TrustMaps are two-dimensional charts that compare products based on satisfaction ratings and research frequency by prospective buyers. Products must have 25 or more ratings to appear on this TrustMap.
To compare different web conferencing solutions, consider these factors for each product offering:
High-Quality Audio & Video
Audio and video quality is of the utmost importance to web conferencing software. Users want to feel like they’re having authentic face-to-face conversations with other participants, and quality video is a major component of that. Beyond the quality of your webcam or microphone, the software itself can feature tools that enhance the overall quality of your experience such as noise cancellation, auto-mute for non-speaking participants, and settings adjustments for users with low bandwidth.
Screen Sharing
Screen sharing allows users to display their screen with other meeting participants. As online meetings become more collaborative, this is a must-have feature for most buyers. Screen sharing must not only be high quality, but easy to toggle on and off as well. The option of having multiple participants sharing their screen at once is also gaining steam, but not every tool on the market offers this feature. If this is important to your team, be sure to confirm that your preferred tool has this feature before subscribing.
Multi-Device Support
People lead busy lives, so web conferencing software has evolved to keep up with the ever-changing ways in which employees engage with their work. Users want to be able to quickly and easily dial-in to meetings not only from their desktop computers, but from laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. Having web conference software with sophisticated mobile application features are a must for many companies. Additionally, for ease-of-use, mobile versions of web conferencing software should compliment the desktop versions and be as congruent as possible to ease implementation and access to meetings for guest users.
Easy-to-Use Interface
Ease of use is essential for online meetings to run without a hitch. Participants need to be able to easily—and quickly—join meetings whether they’re in an office or on the go. Not only that, but for hosts, setting up meetings and managing them must be a simple process as well. A well-designed user interface is key because it facilitates collaboration between participants and ensures that they are engaged. No one wants to spend several minutes figuring out where the “mute” button is or awkwardly fumbling to hang up a call.
Chat
Chat is now ubiquitous, from text messaging to private messages across social media platforms. Web conference participants also want to be able to communicate via text during online meetings. In-meeting chat features are designed not only for note-taking, but for quietly conveying information to the host and other participants without interrupting the flow of the meeting, especially during Q&A sessions. Chat features also allow participants to communicate before and after the meeting, and act as an additional means of collaboration.
Meeting Recording
The reality of online meetings is that not everyone can always participate. This is where meeting recordings come in handy. Ideally, users would have access to unlimited recording, but many web conferencing tools limit the amount of meetings than can be recorded and stored based on file size. Some vendors may limit the number of minutes in a meeting that can be recorded, or limit the available editing features. When searching for web conferencing software, buyers should be mindful of just how often they’d like to record meetings, and if they will need to make extensive edits.
From Enghouse Systems, Vidyo is a web conferencing platform that features video calling and instant chat capabilities. The platform integrates with most environments, networks, and devices.
Mitel MiCollab is a collaboration and conferencing tool for enterprises, from Canadian company Mitel.
FreeConferenceCall.com is a free audio conferencing solution with features such as audio and video conferencing, screen-sharing, call recording, transcribed keywords, one-click web controls, transcribed keywords, instant messaging, and integrations with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar.
MaestroConference is a web conferencing platform with the capability to run small break-out sessions within the main group. It incorporates voting and social capabilities.
Mikogo is a free screen sharing solution with built-in VoIP for online meetings, web presentations, web conferencing and sales demos.
Webinato is a webinar tool from omNovia Technologies, a provider of web conferencing software.
Present+ is a fully featured webinar tool that is designed to allow users to quickly create webinars. It includes registration, email communications, live and on demand events, and advanced branding capability. All on-demand recordings of live webinars can be recorded automatically and are fully hos…
LiveWebinar is a cloud-based tool that helps users manage online webinars, meetings, training, live streaming, chats, screen sharing, social media broadcasting and high definition (HD) recording via web browsers. It is a customizable solution that allows users to change logos, room colors, and desig…
Proficonf is a professional video conferencing platform that allows its users to make or join video meetings with up to 250 participants without any downloads or installations. Proficonf aims to help users save time connecting with teammates, business partners, tutors, students, etc. The vendor says…
Oracle Beehive Enterprise Collaboration Server provides hosted collaboration and voice / web conferencing tools at the enterprise level.
