The video conferencing market rapidly evolved between 2020 and 2024 due to the emerging new normal, new work from home culture. Remote work from an office went up from 5% to 30%; this pushed the use of virtual meetings.
Various market forces experienced a lot of changes over this period. Zoom, a video conferencing tool also took the benefit of this change and saw the daily active users move from 10 million to 300 million between December 2019 and April 2020. Its stock price reached some $560 in October, 2020 and fluctuated to $70 in 2023 as the market overshot in its initial enthusiasm before correcting.
The competition got heated up over the time as Microsoft, Google, and Cisco also started advancing the features of their product. Social tools became not only channels to exchange information and messages but incorporated a set of collaborative elements such as documents and graphics sharing, and collaborative workspaces such as online blackboards.
Now let us explore more about Zoom, its different products, integration, features, and pricing.
Asynchronous video conferencing application called Zoom was established in 2013. Initially created by Eric Yuan, an ex-Webex engineer at Cisco, the platform did not receive initial attention as it was launched in an already-regulated market by the leading players that time like Cisco Webex and Skype.
Zoom started with simple settings for video and audio conferencing and messaging with people in different locations. In time, Zoom added one-on-one calls and larger meetings and events, trying to advertise itself as a flexible communication app.
Zoom has tried to make the interface friendly, but this application now faces several crucial difficulties. Widespread usage also revealed many loopholes in the security network, and several instances of Zoombombing and unauthorized data breaches became frequent. Such complications questioned the safety of users’ data and the effectiveness of the offered service. We have a detailed take on Zoom data privacy.
In addition, Zoom describes itself as an easy-to-use application. However, a number of users have complained of its confusing interface in That’s what you said, when it comes to working with its services.
As with every application and communication technology, already existing and potential users of Zoom must take into consideration the following advantages and disadvantages. As users have cited problems with the reliability, security issues, and often downtime, makes it rather unfit for usage in organizations that deal with special information, or need extremely secure and stable systems. Businesses, therefore need to conduct a proper evaluation of the capacity of Zoom for desired needs and appetite for risk before adopting.
The COVID-19 pandemic thrust Zoom into the spotlight almost by default. The surge of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the shift to remote work and online classes, and Zoom became the apparent answer to many. Though far from flawless, its interface was one that users could more or less manage, and the free option meant that it was at least affordable even when money was tight.
Indeed, Zoom’s users surged significantly during the pandemic, a testament to its widespread acceptance. It started with approximately 10 million daily meeting participants in late 2019 and increased to over 300 million by spring 2020. Such enormous traffic threw the strengths and weaknesses of the platform open to the public.
Due to the perception that the platform was the best during the pandemic, more individuals used it, hence exposing its weaknesses. In November 2020, issues with user privacy became a cause of concern because of incidents known as the Zoom bombing, where users’ privacy and data were compromised. Some decided to search for other options, but others felt confined to Zoom because of the app's popularity.
Though having received criticism and competition in the field of video conferencing, Zoom has remained one of the common names in the market. This may perhaps be due to complacency and habit more than sheer satisfaction with the platform.
Nevertheless, it could be pointed out that Zoom has been installed in many people’s daily interactions in the digital environment. It only goes to show the rigid nature of an established social platform, no matter how many people are aware of their shortcomings. From this, we can deduce that while some platforms may boast massive numbers of users, it is not always a strong indication that the platform is good, useful, or even reliable.
In light of this, Zoom has tried to strengthen its position through diversification outside of video-conferencing. Throughout its development, the company has launched some new products and features – all with the declared intention to satisfy multiple needs in virtual communication. However, the relevance of these additions is always a subject of great debate. While some users simply may need a broader toolkit, others consider it a mere addition of unnecessary complications. We will now move to Zoom’s product list and look at their purpose and shortcomings.
Video conferencing is not the only product that Zoom sells. It has increased its range of communication and work tools. Some people may prefer the old, simple version, while others see these changes as useful. Anyone who uses Zoom can review its offerings to pick out what is most appropriate for them.
Let’s dissect and learn more about these Zoom Products one by one.
In 2024, Zoom brought about a shift in its product line by launching Zoom Workplace. This offering isn't new but takes over from the earlier Zoom One plan. While people know Zoom for its online meeting tools, Zoom Workplace tries to do more.
It aims to be a complete platform that puts together different tools for team teamwork and collaboration. The company sells it as one solution for all your daily work needs, with things like setting up meetings, working on documents together, keeping track of tasks, and getting insights from AI. Zoom Workplace keeps many features from Zoom One, the product it replaces, but also adds new stuff.
Remember that this platform doesn't include all of Zoom's products, especially those for marketing, sales, or helping customers. This change in Zoom's product plan shows the company is adjusting to evolving office requirements, but how well this method works still needs to be proven in real-world use.
Zoom Workplace:
Zoom Workplace includes Meetings, Chat, Phone, Email & Calendar, Scheduler, Docs, Whiteboard, Clips, Notes, App Marketplace, Rooms, Workspace Reservation, Digital Signage, Visitor Management, and optionally, Workvivo.
You can get a detailed overview in our detailed article on Zoom Workplace.
Zoom Workplace enters a crowded market, where Zoom faces stiff competition from more advanced alternatives. This new offering reflects the company's struggle to maintain relevance in a challenging business landscape. Zoom Workplace is one of the services Zoom offers.
So, Zoom vs. Zoom Workplace is just a comparison of a platform and one of the services it offers.
