Zoom application alternatives

The online meeting application Zoom has become a very popular means to stay in touch during the Corona epidemic, both for personal and professional meetings. However, there have been some concerns about Zoom's privacy and security, especially as more and more people are flocking to use the platform.

The following article will list some of the applications that can be used instead of Zoom. It is worth noting that all these options are available in the free version.

Skype Meet Now

Skype has been a platform for online chats since the beta version was released in 2003. Its Meet Now feature (accessed by selecting the Meet Now button on the left side of the app) for Online meeting permission, the maximum number of participants may vary, depending on the platform and device. If you plan to use Skype to host a meeting, you should probably download the app.

Salient features:

1. Record a call for up to 30 days
2. Can blur the background (if you have an app)
3. Share the presentation

Cisco Webex

Webex is a video conferencing application that has been around since the 90s. It was acquired by Cisco in 2007. Although, primarily known as an enterprise application, Webex has a free version. It's worth a try. For the current emergency, Webex has expanded the features of the free version from 50 to 100 participants, removed from the limit of 40 minutes in meetings and added the ability to make calls.

1. Set up audio in Cisco Webex Meetings

Salient features:

1. Maximum of 100 participants
2. There is no time limit for each meeting
3. Audio call

StarLeaf

If not a business, you probably haven't heard of StarLeaf. This is a platform for large companies. But now StarLeaf is offering free basic messaging and video calling products to people who want to stay in touch with people during the pandemic.

Salient features:

1. Maximum of 20 participants
2. 46 minutes for each meeting

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is an open source platform, allowing you to easily meet online by navigating to the website and clicking Go. Most people will be happy with the fast web version, offering more features found in more famous apps and the ability to remove participants as needed.

1. How to install and use Jitsi Meet on Ubuntu server

Salient features:

1. Up to 75 participants (maximum 35 people for the best experience)
2. Chat publicly or privately
3. Can blur background (currently in beta)
4. Integrates with Slack, Google Calendar and Office 365

Whereby

The free version of Whereby is quite limited compared to some of the other options mentioned here. The app gives you the option to use a single meeting room with up to 4 participants, along with the ability to 'lock' (participants must submit a request to enter).

Whereby also has a chat function, which allows you to share the screen, mute or remove participants and have some interesting emoticons.

Salient features:

1. Up to 4 people join the free version
2. Share screen
3. Integrate YouTube
4. Ability to 'lock' the boardroom

hangouts

Google Hangouts (the classic online version) is still available, but Google is currently pushing Hangouts Meet for G Suite users and business customers. You can still use Hangouts to video chat with up to 10 people. There are not many additional features, but you can add text messages and share screens.

Salient features:

1. Maximum of 10 participants
2. Voice conversations can have up to 150 participants