Zoom Reviews

Pros

As with any platform like this, a stable internet connection makes a big difference. Another plus is that it connects with our business software, TeamUp which has been really useful. The initial setup was fairly simple too although in the beginning we had to do some trial and error to figure out the best settings particularly for sharing sound successfully.

Cons

During our classes we regularly mute and unmute participants so they can give feedback and that part feels a bit outdated now that it removed the "Unmute all" button. The option to request unmuting is still there but it is tucked away and also depends on the participant clicking yes. Since some of our participants are older or living with long-term health conditions, managing mute and unmute on their own can be difficult for them.

Pros

This software really fits the way we work today. It was especially important for me during the COVID period and turned out to be a crucial tool.

Cons

On the downside the technical team still needs to fix the issue with data usage because connection problems and bugs happen far too often during video conferences.

Pros

It allowed me to participate in meetings even without being physically there. For us teachers it was a way for everyone to be present at the gatherings something that at other times would have been very difficult to achieve.

Cons

At the beginning the usage was limited to just one hour but when they expanded that option, the experience improved and the quality of the service also felt better.

Pros

It works really well, clearly understands what users need and feels fast and simple to use.

Cons

There's honestly very little, if anything at all, to complain about with this software.

Pros

Comes packed with plenty of features and since it's so widely used, most people already know their way around the platform.

Cons

A few of the meeting tools aren't very accessible at first so it can take some trial and error to figure out where they are and how they work.

Pros

One thing that really makes this software stand out is how user friendly it is. Changing the background is simple and the video still looks clear even when the lighting is dim. It also lets you host unlimited one-on-one or group meetings for free which is a big plus. Another helpful part is that people can join a meeting without needing to download the app.

Cons

On the free plan the time limit feels restrictive and really should be increased. There's also no way to delete or edit inappropriate comments which can be frustrating. On top of that, the real-time captions only support a limited number of languages.

Pros

Working remotely is much more manageable with this product because it's easy to use and really helps simplify work meetings and presentations. The image and sound quality are fairly good which makes conversations flow well and sharing your screen or presenting slides also works quite effectively.

Cons

While watching different talks and presentations, I've noticed that guests' microphones sometimes get turned off when someone else mutes them and that can interrupt a person's presentation. It can also cause the application and even the presenter, to freeze at times.

Pros

Back during the pandemic, this became one of the tools I relied on constantly and that routine has carried over into my daily use even now. The convenience and range of features it offers are the reason I keep using it for different purposes. A few things that really make it stand out are its user friendly interface, the fact that it's free for users and the solid video conferencing quality. It also handles multiple participants and even large audiences very well without creating problems. On top of that it gives both the host and attendees a variety of useful meeting features which is especially helpful from the host side when managing and controlling the full session. Overall it's a really solid piece of software.

Cons

It has only happened to me on rare occasions but it did crash once or twice during meetings with a large audience.

Pros

Using the app feels very easy and it includes many of the features clients typically need. Screen sharing, live audio and video and live chat are all heavily used and work well for just about everyone.

Cons

The live chat feature could still be improved especially by adding the option to delete sent messages. It would also help to have a pop-out chat for each participant instead of relying on a drop-down. That part could use an upgrade with a few more features though the rest of the platform works well.

Pros

Back in the early pandemic period the NHS adopted MS Teams quite quickly but a lot of staff weren't really aware of how to use it or which features were available. There was a noticeable difference between the free version and the licensed one and an even larger gap between outside guests and actual Team members in terms of what they could access, including accessibility options. This was much simpler to roll out and more direct to use so it often became the platform we turned to when MS Teams couldn't deliver what was needed. Its accessibility settings were also much easier to switch on.

Cons

Captioning is extremely inaccurate and the audio and video quality seem to have got worse over time.

Pros

Compared with other video conferencing tools available right now it has a much more user friendly interface. It also gives a reassuring sense of security and privacy since you can customize the settings however you prefer.

Cons

Meetings in the free version can only run for a set amount of time. That said, the limit still feels pretty generous for a free plan especially since users get access to almost all of the features whether they are paying or using the free version.

Pros

What I appreciate most about this software is that it lets us connect from different parts of the world and use it across all kinds of projects.

Cons

I still haven't come across any issues with the software and I use it often since I'm connected regularly.

Pros

The pricing plans are affordable, it supports collaborative work really well and it's so user friendly that even kids can use it without trouble.

Cons

It would be better if there were a direct link clients could use to schedule meetings based on the availability in my calendar.

Pros

Being able to talk with other companies about products while seeing everything in real time has been incredibly helpful and that's a big reason I enjoy using this so much. I also use it often for my children's school and it has worked out really well for that too which has been very nice.

Cons

The only issue I really have is that the process could be improved when the host is letting you into a meeting. I've run into problems there a few times and it has ended up kicking me out of the meeting.

Pros

Holding meetings on the platform is really useful and effective especially when it comes to managing the duration and the number of participants. At one time, we can connect with a huge number of people which makes it very practical for larger meetings.

Cons

An area that could be improved is allowing even more participants to join the same call at once. It does have a participant limit and it would be better if that capacity could be increased.

Pros

People can hop in on meetings without having to install anything first. It's the platform many Deaf participants and Sign Language Interpreters prefer because the accessibility features are so well suited to them. The free version also gives you a lot to work with which makes it even better. Screen sharing keeps presentations and meetings polished and the remote control option is especially useful when I need to show someone exactly how to do something on their computer. Being able to use two monitors at once is another big plus since I can share my screen and still keep all the participants visible at the same time.

Cons

I don't have any complaints. This is the conferencing tool I rely on most for my work-from-home job and I barely even use my regular phone anymore :)

Pros

The interaction during meetings is really good and getting into the platform is very accessible and easy.

Cons

One drawback is that not all the tutorials are available for learning how to use it so there are features and details we've had to figure out on our own.

Pros

It feels current and very practical which helps shorten distances in communication while allowing more people to join meetings. The first 40 minutes being free also makes it a very affordable option.

Cons

Having to type or copy the long codes can be inconvenient.

Pros

Getting started with it is very easy and the cloud recording feature works really well.

Cons

At times the remote control feature doesn't respond properly and access to troubleshooting logs is pretty limited.

Pros

Works really well for online networking and collaboration especially with smaller groups. The hand-raise feature is helpful for keeping people from talking over one another particularly when there's a designated moderator guiding the conversation. It definitely works best when the group stays at a manageable size because once attendance grows, keeping track of everyone can get harder unless you have extra staff helping behind the scenes. Another feature I've really appreciated is being able to admit certain people from the waiting room before the meeting officially begins when we need time to debrief first. I was a little nervous about using that setup at first but once I realized that option was available, I felt much more comfortable using it for events with members.

Cons

One frustration has been that we haven't been able to live stream meeting formats directly to our Facebook groups. That's been disappointing but it hasn't been a deal-breaker since we can still upload a recording afterward instead.