--- source_url: "https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-conferencing-software" title: "The Best Video Conferencing Software We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag" mirrored_at: 2026-08-13T01:41:06.627Z host: www.pcmag.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-conferencing-software" --- > **Original source:** https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-conferencing-software PCMag editors select and review products [independently](https://www.pcmag.com/about/pcmagcom-mission-statement). If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our [testing](https://www.pcmag.com/about/how-we-test-everything-we-review). The top video conferencing services we've tested help you stay connected and communicate with clients, team members, and anyone else, no matter where you are. Senior Writer, Software OUR EXPERT Chris has been writing about Windows, PCs, and software for more than 15 years. His experience with PCs dates back to MS-DOS and Windows 3.1. LOOK INSIDE PC LABS [HOW WE TEST](https://www.pcmag.com/about/how-we-test-everything-we-review) 65 EXPERTS 44 YEARS 43K+ REVIEWS ## Table of Contents Video conferencing services are invaluable for businesses of all sizes, whether for connecting a [remote workforce](https://www.pcmag.com/series/how-to-work-from-home) or facilitating meetings with clients worldwide. That's why PCMag tests and rates the leading video conferencing software. In the process, we discovered that different products cater to diverse needs. Zoom, for example, began as a service for individuals and small teams, and it has grown into a full-fledged business platform. Webex by Cisco, meanwhile, has a long history of catering to businesses, scaling up to support large enterprises. Both are Editors' Choice winners. Still, others specialize in mass-audience applications, such as online training and webinars, so it's worth exploring all our top picks. Make sure to click through to our in-depth reviews and scroll past the list for advice on choosing the best video conferencing service for your company. ## Our Top Tested Picks Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks ## EDITORS' NOTE _June 12, 2026: With this update, our lineup of recommended video conferencing services remains unchanged. We're in the process of reevaluating Intermedia AnyMeeting and Zoom Workplace and have vetted the other picks for currency and availability._ (Credit: Zoom) - Competitive price - Advanced AI tools - Plenty of integrations - Powerful meeting features - User-friendly interface - Defaults to 360p video Zoom Meetings is now just one part of Zoom Workplace: a unified communication and collaboration platform that provides document editing, team chat, whiteboard sharing, and more. It aims to reduce the "toggle tax" that results from switching between applications. Zoom's industry-leading AI Assistant can even answer any questions about what another participant said earlier and summarize in-progress meetings. **Collaborators**: Zoom's features go far beyond just virtual meetings. A subscription provides access to AI, chat, document editing, and whiteboard features, among others. **People who are easily distracted:** Zoom's AI assistant is easy to use and indispensable if you struggle to concentrate on what everyone is discussing during a meeting. Just note that you must upgrade to a paid plan to unlock the full set of available tools. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: Cisco) - Intuitive interface - Highly accessible closed captions - Native Vidcast tool for asynchronous video recordings - Recognizes hand gestures to generate emoji reactions - Powerful AI assistant helps you catch up on meetings - Pricey plans and add-ons - Non-enterprise tiers top out at 10GB of cloud storage for recordings Webex was one of the pioneering video conferencing systems and remains highly competitive among current offerings. It delivers reliable performance and rich collaboration features, including breakout rooms, screen sharing, and whiteboards. Webex now even has an advanced AI assistant that can transcribe meetings and provide a quick recap if you need to step away briefly. Although it's not the most affordable service, a highly capable free tier makes it easy to get started. **Growing businesses:** Webex is a great option for businesses that are growing because it scales well. You can select a subscription that meets your current needs and then upgrade to a custom enterprise plan if needed later on. **Multi-platform users:** If your team uses a variety of different devices with different operating systems, Webex is an excellent choice. It offers dedicated apps for about every platform, including Linux. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: ClickMeeting) - Clear interface - Supports massive audiences - Whiteboard and breakout room features - AI-powered automatic transcription - Mobile apps can cut off whiteboard views - No phone support and limited chat hours Unlike most video conferencing solutions we test, ClickMeeting specializes in hosting large online meetings and webinars. It claims to support up to 10,000 participants at its custom enterprise tier, but even its more basic plans can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees. The service features an accessible and sleek interface, making it a sound choice for any company seeking to reach a broad audience. **Large businesses:** Although ClickMeeting is a great way to connect large groups, its price scales with your audience size. Therefore, it can quickly become expensive for individuals. **Webinar organizers:** ClickMeeting specializes in large digital gatherings, making it a suitable choice if you need a way to meet with hundreds or thousands of people. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: Google) ## Best for Google Workspace Users ### [Google Meet](https://cc.pcmag.com/v1/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi?merchant=06l9UY5ssQ8Ap0hBHwnN499&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jdoqocy.com%2Fclick-7060541-14001876&template=roundup-page&module=Best_Product_Card&element=roundup-product-card&item=product_name_offer&position=4&element_label=Google+Meet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcmag.com%2Fpicks%2Fthe-best-video-conferencing-software&page_type=roundup&page_uuid=02VdaftDvo0TZxKvLhj00hF&object_type=review&object_uuid=02y6SQ4hhnWGi8zjE2FlYqi&product_uuid=05M1H0Yb2zKsfji5haSVMJx "(Opens in a new tab)") 4.0 Excellent - Accessible entirely from a web browser - State-of-the-art transcription and recording tools - Real-time translated captions in 69 languages - High-quality audio and video - Extensive annotation tools available during screen-sharing - Requires Google Workspace for Business and Gemini subscriptions for the full experience - Lacks native whiteboard tools - No monthly plan Google Meet is an excellent general-purpose video conferencing platform that's accessible from virtually any device. Its real-time transcription feature is top-notch and supports more languages than any competitor. The platform also offers extensive [Gemini AI](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/google-gemini) features, too, as well as tight integrations with other Google apps. **Google Workspace users:** Google Meet is a no-brainer if your company uses [Google Workspace](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/google-workspace#) for online collaboration. It's exceptionally intuitive and reliable. **Global companies**: The platform can translate and generate closed captions for an impressive 69 languages, while real-time speech translation works between English and French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Those capabilities ensure that everyone understands everyone else. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW - User-friendly design - Integrates with your existing calendar - Accurate AI-powered meeting recaps - Excellent customer service - Video quality tops out at 720p - No webinars Intermedia AnyMeeting is an attractive, easy-to-use service that's packed with enough features to suit any organization. We especially liked its AI-powered assistant that delivers reasonably high-quality transcriptions of video meetings and can even flag action items based on what participants say during calls. And, as comprehensive as it is, AnyMeeting's pricing is on par with most of its competitors. **People who want live support:** During both regular meetings and webinars, AnyMeeting makes it easy to connect with a live customer service representative to help you resolve any issues. Live support is always beneficial, regardless of the size of your audience. **Newbies:** AnyMeeting's straightforward interface is easy to grasp, even for those with no prior experience hosting or joining meetings. Both actions require just a few clicks. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: Microsoft/PCMag) - Extensive features - Straightforward interface - Powerful AI summaries of conversations - Excellent support - Overwhelming admin tools - Expensive add-ons Microsoft steadily adds features to its products, and Teams is no different. It rose from humble beginnings to become a team collaboration behemoth and a core part of the [Microsoft 365](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-365-personal) suite. More importantly, unlike some competitors (such as Slack), it's also a full-featured video conferencing system suitable for scheduled video calls.  **Microsoft 365 users:** If you're already a Microsoft 365 customer, Teams might be all the video conferencing software you need. You may need to pay extra to access the most advanced Teams features, depending on your subscription tier. **VoIP customers:** For businesses that want a fully integrated communications platform, complete with top-notch office productivity apps, you can add [Microsoft Teams Phone](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-teams-phone#) to your software stack. The VoIP service operates reliably and integrates seamlessly with Teams. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: RingCentral) - Robust free tier - Attendees can join calls without downloading any software - Can easily switch devices between calls - Impressive live transcriptions - Difficult to turn off default meeting recording behavior RingCentral Video provides reliable, visually consistent video calling tools across different platforms. Its robust free plan includes intuitive in-meeting collaboration tools and highly accurate live transcription features. The available Webinar tier for large meetings is also a better value than most similar services we've tested. Finally, post-meeting tools make it easy to pick out insights and share recordings. **Existing RingCentral customers:** The company's video conferencing platform supports a fair number of third-party integrations, but it works exceptionally well with its own first-party integrations. Many of RingCentral's other products, including [Ring EX](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/ringcentral-ringex#), use this video platform. **Cost-conscious users:** RingCentral's free plan offers unlimited meetings of up to 50 minutes and supports 100 participants, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: GoTo) - Minimalist dashboard - No time limits on