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Google Hangouts (Classic)

Google Hangouts (Classic)

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…

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Recent Reviews

Love this!

8 out of 10
September 01, 2022
Incentivized
I use Google Hangouts for meetings! We are a hybrid company so a lot of our meetings are done virtually with multiple team members. One …
Continue reading

Pretty good deal

10 out of 10
April 13, 2021
Incentivized
It is used for staff meetings company-wide. It is also used for meetings with clients and saves time as you can instantly chat with them …
Continue reading
Read all reviews

Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Popular Features

View all 16 features
  • Video conferencing (79)
    9.3
    93%
  • Audio conferencing (79)
    9.3
    93%
  • Mobile app for iOS (73)
    8.6
    86%
  • Mobile app for Android (71)
    8.1
    81%

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Verified User
Account Manager in Other
Computer Networking Company, 501-1000 employees
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Pricing

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Google Hangouts (Classic)

Google Hangouts (Classic)

N/A
Unavailable

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
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://workspace.google.com/pricing.ht…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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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…

Zoom

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Features

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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

6.4
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Call Management

Customized phone system settings

7.9
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VoIP system collaboration

Team collaboration via cloud phone system

8.9
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Mobile apps

Apps are compatible with mobile devices.

8.4
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Product Details

What is Google Hangouts (Classic)?

Google Hangouts is a communication platform that includes messaging, voice, VoIP, and video call capabilities. This platform is part of Google’s G Suite offering and integrates with applications such as Gmail and Google+. Pricing for G Suite plans range from $5-$25 per user per month.

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

What is Google Hangouts?

Google Hangouts (Classic) Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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 new Hangouts Chat collaboration tool, and Google continues to support conferencing via the new Hangouts Meet.

Reviewers rate Video conferencing and Audio conferencing and Instant messaging highest, with a score of 9.3.

The most common users of Google Hangouts (Classic) are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(521)

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 91)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
June 27, 2023

Review of Google Hangouts

Verified User
Account Manager in Other
Computer Networking Company, 501-1000 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Google hangouts is well suited for small to midsize internal meetings. It also works well for less formal client meetings or when you know a client already uses g-based products with the organization. I wouldn't recommend it for larger groups or webinar style meetings as there are better products for those use cases.
September 01, 2022

Love this!

Verified User
Director in Other
Non-profit Organization Management Company, 11-50 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is great for internal meetings or when you need to hop on a call last minute with multiple people. It might be less appropriate for external meetings because you aren't able to blur your background, so for example, if your house is messy and you need to take a funder call, it would be easier to use Zoom bc you can blur the background or use a different one.
November 25, 2021

Google Hangouts is reliable and easy to use, but will be phased out soon in favor of newer Google product

Verified User
Strategist in Corporate
Pharmaceuticals Company, 10,001+ employees
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Google Hangouts is a good messaging app for either groups or individuals. It allows for photo and document sharing. Google Hangouts is a reliable alternative or a complementary, parallel communications channel to Microsoft Teams. The interface is older but much easier to learn and use than other, newer messaging apps.
November 04, 2021

Best performance for calls and finding frequent contacts.

Verified User
Team Lead in Research & Development
Research Company, 11-50 employees
Score 5 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I think the only scenario where Google Hangouts (Classic) is the best solution is where there are individuals that do not handle change very well, since there are multiple more modern and sophisticated tools, full of new features. Performance-wise, it is difficult to beat Hangouts, but that is also given the low amount of features.
July 25, 2021

Free and must have communication tool

Verified User
General Manager in Marketing
Banking Company, 10,001+ employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Best suited:
  • Boon in work from home scenarios.
  • Can be accessed even when traveling with mobile.
  • Mostly available for communication with external parties as it is widely used.

Less appropriate:
  • Cannot be customized as per the organization's need.
  • Less secure.
July 14, 2021

A Decent instant messaging, calling & video conferencing tool.

Ejaz Hussain | TrustRadius Reviewer
Ejaz Hussain
Senior Analyst
Virtusa (Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
This tool is best suited for the organization that's already working with a google driven ecosystem wherein they use all the web-based google applications. Google Hangouts doesn't present a high level of encryption & lacks some advanced features that are present in other tools. Overall a decent tool for instant messaging within the company for internal purposes.
June 09, 2021

Google Hangouts (Classic) Review

Verified User
Director in Customer Service
Computer Software Company, 11-50 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I think Google Hangouts can be used in a variety of scenarios, whether those are internal business meetings, colleague catch-ups, or client-facing calls. The software is incredibly easy to use and I personally experienced little to no technical issues in my years of utilizing it as a primary piece of my daily technology suite.
May 19, 2021

A great product for its time!

Verified User
Professional in Other
Education Management Company, 11-50 employees
Score 2 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
May 14, 2021

Ubiquitous free tools need love too - don’t forget about Google Hangouts (Classic)

Chris Carpenter | TrustRadius Reviewer
Chris Carpenter
Danaher Business System Leader (DBSL), Awesomizer, Fixer, Maker, Collaboration Enabler
Beckman Coulter Life Sciences (Biotechnology, 10,001+ employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
April 26, 2021

Google Hangouts - Good connectivity, audio/visual quality, and best of all ease of use within Gmail Calendar

Verified User
Analyst in Finance and Accounting
Computer Software Company, 501-1000 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Google Hangouts (Classic) [are] well suited for meetings that are set up within Gmail. It is good for screen sharing. Since it's so easy to set up, one can set up a meeting without much hassle and good for impromptu meetings as well.
April 22, 2021

A great tool for instant messaging, not much more.

