The best video conferencing software of 2025: I tested the best solutions for remote work, productivity, and high-quality streams
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Video conferencing software has become extremely popular thanks to remote and hybrid work. You no longer need to visit clients or colleagues in person. Now, you can hop into a quick meeting using your PC or mobile device, which can be far more productive and convenient, especially if participants are in different time zones.
Video conferencing software comes in many forms and flavors like small bolt-ons to productivity suites, standalone solutions, online-only services, and mobile apps. It can be difficult to find the right solution, but the main factors you should consider are how often you will need to use it, how many seats, or licenses, you will need to support, and whether you need collaborative tools.
What is the best video conferencing software right now?
The best video conferencing software solution right now is Zoom. The service became a household name during the pandemic and is now one of the most popular video conferencing solutions worldwide. Zoom boasts a user-friendly platform, breakrooms, virtual backgrounds, and collaborative tools for a reasonable price. Zoom's basic plan is free, or paid subscriptions start at $13.33 per user per month.
Alternatively, you could consider Microsoft Teams if you are using productivity tools and platforms in Microsoft's ecosystem. Business plans are available from $4 per seat per month.
Also: Google Meet now automatically centers you - and it's kind of freaky
ZDNET's team has used video conferencing tools for as long as they have been around. To cut through the noise, I have extensively researched, tested, and examined customer feedback while compiling my guide on the best options.
Read on to explore my top choices for the best video conferencing software of 2025.
The best video conferencing software of 2025
Zoom gained a huge following in 2020 and is still one of the top performers in video conferencing software.
Why we like it: Zoom provides almost everything you want in an end-to-end encrypted HD video conference platform. You can join from a dedicated desktop suite, mobile app, or web browser. Breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, collaborative whiteboards, screen sharing, video recording, messaging, and even an artificial intelligence companion are all available to enhance productivity.
Amid Zoom's explosion in popularity during the pandemic, it also came under fire for security issues, but the service now regularly performs security updates and has also implemented role-based controls. There is also a public bug bounty.
Also: The complete Zoom guide: From basic help to advanced tips and tricks
Zoom still offers a free version, but it comes with a caveat -- free users are limited to 40-minute meetings.
Who it's for: I've been using Zoom consistently throughout the years. I can see why so many customers are pleased with it, considering how user-friendly it is and the wide range of tools and features it offers.
Outside of free connections and use, Zoom offers a range of individual and paid plans and many bolt-ons and additional services. An individual plan allows you to host up to 100 participants, starting at $13.33 per month per user. Zoom's Business plan, priced at $18.32 per month per seat for 10 users minimum, can support up to 300 -- with more capacity on offer if you add the Large Meeting bolt-on.
Who should look elsewhere: Zoom, either free or paid, will suit most use cases. But there might be a subset of users in small businesses who want more than the free solution but can't quite make the leap to the first paid plan. If that's the case, one of my other recommendations might interest you.
Zoom features: High-capacity meetings | Collaborative tools | Interactive whiteboards | Messaging | AI | Paid plans available | Free version | Bolt-ons available
Microsoft Teams, tech giant Microsoft's video conferencing software, is another popular option for businesses -- large or small -- around the globe.
Why we like it: Countless companies use Teams to connect their employees and to communicate with clients. The Teams video conferencing software is generally very stable and provides clear audio and visuals.
Although standalone signups are available, I would consider this more of a Microsoft 365 productivity suite feature than a dedicated, standalone product. It's probably worth looking at the full 365 package rather than just Teams for the best value.
Microsoft has now added its AI CoPilot assistant functionality to the Teams platform. Beyond AI it offers standard subscriptions with meetings with up to 300 participants, guest access, breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, AI notetaking, recordings, live captions, and cloud storage. You can also explore Microsoft Teams Phone, a VoIP solution connected to Teams meetings.
Microsoft 365 Personal, the service's individual plan, starts at $10 per month. Companies will want to explore Microsoft's business plans, starting at $4 per user per month, billed annually, or $4.80 per user per month, billed monthly.
Free accounts cap meetings at 100 participants. Microsoft recently announced plans to shut down its video call app Skype and focus on its free Teams plan.
Who it's for: Anyone looking for a limited, free video conferencing solution or business users familiar with Microsoft products.
