Web Conferencing Software Top 5 Feature Lists:
In this review we take the our Top 5 Features we feel are most important for video conferencing software and name our Top 5 software providers who exemplify these features.
- Affordability
- Ease of Use
- Interoperability
- Mobile Perfomance
- Security
Affordability
- GoToMeeting
- Skype
- MeetFree.US
- OpenTok
- Zoom.US
Affordability is an important feature for web video conferencing software users. For our results we tallied up our top features and compared them to the cost of the monthly service. Optional free services are a added bonus which we have included. But most importantly we took into consideration the overall experience, look and feel of our first impression using the software.
Features:
|
OooVoo |
Hangouts |
MeetFree.US |
Skype |
Zoom.US |
Max Video Participants (Standard) |
12 |
9 |
25 |
10 |
25 |
Participants / Price per Mo |
Free w/ Ads 12 / 2.99 = 4 |
9 / Free = 9 |
25 / Free = 25 |
10 / Free = 10 |
25 / 10 = 2.25 |
Free Option |
Yes 3 Participant Max |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, up to 40 minutes per meeting |
Recording |
Yes, *PC Only |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Screen Share |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Ease of Use
- GoToMeeting
- Skype
- MeetFree.US
- Google Hangouts
- Zoom.US
Ease of use is probably the most popular feature request. Video conferencing is become more and more commonplace yet somehow most software providers find a way to clutter their interfaces with advanced features that simply “get in the way”. This comparison is certainly difficult and up for discussion (please use comments). To be fair we simply tried each software as if it was the first time we had ever made a video call. Then we took into consideration the client download process. And we reviewed out the experience from multiple platforms like Mac, PC, ChromeBox iPhone, iPad and Android Phones.
Features:
|
GoToMeeting |
OoVoo |
Skype |
Hangouts |
Zoom.US |
One-Click Login |
Meeting ID or GoToMeeting Login |
Yes. Facebook Login. |
Yes, Facebook or Microsoft Login |
Yes, Gmail or Google Login |
Yes, Facebook or Google Login |
Download Client Size |
27MB |
12MB |
59MB |
Cloud Based |
23MB |
iPhone /iPad Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Android Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ChromeBox |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Free Option |
Yes |
Yes (Includes Ads) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
First Impression 0/5 |
3/5 |
2/5 |
4/5 |
3/5 |
5/5 |
Interoperability
- BlueJeans
- Acano
- Pexip
- Zoom.US
- Spontnia
Interoperability is an extremely important feature for dynamic work environments where everyone needs to join the meeting no matter the device or protocol. BlueJeans wins this match with flying colors but they are followed closely behind Pexip and Zoom.US. Don't be surprised to find that BlueJeans is the most expensive option. Pexip comes in a close second with support for almost every device and operating system with support for multiple protocols such as H.323 and SIP. Zoom.US provides BYOD support for almost all devices as well plus adds in H.323 and SIP Support which is scalable. The difference here is that BlueJeans offers unlimited support for H.323/SIP devices and Zoom.US provides a scalable option where you pay for only what you need.
Features:
|
Acano |
BlueJeans |
Pexip |
Spontania |
Zoom.US |
Unified Communications |
Lync Integration |
Lync, Skype, Google Integration |
Lync Integration |
Lync Integration |
Google Integration |
H.323 Integration |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
SIP Integration |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Deployment Options |
VM Ware Ready, On-Premise |
Cloud Only |
VM Ware, On-Premise and Microsoft Hyper-V |
|
|
WebRTC |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Cloud Architecture |
Saas & On Premise |
Saas only |
Saas, PaaS & On-Premise |
Saas, PaaS & On-Premise |
SaaS, API, and On-Premise |
Mobile Performance & Support
For the purpose of this review we use BYOD as a term that means “Bring Your Own Device”. We assume 100% BYOD supports all major mobile device platforms including: Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android based systems and Windows mobile OS. Then we look at the features that are available from each app and what version they are currently operating in. Then finally the most important factor user reviews! We found it interesting who many more reviews were found on the Google Play store! Are the apps made for Google Android devices just better? Well we did some looking into things and mostly the apps look and feel the same with slight tendency for Androids to offer additional features.
Features |
BlueJeans |
GoToMeeting |
Skype |
WebEX |
Zoom.US |
|
1st Mobile App |
2010 |
2010 |
2007 |
2005 |
2013 |
|
Lastest Version |
1.9.72 |
6.3 |
5.8 |
6.6.1 |
3.5 |
|
iOS |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Android |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Windows |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Annotation |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Price |
Free w/ subscription |
$2.99 for 1 Day Pass |
Free |
Free w/ subscription |
Free w/ subscription |
Mobile App User Reviews |
BlueJeans |
GoTo Meeting |
Skype |
WebEX |
Zoom.US |
Rating on App Store |
4 Stars 35 Reviews |
4 Stars 1,747 Reviews |
3.5 Stars 361,603 Reviews |
3.5 Stars 7,118 Reviews |
4.5 Stars 249 Reviews |
Ratings on GooglePlay |
3.9/5 Stars (387 Users) |
3.5 Stars (13,561 Users) |
4 Stars (5,827,000 Users) |
4 Stars (9,658 Users) |
4 Stars (4,539 Users) |
Mobile App User Reviews |
AT&T Connect |
Adobe Connect
|
Fuze |
Vidyo |
VeeSee
|
Rating on App Store |
3 Stars 635 Reviews |
3.5 Stars 429 Reviews |
2.5 Stars 1,355 Reviews |
4 Stars 61 Reviews |
4.5 Stars 18 Reviews |
Ratings on GooglePlay |
4.1 Stars (487 Users) |
4 Stars (5,502 Users) |
4 Stars (308 Users) |
4 Stars (507 Users) |
4 Stars (570 Users) |
Security
- VSee
- SecureVideo.com
- Acano
- MS Lync
- Polycom
Security is an important feature for many organizations using web video conferencing. For the purposes of this review we assume you are not using a “on-premise” software deployment. On-Premise video conferencing deployments are always the most secure but to connect to the outside world encryption will be required and these 5 web conferencing providers made the top of our list. We added 10% point increase for web conferencing software that is HIPAA compliant right out of the box and a 10% point increase for web conferencing software with “on-premise deployment” options.
|
Acano |
BlueJeans |
Polycom |
SecureVideo |
VSee |
Encryption |
Server Encryption |
Server Encryption |
Server Encryption |
End to End Encryption |
End to End Encryption |
Ports on firewall Required |
Multiple |
Multiple |
Multiple |
1 |
1 |
Auto HTTP/SSL Tunneling |
HTTP/SSL |
HTTP/SSL |
HTTP/SSL |
UDP with HTTP/SSL backup |
UDP with HTTP/SSL backup |
Cloud Control |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No-Install Client |
Using WebRTC Yes |
Using WebRTC Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
HIPPA Compliant |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Sources:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluejeansnet.Base&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skype.raider&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cisco.webex.meetings&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citrixonline.android.gotomeeting&hl=en
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings&hl=en
http://www.conferenceroomsystems.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebEx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebRTC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VSee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom_Video_Communications
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Audio_Technologies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoToMeeting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logitech
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifesize
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FaceTime