In the era of remote work and virtual meetings, video conferencing platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. Two of the most popular platforms are Google Meet and Zoom. But which one should you choose? This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of these two platforms, discussing features, pricing, integrations, and general usage.
Zoom has been the go-to platform for many, thanks to its simple interface, desktop and mobile apps, and continuous addition of new features. Google Meet, on the other hand, is a default option for those using Google Workspace or Google Suite.
When it comes to capacity, Google Meet supports up to 250 people on a live session, while Zoom can support up to 500 people. With Zoom, you can upgrade to accommodate a thousand or more participants, but this comes at an additional cost.
Both platforms have meeting time limits, with Google Meet capping at 24 hours and Zoom at 30 hours. While it's unlikely anyone would need a meeting to last that long, it's good to know the option is there. Both platforms are also available on iOS, Android, and other platforms.
One advantage of Google Meet is that you can host a one-hour long meeting for free, even if it's a group meeting where you're the host.
Both Google Meet and Zoom offer free basic packages. If you don't have a paid Google account, you can still access Meet, but you won't be able to record your calls. Zoom's free option has a limit of 40 minutes per meeting.
If you're on a paid plan with Google Workspace or Google Suite, you're likely paying around six dollars per user, depending on your plan. Zoom's minimum is 15 dollars a month. However, if you're already using Google Workspace, Google Meet becomes a free feature, as you're already paying for other services like email and Google Drive.
Zoom has an app marketplace where you can connect to multiple different services and have your transcriptions done automatically, among other things. Google Meet, on the other hand, integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, email, and other Google services, making it easy and simple to use.
Zoom had some security issues at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they've worked hard to patch up those issues. Google Meet, on the other hand, has never really had any security concerns. They focus heavily on privacy, and there haven't been any significant issues when it comes to the privacy of your information.
Both Google Meet and Zoom have their strengths and weaknesses. Your choice between the two will likely depend on your specific needs and circumstances. For instance, if you're already using Google Workspace, Google Meet might be the more convenient and cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you're hosting large meetings with hundreds of participants, Zoom might be the better choice.
Personally, I'm still using Zoom, mainly because my clients are familiar with the tool. However, I'm considering testing Google Meet in the future and will share my experience in a future post.
