This is the sixth and final installment in our blog series regarding video conferencing and collaboration software. Our first blog was a summary of the best feature of each of the offerings. Next, we took a deeper dive into Microsoft Teams, Zoom, BlueJeans and WebEx. In this installment, we review, High Five, AnyMeeting and Google Meet.
When evaluating any software product, you must take the time to perform the critical first step and define your organization’s needs. This can be a challenge if you are not familiar with all of the features available to you. It reminds me of a quote that has been attributed to Henry Ford, “If I asked the people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse”. When it comes to videoconferencing options, you just might not be aware of all of the features available. Before selecting a platform for your use, you really should take some time to determine how you anticipate using it and try to predict future uses of the tool. From there, you can compare features, check out reviews and either purchase and install the solution or perhaps take advantage of the free trial versions that just about all of the vendors offer.
One key factor though, should be what other tools you are using and how well the new tool will interact and integrate with your existing tools. For example, if you are using Loom software with Zoom or Teams for screen recording on your PC or iPhone because it tends to give a much better resolution than the inbuilt recording features, then you might want to check whether both the tools functions simultaneously. Microsoft Teams may be the first choice if you are using O365 and your users are already leveraging the Microsoft platform. If you are a Google Docs, Sheets, or even full G-Suite user, then Google Meet will likely be the best choice when it comes to integrating with the other tools you are using today. The main thing to watch for when looking at pricing is price per host or price per user. Some price per user plans have a minimum number of users.
See our chart below for an overview of the cost levels and features for High Five, AnyMeeting, and Google Meet:
| High Five | AnyMeeting | Google Meet | |
| Free version available | No 1 | Yes 4 users max | Yes2 100 users max |
| Starter Plan | $9.99/mo/user | $9.99/mo/user3 | $6/mo/user4 |
| Participants | Max. 40 | Max. 10 | Max. 150 |
| # of meetings | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Meeting time limits | Unlimited | 12 Hours | 300 Hours |
| Dial-in from phone only at no add. cost | Yes | Yes | Yes (G-Suite only) |
| In-meeting chat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen and Application sharing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Second tier | $13.99/mo/user | $12.99/mo/user | $12/mo/user4 |
| Participants | Max. 150 | Max. 1005 | Max. 150 |
| # of meetings | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Meeting Recording | No | Yes | No |
| Top Tier | $16.99/mo/user | $17.99/mo/user | $25/mo/user |
| Participants | Max. 150 | Max. 2005 | Max. 250 |
| # of meetings | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Meeting Recording | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
|
1 Free Trial available |
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| 2 Google Hangouts free up to 25 users- Meet available free for up to 100 users | |||
| 3 Pricing shown for 1-25 users. Offers lower rates for 26-100, 100+ users | |||
| 4 This price is for G-Suite which includes Meet and many other applications | |||
| 5 Max 30 HD Video Participants (720p) | |||
Video conferencing and collaboration tools have become one of the hottest products on the market today. New offerings and new features for existing products appear every day. Some of our clients have found that adoption of more than one solution makes sense for them based on internal dynamics where more collaboration tools are required or external scenarios where ease of connection by their customers or clients is the primary objective. Watch for our next blog series where we’ll explore options for VoIP phone systems.
Authored by Donald Nokes
Nick Eckman joined NetCenergy in 2016 from an international gaming company. Nick’s experience with supervising and implementing secure, fiber and copper wire infrastructure services provides our clients with a team of highly trained and experienced technicians. In addition to the skills required to manage our infrastructure services department, Nick brings a very experienced and focused approach to project management and is a stickler for accurate documentation for every project designed and built by his team.
Peter Lachapelle joined NetCenergy in 2015 and is responsible for leading all of NetCenergy’s operations and accounting functions. Each department within NetCenergy reports through Lachapelle. He brings his years of experience to maintain a pragmatic, efficient, client-focused team at NetCenergy. Lachapelle joined NetCenergy after completing a 27-year career with a Rhode Island, federally-charted bank which culminated in his senior management position as COO and CFO for the bank.
Peter Nelson has 25+ years of technology and management experience and has been with NetCenergy since inception. Peter serves as the VP of Engineering at NetCenergy. His role consists of managing the engineering staff, driving the companies technology strategy, and ensuring NetCenergy keeps up to date on new technologies and solutions.
As a Founding Partner, Dan is a result oriented individual who is always focusing on what is best for his client. He understands that business applications empower an organization and that technology must support those critical business applications. Dan’s technology career started in 1990 at EMC Corporation. Through the years, he has represented technology and consulting services for several organizations until 2003, when he and Don Nokes founded NetCenergy.
As President of NetCenergy, Don is responsible for ensuring client satisfaction, overseeing overall performance, and for providing direction to the organization. Prior to co-founding the firm with Dan Charland, Don held senior leadership positions with IT service firms ranging in size from $3 Billion to $10 Million in annual sales.
With decades of hands-on HR experience, Margery Ahearn is our Director of Human Resources, overseeing all hiring of new positions for NetCenergy with a careful eye on sourcing technology savvy engineers and skilled office-based professionals who fit our company culture, understand our commitment to our clients, and bring their time and talents to our team. Margery has both a BA and MBA in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.