Here are some free platforms for videoconferencing.
Zoom.us
Zoom is easy, has high quality video, and is free. Zoom is primarily a videoconferencing platform, but it has a suite of other features that come in handy.
Zoom allows you to share the screen so you can easily see what you are seeing. It gives you the ability to record the video and audio of any conversation (as long as all parties agree).
This means you can record your session and go back to listen if you forget a detail. Last, Zoom.us has a chat feature that allows you to share documents right within the call.
How many people use Zoom.us?
Zoom has grown over the past few years to be one of the most trusted platforms in video conferencing. In a single day, Zoom has over 1 million participants!
How it works
You’ll want to create a log-in (it’s free!). Once you sign up and confirm your email, Zoom will give you a personal meeting ID that you can share with your attendees.
To start a meeting, click Host a Meeting. You will have to download Zoom’s desktop application, which it will prompt you to do. Once the desktop application is open, click invite participants to the meeting and send your attendees an invitation!
Skype
Skype is one of the most popular platforms in the industry and was born in 2003! Skype is a high quality video and chat software with audio and video connection you can rely on.
Just like Zoom.us, Skype is free for individual users! Skype allows you to be face to face with videoconferencing, record calls, share documents, and share your screen.
How many people use Skype?
Skype is one of the oldest web conferencing tools that exist, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t using it. According to Lifewire, Skype currently has around 300 million users!
How it works
To create a free Skype account, go to www.skype.com. Then you will download the software to your computer or portable device. If you do not want to download the application, then you can use the software’s web version at web.skype.com.
Test that Skype is working first. Once you have an account, you will see “Skype Test Call” is in your contacts. Click on the “Skype Test Call” to automatically test your audio. To confirm that your camera is working, open options or preferences, then click on ‘Video settings” or ‘Audio/video.”
Before you can call another Skype user, you will need to add them to your contact list. So add your attendeed to your contact list and have them add you back!
UberConference
UberConference is one of the easiest platforms to use and provides clear HD video. A fun bonus is the funny hold music that plays while you wait for your tutor to show up.
Just like the other platforms, UberConference is free. The only downside is that as a free user, you can only have 45 minute conversations. If you plan to have a meeting for over 45 minutes, then you would have to upgrade to the paid version, which is around $20 per month.
Like the other tools, UberConference allows you to be face to face with videoconferencing, record calls, share documents and share your screen.
How many people use UberConference?
UberConference is a fast growing well trusted software. In 2017, UberConference passed over 1.5 million users!
How it works
Go to Uberconference.com and create a free account with your email and phone number. Once you have created a log-in, it will bring you to a webpage that says “Start a New Conference”.
Click that button, and it will ask you to allow the use of your Microphone and Camera. Once you join the conference, you will hear the amusing hold music, and you can invite your attendees to the web room by clicking invite others and entering their emails. It’s that easy.
As a free user, you will see a countdown of how much time you have left on that call. Each call can only be 45 minutes before you have to upgrade to the paid version.
Whereby
Whereby is convenient. The review site G2 Crowd ranked Whereby as the #1 easiest tool to use. With Whereby you will be able to have video and audio conversations and share screens.
The free version does have everything you need, but it lacks 2 features the other platforms have. Although it has a chat, it cannot share files.
If you wanted to record your conversations, you would need to upgrade to the paid version, which would be about $15 per month.
How many people use UberConference?
Whereby touts on their home page that they hold 10,110,568 conversations a year. That means Whereby hosts over 27 thousand conversations a day!
How it works
To get started go to the Whereby sign up page, all you need is your email address or a Google account. It will prompt you to choose your plan. We recommend the free version which will give you the access you need for your meeting.
Once you have created your account, it will bring you to a page that shows ‘your rooms’. Click on the room name for the account you just created, and it will prompt you to check and enable your audio and video with a button that says “allow cam and mic”. Then join the call room. Once you are in your personal call room, it will show you a link. Send that link to your attendees so they can join you!