Item: Google Hangouts (Classic)
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Google Hangouts (Classic) is used mostly for intra-departmental communication, especially during the year-plus of remote work thanks to COVID-19. It is more efficient and quicker to use than phone calls or emails, and helps keep our team connected. Easy to see when colleagues are available and works well on both computers and mobile devices.

Pros and Cons

Quick, casual chats
Easy to use and non-intrusive
Archived chats are searchable, for reference
Seamless UX across all devices

Wish it was easier to search previous chats on the mobile app
Custom away messages would be helpful
Occasionally face a lag with the mobile app, showing notifications at a delay

Most Important Features

Quick, immediate communication
Casual but able to be documented for future reference
Makes remote work easier

Return on Investment

No added cost
Increased ease of communication
Easy access on computers and mobile devices

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Teams, Google Drive and Zoom

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 business hours and sign out at the end of the work day.

Key Insights

Do you think Google Hangouts (Classic) delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Google Hangouts (Classic)'s feature set?

Yes

Did Google Hangouts (Classic) live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Google Hangouts (Classic) go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Google Hangouts (Classic) again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Zoom, Google Drive, Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)

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.

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

Overall Satisfaction with Google Hangouts (Classic)