limited, these free plans still enable users to run meetings over the internet and take advantage of basic features such as screen sharing, live chat, and HD video. Web conferencing software providers usually limit the number of participants and time per session instead. For example, paid plans offer the possibility of having meetings running 24/7, while the free plan restricts them to around half an hour. Moreover, advanced functions such as third-party integrations, the admin dashboard, and meeting recording can only be found in the paid subscriptions.

How to choose the best web conferencing software for your business

1

Make a list of the most important features

Preparation is key for everything in life, including finding the best web conferencing for you or your company. It’s essential to sit down and understand which main features you’re looking for beforehand. A good exercise is to think about the reasons you want to use such a platform.

2

Research

Going for the top providers may be enticing. However, there are many hidden gems out there that may offer all the necessary features for a lower price. We recommend doing thorough research by reading reviews and comparisons to find the most appealing provider on the market.

3

Test the product and get the best deal

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to test the services for yourself. Most companies offer either a limited free plan or a free trial so you can see if the software works as well as expected.

When you’ve chosen the platform, always look for ways to get a discount since web conferencing software providers usually offer a way to save money.

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