A while back, we compiled a list of Zoom alternatives just in case you weren’t vibing with the way they handle security and privacy. Now, we’re adding another to the list as Google has now cut the price of their Google Meet video conferencing app to the low, low price of free. Yes, that’s right, another video conferencing alternative, how fun right?
But this is still good to know, at the very least. You’ll still need a Google account, but won’t have to go out of your way for a pricey G-Suite subscription. However, with the Google Meet now available for free, G-Suite subscribers get free access to the enterprise version of Google Meet till September 30.
It’s no surprise why Google is doing this, after video conferencing apps like Zoom have been very prominent as of late. Not to mention that all the other cool kids like Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype and Microsoft are doing it.
But Google Meet does have some features that make it stand out among the rest, both good and bad. Firstly, you’ll need a Google account to even be in a Google Meet video call. Secondly, the free version of Google Meet supports up to 100 Google users in a call, similar to Zoom. But the free version of Google Meet is missing landline dial-in access, which Zoom has.
That in turn does make Google Meet ‘safer’ than Zoom, as Google Meetings require users to be accepted into a call before joining if they weren’t invite by the host directly. No weird perverts jumping into your video calls here lads. Google Meet also has cross-app integration on Google Calendar, Gmail, and the Android/iOS apps, making it easy to set up and join meetings.
Google Meet will also limit meeting lengths for free users after September 30. Till then, calls can have unlimited length, and after September 30, the calls will be limited to 60 minutes. Existing G-Suite users will still be able to access unlimited-length meetings, so if you were really into Google Meet after trying it out for free, maybe convince your organisation or educational institution to shell out for a plan.
