Navigating the ever-growing landscape of video conferencing apps can be daunting. To help you make an informed decision, we'll offer a concise overview of some leading platforms, highlighting their core functionalities and potential drawbacks.

Microsoft Teams

Teams has deep integration with other Microsoft tools, with collaborative features like shared workspaces and real-time note-taking, ideal for large teams and complex projects. Whilst it’s perfect for larger organisations, it can feel overwhelming for casual use, and its learning curve steeper than some options.

Skype

Skype has a familiar and user-friendly interface. It also features a free basic plan for personal use, which is good for one-on-one calls and small group meetings. Ultimately, Skype’s feature set is limited compared to newer platforms, and can suffer performance issues in larger meetings.

Cisco Webex

Webex is a platform with robust security features, end-to-end encryption, data governance, suitable for handling sensitive information. Nowadays however, its interface can feel dated, and it might have a steeper learning curve for some users. Lastly, paid plans are required for more advanced features.

Slack

Slack boasts a playful and intuitive interface, along with great integration with popular productivity tools, and informal video calls within the existing chat environment. Where it suffers is its limited feature set for large meetings, and that it’s not designed for formal presentations or webinars.

Zoom

Popularised during the pandemic, Zoom offers great ease of use, one-click meeting starts, clear video and audio quality, and breakout room functionality for interactive sessions. Some downsides might include its past security concerns, and that the free plan has limitations, meaning paid plans are needed for larger meetings and recording features.

Google Meet

Google Meet has a simple and accessible interface, with seamless integration with Gmail and Calendar, and features like live captions and screen reader support for inclusivity. However, compared to some competitors its feature set is somewhat restricted for things like meeting controls and customization options.

Choosing the right video conferencing app depends on your specific needs and priorities. Consider factors like security, collaboration features, user-friendliness, and budget. This comparison is a starting point for your exploration, and remember, the best app is the one that facilitates effective and productive virtual meetings for your team.