Google Hangouts meeting it’s a popular video conferencing tool for companies in all sectors. Available for Android, iOS and as an extension of Chrome, the platform is a quick way to set up virtual conferences and facilitates calls for up to 250 people.
The platform’s intuitive interface and variety of collaborative features make videoconferencing software particularly popular with many people. But, is the videoconferencing software right for you?
Read our Google Hangouts Meet video conference review to find out.
Plans and pricing
The Google Hangouts Meet is not a standalone product; is part of the G Suite, which includes the platform, in addition to a variety of business applications.
G Suite offers three professional plans: basic ($ 6 per month with access to Google Hangouts Meet for up to 100 people), business ($ 12 per month with access to Google Hangouts Meet for up to 150 people) and Enterprise ($ 25 per month, with access to Google Hangouts Meet for up to 250 people).
You can access each plan via Workspace, Android and iOS.
Features and utilities
The Google Hangouts Meet is packed with features that rival those of your competitors. Three areas stand out in particular: mobile conferences, video chat features and integrations with other Google applications.
The Google Hangouts Meet seamless interface means that you can set up a video conference with up to 250 participants by simply sending an invitation link.
The platform is fully optimized for Android and iOS, and its Enterprise plan allows for speed dial functionality with a dedicated meeting phone number to chat on the go, even without mobile data.
The Google Hangout Meet has a variety of useful video chat features, including a live stream poll option for real-time decision making, text-based chat and file and image sharing features. Each of these features is geared towards making video conferences as cohesive and productive as possible.
The platform synchronizes seamlessly with G Suite to improve connectivity and collaboration. For companies that rely on frequent video conferencing and collaboration meetings, tools like Google Docs and Calendar are invaluable when it comes to sharing ideas or delivering projects.
If you need video calls for external communications, Google Hangouts Meet also integrates with external platforms selected by Google’s Pexip Infinity platform.
Configuration
The Google Hangouts Meet runs directly through a web browser or the dedicated mobile app and doesn’t require third party access to set up.
After committing to your plan, set up Google Hangouts Meet it is a straightforward process.
Whether on a computer or a mobile device, you can start a video call by starting the platform and sending an access link to participants, or by creating an event on Google Calendar and sending invitations to the e-mail recipients in your contact lists.
When a potential participant receives your access link or dial number, they can simply click or tap to enter the video conference.
Interface and performance
According to the variety of Google G Suite tools, Google Hangouts Meet is attractive and intuitive in equal measure.
Clean, minimal and equipped with clearly identified commands, the interface makes it easy to start a conversation quickly. The platform has a perfect interface for those who need videoconferencing software for frequent and improvised virtual communications.
After loading the Google Hangout Meet home screen into your desktop or mobile app, you can set up a new call window or insert an existing call with the click of a button. Like most G Suite products, the Google Hangouts Meet user journey is designed to optimize the user experience (UX). As such, it was developed to make the video conferencing setup process completely frictionless.
In terms of performance, the platform handles conferences with large numbers of participants well, and despite the very occasional delay, call quality and screen sharing are clear, concise and reliable across devices.
The Google Hangouts Meet is robust and has minimal performance issues, but the platform is more intuitive through its mobile app.
Although the mobile version is simple and offers access to the platform’s call features with a simple touch or slide, using some of the same features during a desktop conference that requires more work, taking a little more time to send files or information based on text, for example.
Safety
To ensure the protection of its users, the Google Hangout Meet is equipped with a robust combination of security features, including anti-abuse initiatives and secure video cryptography.
The platform is also powered by Google’s brute force attack prevention capabilities. – measures that prevent malicious entities or hackers from compromising a meeting or teleconference. To increase security, videoconferencing administrators have the option of configuring PIN access codes for calls so that participants can access a call.
As part of Google’s global strategy IT infrastructure, the platform is waterproof and developed to incredibly strict security standards, which are maintained by contractual agreements with official bodies (including HIPAA and ISO / IEC) related to data usage, privacy, transparency and user security.
Support, support
Google’s business support touch points include an official email contact Format, a dedicated phone line and social mediacommunication options based on
However, we were very impressed with its interactive knowledge base. Its search bar functionality means that you can type in a question or query and will return several results that include practical guides on almost every topic imaginable.
The competition
One of the main competitors of the Hangout Meet is Microsoft Teams. Both providers offer packages that include a range of business-centric tools, with video conferencing as an essential part of the companies’ respective offerings.
Microsoft Teams is equipped with some additional conference features, including subtitling and slightly more extensive instant messaging features. The platform also offers customers slightly lower prices than Google (its Essentials plan is free, Office 365 Business Plan costs $ 5 per month and Office365 Premium Plan costs $ 12.50 per month).
If your company uses Microsoft Office tools, Microsoft Teams will make a logical choice. Otherwise, G Suite, although it costs a little more, offers the best cost / benefit ratio in terms of scope and functionality.
Final verdict
Overall, we consider Google Hangouts Meet to be a reliable and intuitive video conferencing tool.
Its robust performance and frictionless video calling features make it the ideal choice for time-limited business owners who need a fast and economical video call solution.
The desktop version may benefit from some additional development to make it a little more intuitive, but for small to medium-sized businesses, Google Hangouts Meet is reliable, easy to run and competitively priced.
