The paid plan goes for $8 per month per active user for Google Workspace Essentials, while the Enterprise plan has custom pricing.Ĭompared to Skype: Google Meet is a solid contender if you’re mainly in the market for a secure video chat or audio call software. Integration with Gmail, other popular Google apps, and even Microsoft Office.Supported platforms: macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and Google Nest Hub Max Default encryption in transit and anti-abuse features including anti-hijacking.Video and audio preview so you can double-check your mic “just in case” and get that green thing out of your teeth before joining the meeting.Real-time closed captioning during meetings.Meeting controls for hosts, including pin, mute, and remove participants.It also has pretty neat features like background blurring, amongst the usual stuff like screen-sharing and chat.īest suited for: Anyone who already uses Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) Just create a meeting, share the link, and voila! You can even host up to 100 participants, which is likely way more than you’ll ever need. The even better part? It’s extremely easy to set up and run. The cool part? It integrates with Gmail’s web app, allowing you to start a meeting directly from your inbox. It was initially only available for G Suite customers, but it’s now free for all users. Unlike many of Google’s free tools that are left to collect digital debris before being discarded into the dustbin of history (RIP Google+), Google Meet is actually good. Google Meet is Google’s direct answer to Skype, Zoom, and other online meeting solutions. Here are the top players we’ve identified: 1. The 11 best Skype alternativesĪs in all categories, big players have emerged and dominated the market (like Zoom), and legacy brands are moving in for a slice of the pie as the demand for calling solutions grows.

But Skype doesn’t fit every use case, and many people are on the hunt for alternative communication tools that work better for them. Over 40 million people use it daily, with the number of users likely surging due to the pandemic. The ability to call phone numbers (mobile and landline).But to give you a little refresher, here’s what Skype offers: We’ve all heard of Skype in some capacity (or even remember its iconic calling sound).

Skype online video call free