video conferences - 24/7 phone and web support for all customers - SmartNotes distill meeting summaries to their essentials - Commuter Mode eliminates on-the-go distractions - No free plan - Odd process for enabling annotation while screen-sharing - Post-meeting summaries, transcripts, and recordings aren't immediately accessible GoTo Meeting is a dependable and mature video conferencing solution from GoTo (formerly LogMeIn). It offers good value for the money and includes competitive features, such as smart transcription and unlimited cloud recording. It also integrates with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 calendars. **GoTo users:** If you rely on GoTo for phone systems, trainings, webinars, or anything else, GoTo Meeting is the natural choice for all your virtual conferencing needs. **Teams with long meetings:** GoTo Meeting doesn't impose an upper limit on meeting duration, allowing you to speak as long as you want. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW (Credit: Zoho) - Affordable - Mostly straightforward interface - Accurate transcriptions and meeting highlights - Complicated AI setup - Some features are underwhelming Although it lacks the snazzy features of some competitors, Zoho Meeting's appeal lies in its low price. We like its decently capable free tier that allows you to host meetings of up to 60 minutes for up to 100 attendees, along with the accuracy of its meeting summarization and transcription tools. It also integrates seamlessly with the rest of Zoho's business software suite. **Bargain hunters:** With extremely low pricing that takes your team size into account, Zoho Meeting doesn't make you pay for more than you need. As such, it's especially appropriate for microbusinesses with as few as 10 employees. **Zoho subscribers:** If you already use other apps within the broader Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Meeting is more than worth considering for your conferencing needs. Free Version Offered Multi-Language Support Whiteboard Tools Share Desktop Share Mouse / Keyboard In-App Messaging In-App Private Chat Calendar Integration Audio Recordings Video Recordings 24/7 Phone Support Social Media Integration Cloud Storage Transcription Virtual Backgrounds Blur Backgrounds GET IT NOW ## The Best Video Conferencing Software for 2026 Compare Specs Buying Guide: The Best Video Conferencing Software for 2026 * * * ## What Is Video Conferencing Software? Video conferencing software continues to evolve. Initially, it was available only in the form of pricey conference room systems that combined specific hardware and software. Now, popular cloud-based services largely work within a browser and don't require any dedicated infrastructure. Contemporary video conferencing systems offer a wealth of capabilities that their predecessors lacked. Best-in-class video conferencing services offer broadcasting modes for passive viewers (also known as webinars), digital whiteboard collaboration, file exchange, remote desktop access, screen sharing, text chat, and more. Additionally, some services integrate with business [voice over IP](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-business-voip-providers) (VoIP) packages, allowing users to convert voice calls to video calls or initiate a shared meeting with a single touch, without interrupting the original connection. * * * ## How Much Does Video Conferencing Software Cost? Like most software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, video conferencing apps usually offer multiple pricing tiers. The lowest tier is free for many of the services we test. These offerings are ideal for connecting with friends and family, as well as for occasional business use. However, they have limited features and impose restrictions on the duration of meetings and the number of attendees. Organizations that plan to use video conferencing as an everyday tool should invest in a paid service. Among the services we reviewed, the median pricing for business-grade service is around $16 per user per month. Most also offer more expensive tiers for enterprises. As usual, the greater your needs, the higher your expected payment. Although most services charge by the number of _users_, others charge by the number of _hosts_. Services that charge per host focus on webinars, in which only a host can initiate a meeting (and meetings typically have many attendees). Services that charge per person are typically designed for peer-to-peer usage, allowing anyone to initiate a meeting.  * * * ## What Can Video Conferencing Software Do for Your Business? Video conferencing has quickly become an essential business tool, particularly with the rise of remote work. However, understanding what constitutes a video conferencing platform can be confusing, as some team messaging platforms, such as Microsoft Teams and [Slack](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/slack), share similar features. [Teams offers a complete video conferencing solution](https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/slack-vs-teams-which-app-rules-the-digital-office#), which is why we include it. Slack and some of its competitors focus more on ad-hoc video meetings, so they are not included on the list. You might also want other capabilities. Screen sharing is essential for presentations. The ability to share just one application, document, or image (rather than the entire desktop) is helpful, too. Many packages also support video annotation and virtual whiteboards, which foster participant collaboration. Most of the video conferencing services in this roundup also allow for text chat, both inside and outside of meetings. Many services offer automated