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Web conferencing services

Have you ever wanted to hold meetings more often, only to be put off by the expense and hassle of transport? Well, save your travel budget - web conferencing services allow you to hold meetings in an ‘online meeting space’ on the internet.

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What to look for

FAQs

Jargon explained

Web conferencing services comparison chart for 2023

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
InterCall Web Meeting
GoToMeeting
Fuze Meeting
Cisco webex
MegaMeeting
Adobe Connect
Infinite Conferencing
Excellent
Five stars means excellent
Very good
Four stars means very good
Good
Three stars means good
Average
Two stars means average /
Poor
One star means poor
InterCall Web Meeting has been awarded best buy Product image of intercall web meeting Product image of gotomeeting Product image of fuze meeting Product image of cisco webex Product image of megameeting Product image of adobe connect Product image of infinite conferencing
 
 
 
Ratings
Overall
intercall web meeting has a rating of five  overall gotomeeting has a rating of five  overall fuze meeting has a rating of five  overall cisco webex has a rating of five  overall megameeting has a rating of four  overall adobe connect has a rating of four  overall infinite conferencing has a rating of four  overall
Sign up
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for sign up gotomeeting has a rating of five for sign up fuze meeting has a rating of five for sign up cisco webex has a rating of five for sign up megameeting has a rating of four for sign up adobe connect has a rating of three for sign up infinite conferencing has a rating of three for sign up
Conferencing features
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for conferencing features gotomeeting has a rating of five for conferencing features fuze meeting has a rating of five for conferencing features cisco webex has a rating of five for conferencing features megameeting has a rating of four for conferencing features adobe connect has a rating of four for conferencing features infinite conferencing has a rating of three for conferencing features
Presenter features
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for presenter features gotomeeting has a rating of five for presenter features fuze meeting has a rating of four for presenter features cisco webex has a rating of five for presenter features megameeting has a rating of four for presenter features adobe connect has a rating of three for presenter features infinite conferencing has a rating of three for presenter features
Video & audio
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for video & audio gotomeeting has a rating of five for video & audio fuze meeting has a rating of five for video & audio cisco webex has a rating of five for video & audio megameeting has a rating of four for video & audio adobe connect has a rating of four for video & audio infinite conferencing has a rating of three for video & audio
Security
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for security gotomeeting has a rating of five for security fuze meeting has a rating of five for security cisco webex has a rating of five for security megameeting has a rating of three for security adobe connect has a rating of four for security infinite conferencing has a rating of three for security
Ease of use
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for ease of use gotomeeting has a rating of five for ease of use fuze meeting has a rating of four for ease of use cisco webex has a rating of five for ease of use megameeting has a rating of four for ease of use adobe connect has a rating of four for ease of use infinite conferencing has a rating of three for ease of use
Help & support
intercall web meeting has a rating of five for help & support gotomeeting has a rating of five for help & support fuze meeting has a rating of five for help & support cisco webex has a rating of five for help & support megameeting has a rating of four for help & support adobe connect has a rating of four for help & support infinite conferencing has a rating of four for help & support
Pricing
Monthly
intercall web meeting allows you to pay monthly gotomeeting allows you to pay monthly fuze meeting allows you to pay monthly cisco webex allows you to pay monthly megameeting allows you to pay monthly adobe connect allows you to pay monthly infinite conferencing allows you to pay monthly
Annual
intercall web meeting allows you to pay annual gotomeeting allows you to pay annual fuze meeting allows you to pay annual cisco webex allows you to pay annual megameeting allows you to pay annual adobe connect does not allow you to pay annual infinite conferencing allows you to pay annual
Full license
intercall web meeting offers a full license gotomeeting does not offer a full license fuze meeting does not offer a full license cisco webex does not offer a full license megameeting offers a full license adobe connect offers a full license infinite conferencing offers a full license
Per minute
intercall web meeting does not allow you to pay per minute gotomeeting does not allow you to pay per minute fuze meeting allows you to pay per minute cisco webex allows you to pay per minute megameeting allows you to pay per minute adobe connect allows you to pay per minute infinite conferencing does not allow you to pay per minute
Per use
intercall web meeting allows you to pay per use gotomeeting does not allow you to pay per use fuze meeting does not allow you to pay per use cisco webex allows you to pay per use megameeting allows you to pay per use adobe connect allows you to pay per use infinite conferencing allows you to pay per use
Per user
intercall web meeting does not allow you to pay per user gotomeeting does not allow you to pay per user fuze meeting does not allow you to pay per user cisco webex allows you to pay per user megameeting allows you to pay per user adobe connect allows you to pay per user infinite conferencing does not allow you to pay per user
