Top 10 Online Meeting Platforms To Help Virtual Team Engagement

Connecting and communicating with employees and clients remotely is a common practice of businesses in the digital era. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted almost everyone to resort to virtual meetings to practice social distancing. Online meeting platforms like Cisco Webex, Zoom, and Google Meet allow people to gather in the same space without physically being present. 

Here are the top ten apps and software with video conferencing features to bring virtual teams together. Pick the best that suits your virtual team engagement requirements. 

1. Cisco Webex

Cisco Webex is one of the online meeting platforms initially intended for businesses. Businesses widely use Webex because of its built-in controls and tight security features. If you register for Webex’s free subscription plan, you can host virtual meetings or team building with up to 100 individuals for any duration. Omdia Research Company names Webex as a leader in virtual meetings with a score of 91% in the product experience category.

Webex is compatible with Windows and Mac and is an excellent option for those who like to attend meetings on the go from their mobile devices. 

Plans and Pricing: 

Basic – Free

Meet – $144/year

Enterprise – Contact sales

2. Zoom

Zoom is a popular and easy-to-use video conferencing platform wherein you can invite anyone to a Zoom conference with a link (URL), even if your participants are not registered with Zoom. Participants will instantly join a virtual room when they click on the link.  

Registered Zoom users can host meetings with a maximum of 100 people using the free version. The app is ideal for hosting conferences, workshops, and other activities with virtual teams because of its fun features, like breakout rooms.

Plans and Pricing: 

Basic – Free

Meet – $149.90/year

Business-  $199.90/year

3. Google Meet

Google introduced Google Meet as a virtual meeting channel for the company’s enterprise customers. But, with Zoom’s emergence, the company decided to introduce Google Meet as a secure alternative. It can host gatherings of up to 250 participants and also provides helpful add-ons such as live captions and anti-abuse features. Google Meet is also a preferred online meeting platform for online classes during the pandemic. 

If data security is a priority issue for your business, then Meet is suitable for you as long as every team member or participant has an active Google Account.

Plans and Pricing: 

Anyone with a Google Account  can use Google Meet for Free. But, users may avail of Google Workspace Plans. 

4. Skype

Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011, becoming the original household name for video calls. However, due to consumer complaints and the surge in the popularity of Zoom, Skype is no longer the first option for online meetings. Skype is relaunched with video conferencing features. The app now offers sessions for up to 50 participants accessible by a generated link. 

Plans and Pricing: 

United States Subscription – $2.99/month

India Subscription – $7.99 per month

North America Subscription – $6.99 per month

5. Jami

Security-aware team members prefer Jami’s signature peer-to-peer and end-to-end encryption. The open-source communication platform has only hosted virtual meetings with up to 16 people. However, you can try Jami with larger groups if you run the discussion from a device with solid bandwidth.

Plans and Pricing: 

FREE

6. Zoho Meeting

Zoho Meeting is a secure online meeting platform and webinar solution that improves team collaboration efficacy. This online meeting platform allows you to conduct video meetings and webinars, share your screen, and record your meetings. In addition, you can protect your online discussions through its secure web conferencing sessions. 

Plans and Pricing: 

Free – $0

Meeting – $3/month, billed annually

Webinar –  $16/month., billed annually

7. Jitsi Meet

For open-source software, you can customize and use Jitsi Meet for your next online meeting. As the platform is secured by strong encryption, it does not ask you to register or restrict the number of participants. Because of this, Jitsi Meet provides endless possibilities for you and your team to conduct virtual meetings, online conferences, workshops, webinars, or even team-building activities.

Plans and Pricing: 

FREE

8. Toasty 

Toasty is an interactive virtual meeting platform that enables the host to encourage their audience. It also promotes team collaborations in online meetings and other activities. Plus, it has built-in activities like icebreaker questions, conversation cards, and polls. Toasty also features an interactive meeting agenda the host sets before the event. Likewise, Toasty is built on Jitsi, which provides secure, stable, and easy-to-access connections.

Plans and Pricing: 

Free – $0/month/license

Plus– $30/month/license 

Premium – $50/month/license 

9. Lifesize

Lifesize’s virtual conferencing software is an excellent alternative for teams seeking high-quality 4K video, a wide variety of integrations, and a secure environment. After signing up for a free account, you can host unlimited online meetings with up to 25 people each. Like Zoom, you set up meetings with a shared link, making Lifesize simple. Lifesize is suitable for remote team-building activities due to its focus on high-definition video. It seems like your colleagues are in the same room as you.

Plans and Pricing: 

Quick Start, Advanced, and Premium – by request of quotation

10. Whereby

Whereby is another option that allows you to host simple, unique video calls with anyone, anywhere, with just a link. You don’t need to download additional apps or register to start using the platform. Surprisingly, you can also play YouTube videos while using the app, making it perfect for any online activities that require video sharing, such as a Yoga or Zumba tutorial. 

Plans and Pricing: 

Free – $0

Pro– $69.90/year, 1 host

Business – $99.90/host/year

Conclusion

Online meeting platforms have been a saving grace for many businesses during this time of social distancing. Communication, participation, and engagement are the pillars of successfully running the operations of a business. A reliable video conferencing app, employee communication tools, and other productivity tools are essential for connecting and working with teams remotely. These platforms or software allow you to use video to chat and collaborate, discuss in breakout rooms, jot down notes, and more.