The 10 Best Platforms For Video Conferences（Free and Paid Features）

Introduction

Video calls are everywhere these days, just about as routine as doing laundry. No matter the distance, they let us make the most out of our meetings, and even do fun things like virtual birthdays with our loved ones. 

Zoom is a prime example of how far they’ve come. At its peak, the platform broke records with over 300 million users logging in daily.  Video conferencing platforms and tools enhance communication by enabling face-to-face interactions, fostering better eye contact, and facilitating clearer body language. 

Our projector, StarryHub, truly stands out among other meeting room projectors. It features an ultra-high-resolution camera of up to 4k, a built-in microphone, and speakers, and combines multiple functions into a single, compact device. Designed to be placed at the front of the conference table, it minimizes distractions and ensures seamless meeting room experiences. With advanced speaker tracking and auto-framing capabilities, CZUR StarryHub captures speakers in the room, making remote participants feel fully included regardless of location. Furthermore, it supports most video platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet, offering exceptional flexibility for any meeting room.

Now though, there’s no shortage of options. If you’re looking for free tools or ones packed with business features, we’ve covered you with this rundown of 10 popular video conference systems.

Want to learn more about all these tools? Keep reading, or check out a bit more details about Starryhub. 

Figure-StarryHub in meeting room

1.What Is a Video Conference System?

At its core, a video conference system is a tool that lets you see and talk to people online. But most go beyond that. Need to share your screen? Record a session? Chat on the side? You can do all of that with these platforms. They’re just awesome for everything from casual catch-ups to running entire companies. Some are simple, clean, and free, while others are built for teams and have advanced features. 

Figure2- video conference

2.The 10 Best Video Conference Platforms 

1. Zoom

Best For：

 Pretty much everyone—work, school, or casual chats.

What It Offers：

Free for up to 100 people, but you’re cut off after 40 minutes. Paid plans extend time limits and add things like cloud recording and webinars.

Top Feature

The breakout rooms feature allows you to split participants into smaller groups during a larger meeting. This makes having focused discussions, team activities, or brainstorming sessions easier without everyone being on one big call.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Zoom took off because it’s simple. You send a link and boom—you’re in. It doesn’t hurt that it works well even if your internet’s spotty. Tools like virtual backgrounds and breakout rooms are great bonuses. However, that free plan’s time cap is a pain, especially if your meetings run long. Still, the 40-minute limit is a small trade-off for how simple everything else is.

Pros

• Easy to use.

• Reliable on slower internet.

• Robust feature set for free users.

Cons

• The free plan’s time limit can be frustrating.

• Occasional security concerns in the past.

Figure3-Zoom-sources from: doodle.com

2. Microsoft Teams

Best For：

Offices and schools using Microsoft tools.

What It Offers：

Free calls for up to 60 minutes. Paid versions unlock full integration with Word, Excel, and other Office apps.

Top Feature

You get seamless Office Integration, meaning you can work directly in documents like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint within the app. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses or teams who collaborate on files frequently during calls.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Teams are the whole package—it’s a full virtual workspace. You can chat, share files, and work on stuff together without leaving the app. If your workplace already uses Microsoft, this is an easy choice. That said, it can feel like a lot if you’re just hosting quick, small conferences. But it'll be more than enough once you get the hang of it.

Pros

• Great for collaboration.

• Integrates with Office 365.

• Solid security features.

Cons

• Can feel overwhelming for new users.

• Not ideal if you don’t need collaboration tools.

  

Figure4-Microsoft Teams, sources from Microsoft.com

3. Google Meet

Best For: 

Small groups and simple meetings.

What It Offers: 

Free for 60-minute meetings with 100 people. Pay for extras like longer calls and added security.

Top Feature

Instant Access through Gmail and Google Calendar, so you can get into your video conferences right when you need them without wasting even a second.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Google Meet is the definition of no fuss. Using Gmail or Google apps? You probably already have it on your device. Open your menu, tap the app, and you can start immediately. There aren’t many advanced features, but that also means it’s so much easier to use.

   Pros

• Simple setup.

• No downloads are required.

• Works well with Google services.

     Cons

• Limited features compared to others.

•  Too basic for business needs.

4. Cisco Webex

Best For:

Professionals who prioritize security and reliability.

What It Offers:

The free plan includes basic tools. Paid versions add things like AI note-taking and breakout sessions.

Top Feature:

Noise-canceling and captions let you have clear calls, even in the most chaotic places. The AI gets rid of background sounds and adds captions, so you can follow along easily.

 Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Webex is built for work. Noise cancellation, automatic captions, and good security make it perfect for all sorts of situations. You can chat with a client in a busy café, and they won’t notice. It’s not the greatest-looking app, but it always works great.

      Pros

• Strong security.

• AI-powered features like noise cancellation and captions.

• Great for businesses.

      Cons

• Too advanced for casual users.

• The interface isn’t very modern.

5. Skype

Best For:

Casual calls and small groups.

What It Offers: 

Free for up to 100 participants. Paid options focus on affordable international calling.

Top Feature: 

With International Calls, you can call landlines and mobile numbers worldwide. It does this at significantly lower rates than traditional phone services, making it a popular option for international communication.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Skype has been around forever. While newer apps might feel more modern,  Skype is still solid for basic video calls. It’s clean with the UI. Not to mention, if you need to call someone internationally, it’s one of the cheapest options for the job.

Pros

• Long-standing reliability.

• Great for personal use.

• Affordable international calling.

Cons

• Dated design.

• Fewer advanced meeting features.

6. Slack

Who It’s For:

Startups and small teams chat often and meet occasionally.

What It Offers: 

Free calls for up to 15 people. Paid plans include integrations with apps like Google Drive and advanced tools for team management.

Top Feature

The Messaging + Video features are designed to work closely together, so you can easily switch from a chat to a video call with just one click. This makes fast conversations or meetings a breeze for teams who already use Slack to communicate.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Slack is a messaging app with a video calling feature tacked on. The video features work great for work chats. However, if you need a full video meeting platform, this probably isn’t the best option.

Pros

• Excellent team communication.

• Works well with other apps.

• User-friendly interface.

Cons

• Video features are limited.

• Best for smaller teams.

Figure6-slack, source from slack.com

7. BlueJeans by Verizon

Who It’s For:

People need studio-level quality video and audio.

What It Offers:

Free trial available. Paid plans include Dolby Sound and custom layouts for meetings.

Top Feature

Dolby Voice delivers high-definition audio during meetings. It removes background noise and enhances voice clarity so that everyone sounds crystal-clear and professional.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

BlueJeans has great all-around quality. The sound is clean, and the video is free of any weird fuzz. You can change how the meeting shows up on your screen, too. It’s not the easiest app to learn, but if you need good call quality, this app will be all you need.

Pros

• Amazing video and audio quality.

• Customizable layouts.

• Simple meeting controls.

Cons

• Fewer advanced collaboration tools.

• Takes some time to learn.

8. GoTo Meeting

Who It’s For:

Trainers, presenters, and business teams.

What It Offers:

Paid plans only. They include unlimited meetings, cloud recording, and tools for drawing on shared screens.

Top Feature

Screen Annotation, where you can highlight or draw directly on your screen during presentations. This makes it easier to understand or guide participants through key details.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?
GoTo Meeting is mostly meant for presentations. You can mark up your screen while sharing it. It’s not a free video conference system. However, if you run webinars or workshops, it’s worth the cost.

Pros

• Great for presentations.

• Reliable performance.

• Useful drawing tools.

Cons

• No free version.

• Focused more on presenting than general use.

9. Jitsi Meet

Who It’s For:

Small groups, privacy-conscious users, and tech enthusiasts.

What It Offers

Completely free with no time or participant limits.

Top Feature

Customizable advanced security gives you greater control over privacy than most other platforms.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?

Jitsi Meet is open-source, anyone can use it or even modify it. You can look into the community to get a real idea about its security. If you’re good with tech, you could check the security yourself. You can start a meeting right away without an account. Keep in mind, that it's a little basic but free and private. 

Pros

• Free and unlimited.

• Strong privacy.

• Open-source flexibility.

Cons

• Basic interface.

• Fewer built-in features.

10. RingCentral Video

Who It’s For:

Businesses and remote teams.

What It Offers:

 Free meetings for up to 100 people. Paid plans add cloud recording and better integrations with other tools.

Top Feature

Smooth integration with other RingCentral products like its phone systems. You’ll get a complete communication solution without switching between apps.

Why Is It A Top Video Conference App?
RingCentral Video is straightforward. It’s reliable and integrates well with other RingCentral products like their phone systems. It’s not the most exciting option. Still, if your team already uses RingCentral, adding video is a no-brainer.

    Pros

• Reliable and stable.

• Connected well with the rest of the brand’s digital ecosystem.

• Good free options for medium-large meetings.

   Cons

• Not as innovative or feature-packed as competitors.

Parting Words

It all comes down to what works best for you. Zoom covers the basics, Google Meet keeps things easy, and others offer fresh features without restrictions. Try a few, see how they fit your meetings, and pick the one that makes your meetings the most productive.