Skype for Business Alternatives
| Zoom | join.me | ezTalks | StarLeaf | BlueJeans | |
| Cost | Free – $19.99+ per host, per mo. | Free – $30+ per host, per mo. | Free – $50+ per host, per mo. | Available only by request | $12.49 – $16.65 per host, per mo. |
| Participants | Up to 100, depending on plan | Up to 250, depending on plan | Up to 300, depending on plan | Available only by request | Up to 150, depending on plan |
| Features | Integration with productivity apps, cloud recording, HD video and voice, screen sharing, whiteboarding | Screen sharing, custom meeting links, high-quality audio | HD video, screen sharing, private chats, whiteboarding | Bidirectional screen sharing, robust admin dashboard, custom conferencing experiences | Dolby Voice, HD video |
If you’re a Windows user or have been using video conferencing software for more than a decade, you’re probably familiar with Skype. And while the platform is popular, it’s not necessarily for everyone which brings a need for Skype for Business alternatives — especially with the information that Microsoft will be retiring Skype for Business, requiring users to find a new solution.
Skype for Business Overview
This well-known Microsoft product comes loaded with the Windows operating system and is available as an iOS and Android app, and as a desktop app for Mac users. Skype is fairly robust in its free form, allowing professionals and laypeople access to group chats, conference calls and remote video meetings with relative ease.
If your business is just getting off the ground or if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option to communicate remotely, Skype has got you covered — but it’s not without its drawbacks. There’s every likelihood your colleagues also use Skype for personal communications and might experience interruptions or distractions from their social contacts at work since the casual chat-friendly interface isn’t really built with business in mind.
Professional video conferencing software doesn’t have to mean stuffy, boring or difficult to use. Let’s take a look at a few Skype for Business alternatives to find the best video conferencing platform for your business.
1. Zoom
Zoom is a popular choice for video conferences, demonstrations, online courses, training and webinars. This free-to-join service plan allows unlimited one-on-one conferences, endless group meetings limited to 100 participants for up to 40-minutes and includes whiteboards for group collaboration.
Zoom makes it easy to:
- Broadcast live webinars or keynote-style addresses to a global audience with up to 100 video participants and 10,000 view-only attendees
- Start and join a meeting quickly with a single touch of your mobile device or browser
- Record your virtual meetings in MP4 audio and M4A video
Zoom delivers crisp audio and video with powerful screen-sharing features, Chrome and Linux OS support for increased flexibility and secure socket layer (SSL) encryption to guarantee secure communications.
Zoom’s three paid tiers, Pro, Business, or Enterprise, range from $14.99 to $19.99 per host, per month, and offer advanced features like user management, interoperability, custom meeting IDs, phone support and managed domains.
2. join.me
Like Skype and Zoom, join.me from LogMeIn is free to use with paid upgrades to access increased flexibility and additional features.
join.me consistently provides reliable streaming with a secured connection and high-quality audio. Just send out a link and participants can join.
join.me allows you to customize your meeting link, so attendees are familiar with your brand before the conference starts. Add screen sharing and you’ve got a solid video conferencing experience.
From free basic screen sharing to the paid Pro tier offering TB cloud storage, Salesforce integration and meetings up to 250 participants, join.me is scalable as your business grows. Paid plans range from $10 to $30 per month, per user.
3. ezTalks Meetings
With ezTalks, businesses, community groups and educational institutions can accommodate as many as 100 people in a single 40-minute limited meeting, and host an unlimited number of HD video conferencing recordings for free.
This cloud-based video conferencing platform has a relatively straightforward user interface. Even first-time users can attend a video conference straight from their browser; just enter the Meeting ID, name and email, and they’re in.
ezTalks Meetings offers up to 1920 x 1080p HD video resolution, depending on the user’s preferences. With the “Share Screen” feature, any user can simply and effectively present PowerPoint, PDF or Word files directly to their audience. Additionally, ezTalks offers private chats and full-meeting controls. The whiteboard feature encourages real-time idea sharing and decision making.
ezTalks offers three paid tiers on top of their free plan, ranging from $10 to $50 per user, per month, to expand from the basic 100 attendee meeting size up to 300 attendees. REST API service is included with all paid plans.
4. StarLeaf
UK-based StarLeaf is a relative newcomer to the video conferencing market. More than just conferencing software, StarLeaf expands and extends your current system.
StarLeaf’s unique architecture allows custom conferencing experiences with support for Slack, and interoperability with Skype for Business, Cisco Webex and others. Its complementary app for Android and iOS mobile users means extra flexibility.
Starleaf’s unique architecture allows you to deliver business-wide connectivity using systems you may already have in place, avoiding the limitations associated with virtual meeting room solutions. With a focus on security and anti-spam protection, as well as bidirectional screen sharing and a robust administrative dashboard, StarLeaf is an incredible alternative for those who don’t want to spend on costly on-premise video infrastructure.
StarLeaf pricing is available upon request.
5. BlueJeans
BlueJeans is a web-based video conferencing system with a focus on streamlined workflow, allowing your business to schedule, host and collaborate from the software you already use.
From simple video conference meetings to one-touch managed rooms, and interactive webinars and events, BlueJeans is ready. Schedule your video conference from Outlook and enter via Skype for Business; BlueJeans’s seamless partnerships take the extra effort out of business communication.
With unlimited cloud meeting recording, historical meeting analytics, integration with Slack, Skype and HipChat, and language support for English, German, Spanish, and French, BlueJeans will easily grow with your business.
With BlueJeans, you have three small business and enterprise plans to choose from, starting from $12.49 per month and accommodating up to 50 participants.
These five options are just the beginning. When your business is ready to move on from Skype to a more flexible, growth-minded video conferencing service provider, the options can seem overwhelming. DGI Communications is here to keep your business streamlined and competitive.
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