Adobe Connect vs. Google Hangouts (Classic)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Adobe Connect
Score 6.8 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 8.0 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
We returned to individual products like Canva, Zoom, etc after trying it. It’s competitive in the marketplace but just wasn’t a good fit for us.
Chose Adobe Connect
I think Captivate stacks up against Zoom well. In particular we chose Connect for its accessibility features. As an organization we need to make sure everything we produce/push-out is accessible.
Chose Adobe Connect
More features and functionality if not always as aesthetically appealing.
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is better. Connect allows us to customize the meeting space. It allows us to keep a running record of items discussed.
Chose Adobe Connect
We ultimately ended our use of Adobe Connect due to continued issues, lack of resolution & loss of participants. Currently we are using Microsoft Teams as it is our primary communication tool at our organization.
Chose Adobe Connect
Cisco Webex Experience Management
Chose Adobe Connect
I would say Adobe Connect is pretty similar to Teams. WebEx is left to be desired.
Chose Adobe Connect
There is no doubt that Adobe Connect is far and above the best platform for training. Its complexity is overshadowed by the benefits it offers. Two examples are multiple chats and polls at the same time make the learning experience better for the learner.
Chose Adobe Connect
I was not involved in purchasing Adobe Connect, but if I have to give one reason why I would select it among other similar apps it would be because of its device compatability.
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is better for hosting online training sessions. It seems to provide more control over the virtual meeting environment when compared to Teams. Although both offer many of the same features it just seems that Adobe Connect is the easier product to use.
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect has a feature for event management, which ensures even a bigger number of players can be involved in any meeting. There is a private chat option from Adobe Connect, which is instant, and effective. Adobe Connect has a mobile access option, with high compatibility, …
Chose Adobe Connect
Skype for Business (formerly Lync) and Zoom Video Webinar
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is more powerful than Skype. It keeps advanced kinds of functionalities and responsive customer support. Also, I like the way it is enhancing its services day by day.
Chose Adobe Connect
I feel that Adobe stacks up very favorably to Skype. They both have a lot of the same feature sets. I would say the main difference between the two is that Skype has the ability to operate in low bandwidth scenarios better and has had less of a problem with dropped calls. If …
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe connect is cheaper than Zoom. There are so many features like multiple hosts and presenters who can collectively take over the meetings. You can also create polls or questionnaires in the form of quizzes. There is also a chat option. User engagement can easily be figured …
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect comes in last place compared to the other platforms. Aesthetically it is very outdated and does not seem as modern as compared to the other platforms.
Chose Adobe Connect
i have in the past used webex, zoom, skpe, teams. For what I need it for, [Adobe Connect] works well. Webex, skype, teams are nice in the sense the audio is built in, however [Adobe Connect] offers more in the way of file sharing, link sharing, chats, polling and those are …
Chose Adobe Connect
More features. Reliability is a less. Is an additional cost compared to teams that is part of the Microsoft suite
Chose Adobe Connect
Adobe in terms of functionality is competitive with the other platforms out there. It has a strong reputation and seems to solve most of the organization's issues, however, it is more costly and isn't as user-friendly as it could be. It appears to have a lot of functionality …
Google Hangouts (Classic)
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts integrates into our current workflows well (we use g-suite) and is quite user friendly. It is great for small to mid-size internal team meetings. It is also good for informal client meeting. There are other cases where other tools are needed/superior for the …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Best part of Google Hangouts is its simplicity, and performance. We never had connection problems, or quality interruptions, something that is more frequent with the other tools listed above.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts is by far the most practical and easy communication tool I have used. Skype sees lots of drop rate but never faced any such issue with Google Hangouts. Mobile accessibility is also easier with Google Hangouts.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
well, google hangouts classic doesn't stack up that well when compared to either Skype or Teams, as it lacks advanced features. But the fact that it nearly costs anything to get it set up & running in no time is a positive point for the platform. I'm pretty sure that Hangouts …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
In terms of simplicity and ease of use, Google Hangouts is wonderful compared to some of the competitive products listed above. I do think that each have their own benefits:
  • some companies do not allow for Google's suite of products (like Hangouts) to be utilized
  • some …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
For its time, Google Hangouts (Classic) was a fantastic product and matched up well with all of its successors. Now however, with it having been phased on within Workspace for Education, I would not advise any new users use the product.