Verified User
Manager in Human Resources
Telecommunications Company, 11-50 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
[Google Hangouts (Classic)] is a great solution for an organization with a lot of interaction between co-workers, and the need for immediate responses. It is a good solution as well to include external users customers, consultants, etc, if they are using the google ecosystems.
April 16, 2021

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

Tony Phan | TrustRadius Reviewer
Tony Phan
Tactical Procurement Specialist (Vietnam & APAC Support) - Source To Procure Team
3M (Retail, 10,001+ employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is a very useful tool if you are trying to reach out to you co-worker in an urgent matter. The app is easy to install on any smartphone and tablet / laptop. Video call is also smooth. Sending photos and videos through Google Hangouts are also extremely easy which proves its usefulness if you are working on an events and requires constant moving.
April 13, 2021

A good addition if you're already in the Google system, but far superior platforms exist for businesses.

Verified User
Project Manager in Marketing
Graphic Design Company, 11-50 employees
Score 5 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Google Hangouts is well suited if you're already in the Google world, it integrates well with everything and is a natural tool. However, there are many other chat platforms and video conferencing platforms that are far superior to Hangouts, both offering a better experience with the functionality but also just faster and more responsive. I've found that if you're working with a lot of outside clients, people don't know what to make of and have never used Hangouts making it difficult to jump on a quick meeting. Many are far more familiar with tools like Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom.
April 13, 2021

Pretty good deal

Verified User
Administrator in Corporate
Education Management Company, 11-50 employees
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited for a virtual staff room. While we work in part virtual offices, it was easy to communicate with others while they are in a different location. It bridged the communication gap. I would recommend it to those who formerly worked cubicle offices, it allows you to have access to others without being intrusive.
April 13, 2021

Big fan of Google Hangouts (Classic), enhances communication while working remotely

Verified User
Professional in Other
Higher Education Company, 1001-5000 employees
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I am a huge fan of Google Hangouts (Classic) because it allows for more casual inter-office communication, especially when my entire team has been remote for over a year due to COVID-19. It's less formal than typing out an email or picking up the phone, basically replacing a quick walk down the hallway! It's easy to search past chats for reference and it's extremely user-friendly - there is virtually no training required, which is helpful for our less tech-savvy colleagues.
April 08, 2021

Easy IM feature for organizations who use G Suite

Atilla Vekony | TrustRadius Reviewer
Atilla Vekony
Agency Owner
Icon Digital Solutions (Marketing and Advertising, 1-10 employees)
Score 3 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Google Hangouts is a quick and convenient way to communicate via instant message with someone who has a Gmail account but otherwise would not or has not created an account with any of the more popular applications like Messenger or Whatsapp. It is especially useful for organizations that are on G Suite, as all members will instantly have Hangouts available to them. Therefore, I would recommend it for internal use as well as for use with family.
April 08, 2021

Google Hangouts (Classic) Is Great For Informal Virtual Meetings!

Marcus Manderson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Marcus Manderson
Supervisor of Audiovisual Operations
National Geographic Society (Information Technology and Services, 201-500 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Very well suited for videoconference meetings where everyone can mute/unmute as needed. Not suited well for webinars or higher-end presentations or virtual events.
April 06, 2021

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

MD
Mark DiNallo
Service Director
Morong Falmouth Audi Porsche VW Mazda (Automotive, 51-200 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
In the automotive industry, we often have occasions where a specific individual needs to answer one or two questions, from different areas of the building, or separate facilities. Such as when speaking to a customer about needed repairs, they will sometimes ask, for example, what their tires look like; really easy to send a message asking the technician that, rather than walking to the other end of the building, finding that technician, and asking, then going back to the customer.

It would be less appropriate in situations that require a great deal of detail or confidential private information.
April 05, 2021

Google Hangouts (Classic) is awesome!

Verified User
Project Manager in Information Technology
Information Technology and Services Company, 11-50 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Google Hangouts (Classic) works great if you're looking to have a simple meeting or touch base. It can be tricky once things start to get interactive. Additionally, Google Hangouts (Classic) could do a better job with integrating hangout and chat.
April 02, 2021

Google Hangouts delivers easy of use

BS
Brett Schenker
Email Deliverability Specialist
Numerous companies (Non-profit Organization Management, 201-500 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I find it's easy to talk to others using [Google Hangouts (Classic)] and share my screen so they can see what's going on. There's a simplicity to it in so many ways that makes it easy to use and not have to be a technical expert.
November 24, 2020

Great tool but still has room for improvements

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology & Services Company, 201-500 employees
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
For day to day communications, audio calls and video Hangouts do the job perfectly well. It would be great if we had the ability to integrate it with chat bits for common queries and questions. If we had the ability to integrate Google Hangouts (Classic) with other project management tools, the overall work efficiency of employees would increase.
November 03, 2020

Free Video Conferencing Tool

Verified User
C-Level Executive in Corporate
Accounting Company, 1-10 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is a great solution for online virtual meetings in comparison to the free Zoom account. It does not allow the moderator to record the meeting. It also works well when you want to connect with a phone call with Facetime. It would not be as useful for formal business meetings.
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