The era of remote working and internet connectivity is upon us, and the communication tools are the talk of the global town. It seems as though the pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. But this is not quite so, is it? It triggered the biggest working experiment in the world – the remote one.
As the need for effective online communication has grown exponentially, recent years have shown how remote working can still be successfully managed through video conferencing and other remote working tools. These applications allow us to continue to collaborate with our colleagues face-to-face… digitally at least. They’ve come so far, that you wonder if we’ll ever need to go into the office again.
In this pool of apps, Google Meet vs Zoom emerges as one of the most pressing comparisons for organizations today. So, it’s only natural to get confused in deciding between the two for your organization. Therefore, I did a little digging and I’m here to provide you with some insights.
Oh, and by the way, keep in mind that there are always other options out there. If you think neither of these two apps is a good choice for your business, welcome to try Chanty. We created a team chat with video conferencing functionality, which I’m sure once you try it, you’ll never go back.
So, without further ado, let’s compare Google Meet and Zoom and see which one is better.
Background
Formerly known as Google Hangouts, Google decided to rebrand its communication service back in 2017 to Google Meet. Together with Google Chat, they form part of the standard G Suite, Google’s office suite.
The app was described as an enterprise-friendly version of Hangouts, suitable for the web, Android, and iOS. Initially, it supported 30 participants, but later on, that number increased up to 250 participants for the G Suite users. For the non-G users, it allows 100 participants.
The software is great not just for work-related workshops and calls, but also for a little get-together with some friends.
Let’s have a look at Zoom.
Zoom was launched a bit earlier, in 2013. By the time Google Meet was out, Zoom already made $1 billion making it a unicorn company. As a platform, Zoom is cloud-based and it can be used with all major devices and operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, etc.
When it reached its peak during the pandemic, with about 300 million daily users, it faced security issues for which it was widely criticized. Since then, it has gone above and beyond to make security changes and strengthen its privacy measures.
The user-friendly features that Zoom offers made it a popular video conferencing app among everyone.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Getting started
Now, both apps offer a simple way to connect and even the least tech-savvy person I know can join.
Anyway, Google Meet is quite easy to use, which is why we love it. If you have a G Suite account, you can just use your credentials and you are in. If you are not a G Suite user, then log in to your Gmail account and that’s it. However, you need to have a Google Workplace account for a business.
Once you sign in and create the meeting, you’ll get a meeting link, code, dial-in number, and a PIN. Share the details with whoever you want to join the meeting. They can just click the meeting link, enter the code to join, or dial the number and enter the PIN. It’s that simple!
Zoom too. All you need is to download the Zoom installer and start the application. If you want to create a meeting, go to the sign-in option on the installer screen, or if you are invited to a call you can just directly click the link and join the meeting.
Anyone can join in with a single link and you don’t need to create an account. It’s perfect for a last-minute video call between individuals across companies.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Video recording
The recording on a Google Meet call includes the active speaker and anything that is presented. The recording is saved on the organizer’s Meet Recordings folder in My Drive.
Once the recording is done, you’ll get an email with the link, and that same link is added to the Calendar event. For users on a subscription plan, the meetings can be automatically saved.
The recording in Google Meet is currently limited to the desktop client version of the platform.
Video call recording in Google Meet
Cloud recording is automatically enabled for Zoom users, that is if you have the paid plan. The recording covers the video, chat, and transcript of the audio.
Zoom lets you record calls whether you’re a free user or a paid user. However, if you’re a free user, you’ll only be able to save recordings to your computer.
If you want to save recordings to the cloud, you’ll need to be on one of the company’s paid offerings.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Messaging
In terms of messaging, Google Meet enables you to do so during the calls, but once they are over, so is the history of that chat. Also, you cannot see the messages sent by others before you joined the call. The only way you can save messages is when you record your own video calls.
Zoom offers two types of messaging. You can share messages with everyone, or send direct messages to individual participants which is quite handy when you need to say something private during the call. Unfortunately, this feature is not available on Google Meet.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Participants limit
As a platform, Zoom supports up to 1000 participants unlike Google Meet that supports “only” 250 participants. However, you can host a large, live stream event. In that case, the maximum number of live-stream viewers depends on your Google Workspace edition. Both platforms allow you to see 49 videos on screen without disrupting the video quality.
Google Meet vs Zoom: File sharing
When you schedule a call on Google Meet, you are able to attach all sorts of files (PDFs, video files etc.) prior to that call. This means that everyone on that meeting will get an automatic access to those files. Additionally, you can share documents, presentations, spreadsheets, etc. during the call itself.