Zoom has grown beyond just video calls; now, it offers certain services. Its newest product, Zoom Workplace, tries to be a complete business solution. Zoom Workplace, though, wants to do more. It adds team chat, file sharing, and project tools to video features for companies that want one digital workspace. But this move to add more features brings problems.
Some businesses might like all the extras in Zoom Workplace, but others might find them too much. People who are used to how Zoom worked before might think the new product makes things too complicated. How well Zoom Workplace does will depend on whether it can add features without making it hard to use. Companies need to think hard about what they need when picking between Zoom's products and whether all the new tools fit what they do.
Zoom Webinar is a virtual event platform that allows a large number of people to attend live online events such as webinars, virtual conferences, and town hall meetings. It does not belong to Zoom Meetings and is rather geared towards one-way communication, where the host gives a lecture in front of an audience.
Zoom Webinar is designed to accommodate the groups those who want to attend, with the capacity depending on your chosen payment plan. Its key features, such as Q&A, polls, and registration management, are crafted to empower you to engage your audience effectively and reduce any potential frustrations.
Apart from this, users face some limitations. The user interface can be a turn-off for first-timers who are not used to holding virtual events of such magnitude. Cost is another issue. The fees of this system are charged according to the number of participants, making it less accessible for a wide range of organizations and individuals because of high charges for many events.
Yet some users' requests may not be satisfied by the platform's tracking engagement and analytics offer. Also, there are some basic reporting functions available, but if the user needs a deeper insight into the audience's behavior, the tool is not thorough enough. This may influence users who have most of their marketing and outreach activity based on the webinars.
All in all, while Zoom provides a platform for large virtual events, potential users should look closely at the features Zoom Webinar offers and their own conditions to decide whether it is right for them. Those who feel they need additional functionalities or have limited financial possibilities may want to look at the alternatives available.
Check out Zoom Webinars, for a detailed discussion on this service and its alternatives.
For the past few years, Zoom Meetings, a video conferencing platform, has been a common name in the market. It enables real-time communication through video, audio, and chat functions. Various users utilize Zoom Meetings for business meetings, virtual classrooms, social gatherings, and personal conversations.
Two examples of provided functionalities are screen sharing and virtual backgrounds. Depending on the circumstances, these can also be used differently by the users. Being a part of a meeting usually requires a few steps, which are seen as simple by the majority of participants.
Irrespective of the fact that Zoom Meetings are still being used, users have faced various problems. Users have reported that call quality is a problem even though internet connections are strong. They report three primary issues: poor audio clarity, frequent call disconnections, and unstable video quality. These are the problems that seem to persist regardless of high-bandwidth internet, and this may point to service deficiencies rather than poor user infrastructure. Besides, in the areas with a weak connection to the internet, these issues worsen and can thus be very stark and influence the overall user satisfaction level.
Sure, Zoom Meetings seem like an easy solution for collaborative work. Still, there are users at the individual level who don't see the need to use or find some of the features very difficult to apply in their particular situations. For example, the interface with breakout rooms in big meetings can be difficult for some hosts. Nevertheless, virtual background, a feature, can lead to a substantial increase in the device's processing power, which may be a problem for users with older devices.
In a world where there are a number of video conferencing solutions, it could be a good idea to measure if Zoom Meetings still satisfies particular requirements. Various platforms may come with distinct features, consistent operation, or user accessibility that will be more favorable depending on the needs of individuals or organizations.
Want to know more about Zoom Meetings? Refer to Zoom Meetings, which is a detailed take on this offering from Zoom.
Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars are the two offerings available from the company, which are distinctly made for two levels of different types of meetings.
The virtual host conducts Zoom Meetings, which are more applicable to small, interactive sessions where the person can address questions with the attendees and also benefit by asking them the questions. Team meetings, virtual classrooms, or social gatherings could be some of the applications this product is used for. It comprises functions such as creating breakout rooms and screen sharing.
Whereas Zoom Webinars is a product that mainly emphasizes the use of one-to-many communication, which for instance in case when the faculty member typically gives a lecture and the attendees sit and listen to what is being said with little or no interaction. This product might be used for webinars, virtual conferences, or town hall meetings. It includes functionalities such as Q&A and polling, so that people feel engaged in the session.
The choice in the case of Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars might be solved by the aspect definition of the event. Smaller, more interactive sessions would likely be a good fit for using Zoom Meetings, whereas larger events with an information delivery focus may go for Zoom Webinars.
It is good to mention that none of the above-suggested possible choices must always be the best solution to any situation. It might be the best choice for the users to ascertain their individual requirements to see what suits them best.
Make a clear decision on which to choose by referring to Zoom Meetings vs. Zoom Webinars.
Recently, Zoom has integrated artificial intelligence functionality into its service, introducing automated transcription, background noise suppression, and virtual backgrounds. This follows the patterns of other technology companies across the market. The technology could provide solutions like accessibility and prevent distractions during meetings
However, the implementation of AI in Zoom has faced certain challenges. Automated transcription, although potentially useful, may not be completely accurate when technical terms or several speakers are speaking. Miscommunication could be a result of this, especially in work settings where precision is a must.
On the other hand, regarding noise cancellation, some users may not always be satisfied with the AI solution's performance across all settings. It could cause some problems like AI noise cancellation might filter out not just unwanted noise, but also relevant audio that users need to hear, or there might still be something in the background that can disrupt the meeting.
The use of AI in video conferencing also raises issues related to the handling and privacy of data. Some users may be hesitant about how their conversation content is gathered, stored, and handled through the process, especially if they are not fully informed of the operation of the process.