Who should look elsewhere: Many customers are happy with the service, but some said they have experienced occasional technical issues and unexpected crashes. If you aren't using Microsoft apps, you might prefer the flexibility of Zoom.
Microsoft Teams features: Up to 300 participants | Messaging | Breakout rooms | Virtual backgrounds | AI-generated meeting notes | CoPilot | Free or paid plans
If you need a video conferencing solution for short, casual meetings and you like Google's ecosystem, you should explore Google Meet.
Why we like it: Google Meet prizes simplicity above all else -- receive an invitation, open the link in your browser, check your mic and camera, and away you go. If you're already using Google Workspace tools, adopting Meet makes sense.
Recent upgrades include AI-backed "next step" prompts and improvements to Google's live captioning feature.
Also: Google Meet's AI action items and caption history just changed the meeting game
It's important to note that this web-based option is the most compatible with the Google Chrome browser. Google account holders can invite up to 100 participants and hold one-hour meetings for free.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants an easy, occasional video conferencing solution. For example, it might suit emerging business owners who need a platform for short occasional meetings, or someone who wants to affordably explore AI in the video conferencing space.
You can use Google Meet for free, and Workspace plans start at $7 per seat per month. If you need to host meetings with up to 150 participants, you will need to consider signing up for the Business Standard plan, priced at $14 per seat per month. On both of these plans, you will pay half price for the first three months.
Who should look elsewhere: Customer reviews indicate that Google Meet is a great option for ad-hoc and smaller meetings, and as a semi-frequent user, I agree. However, I would still potentially opt for Zoom or Teams in a frequent business setting.
Google Meet features: 150+ participants (100 free) | Video recording | AI | Transcription | Live streaming | Google Workspace integration | Breakout rooms | Free or paid options
Cisco's WebEx video conferencing software is a solution that enterprise users should consider.
Why we like it: Years ago, I would have to stifle a groan whenever a client scheduled a meeting using Cisco WebEx software. It was buggy, clunky, and downright unpleasant to use. Times have changed and so has Cisco's approach to web conferencing. It's now a solid recommendation for large businesses.
Cisco WebEx is now an excellent video conferencing option suitable for enterprise use. There is a plethora of advanced features including messaging, AI assistance, local and cloud recording, collaboration tools, calendar integration, interactive whiteboards, and live polling, of which many customers appreciate.
Who it's for: Enterprise users. Meetings are unlimited, and you have almost every feature a business today would want in a video conferencing solution. You can also add WebEx calls for domestic and international conference calling.
Pricing for businesses begins at $12 per seat per month, or $144 per user annually. Custom enterprise plans are also available.
Who should look elsewhere: You can use WebEx for free, with up to 100 attendees in 40-minute meetings, although if you want a free solution, I'd opt for Zoom as a more well-known, consumer-friendly option.
Cisco WebEx features: 100 - 1,000+ attendees | Local and cloud recording | Collaboration tools | Screen sharing and annotation | Noise cancelation | AI | Virtual backgrounds | Free and paid plans
GoTo Meeting is my top pick for productivity, considering how much customers appreciate its work tools.
Why we like it: If you're on the hunt for a video conferencing software solution with intuitive notetaking and presentation tools, GoTo Meeting might suit you more than other platforms.
This option works well on browsers, mobile phones, or through your desktop PC, positioning itself as a solution for remote and hybrid workers. You can easily share your screen and take notes, as well as discuss and annotate presentations. Transcriptions and cloud storage are also available.
A helpful Commuter Mode also reduces bandwidth if you need to attend a meeting on the road.
Who it's for: Users who need a solid, secure video conferencing solution with a focus on user collaboration. You'll enjoy the breakout rooms, screen, mouse, and keyboard sharing, and, in particular, GoTo Meeting drawing tools.
Free accounts are limited to meetings with 100 participants. Professional plans start at $12 per user per month.
Who should look elsewhere: While many users report that GoTo Meeting is a solid option for basic meetings and calls, others have complained of poor customer support, so I would potentially consider another solution if rapid-dial assistance is important to you.
GoTo Meeting features: 100 - 250+ participants | Collaborative tools | Calendar integration | Screen sharing | Note taking | Free and paid plans
What is the best video conferencing software?
