Best video conferencing apps 2022: Over the past year and a half, our lives have changed a lot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we have started to return to normality, things are still quite difficult. Many people still rely on video conferencing tools (e.g. video conferencing apps) to stay in touch with their colleagues, family, and friends.
Video conferencing is an umbrella term that encompasses ways that allow two or more people to communicate electronically. It is mainly done through an audio or video call. Nowadays, video conferencing tools that allow video calls are the most popular.
See also: NSA: How to choose secure video conferencing and collaboration tools?
A video conference combines audio and video. This type of conference allows participants to see each other, creating the feeling of being face-to-face.
All this time, these tools have allowed many businesses to continue operating as normal. Employees have been able to communicate with their colleagues and customers.
Let's look at some of the best video conferencing applications out there:
Zoom
Zoom has become one of the most well-known video conferencing apps during the pandemic. In fact, its name has become inextricably linked to video meetings. It was created by Zoom Video Communications , and before the pandemic, the company recommended Zoom primarily for corporate use , but it also has a free basic version for regular users.
Initially, various issues with the app, mainly related to privacy and security. Later, the company released updates to address these issues.
See also: Zoom's AI will highlight the most important moments in a meeting
The free version of Zoom allows up to 100 users to participate in a video meeting. However, when more than two people are communicating, there is a 40-minute call limit, which can be quite restrictive.
Users can upgrade the app by choosing a Zoom subscription plan. The top Zoom plan allows for 1000 simultaneous users for meetings that can last over 30 hours.
Up to 49 people can be viewed on a desktop or laptop screen at the same time, up to 4 people per screen on iPhone and Android mobile phones , and up to 16 people per screen on iPad.
The app provides high-quality video and audio calls, allows screen sharing and instant messaging, and has many other features.
Zoom is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and Linux and is extremely easy to use.
Participants do not need to download the app if they use Google Chrome or Firefox.
They can click a link and register from the browser.
However, the application must be downloaded on tablet computers, Android and iOS devices.
Skype
Skype application that specializes in providing video conferencing, video calling, and voice calling services. It also supports messaging, file transfer, calling landlines and mobile phones, sharing photos and videos, screen sharing for business presentations, and other features.
Skype is available on various desktop, mobile and video game console platforms. Specifically, it is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, HoloLens, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.
It was first released in August 2003, and has been owned by Microsoft since 2011.
It is available in 108 languages.
Registered Skype users have a unique Skype ID. Conference calls can be attended by up to 50 people with a time limit of four hours.
Skype can also be used in a browser, which is great for chatting with people without installing the app. You can simply invite them to join using their email address.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is another popular communication platform developed by Microsoft, as part of the Microsoft 365 . While the app is primarily focused on business use, Microsoft has also unveiled a free version for regular users, which allows anyone to chat and make video calls, store files, and more. However, users will need to create a Microsoft account to use it.
The app replaces other Microsoft business messaging and collaboration platforms, such as Skype for Business and Microsoft Classroom.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Teams became even more popular.
Microsoft announced Teams at an event in New York and launched the service globally on March 14, 2017. The app is available on Linux , macOS, iOS, Android, Web, and Windows , supports 45 languages, and allows for both single and group chats.
During the pandemic, Microsoft expanded the number of participants from 100 to 300, and has also extended the time limit from 60 minutes to 24 hours.
Administrators can also organize webinars and large meetings with up to 10,000 participants.
See also: Microsoft Teams: Nostalgic backgrounds are coming
Full integration with Microsoft 365 means calls can be easily scheduled and invitations shared among users within the organization, while external guests can join from their browser, without downloading the app.
Microsoft Teams also provides the full range of features expected from a leading video conferencing software provider, such as screen sharing and call recording, live captions, background blur technology, and messaging.
Google Meet
Meet is another app that offers a very simple and effective way to video chat with colleagues, friends, and family. A prerequisite for participating in a Google Meet meeting is having a Google account. It was developed specifically for business needs and can serve a large number of users at the same time.
An enhanced version of the standard Google Hangouts, Google Meet makes it easier to collaborate with external clients. It does this by first providing a web app experience, meaning there's no software to download. Then, it provides a dedicated dial-in number, which means workers on the go can join meetings.
Another key advantage is that users are within the Google Workspace platform, so it's easy to use data from other applications, especially Google Calendar.
Available as a web app, Android app and iOS app.
It includes various features, such as call encryption, external noise cancellation filter, low light mode for video calls, screen sharing for presenting documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.
Cisco Webex Meetings
Webex is a video conferencing application that has been around since the 1990s. It was acquired by Cisco in 2007 .
While it is primarily known as a business application and continues to focus on serving companies, it has a pretty good free version, suitable for casual users.
During the pandemic, the company decided to expand the capabilities of the freemium version, allowing 100 people to participate in a meeting, which can last up to 50 minutes. It also has features such as screen sharing and private chat rooms.
When the user registers to create an account, they are assigned a personal URL, which they can use to manage all meetings, schedule video conferences, and access stored files.
There is a desktop, web, and mobile app. The free plan includes 1 GB of cloud storage, unlimited video calls, and the ability to record them.
These are some of the best video conferencing apps.
Since COVID-19 has not yet left our lives, such an app can help maintain communication with friends and colleagues.