Yet despite the positive sides of the AI functions in Zoom that users will wish to use, they should also be educated about the drawbacks. The efficiency of these aids is different in each situation, considering that it may be helpful for a person to look for both the advantages and disadvantages of depending heavily on AI while using Zoom.
Dive deep into knowing more about Zoom AI.
Zoom Phone is a voice calling platform that is accessed from the internet and included in the Zoom interface. Users can join in making and receiving calls, engage in video conversations, and send messages. It also provides features such as an organized voicemail interface and the ability to send callers to designated users based on menu-based prompts or organization-defined preferences for how incoming calls are routed.
Zoom Phone works within the Zoom framework and other Zoom features, so a user is accustomed to using Zoom as a softphone. For instance, a user can make and receive phone calls and move to a video meeting with the same user or initiate a chat without exiting the Zoom platform.
Zoom Phone may not be suited for every organization. It requires a stable and reliable internet connection, and call quality nosedives when the internet connectivity is limited, which is more noticeable when the mobile device is in a low or no service area.
In addition to requiring a reasonably reliable internet connection to deliver good phone quality in some cases, Zoom Phone significantly reduces the number of call-monitoring features as part of the service offering. Some organizations may not feel that Zoom Phone is appropriate if they require additional customized features and call routing options.
Organizations also have to consider cost. Zoom Phone does provide several pricing plans, but organizations with multiple call lanes, and individuals with advanced feature needs, may find the costs to be more than they really desire. Organizations thinking about using Zoom Phone should consider the total expense of what they seek regarding pricing and features to help determine if the Zoom platform is the best solution for their communication needs.
Learn more about Zoom Phone in our detailed article on Zoom Phone.
Despite the growth of Zoom's product range, the company has sought to fill the chasms of collaboration with other devices by integrating them into their systems. According to the connectors, these tools are supposed to be repurposed as Zoom brands. However, their effectiveness has been inconsistent. We will analyze the integration efforts that go with Zoom and evaluate if they make the user experience better or more complex.
Zoom provides integrations with some of the tools and platforms. The integrations are built to improve Zoom's capabilities by providing a connection with other applications that users might be using in their daily workflows, such as calendars, project management solutions, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
However, not everyone agrees about the value of these integrations. Some users have reported that the integrations are narrow in scope and sometimes do not work as well as expected. This very potential difference between what is expected and the actual experience leads to frustration for users and might impact how useful Zoom becomes when using other tools.
When considering Zoom integrations, it may be helpful for users to evaluate how well these integrations map to their specific workflow needs and to extensively trial the integrations before putting too much faith in them for an important task.
Zoom has collaboration and integrations with a few tools and platforms. The purpose of those integrations is to extend Zoom's functionalities by connecting their platform with other applications that users may be actively using in their daily workflows, such as calendars, project management tools, and CRMs. Some of them are:
This integration is essentially designed to help users schedule and join Zoom meetings from their calendars. In theory and on paper, this should work well, but of course not everything goes smoothly. Users have reported syncing issues and the inability to sync all meetings, especially the recurring meetings. Sometimes, users found that meetings did not sync properly across the platforms, leading to confusion for some of their meetings. The reliability of the integration depends on the versions of the calendar software and Zoom being utilized.
The Slack integration allows users to start Zoom meetings and join all meeting details from Slack channels. It claims it would make things easier for teams that rely heavily on Slack, but there have been issues. Some users found it flaky, and some meeting links did not appear.
This app is supposed to integrate Zoom with Salesforce CRM, giving users the ability to record and maintain customer chats within Salesforce. This is a good idea, but it is worth questioning its reliability. Data does not always play nice between Zoom and Salesforce. In addition, you may find you want more ways to customize the opportunities and in some cases, users believe some meetings are not recorded or at least not loaded into the Salesforce CRM for customer relationship management.
The Trello integration allows users to create and join a Zoom meeting, which can help teams that utilize Trello not to lose the organized workflow while collaborating via Zoom. Many users would say that it is very basic, with not a lot of features within Zoom other than basic Trello tools. It would be functional for some users needing simple usage of Trello tools but could potentially fall flat for larger projects or for users desiring to manage meetings somewhat more sophisticatedly. Some users think it's mainly just a way to schedule your meeting links.
Zapier, which is fairly popular, enables users to build their own workflows that integrate Zoom plus numerous applications, including Gmail, Asana, HubSpot, and others. Although it does provide flexibility, Zapier requires considerable effort to build a workflow and then maintain all the varied connections, especially since, often, the connected applications incorporate unanticipated browser API connections. Many users have thought they built their own workflow as initially intended, only to have Zoom change an API or the application change their API connection and then need to troubleshoot and fix it over and over again.
Another integration Zoom builds out is with Outlook, which is also meant to aid users in creating and managing Zoom meetings. Some users think it is helpful, but it does not always function the same way for every user. At times, there will be glitches while installing the add-ons or when a user needs to update the add-on to function properly again. The way it functions, at times, also depends on which user version of Outlook you are utilizing.
Zoom has an integration with Calendly, which allows users to schedule Zoom meetings through the Calendly app. This can certainly be helpful if your business is constantly setting up meetings with outside sources. However, it has some of the same flaws that the above integrations have in how the customization of how Zoom meeting details show up in the Calendly invites could be more comprehensive. Occasional syncing delays between Calendly and Zoom related to Zoom invites have been reported as well.
Although the purpose of these integrations is to offer greater ease and convenience, there does appear to be some inconsistency. For instance, certain users indicated they experienced problems with integrations with calendars, like the calendar did not sync correctly or, if it did, but did not notify them when they were supposed to meet, etc. The Slack integration seems relatively easy to use, but Zoom is not completely functional for managing meetings through the interface.
