Adobe Connect vs. Google Hangouts (Classic)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Adobe Connect
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform that enables users to create presentations, online training materials, and learning modules. The product is entirely Adobe Flash-based and has several add-ons for customizing its software to suit each users’ unique needs.
$50
per host/per month
Google Hangouts (Classic)
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
The classic version of Google Hangouts included messaging, voice, VoIP, and video call capabilities. It was replaced by the Hangouts Chat collaboration tool, and Google continues to support conferencing via the new Hangouts Meet.N/A
Pricing
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Editions & Modules
Meetings
$50
per host/per month
Webinars & Learning
$130
per host/per month
Small Meetings
Free
Forever free for up to 3 participants
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Considered Both Products
Adobe Connect
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect was the tool we used because we could record sessions and share files within the meetings themselves. Both Adobe Connect and Google Hangouts allow you to share your screen, but you have to connect with the person on Google Hangouts first. With Adobe Connect, you …
Chose Adobe Connect
I prefer Adobe Connect's slide sharing and recording/playback features to either Zoom or GoToMeeting(GTM). GTM is good for meetings where the majority of the group is onsite and needs to conference in only a few remote participants, and Zoom is great for video chats. It's …
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is among the more robust and feature rich tools available. I don’t think any of the other tools match that. If it fits your needs, you can’t beat it. If you just need more simple capabilities, there are probably easier and better options for basic use. It has a …
Chose Adobe Connect
All the listed software are better than Adobe Connect in their own specialized functions, but Adobe has more functions than the listed software (Adobe provides a one-stop shop).
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect offers best visual appearance and user accessibility other than the fact that is uses Adobe Flash which some web browsers have threatened to ban. I really miss the persistent meeting rooms of Adobe Connect Meeting and as a meeting host this is the very best system …
Chose Adobe Connect
RVIBE is platform agnostic so we know and use any and all virtual platforms depending on our clients requirements. Platforms like WebEx, GoToMeeting, Zoom, Blue Jeans, On24, Skype, Google Hangouts, Lync, Wiggio, ect all have similar options and their own niches in the virtual …
Chose Adobe Connect
BB Collaborate used to have a horrific UI, now that has improved but the functions aren't there yet.
In demoing the tool and Blackboard World 2015 it seemed very unstable.
Google Hangouts (Classic)
Features
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
7.7
66 Ratings
3% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
High quality audio8.065 Ratings00 Ratings
High quality video7.065 Ratings00 Ratings
Low bandwidth requirements6.855 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile support9.042 Ratings00 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
7.5
65 Ratings
5% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Desktop sharing7.065 Ratings00 Ratings
Whiteboards8.055 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
5.6
66 Ratings
37% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Calendar integration6.042 Ratings00 Ratings
Meeting initiation5.057 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with social media4.029 Ratings00 Ratings
Record meetings / events6.061 Ratings00 Ratings
Slideshows7.052 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
6.7
65 Ratings
18% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Live chat7.063 Ratings00 Ratings
Audience polling7.056 Ratings00 Ratings
Q&A6.053 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
8.4
61 Ratings
5% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
User authentication7.953 Ratings00 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions8.061 Ratings00 Ratings
Confidential attendee list9.348 Ratings00 Ratings
VoIP system collaboration
Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
6.5
1 Ratings
15% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.6
84 Ratings
7% above category average
Video conferencing8.01 Ratings9.079 Ratings
Audio conferencing7.01 Ratings9.079 Ratings
Video screen sharing8.01 Ratings7.148 Ratings
Instant messaging3.01 Ratings9.052 Ratings
Cloud PBX
Comparison of Cloud PBX features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
6.3
57 Ratings
24% below category average
Hosted PBX00 Ratings6.915 Ratings
Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)00 Ratings7.725 Ratings
User templates00 Ratings5.022 Ratings
Call reports00 Ratings9.034 Ratings
Directory of employee names00 Ratings3.045 Ratings
Call Management
Comparison of Call Management features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.0
66 Ratings
5% below category average
Answering rules00 Ratings8.033 Ratings
Call recording00 Ratings7.937 Ratings
Call park00 Ratings7.018 Ratings
Call screening00 Ratings9.036 Ratings
Message alerts00 Ratings8.058 Ratings
Mobile apps
Comparison of Mobile apps features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.0
85 Ratings
0% below category average
Mobile app for iOS00 Ratings8.173 Ratings
Mobile app for Android00 Ratings8.071 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Small Businesses
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Score 7.2 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
JioMeet
JioMeet
Score 9.8 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Webex Meetings
Webex Meetings
Score 8.6 out of 10
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Score 8.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Likelihood to Recommend
5.5
(94 ratings)
8.0
(91 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(27 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(38 ratings)
8.0
(7 ratings)
Availability
5.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.5
(31 ratings)
8.0
(36 ratings)
Online Training
7.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.9
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe
Adobe Connect is wonderful for repeatable branded learning experiences or webinars. They allow for creating an event with a series of similar layouts. The ability to alter these are easy, and duplicating layouts makes for fast alterations. Changing between layouts also creates visual interest as learners see things shift. Adobe Connect also is great for accessibility, the captions allow for resizing and placing the captions in various sections. The recordings also can have a searchable transcript to get to the information you want fast. Adobe Connect allows for running fun games/events as well, there are lots of apps that make the experience unique, and allows for managing content on screen as you'd like.
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Discontinued Products
Had I completed this review a couple years ago, I would have given a rating of 9 or 10 as Hangouts (Classic) is an excellent product. However, now that Google Chat has succeeded Hangouts, I would not recommend that any new users begin using it where other more modern options are available. Android users who want an internet based instant messaging that also supports calling and video calling could benefit from using Hangouts (Classic) as Google Chat requires the user to also have Google Meet installed to make video calls and there is no voice only calling option.
