In today's fast-paced digital world, remote work has become the new norm for many organizations. As businesses adapt to this shift, they're constantly on the lookout for comprehensive tools that can streamline their operations and keep teams connected.
A common trend which we are seeing these days is that Companies have expanded beyond video calling applications to build comprehensive suites, integrating features like AI-driven meeting summaries, task automation, real-time transcriptions, and collaboration tools. These additions are done in order to try to increase productivity, offering a more holistic solution for remote work and communication needs.
Zoom also could sense it is being left behind in the race, so in 2024, Zoom introduced Zoom Workplace, a suite of tools claiming to offer more than just video conferencing capabilities. This new offering aims to position the company with workplace platforms such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.
But is it the ultimate solution for your team?
Let's dive in and explore Zoom Workplace, its features, limitations, pricing, and alternatives.
Fear is an intrinsic emotion that can unsettle anyone deeply. The same occurred with Zoom. In 2024, Zoom introduced Zoom Workplace; although it is not entirely new, it replaces the existing Zoom One plan.
While Zoom is basically used for virtual meetings, Zoom Workplace aims to be a comprehensive hub, integrating various tools for team collaboration and communication. It claims to be a unified platform for daily work needs, enabling users to schedule meetings, collaborate on documents, manage tasks, and gain AI-powered insights.
Zoom Workplace takes over from the previous Zoom One plan, retaining many similar features while adding new capabilities. However, it does not include all of Zoom’s tools, such as those for marketing, sales, or customer care. It includes:
While Zoom Workplace offers a wide array of features, it's not without its limitations:
Hers's a detailed take on Zoom limitations.
Zoom Workspace offers a tiered pricing structure based on the number of users within your organization. It offers a free version with limited features, a pro plan at $14.99/month/user, and business and enterprise plans at $19.99/month/user, catering to the required needs.
Note: Pricing may vary based on location and specific feature requirements. It's best to check Zoom's official website for the most up-to-date pricing information.
Also check out Zoom vs. Zoom Workplace for a better understanding.
Lear more about Zoom products.
If you want to go Zoom free, check out how to cancel Zoom subscription.
These are the top 10 Zoom Workplace Alternatives: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace, Cisco Webex, Zoho Workplace, Asana, Trello, Basecamp, RingCentral, Monday.com.
Now, let’s explore each alternative one by one.
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform integrated with the Microsoft 365 suite. It offers video conferencing capabilities, chat, file sharing, and collaborative document editing. With video meetings supporting up to 1,000 participants, organized team discussions in channels, and integration with Microsoft Office apps.
Microsoft Teams faces challenges such as lack of unified search, insufficient notifications, complex file structure, and limited flexibility. Users also report issues with redundant tools, storage limitations, and a steep learning curve for non-technical users. Performance issues on slower machines have been reported by some users.
Pricing starts with a free version offering basic features, while paid plans begin at $6/user/month for Microsoft 365 Business Basic and $12.50/user/month for Business Standard.
Just in case if you interested, here's a handy list of top Microsoft Teams alternatives.
We have created a very honest comparison of Microsoft Teams vs. Video Calling App.
Also check out Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams and Google Meet vs. Microsoft Teams for a better understanding.
Slack is a team communication with its channel-based messaging platform. While primarily known for its chat functionality, Slack has expanded to include voice and video calls, as well as numerous integrations. It offers conversations in channels and threads, voice and video calls with screen sharing, search functionality across all messages and files, and an app directory for integrations.
However, Slack's video conferencing capabilities are less advanced than dedicated platforms. The service is frequently down, making it disruptive and frustrating to use. Its unintuitive UI and poor value further hinder productivity.
Pricing includes a free plan with basic features, a Pro plan at $3.26/user/month, and a Business+ plan at $5.23/user/month.
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) offers a suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools. It includes Gmail for business with custom domains, Google Meet for video conferencing, Google Drive for cloud storage, and collaborative tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The platform is used for real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously.