Calls
Toll
intercall web meeting calls are paid on the  toll gotomeeting calls are paid on the  toll fuze meeting calls are paid on the  toll cisco webex calls are paid on the  toll megameeting calls are paid on the  toll adobe connect calls are paid on the  toll infinite conferencing calls are not paid on the toll
Toll free
intercall web meeting calls are toll free gotomeeting calls are toll free fuze meeting calls are toll free cisco webex calls are toll free megameeting calls are toll free adobe connect calls are toll free infinite conferencing calls are toll free
Conferencing
Maximum attendees
125 15 45 25 250 50 1000
Desktop viewing
intercall web meeting offers desktop viewing gotomeeting offers desktop viewing fuze meeting offers desktop viewing cisco webex offers desktop viewing megameeting offers desktop viewing adobe connect offers desktop viewing infinite conferencing offers desktop viewing
Application viewing
intercall web meeting offers application viewing gotomeeting offers application viewing fuze meeting offers application viewing cisco webex offers application viewing megameeting offers application viewing adobe connect offers application viewing infinite conferencing offers application viewing
Whiteboard
intercall web meeting offers a whiteboard gotomeeting offers a whiteboard fuze meeting offers a whiteboard cisco webex offers a whiteboard megameeting offers a whiteboard adobe connect offers a whiteboard infinite conferencing offers a whiteboard
Public messaging
intercall web meeting offers public messaging gotomeeting offers public messaging fuze meeting offers public messaging cisco webex offers public messaging megameeting offers public messaging adobe connect offers public messaging infinite conferencing offers public messaging
Private messaging
intercall web meeting offers private messaging gotomeeting offers private messaging fuze meeting offers private messaging cisco webex offers private messaging megameeting offers private messaging adobe connect offers private messaging infinite conferencing offers private messaging
File transfers
intercall web meeting allows  file transfers gotomeeting allows  file transfers fuze meeting allows  file transfers cisco webex does not allow file transfers megameeting allows  file transfers adobe connect allows  file transfers infinite conferencing allows  file transfers
Record meetings
intercall web meeting does not allow you to record meetings gotomeeting allows you to record meetings fuze meeting allows you to record meetings cisco webex does not allow you to record meetings megameeting allows you to record meetings adobe connect allows you to record meetings infinite conferencing allows you to record meetings
Profiles
intercall web meeting offers profiles gotomeeting offers profiles fuze meeting offers profiles cisco webex offers profiles megameeting offers profiles adobe connect offers profiles infinite conferencing offers profiles
Polls & surveys
intercall web meeting offers polls & surveys gotomeeting does not offer polls & surveys fuze meeting does not offer polls & surveys cisco webex does not offer polls & surveys megameeting offers polls & surveys adobe connect offers polls & surveys infinite conferencing offers polls & surveys
Custom design
intercall web meeting offers custom design gotomeeting offers custom design fuze meeting offers custom design cisco webex offers custom design megameeting offers custom design adobe connect offers custom design infinite conferencing offers custom design
Microsoft Outlook integration
intercall web meeting offers microsoft outlook integration gotomeeting offers microsoft outlook integration fuze meeting offers microsoft outlook integration cisco webex offers microsoft outlook integration megameeting offers microsoft outlook integration adobe connect offers microsoft outlook integration infinite conferencing offers microsoft outlook integration
Lotus Notes integration
intercall web meeting offers lotus notes integration gotomeeting offers lotus notes integration fuze meeting offers lotus notes integration cisco webex offers lotus notes integration megameeting offers lotus notes integration adobe connect offers lotus notes integration infinite conferencing offers lotus notes integration
Presenter
Presenter controls
intercall web meeting offers presenter controls gotomeeting offers presenter controls fuze meeting offers presenter controls cisco webex offers presenter controls megameeting offers presenter controls adobe connect offers presenter controls infinite conferencing offers presenter controls
Change presenter
intercall web meeting allows you to change presenter gotomeeting allows you to change presenter fuze meeting does not allow you to change presenter cisco webex does not allow you to change presenter megameeting allows you to change presenter adobe connect allows you to change presenter infinite conferencing allows you to change presenter
Test mode
intercall web meeting offers a test mode gotomeeting offers a test mode fuze meeting offers a test mode cisco webex does not  offer a test mode megameeting does not  offer a test mode adobe connect offers a test mode infinite conferencing offers a test mode
Support waiting list
intercall web meeting does not offer a support waiting list gotomeeting offers a support waiting list fuze meeting offers a support waiting list cisco webex does not offer a support waiting list megameeting does not offer a support waiting list adobe connect offers a support waiting list infinite conferencing does not offer a support waiting list
Meeting scheduler
intercall web meeting does not offer a meeting scheduler gotomeeting does not offer a meeting scheduler fuze meeting offers a meeting scheduler cisco webex offers a meeting scheduler megameeting offers a meeting scheduler adobe connect offers a meeting scheduler infinite conferencing offers a meeting scheduler
