Zoom Workplace — Best Overall
Free / $13.33/user/mo · ★★★★★ · The most reliable and feature-rich video conferencing platform
| Rank | Software | Best For | Price | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zoom Workplace | Overall | Free / $13.33/user/mo | ★★★★★ | Visit |
| 2 | Microsoft Teams | Microsoft 365 Users | Free / $4/user/mo | ★★★★★ | Visit |
| 3 | Google Meet | Google Workspace Users | Free / $7.20/user/mo | ★★★★½ | Visit |
| 4 | Webex | Enterprise Security | $14.50/user/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 5 | GoTo Meeting | Webinars & Events | $12/organizer/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 6 | Riverside | Podcasts & Recording | $15/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 7 | Whereby | Simplicity | $8.99/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 8 | Jitsi Meet | Free & Open Source | Free | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
| 9 | Loom | Async Video | $12.50/user/mo | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
| 10 | Around | Always-On Presence | $9.99/user/mo | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
Video conferencing has become the backbone of modern work. Whether you are running daily standups, hosting client presentations, or recording podcasts, the right platform makes a material difference in communication quality, productivity, and professionalism. We tested all 10 platforms across audio/video quality, reliability, feature depth, ease of use, and pricing to determine which deserve your investment in 2026.
Zoom remains the most universally adopted and feature-rich video conferencing platform in 2026. Audio and video quality are consistently the best in the category, with intelligent noise suppression and low-light adjustment working seamlessly in the background. The AI Companion — included free on paid plans — generates meeting summaries, action items, and smart chapter breakdowns automatically. Breakout rooms are the most polished of any platform, supporting up to 50 rooms with pre-assignment and timer controls. With integrations spanning Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, and hundreds more, Zoom fits into virtually any tech stack.
Pros
- Best audio and video quality in the category
- AI Companion included free on paid plans
- Most feature-rich platform (whiteboard, clips, docs)
- Universal adoption — everyone knows how to use Zoom
- Excellent breakout rooms with advanced controls
- Massive integration ecosystem (1,500+ apps)
Cons
- 40-minute limit on free plan group meetings
- Zoom fatigue perception persists among some users
- Workplace suite can feel bloated for simple needs
- Phone features require Business+ tier ($21.99/mo)
- Per-user pricing adds up for larger teams
Microsoft Teams is the default video conferencing solution for organizations already invested in Microsoft 365. Video meetings are just one piece of the Teams experience — persistent chat channels, file sharing via SharePoint/OneDrive, and deep integration with Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint make it a full collaboration hub. Enterprise-grade security (end-to-end encryption, compliance certifications, DLP) makes it the top choice for regulated industries. Copilot AI can summarize meetings, generate action items, and answer questions about meeting content — though it requires a separate $30/user/mo license.
Pros
- Included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions at no extra cost
- Best-in-class Microsoft app integration
- Persistent channels combine chat, files, and meetings
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- Copilot AI for meeting intelligence
- Built-in webinar and town hall capabilities
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming
- External participants face friction joining meetings
- Resource-heavy — demands significant RAM and CPU
- Less intuitive meeting controls than Zoom
- Requires a Microsoft account for full functionality
- Copilot AI costs an additional $30/user/mo
Google Meet is the cleanest, most frictionless video conferencing experience available. It runs entirely in the browser — no downloads, no plugins, no app to install. Meetings launch directly from Google Calendar with a single click. The standout feature in 2026 is live translated captions, supporting 70+ languages in real time, making it the best platform for multilingual and international teams. Adaptive audio intelligently manages echo when multiple participants are in the same room. The platform performs remarkably well on budget hardware and low-bandwidth connections.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Google Calendar, Drive, and Docs
- Zero-download browser-based experience
- Live translated captions in 70+ languages
- Clean, minimal interface that is easy to use
- Adaptive audio for shared physical spaces
- Great performance on budget hardware and slow connections
Cons
- Recording and transcription require paid Google Workspace
- Fewer third-party integrations than Zoom or Teams
- Breakout rooms are less refined than Zoom's
- 60-minute limit on free plan group meetings
- Less robust for large-scale events and webinars
- No native VoIP or phone dial-in on lower tiers
Quick Reviews: #4 – #10
#4 Webex ($14.50/user/mo) — Cisco's enterprise-grade video conferencing platform. Webex delivers exceptional audio quality with AI noise cancellation and real-time translation in 100+ languages. End-to-end encryption is standard, making it the most secure option for regulated industries. The meeting experience is polished, with gesture recognition and smart camera framing. Best for enterprises that prioritize security, compliance, and advanced audio/video features.