Google Chat, combined with Google Meet, …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
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 …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts (Classic) is better than those two competitors if you want [the] ease of use within Gmail. One does not need to go to a separate site to set up a meeting. You just select the link to add the Google meeting link within the scheduler.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google hangouts (Classic), is a instant message solution with not much more to add, it lacks the screen sharing features, the broad app integration, and the video and audio conferencing of this software.
As a basic instant messaging communication tool it does what it promises …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
An obvious advatange of Google Hangouts is that it does not require any installation which allows me to use it in any laptop, any device. Unlike other software that requires installation and forcing an IT guy to physically install it on my device. The software is also VPN …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Again, Google Hangouts would primarily be used if you're already in the Google system. Corporate chat systems are far superior in functionality and usability and are also more reliable for larger organizations. For any company that is working with clients, I'd recommend a more …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts app is already integrated with many apps users already are familiar with. The program is accessible on many platforms which makes it easy for users to conduct business without having specific devices on hand. It really helped that many people were already …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
I prefer Google Hangouts (Classic) to Microsoft Teams and Zoom, in terms of ease of use. It is quicker to use than setting up a Zoom room, for example. I always have the tab open in my browser and get pinged when colleagues chat me. Same with the phone app - I have it on during …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
We reserve Zoom for client-facing meetings as it is the "market standard" and many are familiar with it, however for most internal meetings, we use Google Hangouts due to how light and simple it is, plus the integration with Google Calendar.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts is more readily available based on the fact that it is part of the Google family, however, ease of use and convenience would make me want to prefer Whatsapp Business or Teams.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts is more for informal, care-free meetings. Zoom is more for professional, webinar, and live event-type meetings. Also, Google integrates with our full G Suite/Workspace products.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts [(Classic)] is better than jabber, but way behind all other business chat clients. I would much rather use any of the alternatives I have listed in place of Hangouts.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Since our staff and students already used Google products it was easy to add on this feature. We deployed it district wide at the start of the pandemic. Students and staff were easily able to learn the interface and we could mass deploy it on our Chromebooks. We really liked …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Since we use Google Suite, Google Hangouts (Classic) was the obvious choice. The ease of use and access to employees makes Google Hangouts (Classic) simple to use and access. Additionally, adding users to an existing Hangout is easy. Google Hangouts (Classic) also doesn't …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Zoom is solid but it's a whole other thing to log in to and limited in what its focus is. Slack has the chat functionality but Google Hangouts is integrated into my every day use and I don't feel like it's yet another thing to manage and keep track of.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts (Classic) is just as good as any of its competitors. Google Hangouts (Classic) has everything that is needed for an internal communication tool, besides the software makes work really fun with the cool and funny stickers. I have personally liked using Google …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
It was integrated into our Google Business Suite and free to use. We selected it because it was easy to create hangouts wth the Google Calendar.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Zoom allows us to connect to a large number of people but personally I face problems while using Zoom on the mobile phone, it needs a high-speed network and lags too much. While on the other hand Google Hangouts is lite and easy to use on mobile phones, it's easy to connect and …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Apart from Google Hangouts, we were using Skype and GoToMeeting for the same business process. Over time we experienced that the quality of the call was reduced day by day with those products, so we moved to Google Hangouts.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
We use the Google emails for business hence, the Google Hangout application was available for free. There was no setup cost or training that was required. Advanced systems have advanced features which are good but the downside is that they require training. A separate account …
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
Ratings
2% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
High quality audio8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
High quality video7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Low bandwidth requirements6.80 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile support9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
7.5
Ratings
5% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Desktop sharing7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Whiteboards8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
5.6
Ratings
37% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Calendar integration6.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Meeting initiation5.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with social media4.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Record meetings / events6.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Slideshows7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
