Critical Analysis of the Best Free Video Chat Software Suitable for Businesses & Educators

10 Best Free Video Conferencing Tools for Business and Education

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Anyone running a business – or even anyone trying to work from home – needs to know about video conferencing . If you haven’t found your ideal platform for online meetings yet, or find your current provider a little buggy, then this article is for you.

We have found 10 best free video conferencing tools for business and education. Working and studying from home shouldn’t be a hassle. Follow our list of the best video conferencing tools for continuous learning.

• Part 1: 10 Best Free Video Conferencing Tools
• Part 2: FAQs about Video Conferencing Tools

You may also like: 8 Best Video Conference App for Android and iPhone (Picked)

Part 1: 10 Best Free Video Conferencing Tools

Below, we have detailed the best online free video conferencing tools for business – and your studies.

1. Zoom Meeting

OS: Windows, Mac/iOS, Linux, Online

Zoom Meeting is at the top of our list because it is all-round the best free online video conferencing tool – for both education and business. Students love the ability to change backgrounds in chat, and lecturers love the online video webinar feature that allows them to teach as if they were in the auditorium at university. The best part is Zoom Meeting is easy to set up and use .

Features:

• Webinar and customization make the Zoom Meeting package the best video conferencing tools for education.
• Phone systems, dedicated conferencing rooms, and staff training.
• Ultimate compatibility, cross-OS calling, and multiple device support.

2. Cyberlink U Meeting

OS: Windows, iOS/Mac, Android

One of the key features that make Cyberlink U Meeting one of the best free video conferencing tools online is that it doesn’t require downloads or sign-ups to run. You send a link, the recipient clicks the link to accept the call, and bingo – you are straight into a meeting. We love that you can use virtual makeup in this video conferencing toolset. It’s great for having just got out of bed to work from home.

Features:

• Screen sharing to make information catch up simple.
• It comes with CyberLink U Messenger, which is similar to WhatsApp.
• 4 way group meetings with high-quality video and audio.

3. UberConference

OS: Windows PC, iOS/Mac, Android, Web

UberConference is another great all-rounder. What makes them one of the best systems for free video conferencing online is that it comes as a mobile app. This diversity allows you to use their whole range of free video conferencing software tools when you aren’t at your desk. We like UberConference as one of the best video conferencing tools for business. That on-the-go feature is brilliant for those who need to commute.

Features:

• No pins or logins.
• UberConference Business suite comes in at an affordable $15 per month, but you can use it for free, for up to a group of 4 video conferencing.
• Screen sharing – and transcription of meetings via AI.

4. Skype Video Conferencing Call

OS: PC, Mac, iOS, Windows laptop, Linux, Android, and some TV’s

With the most impressive compatibility with devices by far, Skype is one of the longest-serving best free video conferencing tools for education. Not just for education, either. For the last ten years or more, families spread across the world have used it as their method of keeping in touch. It lets you translate in real-time, which is a huge bonus.

Features:

• Free and paid calling and video chat
• Screen sharing and file sharing
• Numerous controls all geared towards communication. You might not be able to able filters, but you can translate in real-time.

5. Slack Video Calls

OS: Linux is in Beta but will be rolled out if it all goes well, Windows, iOS/Mac, Android, Apple Watch, Super Nintendo (circa 2019), and web browsers.

One of the few free online video conferencing tools for a business capable of rivalry Skype in device compatibility is Slack. Slack software is a messaging service designed to work – even if the boss is on the golf course. One swipe on the watch, and he or she can answer you, no matter where they are.

Features:

• High chat search features, file sharing, tagging, and keywords.
• Activity logging and tracking to let you make sure your employees are working remotely.
• An open API means you pick and choose the bits you use to create your chats.

6. Google Hangouts

OS: Mac OS X, Windows, Chrome, Ubuntu, Linux systems

Although not made for mobile phones, Google Hangouts is arguably one of the best free online video conferencing tools for education. It’s built for those students who live far apart and need to collaborate on problems or group work. One drawback is that you need a Google account for it to work. To be fair, most people have a Google account nowadays.

