Video collaboration tools are being used by many companies with remote employees, allowing them to engage and collaborate with on-site employees. Now, some of these same tools are being used at other events to allow people to “attend” an event virtually. According to Forbes, 62% of executives agree that relative to audio conferencing, video conferencing significantly improves the quality of communication. Today, there are a number of great (and free!) options for video conferencing that can be paired with affordable audiovisual products like team video conferencing cameras such as Owl or Huddle.
Here’s a look at a few of the tools that are available to you. Some of these tools are best for one-on-one conversations, while others work perfectly well for live broadcasts and large meetings. By pairing one of these online meeting tools with a 360-degree video camera remote meeting attendees will be able to see everyone in attendance and hear the full conversation. Once you’ve selected your combination of tools, be sure to equip the space with the right audiovisual equipment to ensure a smooth, stress-free event.
Seven of the Best Free Video Conferencing Tools
1. Facebook Live
Facebook Live is a great fit for businesses looking to live stream demos or videos Followers on Facebook can comment and chat live, or you can customize who is able to view the video. Users can also schedule videos ahead of time to begin building excitement among followers or their custom audience.
Other benefits include:
- Broadcast up to four hours
- Advanced scheduling
- Custom audiences
2. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts video conferencing software allows users to connect with Google contacts or those outside their network. It can be used for one-on-one or group meetings, recorded demos, and more.
Other benefits include:
- Hosting up to 25 video people
- Video, audio, and messenger conversations
- Video meeting recordings
- Join calls using Google Calendar
- Screen sharing
3. Skype
This virtual meeting platform is a free version of Skype for Business, which costs up to $5.50 per person per month. It works well for small meetings and events, providing a simple way to video chat from your computer or mobile device.
Other benefits include:
- Hosting up to 10 people
- HD video calling
- Screen sharing
- Video call recording
- Interactive video chats
4. Slack Video Calls
While Slack may be best known as an instant messenger, the tool also allows users to call one another right from Slack simply by clicking the phone icon on the user list. Today, it’s often regarded as one of the best video conferencing tools for small business An organizer can also Slack with up to 15 people by starting a call from a channel, which enables the rest of the channel’s members to join.
Other benefits include:
- Hosting up to 15 people
- Individual calls
- Text messenger
5. UberConference
This is a free version of UberConference, which costs $15 per user per month. However, because it’s free, it limits the video call duration to 45 minutes so it’s only valuable for short meetings.
Other benefits include:
- Hosting up to 10 people
- Unlimited conferences
- Call recording
- HD Audio
- Screen and document sharing
- Mobile apps
6. YouTube Live
YouTube Live is similar to Facebook Live. The platform allows users to demonstrate a product or hold an educational session while screen sharing or using a whiteboard. It’s also interactive, allowing for live Q&A with the audience.
Other benefits include:
- Three streaming quality options (normal latency, low-latency, ultra-low latency)
- Private live streams (people can only access with the link)
- Added delay
- Advanced scheduling
- Live automatic captions
- Location tags
7. Zoom
Zoom video conferencing is simple to use for one-on-one or group meetings. The organizer can quickly create and share a meeting link with an individual or team, who can then connect remotely through video.
Other benefits include:
- Hosting up to 100 people
- HD video and audio
- Screen sharing
- Private and group chat
- Host controls
These days, many people expect to be able to attend meetings and conferences virtually, especially if attending in person will require a significant amount of time and hassle. If you’re interested in holding an event with remote attendees, One Way Event Products can help. Along with providing professional audiovisual support in NYC, our high-definition IMAG video cameras enable us to film your event and stream to anywhere in the world, as well a project a larger-than-live image on-screen for everyone to see. Our video switcher also uses multiple camera angles, moving from one shot to another, further engaging viewers.
Want to learn more about how to stream live with online video collaboration tools? We can talk to you about the best lights for live streaming, the best mic stand for streaming, and much more. Contact us today to speak with a New York City event production expert about our video conferencing services and audiovisual!
