WyzGuys Tech Talk

In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that everything we used to do in-person in large groups has moved to online video conferences.  Public and private schools, colleges and universities, other training and educational organizations are delivering instruction using software and the Internet.  All business meetings have moved online as well.  Even family gatherings are happening using phone apps, tablets and laptops.

Many people are trying to figure out which conferencing tool works best for their particular situation.  I have taken a look at the most popular applications, and given them a bit of a ranking based on my own personal experiences.

Best Video Conferencing For Business

1. Zoom – Free plan, Pro plan is $14.99 per month.  I have been using Zoom four times a week for the last 16 weeks as a platform for teaching a cybersecurity class online.  The feature set is complete, offering screen sharing, recording, white boards, multiple hosts or panelists, password protection, and registration features.  After a rocky start this year over cybersecurity issues, Zoom has fixed its shortcomings and is my preferred platform.
2. GoToMeeting – $12.00 per month.  A long-time competitor in this space, they offer experience and easy of use, and a very complete feature set.
3. WebEx – Now owned by Cisco, so it helps if your company is already a Cisco customer.  Fully developed feature set.
4. Join.me – Easy to use video conferencing.  I have used this a few times, and it worked fine.
5. Slack – popular business chat, messaging, and collaboration app has added video features.  I  am on Slack, but I have no idea why it is so popular.  I find it almost impossible to find the feed I want, and then finding anything on that feed that matters to me.  My last option for video conferencing, and only  would use it as a participant, not an organizer.  Just don’t get it.  Your experience is probably better than mine.
6. Worthy Contenders – I do not have personal experience with these apps, but they were recommended by PC Mag.
   • Ring Central – $14.99/moth.  Best for internal conferencing and collaboration.
   • AnyMeeting – This app is free during 2020, and good for SMB desktop video conferencing.
   • Zoho Meeting – Video conferencing, but missing some key features such as white boarding and recording.
   • Click Meeting– $25 per month.  Adequate and competent video conference capabilities.
   • BlueJeans – $10 per month.  Collaboration focus.

Business Conference Apps to Avoid

1. Microsoft Teams – Free with Office 365.  A buggy mess.  Works well enough inside your own Microsoft Windows Domain and AD environment.  Inviting outsiders is problematic, and doubly so if your guests have their own Office365 and Microsoft ID.  Internal use only.
2. Google Hangouts Meet – $12/user.  I’ve used Hangouts in the past, but not recently.  I found it hard to schedule meetings in advance, and had some issues the the meeting controls dashboard.  Based on my research, things have not improved, and they now have two products, one for business and one for personal use.
3. Skype – Evidently all the application development effort at Microsoft is going into Teams.  Skype is dated and not terribly useful.

Personal Conferencing Apps

Any of the business apps can work for family meetings, but for many family members who are not familiar with business grade apps, they can be confusing to use.  And by the way, Auntie Myrtle, your computer needs speakers, a microphone, and a camera to join any of these meeting online.  Auntie M can join by phone, if the conferencing suite allows. Something to consider for your technically challenged friends and family.  Also, everyone needs to install the same app, which can lead to family arguments.

1. Facebook Messenger – The times I have used this with family, it has worked adequately, and we did get to see everyone’s face, which was nice.
2. Duo – This app for Amdroid worked well the one time I used it.
3. Houseparty – I do not have personal experience, but I have heard good things.
4. Facetime – Great, if everyone is using something from Apple.  For me, this makes it a non-starter.
5. Google Hangouts Chat – Some people may find this harder to use.

More information:

• Owl Labs – Best Video Meeting Apps
• PC Mag – Best Video Conferencing 2020
• Wired – Best Video Conference Apps