The implementation of third-party integrations can be complex and may present potential insecurity issues. Users have to decide how their information is managed by Zoom and the third-party applications. This is particularly relevant to organizations and other users who may have sensitivities and want comfort in knowing if their information is secure.
Have a better look at Zoom’s integrations in - Zoom Integrations.
Alongside its integrations with external tools, Zoom also provides built-in features. These functionalities are central to the platform's offerings and are intended to address various communication requirements. The following section examines some of Zoom's key features and considers their performance in practical use cases.
Zoom comes with an array of features claiming to improve virtual communication. These functionalities are offered to address varied situations, from small-group conversations to large-scale online gatherings. Although the features delineated here have received attention as core elements of the platform, they have values and limits.
These are some of the Zoom features:
The Breakout Rooms feature in Zoom enables hosts to split their participants into small groups. It has become commonplace in education for group assignments and in business meetings where it’s useful for simultaneous conversations. The advantage of breakout rooms is that it’s a simple enough process to split participants up either manually or automatically, and upon conclusion, participants can return to the main session.
Despite the benefits, there can be drawbacks to using Breakout Rooms. Managing several Breakout Rooms can be challenging, and the process becomes increasingly difficult in large meetings. Also, the interface may not be the most intuitive for every user. In addition, once participants are placed in a Breakout Room, they have Liberty from the main meeting room, which can present challenges in the event that someone wanted to contact the whole group.
As with several other group activities, success implies a good management style by the host. Otherwise, the participants may disassociate from the original purpose of the meeting or group presentation. Even if the session isn't effective for the participant, it could reflect ramifications for the group meeting overall.
Zoom aims to replicate in-person conversation at a digital level, making it essentially an extension of video conferencing. Although it does present a remote communication platform, the quality of such virtual interactions will be subject to factors like internet bandwidth with device hardware and software capabilities or even familiarity with the service.
Zoom is notorious for its mixed-user experience. It might suffice for basic intercom communication features, though there are users who say that you get smooth video and audio quality. But other users have complained that the technological limits return their attention to pixels rather than people, with problems including trouble connecting in the first place, worries about audio or video quality, lagged synchronization (an issue mostly found when joining larger meetings), and feature limitations.
These experiences can vary depending on the type of usage — one-on-one calls versus large group meetings, basic video chatting versus more complex project collaboration.
Zoom’s screen-sharing function allows participants to display their desktop, specific applications, or parts of their screens to those in the meeting. This function is often used for sharing presentations, demonstrations, and collaborating in many contexts.
Screen sharing options also include settings for sharing audio and video in addition to sharing the screen. Participants can even annotate the screen they are sharing, which may benefit educational settings and work environments by identifying information and explaining topics. These tools are meant to assist in facilitating interactive meetings.
There can be some challenges with Zoom screen sharing, too. Sometimes, due to the bandwidth needed and processing demands, performance and stability may be compromised in meetings with less stable internet connectivity. Participants have reported instances of lag, frozen screens, or having Zoom drop the connection during a screen-sharing session, leaving them to wait for the meeting to get going again.
Some users have also reported limitations with sharing high-definition video through Zoom's screen-sharing functions. These users have indicated that HD video quality is lessened from the shared screen rather than being able to share it with full resolution, which could be problematic for those needing to display shared HD video quality in their meetings.
The quality of screen-sharing efficacy relies on other factors too, such as the user's quality of the internet connection, the capacity of the device they are using, and their experience level with screen sharing. However, while it provides a means to share a visual in a virtual meeting forum, considerations should be made for these limitations to decide if the screen-sharing function works for their intended purpose.
Zoom's virtual background feature enables alternative visual representations of one's surroundings when participating in a meeting or video call. This feature can be used by anyone who wishes to remain anonymous or would like to change the visual setting in a meeting. In a business context, this feature may help limit distractions or establish a generalized visual experience for all participants in the meeting.
This feature is designed for ease of use. Users are able to select background visuals from an available section or upload their own images. To produce the effect of the user being in a different space or environment than their physical background, Zoom utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) in an effort to differentiate between the user and the visual background that they have chosen to display.
That said, there are limitations to the virtual background features. Virtual backgrounds that utilize artificial intelligence may show inconsistencies depending on clothing or lighting. This can produce glitches such as users partially disappearing or becoming intermittently blurry. As a result, Zoom cannot guarantee users will look consistent in every scenario. These visuals may be seen as distractions or unprofessional in certain business contexts especially.
In addition, the feature also utilizes a significant amount of processing power; therefore, some users may experience system slowdowns based on the user's device, and some older computers or systems that lack processing power will have difficulty attempting to use virtual backgrounds.
The effectiveness of the virtual background feature will also vary based on specific sets of predefined conditions such as lighting, camera quality, and the physical setup by the user in their environment. Although the virtual background feature is an option provided by Zoom to alter the professional face value of a user, users may be required to consider the provided factors in deciding to utilize the virtual background feature in their meetings.
Zoom in-meeting chat allows messaging participants of a Zoom webinar, meeting or 1:1 video conversation between attendees during the conference. It is a functionality that you can use to share links, ask questions, or make comments. The chat can also be used to share files, thus allowing users a way to distribute documents or other resources.
Reactions: As with any other interactive meetings on Zoom, reactions are also available. With polls, attendees can quickly express emotions or thoughts in a meeting via emojis — like thumbs up, clap hands, and smile face— that pop on their video feed for seconds.