To help you decide on the video conferencing software solution that suits your needs the most, consider the following factors:
Best video conferencing software | Price | Seats | Noteworthy features |
Zoom | Free or $13.33+ per month | 100 - 300+ | AI, HD calls, whiteboards, screen sharing, breakout rooms |
Microsoft Teams | Free or $4+ per month | 100 - 300+ | HD calls, interactive tools, AI note taking, breakout rooms |
Google Meet | Free or $7+ per month | 100 - 150+ | Minimalistic user interface, video and audio calls, noise cancelation, breakout rooms, AI |
Cisco WebEx | Free or $12+ per month | 100 - 1,000+ | AI, noise cancelation, enterprise security, local and cloud recording |
GoTo Meeting | Free or $12+ per month | 100 - 250+ | Presentation tools, note taking, Commuter mode, multi-platform compatibility |
Which is the right video conferencing software for you?
Choose this video conferencing software.. | If you want.. |
Zoom | The best video conferencing software overall. Zoom has exploded in popularity in recent years and provides a solid, intuitive platform for productive meetings of any size. |
Microsoft Teams | Video conferencing software for use with Microsoft Office apps. Teams does have its flaws, but it remains a popular option for organizations worldwide that use Office apps. |
Google Meet | A free or minimalist solution for occasional use. Google Meet provides a generous 60-minute time limit for free meetings and scalable options for businesses in the Google ecosystem. |
Cisco WebEx | An enterprise-grade video conferencing suite. Cisco WebEx offers an excellent array of tools for large-scale meetings and webinars, and robust security to boot. |
GoTo Meeting | A meeting platform for hybrid and remote workers to collaborate. GoTo Meeting provides impressive note taking and presentation apps, enhancing meeting productivity. |
How did I choose the best video conferencing software of 2025?
When I evaluated the best video conferencing software of 2025, I focused on the following factors:
- Functions: I want to see a variety of functions and features in my video conferencing solution recommendations. Encryption, collaboration tools, screen sharing, chat, recording, breakout rooms, and transcription are all features I consider valuable to users.
- Platforms: I have included video conferencing software suitable for a range of platforms. This includes the Windows and macOS operating systems, mobile devices, and access through browsers.
- Scalability: As your business expands, you may need to scale up, which could mean your video conferencing software needs to handle more. I included services with growth plan options, including subscriptions that gradually increase seat, or license, numbers.
- Security: Just as Zoom found during the pandemic with its spate of meeting intrusions that prompted rapid updates and improvements, video conferencing solution providers must maintain an adequate security posture, push updates, and patch vulnerabilities to keep their customers safe. Security is a key aspect of my evaluations.
- Cost: I have endeavored to include solutions suitable for a range of budgets. Whether you need a free option for casual use, a video conferencing solution for small businesses, or something scalable, you'll find the right software on my list.
Video conferencing software FAQs
What is the most used video conferencing platform?
Zoom, followed by Microsoft Teams, are the most popular video conferencing platforms. Zoom surged in popularity during the pandemic and both solutions provide an excellent suite of communication and collaboration tools for modern businesses.
What tools do I need to use video conferencing software?
First and foremost, you need a stable and reliable internet connection, whether you choose broadband or cellular. You will also need a PC and a monitor, but you can also connect on a smartphone or tablet. A microphone and camera are also necessary if you plan to participate. These may be built-in depending on your device.
Many video conferencing software providers allow you to join meetings through their dedicated software, and you'll need to download the app. Alternatively, you may be able to participate through a browser session.
Is Zoom free to use?
Yes, but it is limited. Zoom's basic plan restricts you to 40-minute meetings, basic video capacity, limited whiteboards, and a maximum of 10 documents shared. It's still enough for most, but if your meeting goes over the time limit, you'll have to restart it.
Is Slack an online meeting platform?
Slack is an excellent platform, but its primary function is written communication and documentation. Slack has a feature called "Huddles" which allows team members to hop on quick audio or video calls through the app. Huddles is convenient but lacks the advanced features of dedicated video conferencing services.
Are there alternative video conferencing software solutions worth considering?
If the solutions above aren't quite what you're looking for, some excellent options are available below.
Latest updates
- In ZDNET's May update, we performed substantial copy changes. We also removed Skype as a recommendation, as Microsoft intends to shut down the legacy platform.