However, some users find that certain features, particularly in Google Meet, are less advanced compared to specialized video conferencing solutions. The service faces issues integrating with Apple Mail and Calendar apps. It suffers from poor sales support, ineffective customer service, and a complex data migration system that complicates leaving the service.
Pricing starts at $6/user/month for the Business Starter plan, with Business Standard at $12/user/month offering more storage and security features.
If Google Meet does not satisfy your needs anymore, you should look for top Google Meet alternatives.
Check out this fair comparison of Google Meet vs. Video Calling App.
Also. check out Zoom vs. Google Meet pricing, to know the difference in pricing structure of two.
Cisco Webex is a platform offering a suite of collaboration tools, including video conferencing, team messaging, file sharing, and digital whiteboarding. Webex is used among large enterprises and those requiring security features. The platform offers AI-powered features like noise reduction and virtual backgrounds.
However, some users find the interface less modern compared to newer platforms, and the wealth of features can be overwhelming for small teams or occasional users. The service lacks conversation history, group chat features, and rich content capabilities, making it cumbersome for IM use. It also prompts for repeated WebEx logins and complicates profile picture setup.
Pricing includes a generous free plan, with paid plans starting at $13.50/user/month, offering other features and participant capacity.
Zoho Workplace is a suite of tools designed to help organizations manage, track, and organize their work. It includes features such as document management, project tracking, email hosting, and team communication platforms.
However, Zoho Workplace's interface is overwhelming for new users, and the integration between its numerous apps is not always seamless. The platform's mobile app functionality is limited, and some users have reported occasional performance issues. Users reported keyboard shortcuts were unreliable and caused many issues. It would be better if the remote system didn't log off unless done manually, with no timeouts.. Notifications can become overwhelming, making it difficult to stay on top of important updates, and the learning curve can be steep for those unfamiliar with the system.
Pricing includes a free plan with basic features, while the Standard plan starts at $3/user/month, offering additional storage and advanced features. Higher tiers provide even more comprehensive functionality, such as enhanced security and advanced analytics.
Asana is a project management and team collaboration tool that helps organizations manage, track, and organize their work. It offers features like task assignments, progress tracking, timeline views, and customizable workflows. Asana allows teams to visualize and manage work in a way that suits their specific needs.
However, Asana's built-in communication tools are limited, and it relies on integrations for features like video conferencing. The platform's clunky interface, steep learning curve, and lack of consistent usage across teams hinder its effectiveness. Comments flood inboxes, previous work is often inaccessible, tasks can be deleted without audibility, and customer service is email-only and unclear.
Pricing includes a basic free plan, with the Premium plan starting at $10.99/user/month and
Trello is a visual collaboration tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help teams organize and prioritize projects. Its drag-and-drop interface allows teams to manage workflows and track progress. The platform offers integrations called "Power-Ups" to extend its functionality.
However, Trello's simplicity can also be a limitation for complex projects, and it lacks built-in advanced reporting or time-tracking features. The platform poorly handles complex projects and has disorganized notifications. Conversations and activities are hidden from the team, and implementing linking, epics, and user stories is challenging. Additionally, while it offers some basic communication tools, it's not designed as a comprehensive team communication platform.
Pricing includes a free plan with basic features, while the Business Class plan starts at $10/user/month, offering additional features and administration controls.
Basecamp is one approach to project management and team communication. It offers tools for task management, file sharing, team chat, scheduling, and document collaboration. Basecamp is a straightforward, centralized approach to managing projects and teams.
However, Basecamp lacks built-in video conferencing capabilities and may not offer the depth of features that some specialized tools provide in areas like advanced project management or detailed time tracking. Some users also find the interface less intuitive compared to more modern tools.
Basecamp's pricing is unique, offering a flat rate of $99/month for unlimited users, which can be cost-effective for larger teams but potentially expensive for smaller ones.
RingCentral offers a communication suite that includes video conferencing, cloud phone systems, team messaging, and collaboration tools. Its particular telephony features are used by businesses that require phone system capabilities alongside other collaboration tools. RingCentral provides high-quality video meetings and screen sharing and integrates with some business tools and CRM systems.