Regarding Zoom, file transfer enables you to send files to other participants during the meeting or webinar through the chat. Files can be specifically sent to all participants, directly to one participant, or specific predefined groups.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Screen sharing
Screen sharing is quite similar for both apps. Google Meet has a button called Present Now that enables you to share the entire screen, a window or a tab. However, if you are using Safari, you are only able to share your entire screen.
Zoom lets you choose what to share too and stops us from revealing anything embarrassing.
The difference between the two is that Zoom allows screen sharing by multiple people at the same time, while Google Meet allows only sharing by one person.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Integrations
Regarding integrations with other apps, Google Meet is fully integrated with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive, as well as the Microsoft 365 apps, such as Outlook. This means you can access your meetings directly from your calendar, even if that calendar is not Google calendar.
In addition to Google Workspace apps, it connects to Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Dropbox for file sharing, while Zapier allows users to connect Zoom to over 3,000 apps for additional functionality. Recent updates have introduced additional AI-driven productivity features to the Zoom platform. Not bad.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Security
When comparing Google Meet and Zoom as top choices for online meeting platforms, security remains a critical factor for businesses. Google Meet includes several robust security features, including encryption in transit and at rest, data loss prevention (DLP) for Google Drive storage, Advanced Protection Programme enrolment, and two-factor authentication (2FA). These measures are essential to securing your meetings and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Zoom has significantly improved its security protocols in response to previous vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic. It now offers advanced privacy measures such as AES 256-bit GCM encryption to protect your calls from eavesdroppers and hackers. In addition, Zoom offers features such as the ability to lock meetings, remove disruptive participants, and suspend participant activity, making it a strong contender in the video conferencing tool space.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Extra features
When it comes to general features, both platforms offer similar basic features, such as presentation modes for screen sharing, support for up to 720p HD video, and call encryption.
Google Meet has done some major improvements in the last few months and included some features that were previously reserved for Zoom. It finally has breakout rooms, polls, background filters, tiled gallery layout for larger calls, and whiteboards.
An interesting feature in Google Meet is the direct transcript option which can be used once the speaker starts talking. However, the feature is still in development, so it’s not smooth sailing.
Zoom also continues to innovate by allowing users to access diagnostic information during meetings to troubleshoot audio, video, or network connectivity issues. This feature is useful for attendees who want to troubleshoot without the need for IT support. To use this diagnostic tool, you simply need to have the Zoom Desktop client installed.
The only thing you need to do if you want to use this function is to have a Zoom Desktop client which is a downloadable application used to participate in Zoom calls.
Google Meet vs Zoom: Pricing
Both Google Meet and Zoom have similar pricing plans. But Zoom is a bit pricier.
Google Meet has four pricing plans to suit different team sizes and budgets:
- Free: Up to 60-minute meetings for 100 participants.
- Business Starter ($6/user/month): Meetings for 100 participants, with 30 GB cloud storage per user.
- Business Standard ($12/user/month): Meetings for 150 participants, 2 TB storage, and meeting recording.
- Business Plus ($18/user/month): Meetings for 250 participants, 5 TB storage, and attendance tracking.
- Enterprise (Custom Pricing): For large-scale needs, with advanced security and compliance.
Zoom offers a variety of plans, starting with the Basic one which is free and gives you a chance to host meetings with up to 100 participants for 40 minutes.
The Pro plan is $149.90 per year and it’s suitable for small teams. It has the same features as the Basic plan, but instead of 40 minutes per meeting, it offers 30 hours, social streaming, and 1GB of cloud recording.
If you have a small or medium business, you’ll benefit from the Business plan which is $199.90 per year, or the Zoom United Business which is $350 per year.
The Verdict
Needless to say, we are comparing some of the best video conferencing tools out there. Both Google Meet and Zoom have similar features that can facilitate video conferencing for your organization. When it comes to Google Meet vs. Zoom, each platform offers unique benefits tailored to different needs. If your organization uses other Google products or has members who prefer dial-in options to join meetings, you should try Google Meet.
However, if your business has more than 250 people who should join the calls, or you need conference room support or whiteboards, then Zoom is the right choice for you. When researching online meeting platforms, consider participant limits and built-in tools that can enhance collaboration. You can’t go wrong with either option, whichever platform you choose.
Having the right video conferencing tool isn’t going to make you a communication wizz. To achieve that, you’ll also need dedicated collaboration software. From video calls to managing your projects, Chanty can handle whatever challenge you throw its way.
Feel free to try it out and let us know your thoughts.
This article was initially written in April 2021.
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