FreeConference is a telephony and VoIP software solution from FreeConference.
Watchitoo combines video conferencing, collaboration and online video into a single platform. The platform includes interactivity features like polling, video chat, text chat, and chat collaboration with social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The platform is browser-based and does not re…
ReadyTalk was acquired by PGi in 2017. Former ReadyTalk products are now offered as GlobalMeet Webinar.
Onstream Meetings allows users to set up and manage meetings in the cloud. The platform does not require any pre installation, training or configuration. It includes advanced security options, and unlimited monthly meetings. Pricing starts at $19/month for up to 25 participants. Onsteam Meetings h…
Zeen is a video conferencing solution that promises to empower teams to hold more effective meetings. The vendor says inviting colleagues is easy with tools like screen sharing, real-time agendas, dedicated rooms, and analytics that prioritize your team’s needs. Joining a meeting requires no downl…
ClickWebinar, from GetReponse, allows users to run video conferences and webinars for up to 1000 participants. Features include audio & video, statistics for analyzing the success of webinars, and desktop screen sharing. They also offer mobile apps to schedule meetings, send invitations, and del…
LoopUp is a remote meeting/web conferencing platform.
MegaMeeting.com is a 100% browser-based Video & Web Conferencing solution. Being browser based and working on all major operating systems – Windows, Mac & Linux, MegaMeeting.com provides all parties the ability to hold web meetings, without the need to download, install or configure video or…
Glance is a conferencing platform focused on customer engagement through visualization and collaboration.
ShowMyPC is a web conferencing and remote administration and help / support tool from the small company of the same name in San Francisco, California.
InterCall is a web conferencing tool offered by West Corporation.
From webcasts to virtual extensions of events, INXPO digital interactive broadcasting solutions help companies communicate with their customers, employees, partners, and prospects.
MediaPlatform is an enterprise video communication software for interactive presentations, webcasts, and video portal software available through either cloud or on-premise deployment.
OfficeSuite UC is a cloud--based unified communications system with features like high-definition video conferencing, VoIP, and online faxing. It was acquired by Windstream when the company acquired Broadview in 2017.
There are plenty of options out there, but here's our shortlist of the best Web Conferencing Software. These products won a Top Rated award for having excellent customer satisfaction ratings. The list is based purely on reviews; there is no paid placement, and analyst opinions do not influence the rankings. To qualify, a product must have 10 or more recent reviews and a trScore of 7.5 or higher, indicating above-average satisfaction for business technology. The products with the highest trScores appear first on the list. Read more about the Top Rated criteria.
Web conferencing software allows participants to host or attend meetings via the internet. It is also referred to as online meeting software.
The biggest difference between webinar and web conferencing software is size. Webinar software is best for larger group meetings or online events with large audiences of hundreds or sometimes thousands of participants. Web conferencing platforms shine brightest when used for sharing ideas and making decisions between remote stakeholders.
A recent TrustRadius survey of 180+ web conferencing users found that these are the top 5 features to keep in mind when looking for a new web conferencing platform:
Web conferencing software is an essential communications tool from which organizations of all sizes can benefit. It helps users meet with clients, customers, and remote employees via the internet using computers, as well as mobile devices like phones and tablets. The highest quality conferencing software will support one-on-one meetings, as well as groups of more than three participants.
There are many free web conferencing options available. Some are personal tools while others are focused on small businesses. For paid plans, web conferencing software is usually priced per seat by the number of meeting participants and included features. For enterprise-wide web conferencing software, prices can run into thousands of dollars per month.
