The Best Zoom Alternatives For Coaches & Community Websites in 2023
In June 2023, Zoom is deprecating the use of the JWT app and is making all new users who want to embed Zoom or an individual or group Zoom on their websites will have to make an OAuth app on their Zoom admin accounts. It’s not too tricky, but it is an extra hoop that you, the website, will have to go through if you want to use Zoom on your website.
So because of this, I thought it would be a good opportunity for us in this episode of the “The Membership Machine Show” to look at the most popular alternatives to Zoom in 2023:
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#1 – Microsoft Teams (Free & Paid)
Microsoft Teams offer a variety of collaboration and conferencing features, but many consumers find its interface poorly designed. Efficiently recording meetings is extremely simple, and the conferencing platform enables users to chat and call each other. Teams seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft programs, enabling users to import contacts directly from Outlook.
Price: Microsoft Teams: free, Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4 per user/mo, Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 per user/mo, Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per user/mo
Includes breakout rooms, screen sharing, and whiteboards
Live meeting captioning and transcriptions
Includes instant messaging and voice calling
Pros:
Supports up to 10,000 users on some calls
Integrates easily with Microsoft Office 365 apps
File sharing and backup features
Cons:
Limited meeting length with the free version
Takes up a lot of system resources
Limited security features
#2 – Google Meet (Free & Paid)
Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, uses Google Meet for both free and paid services. Google Hangouts is the video chat software available to consumers, while Google Meet is the Zoom competitor Google has for businesses.
Price: Always free: at no cost, Google Workspace Individual: $7.99/mo, Google Workspace Enterprise: Customized pricing
Key Features:
Live meeting captioning
Compatible with all desktop and mobile devices
Meeting hosts can pin, mute, or remove participants
Pros:
No limit to the number of meetings you host
Up to 100 participants per meeting
Adjustable screen settings and layouts
Cons:
Restrictions on screen sharing
Only displays up to 16 meeting participants
No waiting room feature
#3 – Whereby (Free & Paid)
Developed in Norway by privacy-friendly Europeans, Whereby is a beautiful video calling the privacy you want wherever you are. No installations, downloads, or lengthy meeting links. The program provides simple, persistent meeting links that ensure you always have access, so you won’t have to maintain digging for a brand-new link. Several other features include screen sharing, huddle groups, live broadcasts.
Price: Whereby Meetings: Free, Pro ($6.99/month), or Business ($9.99 per host/month). Whereby Embedded: Free, Build ($9.99/month) or Grow (from $299/month).
Key Features:
Screen Sharing
Online Meetings / Events
Online Events Collaboration
Pros:
The ease with which we can create rooms with custom links and then easily share the same connection with users. I like that it’s very easy for meeting organizers and participants to use, as joining is easy and requires no downloads. I like that it allows us to have multiple.
Cons:
They have very few features due to being very new to the market. For those who use Safari as their default browser, you may need to open or download a new browser. It is also a negative point that many people do not know, although it is a good tool. It needs strong data.
#4 – Zoho Meeting (Free & Paid)
Free Zoho Meeting may include helpful features, but you must purchase a premium plan to utilize the full variety of available capabilities. The premium Zoho Meeting plans typically include integrating third-party apps, meeting widget design, cloud storage, and admin surveillance. One thing to note regarding this popular cloud-based meeting solution is that there are numerous tools to choose from if you’re trying to find something powerful, well-rounded, and customizable.
Price: Free Plan, Meeting Plan: Starts at $3 per user/mo, Webinar Plan: Starts at $16 per user/mo
Price: Free Plan, Meeting Plan: Starts at $3 per user/mo, Webinar Plan: Starts at $16 per user/mo
Key Features:
Syncs with Google calendars
Supports co-branding and custom domains
Supports international users joining meetings
Pros:
No downloads are required to join meetings
Users can join meetings from mobile devices
Meeting lock and password protection capabilities
Cons:
Whiteboard feature not included
Not compatible with IE browser
No Outlook integration
#5 – Livestorm (Free & Paid)
Livestorm is an all-in-one platform for video communication. Its fully secure video conferencing module handles all parts of an event, from planning, marketing, and hosting to specifics ensuring the best possible event. Livestorm is also highly customizable, offering interactive meetings, webinars, or virtual event scheduling for as many as 3,000 participants simultaneously.
Price: Livestorm: Free, Pro ($88/month)
Key Features:
Emoji reactions
Polls
Question upvotes
Virtual backgrounds
Screen and multi-media sharing
Breakout rooms
Pros:
The option to automate emails before and after the webinar
The ability to invite a co-host that’s not a subscriber
Adding more sessions to a pre-existing webinar is very easy
The registration pages are very clean
Duplicating an existing webinar is quite seamless.
Cons:
Getting a webinar started is not super intuitive.
The ability to switch which screen you’re sharing without stopping the screen share.
No longer hosting the recorded webinars.
#6 – Cisco Webex (Free & Paid)
Cisco Webex has numerous apps for different operating systems. The Zoom website offers a straightforward, intuitive graphical user interface for users of any skill level. Free users who prefer full functionality may download Cisco Webex Productivity, an application to help people host meetings and events with multiple people in an interactive environment. Recordings made on Webex are saved to a private account.
Price: Basic Plan: Free, Meet Plan: $13.50 per user/mo, Call Plan: $17 per user/mo, Webex Suite – Business: $25 per user/mo, Enterprise Plan: Customized pricing
Key Features:
Cloud recording storage for most premium plans
Schedule meetings from Google Calendar, Outlook, or Microsoft Office Suite 365
Mobile screen sharing
Pros:
Integrates with over 100 third-party apps
Includes background noise removal features
Advanced security features
Cons:
Very few features in the free version
The interface is not user friendly
Limitations on free video call length
#7 – BlueJeans (Paid)
BlueJeans is a virtual meeting services product owned by Verizon. It is available to smaller gatherings with its Enterprise plan but allows up to 200 guests to access its services for up to 500 different events. It operates at a decent cost, and it has a strong fostering feature.
Price: Standard Plan: $9.99 per user/ mo, Pro Plan: $13.99 per user/ mo, Enterprise Plan: $16.66 per user/ mo, Enterprise Plus Plan: Customized Pricing
Key Features:
HD audio and video capability
Real-time auto-captioning
Supports integration with many third-party apps
Pros:
Custom branding options
Advanced security with encryption
No limitations are placed on the number of meetings or meeting length
Cons:
No option to blur background
Plans can be pricey
No free trial offer
#8 – BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is an open-source conferencing service specifically for online classes. It supports simultaneous video, slides, audio, screen, and chat uploading. Teachers can prompt their remote students to perform tasks with emojis, break-out rooms, screen sharing, group discussion, and whiteboards. Presenters can easily upload their lectures and content for quick playback.
Price: Free, self hosted
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