What is web conferencing software?
Web conferencing software allows participants to host or attend meetings via the internet. It is also referred to as online meeting software or video conferencing software.
Web and Video Conferencing Software
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Web and Video Conferencing Software Overview
What is Web Conferencing Software?
Web conferencing software allows participants to conduct or attend meetings via the internet. This is also known as online meeting software or sometimes simply video conferencing itself. It enables remote meetings based on VoIP, online video, instant messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing.Web and video conferencing tools have become fundamental to how many organizations conduct business. The software enables remote employees, customers, and partners to connect easily and often. Specific uses for web conferencing software include:
- Presentations or webinars
- Conference calls
- Video meetings with multiple participants
- Running product demos and training
- 1-on-1 meetings with remote employees
- Face-to-face customer support
- Enhanced communications
- Reduced travel costs
- Increased efficiency
Web and Video Conferencing Features & Capabilities
Audio and video quality
Web conferencing software should facilitate audio calls and video conferencing. The quality of audio and video is a key factor to consider. Buyers should also consider the bandwidth usage of the software.
Screen sharing
Meeting presenters should be able to share their screens with participants.
Online meetings
Web conferencing software allows users to schedule meetings or initiate impromptu meetings. Participants should be able to easily join meetings—and mute themselves. The ability to record meetings (and save or download recordings) is offered by some, but not all vendors. Buyers should investigate to make sure meeting recordings meet their needs.
Collaboration
Many web conferencing software products include collaboration features such as live chat, audience polling, Q&A, and file sharing.
Security
Enterprises and companies in highly regulated industries will need enhanced security. Security features include user authentication, permissions, and confidential attendee lists.
Mobility
Some web conferencing software products offer a mobile app. This allows easy access to video meetings from a mobile device or tablet. Others allow users to call in from mobile devices (audio-only), or join meetings from a mobile-friendly web link.
Other features include:
- Slideshow presentations
- Meeting scheduling and recording
- Live chatting
- Audience interaction features
- File sharing
Web and Video Conferencing Software Comparison
To compare different web and video 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.
Start a Web and Video Conferencing software comparison
Web Conferencing vs. Video Conferencing
Web conferencing traditionally referred to “one-to-many” interactions. This included presentations, training, and webinars. Individuals could participate via chat or “hand-raising” but the presenter was the key communicator. In contrast, video conferencing traditionally referred to face-to-face interactions between equal participants, typically two people or a small group.
This line between web conferencing software and video conferencing software is blurring. Web conferencing no longer refers just to calls with a single presenter. The term now includes group discussions, 1:1 meetings, and video calls. Most online meeting vendors offer both traditional web conferencing features (e.g., screen sharing, presentations to large groups, meeting moderation) and traditional video conferencing features (e.g., two-way video and audio). The meaning of "video conferencing" has also expanded so that now one can use web conferencing and video conferencing fairly interchangeably and research the same software.
This line between web conferencing software and video conferencing software is blurring. Web conferencing no longer refers just to calls with a single presenter. The term now includes group discussions, 1:1 meetings, and video calls. Most online meeting vendors offer both traditional web conferencing features (e.g., screen sharing, presentations to large groups, meeting moderation) and traditional video conferencing features (e.g., two-way video and audio). The meaning of "video conferencing" has also expanded so that now one can use web conferencing and video conferencing fairly interchangeably and research the same software.
Pricing Information
| Starting Price | Maximum Price | Free Trial? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom | $14.99 | $19.99 | Yes |
| GoToMeeting | $14.00 | Custom Quote | Yes |
| Join.Me | $10.00 | $30.00 | Yes |
| Webex Meetings | $14.95 | $29.95 | Yes |
| Microsoft Teams | $5.00 | $20.00 | Yes |
Free Web and Video Conferencing Software
There are many free web or video conferencing software options available. Some are personal tools, like Skype and Google Hangouts. Others are focused on small businesses, including AnyMeeting, MeetingBurner, Join.me, and Zoom.
Free web conferencing software (and free tiers of paid products) may have some limitations. This includes lower video/audio quality, fewer features, and restrictions on the size of meetings, for example. Paid products typically have more features and better performance and security compared to free web conferencing software. But they can be cost-prohibitive for smaller companies, especially if online meetings are only needed now and then by a few individuals.