#5 GoTo Meeting ($12/organizer/mo) — A veteran video conferencing platform known for reliability and simplicity. GoTo Meeting offers HD video, screen sharing, recording, and drawing tools in a clean interface. The organizer-based pricing model means you pay per host, not per user, which is cost-effective for teams where few people schedule meetings. The GoTo ecosystem includes GoTo Webinar and GoTo Training for event-scale needs. Best for organizations that host frequent webinars and virtual events.
#6 Riverside ($15/mo) — The best platform for high-quality recording. Riverside records each participant locally in up to 4K video and 48kHz WAV audio, then uploads the tracks automatically. This means internet issues do not affect recording quality. Built-in transcription, AI show notes, and clip creation tools make post-production efficient. Best for podcasters, video producers, and content creators who need studio-quality remote recordings.
#7 Whereby ($8.99/mo) — The simplest video conferencing tool available. Whereby gives you a permanent room URL that participants join with a single click — no accounts, no downloads, no apps. The interface is beautifully minimal, and the experience is designed to be as frictionless as possible. An embeddable API lets developers add video calls to their own apps. Best for small teams and freelancers who want dead-simple, browser-based video calls.
#8 Jitsi Meet (Free) — The best free, open-source video conferencing solution. Jitsi Meet requires no account, no download, and no payment. You can use the hosted version at meet.jit.si or self-host on your own server for complete privacy control. Features include screen sharing, chat, recording (via Dropbox), and end-to-end encryption. The interface is functional but less polished than commercial alternatives. Best for privacy-conscious teams and organizations that want self-hosted, open-source video conferencing with unlimited meeting duration.
#9 Loom ($12.50/user/mo) — Not traditional video conferencing but an essential async video tool. Loom lets you record your screen and camera, then instantly share the video via a link. AI-generated summaries, chapters, and action items make it easy for viewers to get the key points. Loom has replaced many meetings entirely, enabling teams to communicate asynchronously across time zones. Best for remote teams that want to reduce meeting load through async video messages.
#10 Around ($9.99/user/mo) — A lightweight, always-on video presence tool designed for remote teams. Around uses floating circular video bubbles instead of full-screen tiles, creating a sense of ambient presence without the intensity of a traditional video call. Auto-mute, spatial audio, and AI noise cancellation keep the experience low-friction. Best for remote teams that want persistent, low-pressure video presence throughout the workday rather than scheduled meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video conferencing software for small businesses?
Zoom Workplace is the best overall for small businesses. It offers the best balance of features, reliability, and universal adoption. If your team already uses Microsoft 365, Teams is the natural choice since it is included in your subscription. For Google Workspace teams, Google Meet is seamless and requires no additional software.
Is Zoom still the best video conferencing tool in 2026?
Yes. While Teams and Google Meet have narrowed the gap significantly, Zoom still leads in audio/video quality, feature depth, and universal compatibility. The AI Companion, included free on paid plans, gives it an additional edge over competitors that charge extra for similar AI features. For pure video conferencing quality and reliability, Zoom remains the benchmark.
What is the best free video conferencing tool?
Google Meet and Microsoft Teams both offer generous free tiers with 60-minute group meeting limits. Jitsi Meet is completely free with no time limits, though it lacks polish and advanced features. Zoom's free tier limits group meetings to 40 minutes. For most users, Google Meet's free plan offers the best combination of quality, simplicity, and features at zero cost.
How much bandwidth do I need for video conferencing?
For HD video calls, plan for 3–5 Mbps upload and download per participant. For group calls with gallery view, 5–10 Mbps is recommended. Google Meet is the most bandwidth-efficient of the major platforms, performing well even on 1.5 Mbps connections. A wired Ethernet connection is always more reliable than Wi-Fi for important meetings.