As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent, video communication is vital for connecting businesses with their teams and clients. With numerous video chat software options available, choosing the right platform for your needs can be challenging.
With a remote workforce of over 330 employees, we have tested various video chat platforms, including RingCentral and Zoom, to identify the ideal solution for everything from one-on-one meetings to large webinars and team discussions.
This practical experience provides us with valuable insights into the challenges businesses encounter when selecting an appropriate video communication tool.
In this article, we will present the best video chat software for small businesses based on our firsthand experience. We will outline the key features and benefits of each platform to help you select the video chat software that best meets your requirements.
Quick Picks: The Top 5 Video Chat Software Options
Short on time? Here’s a quick summary of the top 5 video chat software options:
| Software | Ideal For | Pricing | Free Version Available | |
| 🥇 | RingCentral | Team collaboration via video | Starting at $10/month | ✅ |
| 🥈 | Zoom | Large group video calls | Starting at $13.32/month | ✅ |
| 🥉 | GoToMeeting | Record your video meetings | Starting at $12 per month | Available |
| Rating: 4/5 | Nextiva | For Nextiva business phone users | Starting at $30 per month | Not available |
| Rating: 5/5 | Microsoft Teams | For Microsoft 365 users | Starting at $4 per month | Available |
Which Video Chat Software is Best for Your Needs?
Video chat software and video calling applications are similar to popular social media platforms like FaceTime, Google Duo, WhatsApp, Viber, and Facebook Messenger.
While these social media video chat options are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family, you may need more robust tools and features for your business.
The ideal video chat software should offer a range of features to enhance business communication:
- Live video chat for team meetings in real-time
- Collaboration tools, screen sharing, and file sharing capabilities
- Screen recording options for reviewing meetings later
- Transcription services to enhance team accessibility
- Integrations that allow you to make calls from the software you already use
- Group video calls and one-on-one live video meetings
How We Selected the Top Video Chat Platforms
At CanadaCreate, our team, with over 16 years of expertise in WordPress, SEO, web hosting, eCommerce, and online marketing, carefully selects the software we feature. Our experts conduct thorough reviews of each tool, evaluating factors such as ease of use, features, reliability, pricing, and more, to ensure we present the best solutions for our audience. For more details, please refer to our comprehensive editorial process.
Now, let’s explore the top video chat software available.
1. RingCentral
RingCentral is recognized as one of the leading video conferencing solutions for small businesses, offering a comprehensive set of features.
Key features include video call scheduling, screen sharing, whiteboarding, annotations, live chat messaging, breakout rooms, meeting recording, and much more. For an in-depth look at RingCentral’s features, check out our detailed review.
The RingCentral video software seamlessly integrates with numerous tools you may already be using in your business, such as Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), and more. These integrations allow you to initiate video conference calls directly from these third-party platforms.
The RingCentral app enables you to effortlessly create or join video meetings from Apple iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, allowing you to connect from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
This video chat software is designed to work seamlessly on all modern web browsers, requiring minimal setup. This allows you to focus more on your video chats and meetings rather than technical issues.
If you are already using RingCentral for your business phone system, incorporating this tool into your communication process is straightforward.
Pricing:RingCentral provides free video chat for up to 100 participants in a single call, with each call lasting up to 50 minutes.
You can upgrade to a premium video plan starting at just $10 per month, which offers unlimited 24-hour video meetings for up to 200 participants along with additional advanced features.
2. Zoom
Zoom is one of the leading video chat applications globally, experiencing significant growth since the onset of the pandemic.
It is praised for its user-friendly interface, allowing you to host your own Zoom meeting with just a few clicks, complete with integrated instant messaging.
Additionally, it is compatible across various platforms. You can host video calls on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, whether you’re using an Android phone, Apple (iOS), Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Their main goal is to facilitate team collaboration by enabling quick and easy video meetings. It also offers two-factor authentication to keep your online meetings secure and private.
Moreover, you can access unique features such as live polling, video annotation, whiteboarding, screen sharing, collaborative note-taking, searchable transcripts, and more.
Important Note:Our team utilizes Zoom for internal meetings and video calls, allowing members to join via video or audio only. Team leaders have Pro plans, which extend meeting durations beyond 40 minutes.
Pricing Information:Zoom offers a free version for up to 100 participants with a 40-minute limit. Paid plans start at $13.32 per month, supporting up to 100 participants, 30-hour meeting durations, and additional collaboration features.
3. GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a widely used video conferencing application ideal for small businesses on the move. It is highly versatile, providing options for video chatting, video conferencing, and screen sharing.
A key highlight is the intuitive mobile applications available for both Android and Apple devices, allowing you to effortlessly initiate and participate in virtual meetings while on the move.
The quality of video calls is exceptional, ensuring a clear connection regardless of how your team joins the meeting.
In addition to mobile capabilities, the platform offers features such as meeting recording and transcription, end-to-end encryption, integrated scheduling, and HIPAA compliance for healthcare businesses.
GoToMeeting is part of a suite of products, including GoToWebinar for hosting live webinars and GoToConnect for comprehensive business phone solutions.
Pricing:GoToMeeting starts at $12 per month for up to 150 participants, with plans that scale based on the number of users. Higher-tier plans accommodate up to 250 participants and provide additional administrative features.
