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Google Meet and Zoom are popular video conferencing solutions that share many of the same features. Both platforms can be used for virtual events and meetings as well as team collaboration. Yet, when you take a closer look at Google Meet vs. Zoom, you’ll find there are distinct differences.
We conducted an in-depth review of Google Meet and Zoom to help you make an informed choice for your video conferencing needs. Overall, both Google Meet and Zoom are excellent solutions; however, the best one for you will depend on your unique business requirements.
Google Meet vs. Zoom: At a Glance
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Google Meet
4.9
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Paid plans range
$0 to $18
per month (plus custom-priced Enterprise option)
Participant capacity
Up to 250
Meeting limit
Unlimited
Paid plans range
$0 to $18
per month (plus custom-priced Enterprise option)
Participant capacity
Up to 250
Meeting limit
Unlimited
Pros & Cons
- Strong platform security
- 14-day free trial available for paid plans
- Generous cloud storage
- Low participant capacity
- Several features require Chrome Extensions
- Recording not available on free plan
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Zoom
4.9
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Paid plans range
$0 to $19.99
per month per license
Participant capacity
Up to 1,000
Meeting limit
Unlimited
Learn More
Read Forbes' Review
Paid plans range
$0 to $19.99
per month per license
Participant capacity
Up to 1,000
Meeting limit
Unlimited
Pros & Cons
- Supports large audiences
- Easy to set up and use
- 1,000+ app integrations available
- Paid plans are pricey
- Limited cloud storage
- Security issues
How Google Meet vs. Zoom Stack Up
Google Meet | Zoom | |
---|---|---|
Price | $0 to $18 per month per user (plus custom-priced Enterprise option) | $0 to $19.99 per month per user |
Participant Capacity | Up to 250 | Up to 1,000 |
Meeting Time Limits | Up to 24 hours(free plan limits group meetings to one hour) | Up to 30 hours (free plan limits group meetings to 40 minutes) |
Screen, App and Document Sharing | ✔ | ✔ |
Virtual Backgrounds | ✔ | ✔ |
Chat | ✔ | ✔ |
Pin/Spotlight Certain Participants | ✔ | ✔ |
Breakout Rooms | On paid plans | ✔ |
Record Meetings | On paid plans | ✔ |
Whiteboard | Available with Google Jamboard | Built in |
Polls | On paid plans | On paid plans |
Closed Captioning | ✔ | Third-party app required |
Meeting Filters | Available via a Chrome extension | Filters available for appearance and lighting |
Meeting Transcripts | Available via a Chrome extension | Available on Business and Enterprise plans |
Cloud Storage for Recordings | 15 GB to unlimited storage per user | 1 GB to unlimited storage per user on paid plans |
Security | Encryption in transit and at rest; two-step verification | TLS encryption, AES-265 encryption for real-time content; end-to-end encryption optional |
Integrations | 200+ | 1,000+ |
Attendance Reports | Enterprise plan only | On all paid plans |
Google Meet and Zoom both offer a wide range of in-demand video conferencing tools, including screen and app sharing, meeting recordings, meeting transcripts, chat, participant spotlight and virtual backgrounds.
Zoom meeting capacity scales up to 1,000 participants, while Google Meet tops out at 250. Both providers impose relatively tight time limits on group meetings for their free plans. Zoom offers free users up to 40 minutes, while Google Meet’s free plan allows up to one hour for group meetings.
Breakout rooms and meeting recordings are available on all Zoom plans but only on paid plans with Google Meet. Both platforms require paid plans for polling.
Google Meet has built-in tools for live closed captions; you must use a third-party app for closed captioning in Zoom meetings. Google Meet offers intelligent noise cancellation on all its paid plans; this feature is only offered through Zoom’s desktop client for Windows and macOS.
Zoom includes built-in appearance and lighting filters with every plan; these features are available on Google Meet through a downloadable Google Chrome extension. Whiteboards and waiting rooms are standard with all Zoom plans but require Chrome extensions with Google Meet.
Google Meet offers considerably more storage for cloud recordings than Zoom. Paid Google Meet users receive 30 GB to unlimited cloud storage on Google Drive. With Google Meet, even free users get 15 GB of storage. Free Zoom users do not get cloud storage, and paid users only get 1 GB per user on Zoom’s Pro and Business plans; Zoom Enterprise clients receive unlimited cloud storage.
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Pricing
Google Meet, formerly known as Google Hangouts, is available for free as a stand-alone app. You can also get Google Meet as part of the Google Workspace bundle of business and personal productivity tools.