Sound & video
VOIP
intercall web meeting offers voip gotomeeting offers voip fuze meeting does not offer voip cisco webex offers voip megameeting offers voip adobe connect offers voip infinite conferencing offers voip
Video integration
intercall web meeting does not offer video integration gotomeeting does not offer video integration fuze meeting offers video integration cisco webex offers video integration megameeting offers video integration adobe connect does not offer video integration infinite conferencing offers video integration
Webcam integration
intercall web meeting does not offer webcam integration gotomeeting does not offer webcam integration fuze meeting offers webcam integration cisco webex offers webcam integration megameeting offers webcam integration adobe connect does not offer webcam integration infinite conferencing offers webcam integration
Audio streaming
intercall web meeting offers audio streaming gotomeeting offers audio streaming fuze meeting offers audio streaming cisco webex offers audio streaming megameeting offers audio streaming adobe connect offers audio streaming infinite conferencing offers audio streaming
Resolution settings
intercall web meeting allows you to alter resolution settings gotomeeting does not allow you to alter resolution settings fuze meeting allows you to alter resolution settings cisco webex allows you to alter resolution settings megameeting allows you to alter resolution settings adobe connect allows you to alter resolution settings infinite conferencing allows you to alter resolution settings
Frame rate settings
intercall web meeting does not allow you to alter frame rate settings gotomeeting does not allow you to alter frame rate settings fuze meeting allows you to alter frame rate settings cisco webex allows you to alter frame rate settings megameeting allows you to alter frame rate settings adobe connect does not allow you to alter frame rate settings infinite conferencing allows you to alter frame rate settings
Security
Password protection
intercall web meeting offers password protection gotomeeting offers password protection fuze meeting offers password protection cisco webex does not offer password protection megameeting offers password protection adobe connect offers password protection infinite conferencing offers password protection
Custom URL
intercall web meeting offers a custom url gotomeeting offers a custom url fuze meeting offers a custom url cisco webex offers a custom url megameeting offers a custom url adobe connect offers a custom url infinite conferencing offers a custom url
Data encryption
intercall web meeting offers data encryption gotomeeting offers data encryption fuze meeting offers data encryption cisco webex offers data encryption megameeting offers data encryption adobe connect offers data encryption infinite conferencing offers data encryption
Help & support
Telephone support
intercall web meeting offers telephone support gotomeeting offers telephone support fuze meeting offers telephone support cisco webex offers telephone support megameeting offers telephone support adobe connect offers telephone support infinite conferencing offers telephone support
Email support
intercall web meeting offers email support gotomeeting offers email support fuze meeting offers email support cisco webex offers email support megameeting offers email support adobe connect offers email support infinite conferencing offers email support
Live chat
intercall web meeting offers live chat gotomeeting offers live chat fuze meeting offers live chat cisco webex offers live chat megameeting offers live chat adobe connect offers live chat infinite conferencing offers live chat
Manual
intercall web meeting offers manual gotomeeting offers manual fuze meeting offers manual cisco webex offers manual megameeting offers manual adobe connect offers manual infinite conferencing offers manual
Knowledge base
intercall web meeting does not offer knowledge base gotomeeting does not offer knowledge base fuze meeting offers knowledge base cisco webex offers knowledge base megameeting offers knowledge base adobe connect offers knowledge base infinite conferencing offers knowledge base
Tutorials
intercall web meeting offers tutorials gotomeeting offers tutorials fuze meeting offers tutorials cisco webex offers tutorials megameeting offers tutorials adobe connect offers tutorials infinite conferencing offers tutorials
FAQs
intercall web meeting offers faqs gotomeeting does not offer faqs fuze meeting offers faqs cisco webex offers faqs megameeting offers faqs adobe connect offers faqs infinite conferencing offers faqs
Operating systems
Windows 7
intercall web meeting is not compatible with windows 7 gotomeeting is compatible with windows 7 fuze meeting is not compatible with windows 7 cisco webex is not compatible with windows 7 megameeting is compatible with windows 7 adobe connect is compatible with windows 7 infinite conferencing is compatible with windows 7
Windows Vista
intercall web meeting is compatible with windows vista gotomeeting is compatible with windows vista fuze meeting is compatible with windows vista cisco webex is compatible with windows vista megameeting is compatible with windows vista adobe connect is compatible with windows vista infinite conferencing is compatible with windows vista
Windows XP
intercall web meeting is compatible with windows xp gotomeeting is compatible with windows xp fuze meeting is compatible with windows xp cisco webex is compatible with windows xp megameeting is compatible with windows xp adobe connect is compatible with windows xp infinite conferencing is compatible with windows xp
Mac OS X
intercall web meeting is not compatible with mac os x gotomeeting is compatible with mac os x fuze meeting is compatible with mac os x cisco webex is not compatible with mac os x megameeting is compatible with mac os x adobe connect is compatible with mac os x infinite conferencing is compatible with mac os x

