1. Skype
Skype is a completely free conference call solution as long as everyone is a Skype user. It’s ideal for both business and personal use and offers advanced features that many competitors, like Zoom, charge extra for. It’s best suited for users who already use and are comfortable with Microsoft products. Features:
Unlimited meeting timesCall recordingLive subtitlesAudio and HD video callingPrivate encrypted conversationsScreen sharingCross-platform availability (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Alexa, Xbox, Web)
Cons:
Limited to 100 participants at onceAll users must have a Skype account
Pricing:
Free for Skype usersPlans start at $3.59/month to call non-Skype phones and landlines (Choose monthly plans, credits, or your own Skype number.)
2. Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is one of the more generous free Zoom alternatives. While there is a premium version, the free version is perfect for most conference and group calls. The best part of all is that no one, not even the call host, needs an account to use the service. This makes Jitsi incredibly easy to use. Features:
No account neededEnd-to-end encryptionShare multiple screens at onceNo call time limitHD video callsRemote desktop accessAvailable on iOS, Android, and webOffers Slack, Google Calendar, and Office 365 integrations
Cons:
Calls are limited to 100 participantsNo call recording
Pricing:
Jitsi as a Service (which offers advanced options such as custom branding, up to 500 participants, and more) is free for up to 25 users and starts at $99/month for 300 users8×8 Meet (premium edition of Jitsi) starts at $25/month for call recording, calendar syncing, desktop versions, and more
3. Messenger Rooms
Despite Messenger Rooms being a Facebook product, participants (except the host) don’t need an account to join any free conference call. You’re free to enjoy calls for as long as you want. However, the app does recommend that you use the desktop version if you’re meeting with a larger group so you can see everyone easier. Features:
Unlimited call timeNo account needed for participantsCreate rooms from Messenger, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and any Portal deviceShare movies, music, shows, and moreAvailable on iOS, Android, web, and Windows (use any Facebook-owned app, not just the Messenger app, to create rooms)Apps aren’t needed for participants to join, just a browser window
Cons:
Only available for up to 50 participants at onceThe host must have a Facebook accountAnyone with the meeting link can join in
Pricing:
All free
4. RingCentral Video Pro
RingCentral Video Pro is one of the more professional free Zoom alternatives. You even get to enjoy virtual backgrounds, active speaker highlighting, and cloud recording. While some features are only available in the premium version, most users will find everything they need in the free version. RingCentralVideo Pro is different from RingCentral MVP, which includes a business phone system and has only paid plans. Features:
HD audio and videoMeetings can last up to 24 hoursRecord up to 10 hours to the cloud, with recordings saved for seven daysClosed captioningParticipants can join without downloading or signing up (via link, email invite, or dial-in)Screen and desktop sharingSet meeting passwordsHost two meetings at onceAvailable via web and Windows desktop
Cons:
Limited to 100 participants
Pricing:
The Pro version is freePro+ is $11.99/user/month and adds an extra 100 participants, recordings stored for one year, direct calling to phones (500 minutes per user), and business integrations such as Salesforce among other features
5. FreeConferenceCall
FreeConferenceCall aims to be the best of Zoom alternatives but without the price tag. However, monthly contributions are more than welcome to help support development. The free platform supports large free conference calls, chats, audio calls, and much more. It’s one of the most feature-rich Zoom alternatives with the fewest limitations. Features:
International audio callsAudio recording and transcriptsVideo conferencing for up to 1,000 participantsVideo recordingScreen sharing and remote desktopPresentation softwareBranded meeting roomsAvailable on the web, iOS, and Android
Cons:
Some features, such as using an 800 number for participants to dial in, require a premium upgrade (the features listed above are free)
Pricing:
Most features are free, though a suggested contribution of $4/month is appreciated (you can also enter a custom amount if you’d like to support the developers)Premium upgrades vary based on the feature and include a single number for US participants to use ($3.95/month), toll-free number ($0.02/user/minute), custom greeting ($2/month), custom hold music ($2/month), and extra storage ($3/month)A full premium option called Huddle is also available starting at $7/month/host
6. Lark
Lark is a set of business team tools that include video conferencing, messaging, docs, cloud storage, email, and more. However, it’s the video conferencing portion that does well as an alternative to Zoom. Of course, getting all the extras for free makes it an appealing option to business teams looking for productivity solutions on a tight budget. Features:
Unlimited call durationShare docs, calendar, and media within callsSchedule and join meetings from the calendar or emailsCollaborative video calls and chatsTranscription
Cons:
Limited to 350 video participants on both free and premiumNo weekend customer support
Pricing:
Free for most featuresEnterprise plan includes unlimited cloud storage, but you have to contact Lark for pricing
7. Butter
Butter is one of the more limited options on this list, but it’s ideal for one-on-one training and meetings. It does have a free conference calling option for larger groups. Where it really shines is in free integrations – it supports breakout rooms, polls, a music player, Google Drive, YouTube, etc. So, for more interactive calls, Butter may be the best overall option. Features:
All Butter’s tools (presentations, polls, breakouts, recaps, flashcards, session planner) and integrations for freeSet up two different roomsTruly unlimited one-on-one sessions (no time limits)Group meetingsAvailable for desktop (Windows and macOS) and mobile (iOS and Android)
Cons:
Group meetings limited to 60 minutes100 participant limit
Pricing:
Basic plan – FreePro ($25/month) – No time limits, unlimited cloud recording, 25 rooms, 100 participant limitLegendairy ($42/month) – Adds unlimited rooms and boosts participant limit to 200
8. Discord
While Discord might seem like one of the more unusual Zoom alternatives, any group can create their own community and host video calls either one-on-one or as a group. However, video conferencing on Discord is only for small groups. You can’t host large calls on here. It’s best for small training groups, meetings, or team chats. Features:
Create invite-only communities for your teamMultiple channels for users to chat and/or video chatUse voice calls at any time when someone’s status says they’re availableStart video calls at any time and for any durationCross-platform availability (available on web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux
Cons:
Up to 25 participants per video callNo HD video
Pricing:
Free for basic featuresUpgrade to Nitro for HD video and livestreaming for $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Additional Zoom Alternatives
If you don’t need long free conference calls, there are other alternatives you may prefer. All of these have limited call duration, so you’ll need to make sure your calls don’t run over or everyone will need to re-join a new meeting.
Google Meet – Free for 60 minutes and up to 100 participants. Starts at $7.99/month for 24 hour meetings.Microsoft Teams – Free for up to 60 minutes and 100 participants. Starts at $4/user/month for up to 30 hour meetings and 300 participants.Cisco Webex – Free for up to 50 minutes and 100 participants. Starts at $13.50/month for up to 24 hour meetings and 200 participants.Zoho Meeting – Free for up to 60 minutes and 100 participants. Starts at $10/host/month for 24 hour meetings and 100 participants.
Image credit: Surface via Unsplash Some services offer dial-in numbers to allow people to join just with their voice if they don’t have mobile data to join a video call.
