Zoom dominates video conferencing, but it's not the only option. Whether you're looking for free meetings, better pricing, or different features, here are the best Zoom alternatives in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Free Tier | Paid Price | Max Participants | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom | 40-min groups | $13.33/mo | 100-1,000 | Professional meetings |
| Google Meet | 60-min groups | $7/user/mo | 100-500 | Google users |
| Microsoft Teams | Unlimited | $4/user/mo | 100-300 | Microsoft shops |
| Around | Free (8 users) | $9.50/user/mo | 50 | Casual team calls |
| Whereby | 45-min meetings | $9.99/mo | 12-50 | Browser-based |
| Webex | 40-min meetings | $14.50/mo | 100-1,000 | Enterprise |
Top 6 Zoom Alternatives Reviewed
1. Google Meet (Best Free Option)
Free tier: 60-minute group meetings, 100 participants Paid: $7/user/mo (Google Workspace Starter)
Why choose it: Longest free meetings (60 min vs Zoom's 40). No app required—join from any browser. Perfect for teams using Google Workspace.
Pros: No app install, 60-min free meetings, Google integration Cons: Fewer features than Zoom, limited webinar capabilities
2. Microsoft Teams (Best All-in-One)
Free tier: Unlimited meetings, 100 participants Paid: $4/user/mo (Essentials)
Why choose it: Chat + video + file sharing in one. Best value if you need team messaging too. Included with Microsoft 365.
Pros: All-in-one platform, generous free tier, Office integration Cons: Resource-heavy app, can feel overwhelming
3. Around (Best for Team Culture)
Free tier: 8 participants Paid: $9.50/user/mo
Why choose it: Designed for hybrid and remote teams. Unique "bringing everyone into the room" feel. Great for frequent, casual team calls.
Pros: Excellent for hybrid teams, fun interface, low bandwidth Cons: Smaller participant limits, less known
4. Whereby (Best Browser-Based)
Free tier: 45-minute meetings, 12 participants Paid: $9.99/mo
Why choose it: Simplest browser-based video. No downloads ever. Great for external calls where you don't want to force app installation.
Pros: Always browser-based, simple, good for client calls Cons: Limited features, small participant counts
5. Webex (Best Enterprise Alternative)
Free tier: 40-minute meetings, 100 participants Paid: $14.50/mo
Why choose it: Enterprise-grade with advanced security and compliance. Best for organizations with strict requirements.
Pros: Enterprise features, strong security, webinars Cons: More expensive, dated interface
6. Discord (Best Free Unlimited)
Free tier: Unlimited video calls Paid: $9.99/mo (Nitro optional)
Why choose it: Completely free video with no time limits. Great for teams already using Discord for chat.
Pros: Free unlimited, screen share, voice channels Cons: Gaming-oriented, less "professional"
Free vs Paid Breakdown
Best Free Options
- Google Meet — 60-minute meetings
- Discord — Unlimited (with quirks)
- Microsoft Teams — Unlimited meetings
Best Paid Value
- Microsoft Teams — $4/user/mo with chat
- Google Meet — $7/user/mo with Google Workspace
- Zoom — $13.33/mo for best features
Best for Different Team Sizes
Small teams (2-10): Around, Whereby, Discord Medium teams (10-50): Google Meet, Microsoft Teams Large teams (50+): Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex
When to Stick with Zoom
Despite alternatives, Zoom remains best for:
- Professional video quality and reliability
- Webinars and large events
- Advanced meeting controls
- Extensive integrations
- Recording and transcription
Conclusion
The best Zoom alternative depends on your needs:
Google Meet wins for free meetings and Google users. Microsoft Teams wins for all-in-one collaboration. Around wins for casual team culture. Whereby wins for browser simplicity. Webex wins for enterprise requirements.
Most teams should try Google Meet or Microsoft Teams first—they're free with existing subscriptions and cover most needs. Stick with Zoom if you need its professional feature set.