With most people working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing software and webinar tools have become extremely popular in 2020. Zoom, WebEx, WebinarJam, Skype, and GoToMeeting are some of the popular platforms that host video calls, allow conference calls, and that can facilitate online meetings.
The differences between different video conferencing tools are minimal, but they are nonetheless impactful on the success of your online meeting. That is why you need to understand the pros and cons of each platform before making your final decision.
In this review, we focus on the capabilities and limitations of Zoom as a video conferencing and webinar software. The US-based platform is arguably the most popular choice for business professionals across the world. It is particularly useful for any multinational establishment going through China company registration right now because the platform has become very useful in the Chinese business landscape amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pros of the Zoom platform
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Zoom is super easy to use
Zoom is hands down the most convenient conferencing solution you have used yet. You just need to download it, set it up, and start using it. Its user interface is unbeatable in terms of navigability and intuitiveness. And noting that some of your customers, employees, and investors may not be tech-savvy, you need a platform that doesn’t require a tedious configuration process, otherwise, some of them will decline your meeting invitation.
Zoom is compatible with desktops, smartphones, iPads, and literally any browsing device you can think of. It easily connects with room systems, enabling workers in different offices or departments, as well as participants from different geographical locations to collaborate seamlessly. Participants can join Zoom rooms with ease, share screen, and engage in a productive and intriguing way.
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It is the best at running webinars
All the platforms we mentioned above allow you to invite attendees to your webinar, but Zoom beats them all because it has a recording feature. This means that if you need to save your webinar for reference or so that you reuse it in a different meeting, you can comfortably do that.
Zoom is also great in that it allows you to invite up to 500 participants for a video conference, and up to 10,000 participants for a webinar. For both webinars and video conferences, Zoom has automatic mute features, so you don’t have to keep reminding participants to mute themselves.
Zoom also offers users a Panelist Green Room. This is a room where panelists can practice their presentations as they wait in line to make their statements. This feature is particularly useful when you have a lot of panelists.
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It is very secure
Video conferences are as sensitive as any other conferences, and because they are held online, their vulnerability to data thieves are higher than in-person conferences. You have to maintain a high-security posture if you want the sensitive data shared over the meeting to be safe. That is why Zoom might be your best video conferencing tool for you. Some of the security features that Zoom offers include SSL encryption, AES 256-bits encryption, single sign-on (SSO), and HTTPS access. That means that the virtual meetings, webinars, and video conferences you host over zoom are encrypted- data thieves will struggle to steal your information and even if they succeed, they will not be able to encrypt it, so it will be of no use to them.
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It has a limited free plan
If you need to put Zoom’s video conferencing capabilities to test before purchasing its premium packages, you can do all that for free.
Cons
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It is expensive
Zoom isn’t the most affordable video conferencing platform out there, although it is reasonably priced for the basic level features. Its add-ons and extras make it a bit pricey for event organizers with many participants.
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Unpredictable video and audio quality
Saying that the quality of Zoom video and audio is poor can be a little too harsh, but it is safe to say that the quality is unpredictable. Sometimes the video is blurry and pixelated, and other times it is okay. The audio quality, on the other hand, can deteriorate at times and at other times be of excellent quality.
Verdict
Zoom is reliable; it is among the best right now, if not the best. Its intuitive features coupled with its ease to purchase and implement override any shortcomings that it could have.