Even with these features designed to make meetings more interactive, there are still caveats. The chat history can get noisy in large meetings, and it might be hard to find a specific message or link.
While reactions are a good way to gather feedback with ease, they lack breadth of expression. However, they do not necessarily encapsulate the spectrum of feelings and reactions participants might want to express. When many people are in a meeting, those not-yet-implemented reactions breaking all at once could be oddly distracting from the speaker or the content being delivered.
The reality is that these interactive features may not always be as effective in practice, depending on various factors such as the number of people within a meeting or, how different participants might be behaving, and how well they've been managed by the host. Although they provide more opportunities for participant interaction, users should think about how to incorporate them within their specific meeting contexts adequately.
With the polling feature, hosts can conduct single-choice or multiple-choice questions in order for participants to select their answers during a meeting or webinar via Zoom. It could be employed to collect feedback, check understanding, or add gamification and interactivity for a meeting. The feature also has an enable real-time results option.
Q&A — This feature is mainly present in Zoom Webinars, and it permits the attendees to ask a question during an event, which can then be answered by the host or panelists. It works well for big webinars, with maybe a thousand people, and handling questions via Chat might not be the most efficient way.
When these features are designed to increase engagement, they fall short. Not to mention that the polling feature has a very limited set of custom options — if you need more than these, this is not going to do it. Setting up polls can be tedious, especially if you want to have multiple polls in one session.
The Q&A feature only works with webinars, so this function is limited in its usefulness in Standard Zoom meetings. It can get a bit harder managing the Q&A session for larger events, especially if questions are pouring in faster than hosts/reviewers would like to tackle them.
Not all features work the same across different types of meetings and virtual events, depending on how large a meeting or webinar is, what kind of content matter is being discussed, as well as how adeptly the host can handle these tools. But while this offers more aspects of engagement for meeting and webinar attendees, users will need to think carefully about how best to leverage these within their particular meetings or webinars.
The recording feature allows you to record meetings in Zoom. This feature can be used for people who cannot make it to the live sessions or want to watch it again later on. Users can choose local recording on their own device or cloud recording, in which case uploads will be available for viewing over internet-enabled devices.
It also has a built-in transcription tool for getting recorded meetings transcribed (converting speech to text). The use case for this tool is to help with any minutes of the meeting type content or as an aid in providing material to users who prefer paper over video consumption.
But there are a couple of things worth taking into account when it comes to recording and transcription features. The local recordings will take more system storage, and cloud recording may have a limitation depending on your plan with the user. Automated transcription may not be that accurate, and quality can depend on how clearly the speaker is speaking, surrounding noise, etc. Incorrect transcriptions could create some misunderstandings or leave you with a lot of manual work to do.
Meeting recordings also inspired privacy fears as Zoom was under the light of scrutiny for claiming that it trains the AI model on user’s data.
Although these tools give options for protecting content from meetings, users need to decide if using these features is worth it. They should think about privacy when making this choice.
To protect user data and prevent unauthorized access to meetings, Zoom has introduced some security measures. These changes include things like password protection, waiting rooms, and end-to-end encryption for specific meeting types.
Hosts have the ability to add password protection and waiting rooms intended to prevent unauthorized access (especially in "Zoom bombing" instances). They can also lock the meeting after everyone is in. But most of these capabilities depend on configuration by the user and many may not be aware or able to get it right.
Zoom does have end-to-end encryption for Zoom Meetings, though it's not enabled by default. The opt-in nature has been criticized, as click-happy users may inadvertently hold meetings without this additional security layer. End-to-end encryption also disables some functionality, meaning that users have to give up certain conveniences for security reasons.
Nevertheless, Zoom has been heavily criticized for its privacy and security qualities in the past. Although the platform has tried to upgrade its security in different ways, as seen by developing more privacy controls, it seems that some of these issues will still lurk around. Moreover, the security concerns that emerged regarding Zoom in the past have raised questions about how well this platform can really protect sensitive user data.
This means users must be fully aware of all restrictions in Zoom protective measures, and probably some extra effort is required to keep the meetings safe. These additions to the plate of users, rather than a blanket approach for inclusive built-in protections, signify that Zoom is still struggling with its security strategy.
Read more about Zoom Features in our detailed take on Zoom Features.
The features in Zoom vary depending on what subscription you have bought. The platform is priced in various tiers, ranging from basic individual to enterprise capabilities. Each of these pricing levels ties back to the features we talked about earlier.
Zoom's pricing model comprises different tiers for each user type, from a single user to an enterprise-wide deployment. The free tier is part of what makes it so ubiquitous. The individual plan is free, but the paid plans add more features which you may require in a professional workflow.
Each tier offers a different value to the user or organization that chooses a licensed tool version.
It has the following tiers:
Zoom Free permits a maximum of 100 individuals to join the same meeting room. Additionally, there is no time constraint for personal calls between two users; group meetings with three or more are limited to 40 minutes. This one is more for casual users or small teams that have simple needs.
But the downside is it’s a free plan. The maximum 40-minute cap of group meetings can cause interruptions in discussions that last longer, affecting productivity. Free users may also be restricted from reaching some features, such as cloud recording or other security features.
The free tier is sometimes useful based on the requirements of particular users. For professional use with other companies, it would be hard to deal with due to restrictions on streaming times and limitations, which could make the network option difficult.
