How to Choose the Best Conference Call Service for Your Business
With remote and hybrid work models becoming the norm, the ability to host online meetings and conference calls is essential for keeping teams connected. However, with so many conference call service providers on the market, deciding which one is the best fit can feel overwhelming. This guide will explore the top options and help you select the right conference call service based on your business needs.
What To Look For in a Conference Call Provider
Before comparing specific providers, it's important to identify your must-have features and priorities. Things to consider include:
- Audio Quality - Will calls be mainly voice-only or include video? Quality is crucial for effective communication.
- Capacity - How many callers do you need to support at once? Look for services that can accommodate your typical and maximum participant counts.
- Features - Do you need recording, screen sharing, transcription, breakout rooms, or other advanced features?
- Reliability - Conferencing software should be intuitive to use but also very stable without the risk of dropped calls.
- Pricing - Compare costs of audio-only vs. video options as well as prices per host/minute or per-participant plans.
- Device Compatibility - Consider support for desktop, mobile, and conference room equipment.
With so many work styles evolving, finding a flexible, feature-rich provider is key to keeping projects moving seamlessly.
Top Conference Call Services Reviewed
Zoom
A clear leader, Zoom offers exceptional video and audio quality for calls of any size. Its robust features like screen sharing, remote control and closed captioning make collaboration easy. Zoom also has strong security protocols in place.
Pricing begins at $15/host per month and scales based on features utilized. Additional users and cloud recording incur additional fees. Zoom works across all major platforms and devices.
Microsoft Teams
As part of the Microsoft 365 suite, Teams blends chat, video calls, and file sharing into an all-in-one collaboration solution. It provides crystal clear audio quality as well as video for larger conferences.
Teams cost $6/user per month but less for enterprise customers. Features like screen sharing and 1TB of cloud storage are included. Breakout sessions and live captions enhance meeting dynamics.
GoToMeeting
LogMeIn's GoToMeeting offers strong reliability and user-friendly features like customizable lobby screens and attendee report-outs following calls. Audio and HD video quality is reliable for calls of all sizes.
Pricing starts at $12/host per month and scales up based on added functionality like cloud recording and brandable meeting joins. The service integrates well with G Suite and Office 365.
RingCentral
In addition to its full-featured online meetings, RingCentral helps digitalize business phone lines by offering voice, fax, and SMS capabilities alongside video meetings. Both desktop and mobile apps provide a seamless experience.
RingCentral has competitive entry-level pricing beginning around $20–30 per user per month. Unified communications solutions make it ideal for replacing existing office phone systems with an all-in-one solution.
WebEx
An established name in the industry, Cisco WebEx video meetings bring consistent audio and secure HD video for as many as 3,000+ attendees. Integrations with Office 365, G Suite, and Salesforce enhance functionality.
WebEx's capabilities like polling, virtual whiteboards, and session recordings make it very conducive to training events and presentations. Full-featured plans start around $33 per host per month.
Other Top Providers
Google Meet is a solid free option within G Suite providing crystal clear video and seamless integration. For larger conferences, upgraded Google Enterprise accounts start at $25 per user per month.
Lifesize offers advanced features like immersive virtual backgrounds and real-time transcription target high-end video collaboration. Entry-level plans begin at $15 per host per month while additional fees apply depending on needs like cloud recording.
Chooser offers strong web conferencing capabilities with up to 50 sites per conference. Its free basic plan is sufficient for smaller calls, while premium pricing begins at around $15 per simultaneous connection.
Choosing the Ideal Service
Ultimately, the right conference call provider depends on your unique business needs and budget. Evaluate priorities like features required, call sizes supported, and device compatibility. Consider integrated solutions like RingCentral or WebEx offering additional communications capabilities beyond meetings alone. With options ranging from free like Google Meet to enterprise-grade offerings, assessing priorities will lead you to the best virtual meeting service.