4. Nextiva
Nextiva is recognized as one of the top providers of business phone systems and has recently introduced video conferencing software to enhance their service offerings.
The platform operates entirely in the cloud and features both desktop and mobile applications. The audio and video quality is outstanding, ensuring seamless communication without any glitches or delays during crucial meetings.
While it may not have the most extensive features, this video chat software offers essential tools such as screen sharing, file sharing, live streaming, and webinar capabilities.
If you are already using Nextiva for your business VoIP phone system, integrating video conferencing and screen-sharing features into your communication is a seamless process. For more details, check out our comprehensive review of Nextiva.
Pricing:Nextiva’s video conferencing service starts at $30 per user per month when billed annually, providing unlimited meeting duration and accommodating up to 250 participants.
5. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a widely-used video conferencing application designed for businesses that utilize the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
You can effortlessly organize virtual face-to-face meetings with just a few clicks from the app, accessible from any location with an internet connection.
This platform is particularly advantageous for larger organizations, offering features that allow you to host video meetings for up to 10,000 participants and conduct webinars for your team or the general public.
The software includes a variety of features to enhance your video meetings, such as screen sharing, call recording, live captioning, and group chat during video calls.
You can participate in any call using mobile, desktop, or Bluetooth conferencing headsets.
Pricing:Microsoft Teams is available starting at $4 per user per month, offering unlimited group calls for up to 30 hours with a maximum of 300 participants.
6. Google Meet / Google Workspace
Google Meet is a video conferencing tool included in the Google Workspace platform (previously known as G Suite).
If you have a Google account, it will integrate effortlessly with your existing tools such as Google Calendar, Chrome, Google Forms, Gmail, and others.
This software is tailored for small business owners and is an upgraded version of Google Hangouts. Its purpose is to facilitate easy communication with clients and customers.
It features a completely web-based interface, eliminating the need for any external software installation. A dial-in phone number is also provided, allowing team members to join via voice call if needed.
Pricing:Google Meet is completely free to use. You can also opt for Google Workspace Business Starter, starting at $6 per month per user, which unlocks additional video chat functionalities.
7. Ooma Meetings
Ooma is a well-known VOIP phone service for businesses, providing high-quality one-on-one and team video conferencing solutions.
It includes essential features such as live HD video chat, host muting, and a ‘meet now’ link for quick virtual meetings.
A standout feature of this tool is the ability for multiple users to share their screens simultaneously, facilitating seamless collaboration and faster information sharing among virtual teams.
You can host video calls with up to 25 participants, accessible via mobile devices, desktop computers, and web browsers.
Additionally, there is a comprehensive virtual meeting manager that allows you to effectively schedule and oversee your video calls across your organization.
Pricing:Ooma Meetings is included with the Ooma Office Pro plan, which starts at $24.95 per month.
8. Skype
Skype is one of the oldest video chat applications available today. It is completely free to download and use, compatible with almost all modern operating systems and browsers.
It also works with devices like Amazon Echo, enabling hands-free video calls.
The free version supports video calls for up to 50 participants and offers straightforward features such as screen sharing, background blur, live subtitles, a basic chat function, and more.
While it may not offer as many features as other video messaging applications on this list, it is an excellent free option for straightforward video chatting.
Pricing Information:Skype offers a free plan indefinitely, with premium business plans starting at just $4 per month.
Important Note:We also considered other platforms like Zoho Meeting, Cisco Webex, Jitsi, and Dialpad Meetings. However, we chose to focus on the top options to simplify your decision-making process.
What is the Best Video Chat Software? (Expert Recommendation)
All the popular video chat software listed above will facilitate engaging video conversations with your team and clients. However, it’s essential to select the tool that best fits your specific requirements.
For comprehensive digital and business communication management, RingCentral is an excellent option.
If you need a straightforward and scalable video chat service, Zoom is a fantastic choice.
GoToMeeting and Microsoft Teams are also excellent alternatives, enabling video chats across various platforms and devices.
Frequently Asked Questions about Video Chat Software
We have assisted countless small business owners in selecting the ideal video chat software tailored to their requirements. Drawing from our expertise, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding video chat applications.
What do you need for video chats?
To initiate or participate in a video chat, you must meet the following basic requirements:
- A desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
- A webcam, microphone, and speakers, which are typically included with most modern laptops and mobile devices.
- A reliable high-speed internet connection.
- An account with a video chat platform.
What is the most popular video chat app?
According to Statista, Zoom is the most widely used video conferencing software, holding 57.24% of the global market share. It is followed by Microsoft Teams at 24.57% and GoToMeeting at 9.31%.
What is the best free video calling app?
In our view, RingCentral stands out as the best free video calling app. It allows you to host unlimited 50-minute video meetings with up to 100 participants. Additionally, it offers professional features such as a whiteboard, collaborative notes, AI-driven meeting transcriptions, and more.
For those seeking alternatives, Zoom is an excellent free video calling application that accommodates up to 100 participants with a 40-minute limit per meeting.
We trust this article has assisted you in discovering the ideal video chat applications for your small business. Additionally, consider exploring our recommendations for the best live chat software and top push notification tools for WordPress.
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