Zooms Pro plan is the company's least expensive paid option, costing $14.99 per month (per license) when billed monthly or $149.90 annually if users opt to pay upfront for 12 months of service. The plan waives the 40-minute meeting time limits for group meetings and allows up to a 30-hour duration. With the pro option, you will get 5 GB of cloud recording storage and be able to host up to 100 participants per meeting.
But, the 5 GB of cloud storage included with one subscription might not be enough if you often record meetings. You might need to upgrade to a higher plan or buy extra storage. The cost can increase as you need more storage or if you have to buy many licenses.
Depending on what you need, the value provided by the Pro plan can vary. With longer meeting times and more features than the free tier, some elements may be limiting for users with broader scope needs.
The Business plan costs $199.90/year if billed annually per license or $19.99/month if billed monthly. Targeted at small to mid-sized businesses. Additional features from the Pro plan are featured, plus hosting of up to 300 participants and phone support along with additional cloud storage. The plan also brings reporting and branding features to meetings.
Now, the Business plan's worth can differ in different businesses. Not all teams need to go as far as increasing participants from 100 to 300. Certain other features make sense, though they have limited benefits for all customers. Some might argue the difference in price between Pro and Business plans (if you do not need branded or sophisticated reporting) will be seen as expensive.
The Business plan might be more or less suitable based on how big your organization is and how you use it. It offers more features than the Pro plan, but you'll have to decide if these extra benefits are worth the higher cost for what you need.
To join the Enterprise plan, businesses have to contact salesperson. The pricing for this plan is not posted and is based on requirements and not unit price. The enterprise plan is meant for large companies.
The Enterprise plan adds 500 participants (1,000 for the Enterprise+ version) and all Business features. It provides unlimited cloud storage, access to a Customer Success Manager and more administrative controls.
This plan includes ways to handle more users, but its cost might be confusing for some people. It's hard to tell if you're getting a good deal because it has many different features.
Depending on the scale and needs, a company may have varied requirements for an Enterprise plan. It has the broadest feature set among Zoom's plans by far, but users will wonder if its features are worth paying for via custom pricing—even if it suits their use case in general.
Zoom provides pricing options across a range of choices, but the value is somewhat relative to individual user needs. Limitations like these will be part of the free user bundle while using a paid plan, which may translate to unbearable costs for scaling in some establishments.
The way the pricing model is designed might make it difficult for those who want more advanced features on a shoestring budget. Each tier is built to serve different needs, and the value of each will vary for individual use cases.
While examining the price in Zoom, one can choose to compare their requirement with features available on each tier and decide whether he wants that price as per their budget and functionality.
Check out how Zoom’s pricing compares to Google Meet’s pricing in - Zoom vs. Google Meet pricing.
Also, see its very honest comparison to Microsoft Teams' pricing plan in Zoom vs. Teams pricing.
For anyone who thinks their Zoom plan is too expensive but still thinks they want some plan features (upgrades), then there may be the opportunity to downgrade to the next less expensive plan option. This is an opportunity and maybe a concern to downgrade to a less expensive option. Moving through the composition of each plan before the process of downgrading is highly recommended. You want to determine how long meetings are, how many people can join, and other tools you regularly use in comparison to other plans.
Steps to downgrade your Zoom plan:
Keep in mind that if you decide to switch to a cheaper plan, it will only take effect after your current billing cycle ends. Until then, you'll continue to have access to all the features of your current plan. Be aware that moving to a less expensive plan could result in losing certain special features or having shorter meetings with a smaller group of people. Consider how you use the service and what you need so you can choose a plan that offers the right balance of features and cost-effectiveness for your budget.
Get to know more about Zoom Pricing.
Though Zoom offers a pricing structure that fits various user needs, we should think about the capabilities and limits of the platform as a whole. The features and functions Zoom provides at each price may be just one part of assessing Zoom's appropriateness for various use cases. In this section, we will look at several of these limitations to give a more harmonizing picture of what users can experience with Zoom.
As a video conferencing platform, Zoom is a common name. Yet the platform also has certain limitations that may affect some of its practicality, security, and efficiency. As a user or an organization looking to Zoom for your communication needs, knowing these limitations is vital.
These are some of the various limitations Zoom has:
Zoom is an app that uses a lot of resources, particularly when you use features such as video calls, showing your screen to others, and changing your background to something virtual. These features need a lot of internet speed and computer power, which can be a problem in places where these resources are limited.
Security has been a major concern for Zoom, particularly since it became the primary tool for remote work and education. Although Zoom has made progress in trying to improve its security, there remain numerous issues that prompt doubts about the platform's safety.
Take a thorough look at Zoom’s data privacy and the issues it has faced over the years regarding its data policies.
People have said that Zoom's screen is very cluttered and can be confusing for beginners or people who aren't very good with technology. It's especially tough to handle big meetings.
Zoom is made for both small teams and big businesses, but growing can cause issues, particularly with money and technology.
While Zoom provides features for its users, the app lacks in customization options, which would create friction and barriers for users (especially in business) who could use more customization options.
Using a well-known service, how well it works and how helpful its support team is can greatly affect how satisfied people are with it.
Quick software updates are good; however, Zoom's many updates can sometimes cause problems for users and companies, such as:
Learn more about the limitations of Zoom in our detailed version of Zoom Limitations.
We found, after enumerating the problems with Zoom above—apart from a few neat tricks—it might not be suitable for everybody. These things, in the end, deteriorate both user experience and business productivity on Zoom. After determining that Zoom is not a good fit for you, the next step should be, of course, to cancel your plan and seek other providers who understand what it takes to meet your needs.
