Overview
What is Google Hangouts (Classic)?
The classic version of Google Hangouts is a communication platform that includes messaging, voice, VoIP, and video call capabilities. It was part of Google’s G Suite offering and integrated with applications such as Gmail and Google+. Users of the classic…
Love this!
Google Hangouts is reliable and easy to use, but will be phased out soon in favor of newer Google product
Best performance for calls and finding frequent contacts.
Free and must have communication tool
A Decent instant messaging, calling & video conferencing tool.
Google Hangouts (Classic) Review
A great product for its time!
Ubiquitous free tools need love too - don’t forget about Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts - Good connectivity, audio/visual quality, and best of all ease of use within Gmail Calendar
A great tool for instant messaging, not much more.
Great 'Place' to virtually hang out with your co-office mates and discuss about work
A good addition if you're already in the Google system, but far superior platforms exist for businesses.
Pretty good deal
Big fan of Google Hangouts (Classic), enhances communication while working remotely
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Popular Features
- Video conferencing (79)9.393%
- Audio conferencing (79)9.393%
- Mobile app for iOS (73)8.686%
- Mobile app for Android (71)8.181%
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
What is Google Hangouts (Classic)?
The classic version of Google Hangouts is a communication platform that includes messaging, voice, VoIP, and video call capabilities. It was part of Google’s G Suite offering and integrated with applications such as Gmail and Google+. Users of the classic version of Hangouts will be migrated to the…
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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36 people also want pricing
Alternatives Pricing
What is Google Meet?
Google Meet, formerly Hangouts Meet, replaces the former Google Hangouts as the company's G Suite integrated web conferencing tool, allowing users to join meetings directly from a Calendar event or email invite from a computer, phone, or conference room. G Suite's Enterprise edition also creates a…
What is Zoom?
Zoom helps consolidate communications and collaboration in the boardroom, classroom, operating room, and everywhere. Zoom is an intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic. Zoom technology facilitates collaboration through solutions like Zoom…
Features
Cloud PBX
A cloud PBX system is based on cloud computing technology where data is stored and transferred over the intenet without any need for on-site PBX equipment
- 6.9Hosted PBX(15) Ratings
Hosted telephony infrastructure obviated the need for local PBX hardware
- 7.7Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)(25) Ratings
IVR is a phone menu allowing callers to interact with the system through voice and keypad
- 5.4User templates(22) Ratings
Create and apply batch configurations to multiple users at once
- 9Call reports(34) Ratings
Historical call analysis and trending metrics
- 3.2Directory of employee names(45) Ratings
Voice directory of all employees for self-service dialing
Call Management
Customized phone system settings
- 8Answering rules(33) Ratings
Ability to enter rules to route calls to main number or other extensions in case of absence
- 7.5Call recording(37) Ratings
Automatic recording of inbound and outbound calls
- 7Call park(18) Ratings
Ability to hold calls in virtual location and subsequently access from any phone in system
- 9Call screening(36) Ratings
Ability to block numbers or send calls directly to voicemail
- 8Message alerts(58) Ratings
Receive SMS and email message notifications for voice and fax messages
VoIP system collaboration
Team collaboration via cloud phone system
- 9.3Video conferencing(79) Ratings
Built-in video conferencing capabilities
- 9.3Audio conferencing(79) Ratings
Audio conferencing credentials for all on the system.
- 7.9Video screen sharing(48) Ratings
Users are able to share their screens with other meeting participants on video conference calls.
- 9.3Instant messaging(52) Ratings
Users are able to communicate via chat, either one-on-one or in a group message, through an instant messaging or chat tool.
Mobile apps
Apps are compatible with mobile devices.
- 8.6Mobile app for iOS(73) Ratings
App for iPhone and iPad
- 8.1Mobile app for Android(71) Ratings
Android app
Product Details
- About
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is Google Hangouts (Classic)?
Callers can use Hangouts to:
- Start a chat conversation or video call.
- Make phone calls using Wi-Fi or data.
- Send text messages with a Google Voice or Google Fi phone number.
Hangouts sync automatically across devices. Hangouts started on a computer, can continue with chat on another device, like a phone.
- In March 2017, Google announced plans to evolve classic Hangouts to focus on two experiences designed to help bring teams together: Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. Both Chat and Meet are available for G Suite customers and will be made available for consumer users as well. Google is planning to transition users from classic Hangouts to Chat and Meet after June 2020.
- Classic Hangouts is not available in China.
Google Hangouts (Classic) Video
Google Hangouts (Classic) Technical Details
Operating Systems | Unspecified |
---|---|
Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparisons
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Reviews and Ratings
(520)Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(1-25 of 48)Review of Google Hangouts
- Product integration into workflows
- easy of use
- Tools (screen-share, breakout groups, whiteboard)
- Can be a little glitchy
- Ability to share asset (presentations) without sharing your whole screen
- better/more filter options
Google Hangouts is reliable and easy to use, but will be phased out soon in favor of newer Google product
- Fast
- Reliable
- Easy to turn history on/off
- Larger default chat window.
- Compatibility issues with Google Meets.
Google Hangouts - Good connectivity, audio/visual quality, and best of all ease of use within Gmail Calendar
- 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.
- The quality of the visuals is not always great. Seems like what is displayed is always dark.
- We typically use Google Hangouts (Classic) with only a small group. For some reason, it's not the preferred choice for a long list of attendees.
- I am not aware of background feature[s] within Google Hangouts (Classic)(for example, overlay of pictures or backdrop of a city, etc.)
A great tool for instant messaging, not much more.
- Ease of use
- Ability to create groups
- File sharing systems
- Ability to use apps and web based
- It could use more integration with calendar
- Better notification setting for web based solution
- Should allow to have the ability to withdraw messages
A good addition if you're already in the Google system, but far superior platforms exist for businesses.
