Google Meet vs. Zoom: What’s the Difference?

Vik News10/12/2022

0 1 4 minutes read

See what sets this video conferencing app apart

Google Meet quietly launched in 2017 as an invitation-only app. Zoom has taken a leap forward to challenge all of the cloud-based video conferencing giants. Online conferencing is better than ever, thanks to the collaboration capabilities of both services. But which online meeting is better: Zoom or Google Meet? I tested the free version of both tools.

Zoom vs Google Meet: Full Results

google meeting

Easy to use.
Ideal for quick meetings.
The free plan has a maximum of 100 attendees.
Unlimited meetings of up to 1 hour each.
Works in a variety of browsers.

zoom

Extensive features.
Ideal for large meetings.
The free plan has a maximum of 100 attendees.
Unlimited meetings of up to 40 minutes each.
Works on all operating systems, including Linux.

Both services are feature-rich, but not identical. Google Meet provides all the essential features, but you may prefer Zoom because of the many options it offers.

Install: use both on all platforms

google meeting

Use Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Apple Safari.
Google recommends a dual-core processor and at least 2GB of RAM.
A Google or G Suite account is required to use Google Meet.

zoom

Download the Zoom desktop client for Windows or Mac.
Zoom recommends a dual-core processor and 4GB of memory.
Sign in with your Zoom, Google, or Facebook account.

All you need is a browser to join a Google Meet session. If you work from home, you can also join meetings from the mobile app, iOS and Android, and Google Nest Hub Max. If you have iOS12 or later, you can also use the Gmail app.

google meeting

To start a meeting from an invite link in Gmail, join an instant video meeting using a Google Calendar event or by clicking the meeting link URL sent via text message or email. You (or anyone you invite) don’t need a Google Account, but the meeting organizer or someone in your organization must grant you meeting access.

zoom

You can host or join Zoom meetings from your browser, but some features may not be available. For the best experience, consider using the desktop client for Windows, macOS, and Linux, or the Zoom app for Android or iOS. Zoom also works with H.323 or SIP devices.

Pricing Plan: Generous for all types of users

google meeting

Our free plan (limited time) allows 100 participants to join a group video call.
On the free plan, a single meeting lasts 1 hour.
Unlimited meetings.

zoom

100 participants can join group video calls with a free plan.
The maximum length of a group meeting cannot exceed 40 minutes on the free plan.
Unlimited meetings.

Google Meet and Zoom have different tiered plans, but you can start with a generous free plan. It’s good enough for private 1:1 chats and good enough for small teams.

google meeting

As with all Google services, Meet is free to use with a Google Account. Advanced features are only available with paid G Suite subscriptions. Paid subscriptions provide 300 hours per meeting, US or international dial-in numbers, and more.

zoom

In addition to the four specialized plans, Zoom has optional add-on plans to meet your unique needs, such as high-quality VoIP dial-up, large group conferencing of 500 or 1000 users, and storage solutions in the Zoom cloud.

If you need guidance with tens of video conferencing features, then Zoom is ahead of Google Meet. But at the end of the day, the decision will depend on individual needs.

During a meeting: the possibilities of Zoom

google meeting

Switch between tile, spotlight, and sidebar layouts.
Show only 16 faces in tile view.

zoom

Choose between gallery view, current presenter view, and minimized floating thumbnail windows
Zoom’s gallery view can display 49 users at a time.

Although Google Meet has a minimalist interface, it can be counterintuitive when you start exploring the options. Zoom’s controls stand out more on the screen.

Both Meet and Zoom support a maximum video resolution of 720p. Both support multi-view modes for multiple members, but Google Meet can feel a bit limited as it only shows 16 faces in a tiled view. Zoom can manage 49 users from one screen (it can feel overwhelming, but at least you have the option).

Zoom offers better conferencing features on its free base tier. You can set up multiple video breakout rooms for a specific project. Zoom includes a feature called waiting rooms that temporarily keeps attendees in reserved “rooms”. Virtual backdrops take you away from the hustle and bustle of meeting backgrounds.

Zoom provides a virtual whiteboard that you can use during meetings. There are some great whiteboard tools you can use with Google Meet and share your screen during meetings.

Overall, Zoom by function is ahead of Google Meet by offering better in-meeting tools in the free version.

Third-party apps: more integrations when you need them

google meeting

15 GB of Google Drive storage (shared with other Google apps).
It integrates seamlessly with Gmail and Google Calendar.
Connect Google Meet to Outlook with the add-in for Microsoft Outlook.

zoom

Add-ons to all popular services available on Zoom Marketplace.
Extensions and plugins also work with Outlook, Sharepoint, and cloud storage providers.

Both Meet and Zoom get along well with others. The former works seamlessly with scheduling tools like Google Calendar. You can also use the Meet add-in to connect to Microsoft Outlook events or emails.

Zoom offers a number of integrations. For example, you can also sync with your Microsoft Outlook contacts and set your Outlook status based on your current Zoom status. Set up file sharing integrations with Box, Google Drive, OneDrive, and SharePoint for better collaboration.

Many of Zoom’s integrations rely on extensions and plugins from the Zoom Marketplace and may not be free.

Winner: Zoom offers more options

Zoom is a dedicated video conferencing service. So everything is done to make this experience better. However, it can be overkill for someone who needs a simple video chat solution and doesn’t need to put video calls at the center of collaboration.

You can use Google Meet here. It is the successor to Google Hangouts and is part of the other collaboration tools Google already provides. Both solutions can be used. Choose Google Meet for seamless interoperability with other Google tools. When you need a complete video conferencing solution with all the productivity, choose Zoom.

The great thing about these two platforms is their free tier, which is good enough for individuals or small teams. Try both and see which is better for your team size and the different apps you use.

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