If you decide that Zoom isn't right for you anymore, canceling Zoom subscription is pretty simple, but you need to remember a few things. The steps to cancel can be different based on where you first bought the subscription—like directly from Zoom's site, through an app store, or from another company that sells it. You need to be aware of the current payments as well and whether you can get them reimbursed since cancelation usually only sets in at the end of your current payment period. Save your vital meeting videos or chat messages before you cancel because, after the termination of your subscription, it may be impossible for you to view that data. Also, let your team or anyone you often work with know about the cancellation, and maybe look into other video meeting options before you cancel so everything goes smoothly.
To stop your Zoom membership, do these easy steps:
If you need a more detailed explanation of how to cancel a Zoom subscription, check out our article on how to cancel Zoom subscription.
Before canceling, users need to carefully check their subscription details and know what might happen. Here are some key points to consider:
By thinking about these points carefully, users can make a better decision about whether to cancel and how to handle the process if they decide to do so.
As the demand for video calls diminishes, you may find that you want to delete your Zoom account for any number of reasons: privacy concerns, a decision to use another service, or simply because Zoom is no longer needed. It is now a very simple process to delete your Zoom account.
Here are the steps:
This action will completely remove your Zoom account and all related information. Make sure you have saved any important details or recordings you wish to retain before you continue.
Learn more in the detailed version of how to delete Zoom account.
If you don't want Zoom on your computer anymore, here's how to delete it:
After the process is complete, Zoom should be removed from your system.
To ensure a clean uninstallation, you might want to restart your computer afterward. This will close any lingering processes and finalize the removal.
Here’s a more detailed version of how to uninstall Zoom.
If you have a Mac and want to uninstall Zoom, refer to how to uninstall Zoom on Mac.
As we finish talking about handling Zoom subscriptions, it's important to think about the bigger picture of video conferencing options. There are many different platforms out there, each with its own features and ways of charging. If you're looking at other choices besides Zoom, maybe because you have special needs or just want to see what else is out there, let's check out some other popular video conferencing tools that are available now.
Video conferencing tools come in different types, each designed for various needs, costs, and technical setups. When people and companies look for options other than Zoom, they usually find three main types of choices:
They all have something unique or different and understanding what each has to offer is important when deciding on the right video conferencing solution.
Free alternatives to Zoom, in general provide essential video conferencing functionalities at no cost. They might limit things like shorter meeting times or the number of attendees allowed, but that should be plenty for personal use and small group meetings. This may be Google Meet, Skype, or other ad-supported free versions of paid service. Free is, of course, better from an economic viewpoint, but users would likely have a difference in their comfort with the absence of advanced capabilities that are available for some other product at a specific tier involved.
In case you are looking for free Zoom alternatives, check out the top free Zoom alternatives.
Open-source video conferencing options provide users with visibility and some ability to modify the software code and to share the software with others. For example, Jitsi Meet and BigBlueButton have an emphasis on privacy and allow groups to use the services on their own server. These options can also be much more flexible and will appeal to technical users or groups that have specific privacy needs. However, to set up and maintain open-source options, users may require more technical expertise than with paid options.
Here’s a handy list of top open-source Zoom alternatives.
Subscription-based video conferencing services are intended for businesses and include many additional features and conveniences for a cost. Services such as Microsoft Teams, Webex and GoToMeeting are compatible with other business tools and grow along with larger businesses. These services are typically offered in various subscription levels, which allows you to select a level of service suitable for your needs. In general, the paid video conferencing services cost a little more than the basic services, but they have more features and dedicated support.
We also have a detailed take on top licensed Zoom alternatives.
Here’s a list of the top 20 Zoom alternatives in the three categories: free, open source, and licensed:
Before we step into top Zoom alternatives, one should know what to look for in a Zoom alternative.
Now let’s have a look at the top 15 Zoom alternatives in detail; these are the top 15 Zoom alternatives: Video Calling App, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco Webex, Skype, GoToMeeting, Jitsi Meet, Whereby, Slack Huddle, Discord, Talky, BigBlueButton, Livestorm, RingCentral Video, Amazon Chime.
Let’s discuss their features, limitations, and pricing in detail.
The Video Calling App (VCA) is changing how people work together online by offering a new way to do video meetings that does more than just talk. This intelligent app manages the entire meeting workflow from scheduling a meeting to what comes after it, such as jotting down notes, tracking projects, archiving vital data and producing knowledge base posts. In order for teams to concentrate on core aspects of their conversations and deciding, VCA is able to do those extra chores.
Key Features:
The Video Calling App is designed to enhance the entire experience of virtual meetings, keep important information in context, and significantly boost how well teams work together and reach their goals. Let's take a look at a straightforward comparison between Zoom vs. Video Calling App.
The Video Calling App is now offering an early access program that is only available to a few people. This program lets chosen users try out VCA's new teamwork tools at no cost. If you're interested in this rare chance, you should apply. If you'd like to switch to the Video Calling App, you can complete this online form.
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that includes video conferencing capabilities.
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Pricing:
Microsoft Teams offers a free version with basic features. Paid plans start at $4/user/month for Microsoft Teams Essentials, with more comprehensive plans available as part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Check out a fair comparison of Microsoft Teams vs. Video Calling App.
If you are looking for alternatives to Teams, refer to top Microsoft Teams alternatives.
Eager to see how Zoom compares to Microsoft Teams, check out - Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams.
Google Meet is a video conferencing tool that's part of the Google Workspace ecosystem.
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Google Meet offers a free version. Paid plans start at $6/user/month as part of Google Workspace Individual, with additional options available in other Google Workspace plans.