Google Workspace, formerly known as Google Suite, comes with top Google software, including Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms and Sites. The key advantage of going with a paid Google Workspace plan is that all the apps offered work seamlessly together.
Prices and top features for Google Meet and Google Workspace plans are shown in the chart below.
Google Meet | Google Workspace Business Starter | Google Workspace Business Standard | Google Workspace Business Plus | Google Workspace Enterprise | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $0 | $6 per user per month | $12 per user per month | $18 per user per month | Custom Pricing |
Group Meeting Max Duration | 1 hour | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
One-on-One Meeting Max Duration | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
Max Participant Capacity | 100 | 100 | 150 | 250 | 250 |
Custom Business Email | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Meeting Recording | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Attendance Tracking | - | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
Google Drive Storage | 15 GB per user | 30 GB per user | 2 TB per user | 5 TB per user | Unlimited |
Zoom Basic is the most popular plan offered by Zoom, mainly because it’s free. Zoom also has three paid plans that range from $14.99 to $19.99 per month per user. Below is a chart that highlights key differences among the Zoom plans.
Zoom Basic | Zoom Pro | Zoom Business | Zoom Enterprise | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $0 | $14.99 per month per user | $19.99 per month per user | $19.99 per month per user |
Group Meeting Max Duration | 40 minutes | 30 hours | 30 hours | 30 hours |
One-on-One Meeting Max Duration | 30 hours | 30 hours | 30 hours | 30 hours |
Max Participant Capacity | 100 | 100 | 300 | 500 |
Min Number of Licenses Required | 1 | 1 | 10 | 50 |
Recording Transcripts | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
Advanced User Management | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
Cloud Storage for Recordings | - | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited |
Large Meeting Add-On Available? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Zoom Large Meeting Add-On, which allows you to expand meeting capacity to 1,000 participants, is available with all paid plans. Additional cloud storage can be purchased with Zoom; storage plans start at $40 per month.
User Friendliness
Google Meet is among the most user-friendly video conferencing platforms available today. You need a Google account to set up and host Google Meet sessions. Once you have an account, you can start or schedule a meeting with one click of the Google Workspace toolbar.
Participants can join Google meetings via their web browser by simply clicking on the meeting link provided by the host. There is no software to install, and you don’t need a Google account to attend a meeting via a web browser. Mobile users must download the Google Meet app to join meetings; a Google or Gmail account is required to participate in meetings via mobile devices.
Zoom’s popularity is mainly due to its reputation for being easy to use. To host a Zoom meeting, you’ll need a Zoom account. You can start a Zoom meeting instantly or schedule one for a later time or another day.
If you’re using a desktop, you can join a Zoom meeting through your browser, though downloading the Zoom Meetings app is recommended as it offers an optimal user experience. Mobile users must down the Zoom Meeting app.
For added security, a meeting host can opt to add authentication profile restrictions to a meeting, in which case participants will need a Zoom account to attend.
Security
Google Meet has a solid reputation for system security. The platform offers two-step verification, encryption in transit and at rest and advanced protection program enrollment. Enterprise clients receive added security features, including a security alert center, security dashboards, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Drive, access transparency and endpoint management.
Zoom offers TLS encryption and AES-256 encryption for real-time content. End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is optional but highly recommended.
Security breaches have burdened Zoom since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, when Zoom usage skyrocketed. The practice of disrupting meetings, or ‘Zoombombing’, was so rampant that it made headlines on major news outlets.
To its credit, Zoom took these issues seriously and enacted several measures to boost security, including offering E2EE to everyone using the platform; previously, E2EE was not available to free users. Waiting rooms for attendees and password protection for meetings have also made for more secure Zoom sessions.
Integrations
Google Meet integrates with over 200 apps, such as PayPal, HubSpot, Write, Square, Trello, FreshBooks, Evernote, Slack, ClickFunnels, Eventbrite, WordPress and Zapier. And, as mentioned, Google Teams works seamlessly with other Google apps, including Calendar, Slides, Gmail, Drive, Chat, Sheets and Docs.
Zoom integrates with over 1,000 apps, such as Dropbox, Chili Piper, Zendesk Notifications, Teamplify, Salesforce, Zapier, Kahoot, Stripe, Paycor Recruiting, Classpro, Calendly and Pardot. Given the sheer number and variety of integrations available, Zoom is able to offer more business features than Google Meet.
Bottom Line
In the battle of Google Meet vs. Zoom, we give the nod to Zoom. Zoom offers more features, has a solid reputation for ease of use and can accommodate considerably more participants than Google Meet.
Google Meet is a good, user-friendly video conferencing platform for small meetings and for those already using Google Workspace software.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is an internet-based technology that uses a broadband connection.
