Microsoft Teams is a video conferencing solution that creates a shared workspace by combining chat, meetings, file sharing and business apps. Microsoft Teams works for every kind of business or organization, with features such as:
- Online Meetings — Host web conferences, teleconferences and video meetings. Make use of features like scheduling assistance, note taking, desktop sharing, file uploading and chat messaging.
- Live Broadcasts — Go live with Microsoft Teams live events to reach a wide audience. Host all-hands meetings, webinars and one-to-many presentations with up to 10,000 attendees, internal or external to your organization.
- Meeting Spaces — Join all your meeting spaces in a single touch with Microsoft Teams Rooms from our partners Logitech, Crestron, Polycom, Lenovo, HP and Yealink.
- Cloud Video Interoperability — Seamlessly connect H.323 compatible video conferencing devices to Microsoft Teams meetings with BlueJeans, Pexip and Polycom.
- Audio Conferencing — Join meetings from a phone or use Microsoft Teams to dial anyone directly. Meetings include a dial-in number spanning cities globally, making it easier for mobile users and those without a reliable internet connection.
Microsoft Teams is free to download, with limited functionality but no commitments. For a more robust experience, Teams is available as part of Office 365 Business Premium for $12.50 per user, per month, or Office 365 Enterprise E3 for $20 per user, per month, which unlocks the full range of features.
Zoom
Zoom is a sleek, simple, award-winning platform for webinars, video conferencing and telecommuting. Zoom offers next-generation quality and value beginning with its free-to-use entry point. Unlimited one-on-one video meetings and larger conferences for up to 100 participants over 40-minute spans are as simple as creating an account. Host and join a meeting by visiting Zoom.us or create and join Zoom events via their mobile app.
Zoom is ready to integrate with a variety of productivity apps, including but not limited to, Zendesk, Slack and Google Calendar.
With three paid tiers ranging from $14.99 to $19.99 per host, per month, Zoom users can upgrade their experience as their conferencing needs grow. Paid Pro features include: meeting durations up to 24 hours, customized meeting IDs, REST API, up to 1 GB of cloud recording and a suite of a la carte add-ons. With the Business and Enterprise plans, Zoom clients get onsite deployment, vanity URLs, managed domains and cloud recording transcripts.
Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex sets the industry standard in security. This robust video collaboration software for online training, webinars, and remote support features transport layer security, third-party accreditations, encryption, firewall compatibility, single sign-on and secure scheduling options.
Webex’s full suite of features includes markup tools, whiteboards, phone call-in or VoIP, and application and screen sharing. Users also enjoy seamless integration with Outlook and full functionality across Mac and Windows desktops as well as mobile operating systems.
The free version of Cisco Webex is limiting, only allowing two participants in meetings. Paid Webex plans range from $13.50-$26.95 per host, per month, with plans that incorporate from 50-200 participants and up to 100 host licenses.
AnyMeeting
Intermedia’s AnyMeeting splits its platform between webinars and conferences.
Choose webinars to grow your business’ reach and share expertise. Broadcast your information to large marketing audiences or train and inform colleagues and coworkers in remote locations. Webinars lets you collect audience data and follow up to optimize campaign effectiveness.
To boost productivity and foster collaboration between individuals or teams, choose AnyMeetings Conferencing. Conduct collaborative sessions and sales presentations with clients and prospects, or between team members.
Because there are two platforms, pricing structures vary but both offer a 30-day free trial. Webinar ranges from $48-$298 per host, per month, and accommodates between 50 and 1000 users. Conferencing is $12.99 per month after the trial.
join.me
join.me from LogMeIn is free to use, with paid upgrades for increased flexibility and additional features. Just send a link and participants are one click away from joining. join.me’s reliable streaming, secured connection and high-quality audio consistently provides a secured connection.
join.me allows customized meeting links, so attendees see your branding before the conference starts.
From free basic screen sharing to the paid Pro tier — offering 1TB of cloud storage, Salesforce integration and meetings up to 250 participants — join.me is scalable as your business grows. Paid plans range from $10 to $30 per month, per user.
GoToWebinar
This webinar-designed software — also from LogMeIn — can also be used for teleconferencing. It provides a rich, flexible interface with a quick, user-friendly setup, all supported by the developers via video tutorials. The Record Conference and Follow Up functions offer users the opportunity to watch an on-demand broadcast of the conference later and provide feedback to the hosts.
GoToWebinar can be used to extend engagement with your target audience, offer training via audio and online conferencing and conduct virtual meetings. GoToWebinar is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Pricing unlocks after a free 7-day trial, with flexible paid options ranging from $89 to $429 monthly to accommodate up to 2000 participants.
These are only a few of the options available if you’re looking for an alternative to Microsoft Teams. Let DGI help you choose the best video conferencing platform for your business.
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