Free web conferencing software (and free tiers of paid products) may have some limitations. This includes lower video/audio quality, fewer features, and restrictions on the size of meetings, for example. Paid products typically have more features and better performance and security compared to free web conferencing software. But they can be cost-prohibitive for smaller companies, especially if online meetings are only needed now and then by a few individuals.
Paid Web and Video Conferencing Software
For paid plans, web conferencing software is usually priced per seat by the number of meeting participants and included features. Prices start as low as $15/mo. per host for up to 100 participants, as with the Zoom Pro plan. For enterprise-wide web conferencing software, prices can run into thousands of dollars per month. This includes multiple hosts, virtual meeting rooms, integrations, security & administration, enhanced support, and more.
More Resources
Web and Video Conferencing Products
(26-50 of 110) Sorted by Most Reviews
Intermedia AnyMeeting Pro
Starting Price $9.99
Intermedia AnyMeeting provides web-based video conferencing software designed for small businesses. With AnyMeeting, users have access to a variety of tools to help them host webinars, video conferences, and online meetings complete with screen sharing capabilities.
Key Features
- High quality audio (12)90%9.0
- High quality video (12)90%9.0
- Desktop sharing (12)80%8.0
Mitel MiCollab is a collaboration and conferencing tool for enterprises, from Canadian company Mitel.
Key Features
- Chat (12)80%8.0
- Notifications (11)79%7.9
- Mobile Access (12)67%6.7
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.
Key Features
- High quality audio (11)87%8.7
- High quality video (11)87%8.7
- Desktop sharing (11)72%7.2
ClickMeeting
Starting Price $25
ClickMeeting is a webinar solution formerly owned by GetResponse, an email marketing software company. ClickMeeting's online meeting and collaboration tools are designed to support the sales, marketing, e-learning, and training needs of business of all sizes.
Key Features
- High quality video (10)60%6.0
- High quality audio (10)58%5.8
- Record meetings / events (11)57%5.7
TeamViewer Meeting (formerly Blizz) is a web conferencing software designed for global collaboration. It aides users in connecting with contacts and remote teams through video meetings, instant chat messaging, screen sharing, and conference recording on desktop and mobile from any…
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…
MaestroConference
Starting Price $49
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.
RingCentral Video is a video conferencing solution ideal for remote teams and businesses. It includes screen sharing, group messaging, HD quality voice and video, and one-click video meetings.
From PGi, GlobalMeet Webcast enables users to conduct online broadcasts and features HD video streaming and interactive audience engagement tools. It also offers customized event branding, webcast recording and editing capabilities, and event reporting.
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…
Oracle Beehive Enterprise Collaboration Server provides hosted collaboration and voice / web conferencing tools at the enterprise level.
Proficonf
Starting Price $0
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.…
AT&T Office@Hand is a comprehensive, cloud-based solution that provides feature-rich voice and collaboration tools that can help you improve customer engagement, drive employee productivity, and streamline operations. It replaces the former AT&T Collaborate, and AT&T Connect conferencing…
Phone.com
Starting Price $12.99
Phone.com is a cloud based VoIP solution from the company of the same name in Newark, New Jersey, with video conferencing, business phone, and optional premium features (e.g. live receptionist). The company boasts 30,000 businesses as users of its cloud-based communication and…
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…
Lumen Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) (formerly CenturyLink) combine adaptive networking with a portfolio of technologies on a secure global network with end-to-end support. The UC&C portfolio includes cloud, hosted, and fully managed services built on best-…
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…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between webinar and web conferencing 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 and video conferencing platforms shine brightest when used for sharing ideas and making decisions between remote stakeholders.
What are key features of web and video conferencing software?
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 and video conferencing platform:
- Screen Sharing
- Multi-Device Support
- Easy-to-Use Interface
- Chat
- Meeting Recording
How can web conferences help businesses?
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.
How much does web and video conferencing software cost?
There are many free web and video conferencing options available. Some are personal tools while others are focused on small businesses. For paid plans, web and video conferencing software is usually priced per seat by the number of meeting participants and included features. For enterprise-wide web and video conferencing software, prices can run into thousands of dollars per month.