What is video conferencing?
Video conferencing is a type of virtual, online meeting where two or more people talk through a video and audio call in real-time.
What are the benefits of video conferencing?
Video conferencing allows for face-to-face communication, and often includes options like screen sharing, document markup, breakout rooms, chat, reactions and quizzes that give participants more ways to interact, compared with audio-only calls. Connecting people through video conferencing expands an organization’s options by not requiring participants to be in a single location.
What is the best video conferencing platform for large groups?
Overall, Zoom is the best option for hosting large video conferences. Zoom’s pricing is on a per-license basis and includes meetings for up to 500 participants with the Enterprise plan. Meanwhile, Google Meet offers a free plan that allows for up to 100 participants for up to 60 minutes, making it a good value for small businesses on a budget.
FAQs
Does Google Meet work better than Zoom? ›
Google Meet offers considerably more storage for cloud recordings than Zoom. Paid Google Meet users receive 30 GB to unlimited cloud storage on Google Drive. With Google Meet, even free users get 15 GB of storage.
What are the disadvantages of Zoom and Google Meet? ›- Screen sharing restrictions. ...
- Blank presentation problems. ...
- Limited features. ...
- Interoperability service users are prohibited from joining. ...
- Display limited number of participants. ...
- Users from outside the domain are disallowed. ...
- Browser freezing problems.
“Google Meet is just a lot easier to use,” said senior Gabby Fishgrund. “You can join your class in a matter of seconds. Plus, since you can only see a limited number of classmates at a time, the screen is a lot less crowded and distracting than it is on Zoom.”
What are the limitations of Google Meet? ›...
- Small or large meetings in any layout.
- Presenting to a meeting.
- Using 5-10 open tabs or apps alongside Meet.
Excellent digital meeting service.
The user interface is extremely intuitive, making it easy to manage and navigate my video calls. It has great audio and video enhancement features such as video lighting adjustment and noise cancellation, providing a better experience.
The maximum meeting time for Google Meet is 1 hour with the free version and with Zoom, it's 40 minutes. If you'd like to record your one-on-one meetings, we recommend Zoom, but if not, we would recommend Google Meet because of the extra 20 minutes it allows with its free version.
Why did Google Meet fail? ›Clear Cache. We have already covered how changing the device you are using to sign in can help to solve Google Meet not allowed to join error. In case you don't have access to another device, try clearing browser cache if you are using Chrome/Chromium-based browser and app cache if you are using an Android app.
Why is Google Meet more secure than Zoom? ›Google Meet is more secure than Zoom. It encrypts messages but doesn't use end-to-end encryption. Messages are encrypted “in transit”. This means that they are only encrypted between your device and Google's servers.
Why Google Meet is the best for online classes? ›It's quick and easy. Pushing record and talking can be much faster than other forms of communication. It's a great creative outlet. Putting creative touches on a video is easy with many platforms.
Why Google Meet is best for students? ›Meet can empower you to enrich teaching and learning with advanced features like breakout rooms, live streaming, attendance tracking, Q&A, polls and more when you sign up for the Teaching and Learning Upgrade or Education Plus.
Which one is better Zoom or Google classroom? ›
There's one main difference between Zoom and Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a digital classroom manager while Zoom is specifically designed for video conferencing. Zoom is one of the most efficient video conference applications, however, it doesn't provide tools for classroom management.
What are pros and cons of Google Meet? ›The interaction with Google apps is great and very, very helpful. Pros: It is simple, it is easy to work, it is great for both professional and personal meetings. Cons: Well, the time limit is the only aspect that I like least but I understand it is a company and they should make money too.
What are the pros and cons of zoom? ›The pros and cons of Zoom revolve around its ability to streamline enterprise communication and deliver the same, consistent experience for all use cases. Its ease of use, high-quality video, and crisp audio are its strong points. However, Zoom could be demanding for some computer builds.
How efficient is Google Meet? ›consistent performance and reliability, with 99.9% uptime SLA. optimal video and audio quality based on each participant's available bandwidth. industry-leading security and privacy. comprehensive management tools that make it easy to set up and manage your Google Meet solution.
Why do people use Google Meet? ›With Google Meet, you can easily record your video calls, and once the call had ended all participants will get access to a video recording that they can use to refer back to the content of the call. Recordings are automatically saved in the host's Google Drive!
What is the unique feature of Google Meet? ›Dial-out - In the US and Canada, you can dial-out to phone numbers or have Google Meet call you to join a meeting at no extra cost. Maximum call length - Users can have one-on-one calls and group calls for up to 24 hours. Multiple Co-Hosts - Meeting hosts can add up to 25 co-hosts to their meetings.