6.7
Ratings
18% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Live chat7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Audience polling7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Q&A6.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
8.4
Ratings
4% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
User authentication7.90 Ratings00 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Confidential attendee list9.30 Ratings00 Ratings
VoIP system collaboration
Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
6.5
Ratings
11% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.6
Ratings
8% above category average
Video conferencing8.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Audio conferencing7.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Video screen sharing8.00 Ratings7.10 Ratings
Instant messaging3.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Cloud PBX
Comparison of Cloud PBX features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
6.3
Ratings
23% below category average
Hosted PBX00 Ratings6.90 Ratings
Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)00 Ratings7.70 Ratings
User templates00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Call reports00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Directory of employee names00 Ratings3.00 Ratings
Call Management
Comparison of Call Management features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.0
Ratings
3% below category average
Answering rules00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Call recording00 Ratings7.90 Ratings
Call park00 Ratings7.00 Ratings
Call screening00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Message alerts00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Mobile apps
Comparison of Mobile apps features of Product A and Product B
Adobe Connect
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.0
Ratings
1% above category average
Mobile app for iOS00 Ratings8.10 Ratings
Mobile app for Android00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Small Businesses
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Score 7.1 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 8.7 out of 10
Cisco Business Edition 7000 (discontinued)
Cisco Business Edition 7000 (discontinued)
Score 9.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Likelihood to Recommend
5.5
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
5.5
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.5
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Online Training
7.5
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.9
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe ConnectGoogle Hangouts (Classic)
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
Read full review
As previously mentioned, Google Hangouts (Classic) is best suited for ad-hoc, informal communications with external collaborators that would benefit from face-to-face interactions, but don’t require a record of the conversation and don’t necessarily require a high degree of corporate security. For communications of consequence, our corporate toolset is more appropriate, but Google Hangouts (Classic) serves a similar function to FaceTime or Zoom.
Read full review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
  • No virtual background option
  • Without multiple screens, you can't really see the room while you're screen sharing, making it harder (but not impossible) to monitor chat, and, I think, not possible to see others' webcams.
  • No "call me" feature.
  • Very expensive!
Read full review
  • 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
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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No answers on this topic
Usability
I give this rating because the connectivity issue is way too big of an issue for me. The reception connectivity issue even though I'm hardwired to my internet is constantly dropping to the point where my trainer is constantly cutting out. And I know it's not an internet issue on my end because I have a very high amount of connectivity with my internet provider here in Ontario Canada. I have one of the highest download and upload packages that you can get with my service provider. And I'm able to surf the Internet and use all of the programs connected to our VPN without any issues whatsoever.
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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
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.
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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
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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No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
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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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Adobe Connect has a feature for event management, which ensures even a bigger number of players can be involved in any meeting. There is a private chat option from Adobe Connect, which is instant, and effective. Adobe Connect has a mobile access option, with high compatibility, and other programs may lack the ability. Finally,. Adobe Connect supports surveys, and polls can easily be executed from the program
Read full review
For its time, Google Hangouts (Classic) was a fantastic product and matched up well with all of its successors. Now however, with it having been phased on within Workspace for Education, I would not advise any new users use the product. Google Chat, combined with Google Meet, have superseded Hangouts (Classic) and should be used by default due to their close knit integration with Gmail.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • Overall, the investment has been alright and has made sense. I'm not privy to all of the numbers, but it seems like the ROI has been fine. It's resolved most issues regarding virtual conferencing.
  • It does sound like Adobe is on the expensive end versus other competitor platforms, so smaller organizations may not be suited for this platform.
  • Some competitor platforms may offer more features and more robust experiences, with a more user-friendly user interface as well.
Read full review
  • 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