Google Meet

Google Meet

Price: $

The pandemic had businesses, organizations, and universities looking for the best video conferencing solution. Different organizations have different needs, and the market was certainly large enough for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet to have a share.

Google Meet is available for all browsers and as a mobile app. On Android, you can download the app for free and use it with no limitations except that it supports up to 100 participants. This makes Google a good guy since Microsoft and Zoom impose limitations on non-paying users. Google Workspace users have other benefits, but everyone can make use of Meet!

As soon as you open the app you have the option to create a new meeting or to join an existing one. You can join a meeting using the meeting nickname or code. Unfortunately, you can't simply paste the link in the text field for the meeting code. When creating a meeting, you can start it instantly, schedule it in Google Calendar, or get joining info to share.

Once inside the meeting, you get the standard controls to share the camera, audio, or your screen with other participants. There is also a built-in chat option where you can only send text messages, without option to share files or other media. The overall quality and dynamics of Google Meet are satisfying. Since the desktop version is browser-based, sharing animations and videos don't work as well as on Zoom.

You can easily switch Google accounts within the app, and you can minimize the app without leaving the meeting. There are no settings to tweak within the app, but it all contributes to the simplicity of mobile video conferencing. Google Meet integrates easily with Google Calendar, and you get instant links to share with the guests.

People who use Microsoft 365 will stick with Teams, and current Zoom users won't feel the need to switch. Also, Google Workspace users will stick with Meet, but it's a generally accepted solution due to its simplicity, quality, and light-weightiness.