In times of remote work, video conferencing has become an essential tool. In this post, we will provide you with several free and easy-to-use options for conducting work meetings in this manner. Here are our suggestions for tools to make free group video calls or video conferences:
1 – Whatsapp: Everyone has this tool installed, as it is the most popular messaging service. It is very easy to use. However, the maximum number of participants is limited to 8 people, which significantly reduces its capabilities. Therefore, despite its convenience, it is not the suitable tool if you need to interact with many contacts and exchange files, etc.
2 – Skype: Skype is a classic tool with excellent sound and audio quality. It is currently the leading voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calling service. It allows free video conferences with up to 50 participants (the latest version of Skype is required as this capacity was announced recently). It supports nearly all devices and operating systems. It allows chat, efficient file sharing, recording of video calls, screen sharing, and its popularity has led to integration with other collaborative tools. Registration is required.
If you have an Office 365 account, you may be interested in using Microsoft Teams, which was formerly known as Skype for Business.
3 – Facebook Messenger: This application allows group video calls for participants with a Facebook account. Its great advantage, like Whatsapp, is the large number of Facebook users worldwide. Video calls can be made through the browser or with the dedicated application (even through Messenger Lite). It allows up to 50 participants, but only 6 of them can be actively broadcasting video. The rest can communicate using voice.
4 – Google Hangouts: It is a veteran tool that can be very useful for working with small groups. Google Hangouts allows video calls with a maximum of 10 people, while in a simple chat, you can add up to 150 people to the same group. One of the strengths of this tool is that any user with a Google account can easily access it: from a mobile phone, computer, web browser, or Gmail. Google Hangouts allows screen sharing.
Google will keep this application alive, but it will no longer be actively developed as it aims to promote two applications that will take its place: Google Meet and Google Chat, both aimed at the business environment. Google Meet allows you to hold live video conferences. Previously, it required a G Suite account, but starting from early May, anyone with a Google account can initiate or join video meetings with up to 100 participants, without time limits, although after September 30, the meeting duration may be restricted to 60 minutes. Therefore, Meet will be available for free on the web at meet.google.com and through mobile applications for iOS and Android. This is a strategy to compete with the popularity of Zoom. The functionality of Google Meet is good, but the different names and applications can be confusing for users.
5 – Google Duo: Google Duo is another attempt by Google to establish itself in the field of video conferencing applications. This application offers a very simple system and can also be used via the web. It allows video calls with up to 12 people. These multi-participant video calls will also be available on the web version, so no installation is necessary.
6 – Zoom: Zoom is a more powerful tool than the previous ones, offering more possibilities and, therefore, a steeper learning curve to understand its functions. It is clearly designed for a professional environment. However, we decided to include it in this list because it is one of the fastest-growing and widely used applications for video conferences, webinars, etc. Zoom allows video conferencing with up to 100 participants in the free version. However, when meetings have 3 or more participants, the call will only have a maximum duration of 40 minutes (in the free version, although the number of video calls is unlimited). It allows the sharing of applications and screens, whiteboards and annotations, integration with Microsoft Outlook and Chrome, as well as the collaborative work tool Slack. Zoom is available for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. However, as of the writing of this post, this application has been accused of various vulnerabilities that jeopardize privacy and security.
7 – Jitsi Meet: This open-source platform is, despite its many features, relatively unknown. Jitsi allows you to connect via the web from any operating system, share screens, and talk to an unlimited number of people. It is completely free and does not require registration. Its functions include desktop sharing, recording of video conferences, integrated chat, background blurring, the ability to share YouTube videos, and encrypted communications. You can directly create a video conference room using this link: https://meet.jit.si/
The main drawback of this tool is that it seems to be in the early stages of development.
8 – Lifesize: To use this free tool, you only need an email, a name, and a password, without any complications or downloads. Guests only need a link to participate. The free account allows up to 25 participants, with no restrictions on the number or duration of video conferences. It allows screen sharing and offers various integration possibilities with other tools like Slack.
9 – FreeConferenceCall: Lastly, we want to mention FreeConferenceCall, a tool that allows up to 1000 participants, meetings of up to six hours that can be recorded, file and screen sharing. All of this is available in its free version! The host needs to register (for free), but other participants can use the tool through a browser link, except for mobile devices, which require downloading the application. It can be integrated with other applications such as Slack, Evernote, or Dropbox.
Bonus: TalkDue to its simplicity, we also highlight this service. It is very recent, but its creator had previously developed a similar tool (Hello). It requires nothing more than a browser compatible with WebRTC technology (we are in 2020, and any browser should be compatible). No registration or downloads are required. Privacy is guaranteed because it uses peer-to-peertechnology. Simply access their website and share the link. While it allows screen sharing, its simplicity and minimalism limit the options.
There are many other options like ooVoo, 8x8, Uberconference, etc., and of course, more comprehensive paid options. We encourage you to try different options and choose the ones that best suit your needs. The tools presented here are simple, accessible, and available for free use.
