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Google Hangouts (Classic)

Score7.8 out of 10

524 Reviews and Ratings

What is Google Hangouts (Classic)?

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.

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features Google Hangouts (Classic) has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 524 ratings of Google Hangouts (Classic)'s features
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Top Performing Features

  • Call reports

    Historical call analysis and trending metrics

    Category average: 8.2

  • Call screening

    Ability to block numbers or send calls directly to voicemail

    Category average: 8.7

  • Video conferencing

    Built-in video conferencing capabilities

    Category average: 8.2

Areas for Improvement

  • Hosted PBX

    Hosted telephony infrastructure obviated the need for local PBX hardware

    Category average: 7.8

  • User templates

    Create and apply batch configurations to multiple users at once

    Category average: 7.4

  • Directory of employee names

    Voice directory of all employees for self-service dialing

    Category average: 8.2

Reviews

What users are saying about Google Hangouts (Classic).
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Ubiquitous free tools need love too - don’t forget about Google Hangouts (Classic)

Incentivized
Chris CarpenterView profile
Danaher Business System Leader (DBSL), Awesomizer, Fixer, Maker, Collaboration Enabler in Research & Development at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences (10,001+ employees employees)

Pros

  • Ad-hoc video conferencing / meetings with external collaborators
  • Mobile video conferencing
  • Integration with other Google-based tools.

Cons

  • Security
  • Integration into the formal corporate toolset
  • Integration into Office365

Most Important Features

  • Ease of use
  • Ubiquity
  • Platform independent

Return on Investment

  • It’s free and informal, so the cost is not an issue
  • It doesn’t interact with O365, so as a disparate tool, it can be problematic
  • It is ubiquitous so it is Android friendly and iOS friendly

Alternatives Considered

Zoom, BlueJeans Meetings, Cisco Webex Calling, Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business (formerly Lync) and GoToMeeting

Other Software Used

Microsoft Teams, BlueJeans Meetings, ON24, Zoom

Google Hangouts- the easiest, simplest instant messaging platform there is

Incentivized
Mark DiNallo
Service Director at Morong Falmouth Audi Porsche VW Mazda (51-200 employees employees)

Pros

  • Can set up different user groups with various personnel. In our case, we have different groups for different vehicle brands, one group for service advisors, one group for management, etc. Information can then be tailored to the correct people.
  • It is a contact less form of communication in an environment where various different people NEED to interact with one another throughout the day. Very helpful given the covid.
  • Setup and implementation are incredibly easy. Especially if work domain for email is attached to gmail like ours is
  • Ability to use Gmail search bar to search through chat history is very handy

Cons

  • 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.

Return on Investment

  • Usage of this tool has made it possible to get much quicker answers for customer questions, resulting in the ability to increase customer sales enormously
  • Cost of the tool is basically nonexistent, so any improvement is pretty great
  • Having a searchable reference for scheduling constraints, special accomodations needed for customers, or really any such information, has made it far easier to schedule customer appointments, thereby increasing overall sales and gross.

Other Software Used

CDK Drive, vAuto Conquest, Zipwhip, MiCloud Connect (formerly ShoreTel), Podium, Dealer.com

Google Hangouts delivers easy of use

Incentivized
Brett Schenker
Email Deliverability Specialist at Numerous companies (201-500 employees employees)

Pros

  • Video chat
  • Easy to connect
  • Easy to set up and use

Cons

  • There's audio/video problems once in a while

Return on Investment

  • It's helped to host meetings making connecting easier

Alternatives Considered

Zoom and Slack

Other Software Used

Zoom, Slack

A Decent instant messaging, calling & video conferencing tool.

Incentivized
Ejaz HussainView profile
Senior Analyst in Information Technology at Virtusa (10,001+ employees employees)

Pros

  • Easy to setup platform especially if the organization is already in Google ecosystem.
  • User interface is very easy on the eye & minimalistic.
  • All the Gmail events are properly synced up with google hangout.
  • Very good & versatile mobile application.

Cons

  • Call & video quality connection becomes very unstable when on low latency network.
  • Could improve on its sending invite option & make it more easy.
  • Automatic away status can be implemented if not active on platform.

Most Important Features

  • Ease of usage & user friendly.
  • Good integration with other G suite apps.
  • Flexibility to join a meeting through mobile device.

Return on Investment

  • It comes in G-suite package so no licensing costs.
  • No need of deploying any technicians to install this tool thus saving hassle & money.
  • works seamlessly even on mobile devices thus increasing productivity.

Alternatives Considered

Skype for Business (formerly Lync), now part of Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Teams

Other Software Used

Skype for Business (formerly Lync), now part of Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, GoToWebinar

Great 'Place' to virtually hang out with your co-office mates and discuss about work

Incentivized
Tony PhanView profile
Tactical Procurement Specialist (Vietnam & APAC Support) - Source To Procure Team in Corporate at 3M (10,001+ employees employees)

Pros

  • Friendly user interface, sometimes it does not feel like you are chatting about work
  • It comes in all devices and all have slick UI. Not like some other messaging apps which are inconsistent between desktop / mobile version
  • Amazing alternative option for sms / mms

Cons

  • Lack of organizational chart if you are in a big organization
  • Some concerns regarding to privacy
  • Cannot communicate with other messaging softwares

Most Important Features

  • Sending videos / photos in reasonable resolution
  • Can be used in any web browsers, does not require installation
  • VPN friendly

Return on Investment

  • Communicate effectively saves tons of time & cost for emailing back and forth
  • When on-field staff is outside of office, it is easy to video call them
  • Does not require installation, can be used in any browser which saves time for IT

Alternatives Considered

Zoom and Skype for Business (formerly Lync)

Other Software Used

Zoom Video Webinar, Skype, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC