Meeting apps review
Overall best: Whereby
Know each other? Use Signal for best security and call quality.
Need remote control? Use Zoom.
Need background blur? Use Google Meet.
Apps are ranked by recommendation. Only the free versions for normal users are considered
All of the following can
- Video meeting with a web link
- Present a browser tab only
⭐ Whereby
Pro:
- Unlimited recording
- Host up to 100 participants
- Nice UI
- End-to-end encryption (see https://vpnoverview.com/internet-safety/business/video-conferencing-software/)
Around
- https://www.around.co/pricing/
- Crops video on recipient end
Pro
- Cool features
- Floating screen (desktop app only)
- On screen cursor position and sketch
- AI noise/echo suppression and sound enhancement
- Quick keyboard actions like wave (W), raise hand (U) etc.
- Set background music
- Built-in team games
Con
- Still in beta, less stable
- No video background filters (only color filters)
- 50 ppl max
Jitsi
- Too new to properly evaluate
Google Meet
Pro:
- Can blur background or use background images
Con:
- Privacy concerns with Google
- Cannot control others' machines
- No end-to-end encryption
- Data collection
Zoom
Pro:
- Can control others’ machines
- Zoom Webinar allows you to broadcast a Zoom meeting to up to 10,000 view-only attendees
Con:
Not end-to-end encryption
Privacy and censorship concerns with a company with strong China ties
The Citizen Lab at University of Toronto found all Zoom meetings go through servers in Beijing to retrieve the encryption keys. Zoom has 3 entities and 700+ engineers in China and is obligated to give these keys to the government.
Amazon Chime
- Privacy concerns with Amazon
- A bit hard to use