See a very unbiased comparison of Google Meet vs. Video Calling App.
Here’s a handy list of top Google Meet alternatives.
Also check out Zoom vs. Google Meet, for a detailed honest take on the comparison between the two.
We also have an honest comparison between Google Meet vs. Microsoft Teams.
Cisco Webex is a video conferencing and collaboration platform designed for businesses.
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Limitations:
Pricing:
Cisco Webex offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $14.50/user/month for the Webex Calling plan, with various other plans available for different business needs.
We have created an honest comparison between Webex vs. Video Calling App.
Check out the top Webex alternatives.
See how Zoom compares to Cisco Webex in Zoom vs. Webex.
Skype is a telecommunication application that offers video calling and instant messaging services.
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Skype-to-Skype calls are free. Skype Credit or subscriptions are required for calling mobile and landline numbers, starting from $2.99/month.
Skype vs. Video Calling App showcases an honest comparison between the two.
If you are looking for alternatives to Skype, refer to the top Skype alternatives.
GoToMeeting is a web-hosted video conferencing software designed for business communications.
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Pricing:
GoToMeeting plans start at $12/organizer/month for the Professional plan, billed annually. Custom enterprise solutions are also available.
We have made an honest comparison of Zoom vs. GoToMeeting.
If you want to use some alternative to GoToMeeting, we have curated a list of top GoToMeeting alternatives.
Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing solution that can be used via web browser or as a self-hosted platform.
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Pricing:
Jitsi Meet is free to use on their public instance. Self-hosting costs vary depending on server and maintenance requirements.
Whereby is a browser-based video conferencing platform focused on ease of use.
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Pricing:
Whereby offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $6.99/month for the Pro plan, billed annually.
Slack Huddles are lightweight audio calls within Slack channels or direct messages.
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Huddles are included in Slack's paid plans, which start at $6.67/user/month for the Pro plan, billed annually.
Discord is a communication platform originally designed for gaming communities but now used more broadly.
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Discord offers a free plan. Nitro, the premium subscription, starts at $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
Talky is a simple, web-based video chat service.
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Talky is free to use.
BigBlueButton is an open-source web conferencing system primarily designed for online learning.
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BigBlueButton is open-source and free to use, but costs associated with hosting and support can vary.
Livestorm is a video engagement platform for webinars, meetings, and virtual events.
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Livestorm offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $99/month for the Pro plan, billed annually.
RingCentral Video is part of RingCentral's unified communications platform.
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RingCentral Video offers a free plan. Paid plans for RingCentral's full platform start at $19.99/user/month, billed annually.
Amazon Chime is a communications service that offers video conferencing, chat, and screen-sharing capabilities.
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Amazon Chime offers a Pay-per-Use model where you pay only for the meetings you organize, starting at $3/day per user. They also offer a Business Calling plan starting at $15/user/month, which includes Chime video meetings.
Individuals who use Zoom for video conferencing have identified several issues while collaborating on Zoom:
When screen sharing is used, it may impede collaborative activity and mobility. The Zoom-provided tools do not perform complex functions as well as one may hope. Virtual backgrounds are helpful, but they appear fake. There are still technical issues, for example, poor call quality and issues hearing colleagues during calls with many participants, even with fast internet.
Interface issues may include difficulty adding participants, and when the host is sharing his screen, it can prevent seeing how individuals are reacting. The waiting room is missing critical functionality.
Using Zoom for a long time can make people tired, a problem sometimes called "Zoom Fatigue". The notifications for the mute/unmute function are not clear, which can lead to people accidentally talking when they didn't mean to. Managing large group discussions can also be challenging.
These issues show that Zoom still needs to work on improving its service.
If you think you are alone in facing issues with Zoom and people will not understand your problems, you can check out That’s what you said. It’s a collection of Zoom issues that users have faced and posted on various platforms like X(Twitter), Reddit, G2, Capterra, etc.
Although the popularity of Zoom is still increasing, it is not necessarily the most popular option due to the fact that people are more familiar with it. It solves the basic job of video calls in times when we need more from technology, but it still has a lot of issues. People often ignore these issues because they've gotten used to Zoom's strange behaviors and restrictions.
This practice masks that better choices of applications that have more features, stronger security, and a better experience for users are on the market. Though alternatives are available that are more advantageous, most people and organizations choose Zoom because of their familiarity with it, not because of its efficiency. As the technologies are evolving, the point seems to be that the leadership of Zoom may be due to the circumstances, not to the fact that it is the best for today's communication needs.
So, It would not be wrong to say - “Zoom is out of Style”.
Video Calling App (VCA) is a modern video conferencing platform with native-AI that automates your end-to-end meeting workflow while preserving the right content and context throughout. It also tightly integrates with your workspace tools, so that you can access the correct information at the right place and right time. And, yes, it's a way better meeting experience overall.
VCA improves how people work together online by using AI features like smart summaries, keeping track of tasks, real-time speech-to-text and translation, automatic labeling, and managing tasks all in one place. It also has a searchable knowledge library to complement these other features, making the whole system better for running meetings and making remote work more efficient.
The Video Calling App knows that switching to a new service can be tough, so it makes the change smooth for you. New members can use the app for free for up to three months, the same as what they pay for Zoom. To get this free offer, just complete this online form.
If you're wondering how our app stacks up against Zoom, we've done a thorough, fair comparison of both services - Zoom vs. Video Calling App.
Since the Video Calling App is just starting out, it's inviting a limited number of users each day. If you're interested, fill out this form for early access, and we'll contact you very soon.