However, the platform is complex to set up and manage, especially for smaller teams. Some users find that the wealth of features comes with a steeper learning curve. The app struggles with managing multiple fax numbers, as faxes often appear in the 'Call Log' but not in 'Messages,' are frequently garbled, or disappear entirely.
Pricing starts with the Essentials plan at $19.99/user/month, with higher tiers offering more advanced features and higher limits on meeting participants.
Monday.com is an operating system that allows teams to build custom workflows for their projects and processes. It offers a customizable interface, with various views including Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and calendars. Monday.com is adaptable, capable of handling from simple task lists to complex project management.
However, this flexibility can also be a drawback, as it requires significant setup time to optimize for specific use cases. While Monday.com offers some communication tools, it's not primarily designed for real-time collaboration like video conferencing. The interface is clunky and slow, with frequent bugs and issues like unresponsive sidebars and HTML problems. Support requests feedback but fails to address it or resolve issues.
Pricing starts with a basic plan at $8/user/month, with more feature-rich plans available at higher price points.
While Zoom Workplace aims to provide an all-in-one solution for remote teams, it's clear that there's no one-size-fits-all answer in the world of digital collaboration. Some organizations may find that Zoom Workplace meets all their needs, while others might prefer a mix of specialized tools or a different integrated platform altogether.
However, Zoom Workplace has faced significant criticism from users since its launch. Many have reported frustration with its complex interface and steep learning curve, hindering productivity during the transition period. Integration issues with existing tools and workflows have been a major pain point, often requiring extensive IT support. Privacy concerns continue to plague the platform, with users expressing unease about data security and past controversies. Performance issues, especially on older hardware, have led to frequent disruptions during important meetings. Users have also complained about limited customization options and feeling restricted compared to their previous specialized tools. While appealing in theory, the all-in-one approach has left many feeling overwhelmed and longing for the simplicity and effectiveness of their previous setup.
Now with the above mentioned Zoom Workplace alternatives, you can make an informed decision about which one best suits your business needs.
If you are looking for a detailed overview of other Zoom Services, we have detailed articles dedicated to - Zoom Meetings, Zoom Webinars.
We also have created a handy list of top Zoom alternatives.
Remote work has made online meetings a daily necessity, but let's be honest - they're not always smooth sailing. Many video conferencing tools out there are falling short, with uninspiring designs, disruptive updates, and compatibility headaches. And those AI features everyone's buzzing about? Often more hype than help.
But here's the real kicker: most of these platforms just don't mesh well with our other workspaces and other work tools. We're left juggling a digital circus, constantly switching between apps, which is not only exhausting but kills our productivity. It's like trying to complete a puzzle with pieces from different sets - frustrating and inefficient. These might seem like small gripes, but they add up to a big problem. Another crucial thing is the loss of context. Well, half of the time, we are not even able to remember what happened in the last meeting or what is happening in the current meeting because of back-to-back meetings; the context seems to leak through the broken gaps we have in the online meeting workflow. That's exactly what we've recognized and are determined to fix. It's time for a solution that actually makes our work lives easier, not more complicated.
That's why we're building the Video Calling App—an AI-native video conferencing tool designed to automate the entire meeting workflow while preserving relevant context. Plus, it boasts a sleek, modern UI/UX that you'd expect in 2024.
Video Calling App includes features such as precise AI-generated smart summaries, action items, real-time transcripts, translations, auto-tagged discussions, task management, a searchable knowledge library, and more.
We are now rolling out early access to the Video Calling App every day to limited users, so in case you are interested - just let us know :)
We at Video Calling App understand the hurdles in switching to a new platform. To ease your transition, we're offering a compelling migration deal: up to three months of free access, to match your current Zoom subscription. Just simply complete our online form to avail this offer.
For a transparent view of how VCA stack up, check out our honest Zoom vs. Video Calling App comparison.
Video Calling App is currently in a controlled early access phase, welcoming a limited number of users daily. This is your chance to be at the forefront of a revolution in virtual meetings. Sign up now to explore our innovative features and elevate your team's remote collaboration and efficiency.