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Pros
Adobe
  • It's a quick method to exchange files, file, documents, and videos from a web app. Real-time conversation, and screen-sharing are all supported. It has a highly user-friendly interface. It is really simple to assist the teams.
  • Even team engagements is beneficial since it allows them to share their expertise with others, and the big benefit is the security of the rooms' access is fairly simple to manage.
  • The interface, which include features like notes, chat, pods, etc. When we're trying to gather rapid and exact information, simplify our work as much as possible.
  • Adobe Connect's features since they allow team members to express their ideas during meetings without causing disruptions, thereby bypassing the current international boundary of distance.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) is embedded within Gmail's scheduler, so setting up the link is as quick as a click of the button. It's a one-step process.
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) is user-friendly and [has] features to share screens easily.
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) is much easier to use than its competitors.
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) have [a] good connection time and there are few glitches.
Read full review
Cons
Adobe
  • Nonetheless, Adobe Connect lacks the engagement monitoring, which can be critical for the management to oversee.
  • Besides, Adobe Connect has no certification management, which is essential in the current education or training field.
  • Lastly, Adobe Connect has no offline editing tool, hence, when the internet connection is not there, many things can not be conducted effectively.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • I would like to see improved video support, so that saved videos can be sent back and forth via Hangouts more easily, without having to start a separate meet chat
  • More pronounced notifications of messages would be helpful; pop up notifications are good, but once there is one, additional messages do not pop up
  • Custom muting times would be great, so that if I am in a 90 minute Zoom meeting, I can set it for that time; right now, it is 1 hour or 2 hours. Easy to forget.
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Likelihood to Renew
Adobe
The longer you use Adobe Connect, the longer you are likely to use it. Because you can build more and more resources over time, creating rooms that you re-use, recorded content you can repurpose, and tools that form the basis of ever increasing productivity, the more you use Connect, the more productive you become. Unlike competing products where, with every meeting you essentially start over -- setting up your resources for each meeting -- in my Connect rooms, I have highly tuned tools to accomplish my knowledge transfer goals. When I want to conduct another session - I send a link out to the appropriate room and instantly we are all focusing on getting a job done together. This ability of Adobe Connect to make you productive at an ever quickening rate is a competitive advantage
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Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Usability
Adobe
I gave it a 6 because it does have lots of functionality, has a strong brand and reputation following, etc. but it does have its glitches and experiences with low bandwidth issues. I believe it has more features than my organization fully leverages, so some of those pieces haven't been explored yet. But there are opportunities for improvement in their online resource support, stability at high usages as well.
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Discontinued Products
The tool is almost self-implemented. It is likely to be available in every pc or mobile device a user or potential user might have, and all you need to do is adding the company's account and you are done. Once you are setted up, you have almost all actual communication methods available in one tool
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Support Rating
Adobe
The customer support of Adobe connect is professional and well-skilled for resolving our minor and major issues. Moreover, it has almost all the features that will provide you a secure connection, with people across the world. Education institutes can also implement this software. On the basis of its quality and technology, I will surely advise you to try it once.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Google Hangouts works great and does not require a lot of work to troubleshoot. Everything is simple and easy to use. Google provides all of the tools that one requires to utilize Google Hangouts and any information can be found in the built-in help tools. There is also a forum for users to report issues and typically, Google responds well and will try to work out any issues.
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Online Training
Adobe
The ability to have most of the functionality of a full LMS at a fraction of the cost is huge. I can create manage and deploy both synchronous and asynchronous training based on the situation and all of my training is tracked through a series of easily created reports
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Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Adobe
Prices do not seem to vary much among resellers of the Adobe Connect hosted license; the only price variation you're likely to find are among the audio providers. When implementing, you may also wish to look into expanding the amount of storage you are allowed on the server to avoid any problems later on as your library of files starts to build up
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Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Adobe
Actually, it was the other way around....we were using Adobe Connect, company-wide, then switched over to Zoom, mostly, I think, as a cost-cutting measure. But some Learning & Development folks campaigned to be allowed to retain some Adobe Connect licenses (for example, one L&D area had literally over 250 room layouts that their course facilitators could just jump into and use to deliver a course on short notice), which also allows some of us to continue to publish Presenter and Captivate modules to the Adobe server. (But, even those of us who still have Adobe Connect licenses use Zoom for most regular business meetings.)
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Google is the white cotton socks of the conferencing world. It’s a great ad-hoc tool, but not too much more. If you are not looking to spend money or operate completely on WiFi (without data charges), it’s a great free option as well. The benefit of being free and open is also the liability. It doesn’t have a great integration story with other corporate tools, but [it doesn’t have to] if you aren’t looking for that. All in all, it’s as helpful and ubiquitous as a public payphone…without the pay…and with a video capability.
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Return on Investment
Adobe
  • Save on time - our instructors and people that use the platform can teach more classes and more often than in-person training and time traveling.
  • We cut down on spending. When we offer training using Connect - we do not have to spend on meals, hard copy materials, and reserving a venue to deliver training.
  • We increase our training sales significantly but offering Connect as an alternative - any unforeseen cancellations to a public class can result in transferring to a remote online Connected class.
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Discontinued Products
  • I believe it was part of the google suite that was purchased. It was worth the cost as it was cheaper. I believe it is now free, but also becoming deprecated. It is much better to use Teams, Discord, Telegram, etc. Google does not provide enough support or features to make using hangouts worth it these days.
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ScreenShots