Is Google Meet still used? ›It is one of two apps that constitute the replacement for Google Hangouts, the other being Google Chat. It replaced the consumer-facing Google Duo in late 2022, with the Duo mobile app being renamed Meet and the original Meet app set to be phased out.
When did Google Meet stop being free? ›The policy was set to expire after September 30th, but now free users can host those longer calls through March 2021.
What did Google Meet replace? ›Google Duo has transitioned to Meet for video meetings. As an administrator, you can turn off Duo features for your users, but we recommend you keep them on.
Can Google Meet be hacked? ›So no, the MEET++ app isnt used to hack into google meets.
Why do companies not use Zoom? ›
The two security issues that seem most concerning to businesses are 'Zoom-bombing' and the lack of end-to-end encryption.
Why Zoom meetings are so dissatisfying? ›1. Excessive amounts of close-up eye contact is highly intense. Both the amount of eye contact we engage in on video chats, as well as the size of faces on screens, is unnatural. In a normal meeting, people will variously be looking at the speaker, taking notes, or looking elsewhere.
What do you dislike about Zoom? ›Slides sometimes tend to get blurry which can make small text difficult to read. I dont like the fact that sometimes the meeting host gets kicked out of their sessions. When hosting meetings with ten or more participants, we have noticed a small drop in quality during presentations.
What is the best virtual classroom? ›- Tovuti. FrontRunners 2022. ...
- Docebo. Docebo's LMS Suite is transforming the way enterprise and corporate customers increase speed to onboarding, development, enablement and customer education with ease and flexibility. ...
- CANVAS. FrontRunners 2022. ...
- GoTo Meeting. FrontRunners 2022. ...
- Moodle. ...
- Google Classroom. ...
- GoTo Webinar. ...
- Zoho Meeting.
- Each user needs their own Google account. The nature of Google Classroom is that students need their own Google account in order to participate. ...
- Parents can opt children out of account creation. ...
- Not a video solution. ...
- Doesn't communicate well with outsiders.
Cisco Webex is one of the most well-known Zoom alternatives, offering both standalone video meeting and phone system tools as well as an integrated calling, messaging, and meeting Webex App.
Why do most people use Zoom? ›Zoom also has the best video resolution of any video conferencing platform, though there are limitations. You get high-definition resolution with the free version and up to 1080p with paid accounts. The quality of the meeting is also related to the quality of your internet connection.
How many hours of Zoom is too much? ›However, both because of needing to leave adequate time to focus, as well as the realities of how much productive work can actually be accomplished in a day, we recommend no more than two to three hours each day spent in virtual (video) meetings, with at least a 15 minute break between each meeting.
Why does everyone use Zoom instead of Skype? ›Zoom offers far more robust business features than Skype and is the hands-down winner in the Zoom vs. Skype showdown. With Zoom, you can hold meetings with up to 1,000 people, while Skype limits you to 100 participants.
Is Google Meet accurate? ›Most of the time, Google Meet offers reliable performance, although it's not without its faults. Browser-freezing issues are somewhat common, and even with updates, users still have problems accessing and joining meetings.
Which virtual meeting platform is best? ›
- Zoom.
- Google Hangouts.
- Dialpad Meetings.
- TrueConf Online.
- Skype.
- FreeConference.
- Lifesize Go.
- Slack Video Calls.
From rolling out end-to-end encryption for all users to adding security features for hosts, you can be sure that Zoom is at least as secure as Google Meet, if not more secure, since Google Meet does not offer end-to-end encryption.
Which is the No 1 meeting app? ›If you value ubiquitousness and familiarity, then Zoom just might be the best meeting app. It is the most used app, by far, in the web conferencing software market, with Datanyze estimating Zoom takes a whopping 72.56% of the market share as of August 2021. And with its free plan, it comes at no cost to you.
Is there anything better than Zoom? ›Google Meet is the most well-known and widely used Zoom alternative. Meet was previously only available to paying G-suite customers, but the company added a free tier back in 2021. You can hold video calls with up to 250 participants, hold presentations and record meetings and save them to Drive.
Which is better Zoom or Webex or Google Meet? ›Google Meet: With 60 minutes of meeting duration, Google Meet is a step ahead of both Webex and Zoom's free plan. As for the other features, all three giants are offering pretty much the same services.
Is Google Meet still unlimited time? ›Anyone with a Google Account can create a video meeting, invite up to 100 participants, and meet for up to 60 minutes per meeting at no cost.