- Integration with Gmail for a full experience, everything is in 1 place!
- Ability to send/share images and files quickly via hangouts.
- Chat function and group chats.
- Emojis are difficult to use and not the best vs. iPhone.
- Slow video features, less attractive than other video platforms.
- The phone app is difficult to use, very easy to accidentally make a video call, and hard to back out of it. App can be very sluggish.
Pretty good deal
- Use for impromptu meetings.
- Use as an open virtual lounge to drop_in on meetings.
- It’s user friendly.
- Accessibility.
- More capabilities for webinar meetings.
- Sleeker look.
- Videoconference
- Google Workspace/GSuite Integration
- Screensharing
- Webinar features
- Recording available at all levels (not just higher tier)
- Improve video sharing experience
A tool of the past
- Shrug emoticon
- Notifications
- Sharing images and starting meets
- Gif integration
- Searching
Google Hangouts- Simple Solution for Quick Communication
- Simple screen share
- Minimal setup
- OS agnostic including mobile
- Works well with low speed connections
- Screen share on mobile
- Better chat extension on Chrome
- Better invite options
Google Hangouts delivers easy of use
- Video chat
- Easy to connect
- Easy to set up and use
- There's audio/video problems once in a while
Free Video Conferencing Tool
- Easy to set up
- Allows screen share
- Free
- Allow recording
- Access is not tied to email
- In some settings, it allows for more participants
The Connector - Google Hangouts
- Screen sharing.
- Video conferencing.
- Chatting.
- Emojis.
- Sending documents.
- They should allow you to connect more than 100 people at a time.
- A news feed should be there.
Google Hangouts Review
- Google Hangouts extension is available. It provides a separate window to see the messages.
- Video quality is great.
- Video/voice call recording feature.
Hangouts is just that... a hangout
- the interface is user friendly
- the use case is to the point
- it is easy to add and remove contacts
- file sharing isn't the greatest
- history deletion
- connecting different accounts to the interface
Great Free Video Conference Tool
- Easy to use with a Google Account.
- Multiple users can join via email.
- Sending out invitations to email and having the user reminded of the upcoming hangout.
- Sometimes a little too basic for sharing screens.
Good program, but features are duplicated by other apps now
- Chatting
- Copy and paste of documents or images
- Easy to video conference platform
- Lack of integration into business services
- Mobile app doesn't always give same experience
- Would like to keep as a tab in chrome vs pop out
Google Hangout Has Potential But Still Needs Improvement
- We can open up Google Hangouts and have a face to face meeting.
- It's fairly easy to use once you've done it a couple of times. You do have some back and forth with each user/session until it gets set up and going.
- It sets up communication in real time, faster then chat. And you have the visual.
- The quality of the internet connection is very important. A bad connection is frustrating and a time waster. And there's no way to tell in advance how the connection will be until you start the hangout.
- More instructions on the home page or a section that opens up with answers to common problems would help.
- The camera that each side uses is also crucial. Any improvement in that or having a way to evaluate how the image will be or could be improved would be useful.
- Ease of use -- all features are user-friendly, even for non-technical employees
- Integration -- Hangouts integrates seamlessly with all other Google products
- Improvements -- as a Google product, the software is continuously updating and improving
- Video quality -- the video quality is not as high as some comparable products
- Support -- nearly all support is handled through documentation and forums
Good for small orgs
- Click to join
- Video
- Chat
- Connection sometimes the connection is dropped.
- Sound quality and sound features.
- Single link meetings and meeting start and end times.
My review on Google Hangouts
- Video conferencing
- Audio conferencing
- Text messaging
- There is nothing that needs to be improved.
- I am pretty much happy with all the services.
Easy to use, easy to implement, and easy on the wallet.
- Multiple users at once
- Multi-platform support
- Low learning curve
- No desktop implementation
- Lack of analytics
- No low bandwidth setup
Great for business and personal use
- Web meetings.
- Conference record feature.
- Great screen sharing system.
- Set up is a bit confusing.
- Google App suite might be not so convenient to a non-tech person.
- Camera controlling has flaws.
Google Hangouts for video conferencing is a good choice
- Good quality in meetings
- Show camera view of all participants and you can easily identify who is speaking.
- Tracks history of calls which is nice for record-keeping.
- Screen sharing capabilities help getting your points across.
- UI to get a call going is a little confusing via the web browser.
- Not really the popular choice which is why we mostly use Zoom or go-to-meeting.
Basic instant messaging and video calling for free
Chat archives can be easily searched, images can be sent as well, but the problem is that other files cannot be sent through it. The latter can create issues and can be irritating but you can always use the same e-mail account to send those other files.
Additionally I like that I can immediately share the screen or make a video call. No problems here. Also mobile app is very useful.
- Uses gmail account which most people have. No need to install anything new (unless you want a mobile app).
- Video conferencing with multiple people works well and allows screen sharing.
- Instant messaging is fast and reliable. Sound notifications are not irritating.
- For me missing file sending is a missing functionality that should be implemented. Only images can be sent.
- Sending images using the desktop gmail website interface could also be improved, takes too long to add the image.
- More privacy settings would be useful.
Convenient chat and video conferencing!
- Ease of use: very simple to use.
- Cross-platform: works in browsers and apps for all mobile devices.
- Integrated functionality: videoconferencing, image insertion, etc.
- Missed notifications: Sometimes I'll get a chat message, but won't get a notification. The send will either be oddly delayed, or it just won't register as a new message.
- Invitations: In order to chat with someone new, you need to send them an "invitation." I wish it was a bit more automatic that you could chat with anyone at your organization.
- File sharing: I wish you could send files, not just photos.