Features:

• HD group conferencing on 15 screens with supported voice calls.
• Instant messaging across multiple platforms.
• Compatible with everything Google app-based.

7. CISCO Webex Meetings

OS: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Chrome OS

Cisco Webex is easily one of the best free online video conferencing tools for business. This is mostly due to their dedication to creating an integrated web conferencing solution that aligns real-time content sharing with inside and outside corporate firewalls, safety measures, and other such jargon. If the security of your call is an issue, Cisco is your best bet.

Features:

• Meetings, presentations, event, and training session focused.
• One-click joins by link-sharing or widget.
• Google or Facebook login to save you on account setup.

8. Facebook Live

OS: If your OS can run Facebook, it can run Facebook Live. Mobile Smartphones included

Facebook Live lets you ‘go live’ and record yourself on Facebook. You can create groups, host ‘watch parties’, and you can record for as long as you like. This is one of the best video conferencing tools for education because most students have a Facebook account.

Features:

• Host watch parties where you can invite groups
• Give lectures from your own living room
• Multi-platform compatibility, versatility of device connection

9. Lifesize

OS: Integrates with other platforms – Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Cisco Outlook, Polycom, and more.

Lifesize presents an alternative video conferencing tool. It can be opened from within a variety of other video conferencing platforms and used as a security tool. It features advance encryption and integration, as well as giving you the option to manage your permissions.

Features:

• Built-in encryption makes if the most secure free online video conferencing tool.
• Integration across a variety of other video conferencing suites.
• Search function, permission control, real-time alerts.

10. TrueConf Online

OS: Works with Microsoft Windows

TrueConf focuses on producing unified communications systems with enhanced HD quality video conferencing. This makes it one of the best free online video conferencing tools you can get for working internationally. It is incredibly secure and is widely used throughout Europe and Russia, making it easier to hold business meetings with those abroad.

Features:

• Calendar integration and meeting scheduling
• Instant messaging, typical chats, and video conferencing all in one app.
• Client application should you need to connect out-with the group, as well as a common address book.

Part 2: FAQs about Video Conferencing Tools

Below, we have listed some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the use of video conferencing tools.

Q) What are the different types of video conferencing?

1. A) There are five main types, although others may be derived from these. They are:
2. Integrated Video Conferencing tools – where the camera and equipment are in the conference center. Like a lecture.
3. Telepresence – Video conferencing tools that use telepresence to mimic human interaction as closely as possible. A digital presence, if you will.
4. Desktop Video Conferencing tools are the ones we are most familiar with. We all use our devices to connect to one single group video chat.
5. Room based Video conferencing frameworks using Codec – a video conferencing tool that is best used when someone needs to communicate with a whole room while they are moving around.
6. Service Based – this type of online video conferencing tool is rarely free and requires your internet service provider to do the majority of the organization on your behalf.

Hopefully, this clears things up for you!

Q) What are the components of video conferencing?

1. A) There are a few basic things that you need if you want to start using any of the best video conferencing tools for business. You will need to ensure you have a working camera that can connect to your pc, or the internet. You will also need a microphone to ensure you can speak. A speaker so that you can hear answers is likewise essential. Fortunately, a modern laptop has all of these elements as standard.

You will need a screen to watch others on, and you may want optional other equipment. A Video conferencing codec unit is used to convert audio and visual files into language the computer understands. Any other hardware and software is optional but can be used to optimize your experience.

Q) What is the video conferencing advantages and disadvantages?

1. A) Video Conferencing has some advantages and disadvantages. Some of the benefits are that it connects remote workers and remote learners, saves travel costs, avoids travel time, vehicle costs, or maintenance, and can even be used in substitute for an on-site visit. Best of all, perhaps, it lets you head-hunt your team from across the globe.

Some of the disadvantages of online video conferencing tools is that there is a little lag to use them, that the highest resolution camera systems can be pricey, and that you need a lot of bandwidth to run them properly.

Rounding Up

Whether you are stuck for video conferencing for business, or whether you want to track down the best online video conferencing tools for education – there is a software on this list that is ideal for you.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

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