recording that you can initiate with the press of a button. Typically, they save recordings to cloud storage and automatically share them with all meeting attendees. If you think this is a feature you will use frequently, ensure the service tier you choose has sufficient storage. Alternatively, you can integrate it with your existing third-party [cloud storage provider](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-business-cloud-storage-and-file-sharing-providers). Video conferencing services now incorporate numerous [artificial intelligence](https://www.pcmag.com/categories/ai) (AI) features. These cover analytics and optimization, automatic call summaries and [transcription](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-transcription-services), call scheduling, facial recognition, noise cancellation, and more. * * * ## What Equipment Do You Need for Video Conferencing? Beyond video conferencing software, consider the hardware you need as well. Fortunately, almost every modern [laptop](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-laptops#), [smartphone](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-phones), or [tablet](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-tablets#) has a serviceable (if mediocre) camera and microphone. Higher-end devices feature high-resolution front-facing cameras and quality mics. [Desktop PCs](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-desktop-computers) often require additional hardware. If you're looking for top-notch audio or video quality, you need the best [microphone](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-usb-microphones) and [webcam](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-webcams) available. Some [business monitors](https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-computer-monitors) also come with built-in video conferencing features. You can also use some [digital cameras as webcams](https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-use-dslr-camera-as-a-webcam). You may also want to consider adding some extra lighting accessories. Although these hardware purchases drive up the total cost of your video conferencing deployment, you still save compared with old-school, end-to-end conferencing solutions. You don't need to make a huge capital outlay all at once. Instead, you can buy the licenses you need and add new seats as necessary, which can dramatically reduce costs.  * * * ## How to Buy Video Conferencing Software Choosing the right video conferencing service for your organization can seem challenging at first since most offer the same basic features. Although you still need to evaluate several factors before making a decision, assessing a software's user experience is a great place to start. ### Recommended by Our Editors In each review, we discuss the ease of signing up, creating a meeting, inviting participants, and setting up audio and video controls. We also consider the experience from a meeting invitee's perspective and assess how easy it is to access meeting features, such as annotation, file sharing, virtual assistants, and whiteboard-style collaboration. We've also tested each service's prominent features, but it's up to you to decide which ones you need most. For example, do you need dial-in numbers, VoIP integration, or both? Some services offer teleconferencing with dial-in numbers (local or toll-free) and VoIP calling, while others provide just one or the other. A few offer international dial-in numbers. During our testing, we host and join meetings to evaluate the experience of registered and non-registered users. We make sure to outline how easy it is to join a meeting, including whether a participant needs to download software before joining (which could cause a delay or even be a deal-breaker). Other services simply require that attendees enter a code to access the meeting. Our reviews also cover the host's administration features. The best services allow you to set up various types of meetings, such as lecture-style calls where all participants are on mute, or a Q&A mode where presenters can mute and unmute participants as needed. Other options include allowing breakout sessions, creating a waiting room while preparing for the meeting, locking latecomers out of a meeting, and toggling video feeds. Make sure to take advantage of any free trials that are available for the product that interests you. _Neil McAllister and Ruben Circelli contributed to this story._ ## About Our Expert ![Chris Hoffman](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/authors/03yVQLrdAMKo6zB2lWkCCHs.fit_lim.size_100x100.v1780085953.png) Chris Hoffman Senior Writer, Software * * * Experience I've been writing about technology for more than 15 years and using it in earnest for over twice as long. As a member of PCMag's software team, I focus on Windows coverage, but also write about other key desktop operating systems and system apps. (I used Windows 3.1 upon its release and have followed every subsequent release closely). Prior to joining PCMag, I wrote for How-To Geek starting in 2011, and my articles amassed over a billion page views. I went on to run the publication as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. I have also contributed to Computerworld, Fast Company, PCWorld, Reader's Digest, The New York Times, and many other outlets about everything from AI to PC hardware to Windows. I founded and ran my own direct-to-reader Windows-focused newsletters, Windows Intelligence and The Windows ReadMe, working in partnership with Thurrott.com. Latest By Chris Hoffman [Read Full Bio](https://www.pcmag.com/authors/chris-hoffman) ### Weekend Project ### Further Reading