Web conferencing services explained

With a web conferencing service you can hold seminars and meetings, run training sessions, give presentations and conduct other events online, without having to bring people together in one location.

Web conferencing services allow a number of people (anything from two to hundreds) to talk to each other via a microphone and speakers or headphones connected to their computers.

Most services also allow people to type messages to each other, view presentation slides and see each others’ computer desktops.

You might even be able to see each other (if you have webcams) and all contribute to a virtual whiteboard. This shared area on screen is great for brainstorming and sketching ideas.

Web conferencing services aimed at larger meeting groups may also include features to help the meeting organizer manage discussions and handle questions.

Types of web conferencing services

There are two types of web conferencing service:

  • Web-based services. To attend a web conference, people log in to a special web page which loads the meeting for them.
  • Software-based services. Meeting participants must download and install a program onto their computer before joining a meeting.

Software-based services may sometimes offer more features than web-based services. However, web-based services are usually easier to set up.

Save time and money

The exact features available in a web conference depend on the service you use and the capabilities of your computer. For instance, a fast internet connection is required to see video of other participants – and you’ll need a webcam to show video of yourself.

A well-chosen web conferencing service will provide you with a great way to hold meetings with people on a regular basis. It’ll help you stay in touch regularly, without have to travel for hours or spend a fortune.


What to look for in web conferencing services

To find a web conferencing service that fits your requirements, consider these key items.

Capacity

Many web conferencing services limit how many people can attend a conference. If you need to hold more than one conference at a time, choose a service which allows simultaneous web conferences.

Charging structure

For infrequent use consider a pay-as-you-go service where you pay for each individual conference you hold. Subscription services with a monthly or annual charge are better for frequent users. Some web conferencing services charge extra for each individual meeting participant. These are only good value for small conferences.

Audio

Nearly all web conferencing services include some audio capability. Meeting participants may be able to talk to each other using a microphone and speakers connected to their computer. This is called voice over internet protocol (VOIP). For the best-quality sound, it requires a fast internet connection. Some conferencing services require you to call a special telephone number to talk to other people in the meeting. This guarantees good quality audio, but can be more expensive.

Video conferencing

Video is most useful for showing one person as they give a presentation to others. Some services let all participants show video of themselves, but this can be hard to follow on the screen and requires a fast internet connection.

Slides, screen sharing and whiteboard

Slide and screen sharing lets one person in a web conference show presentation slides – or whatever’s on their computer screen – to the others. It’s very useful for giving presentations and demonstrations. Most web conferencing services include slide and screen sharing as standard.

A shared whiteboards is an area onto which anyone can add text, images or diagrams. They’re great for brainstorming sessions.

Text chat and feedback systems

Text chat lets conference participants send each other short text messages. These can be private, or can appear in a chat window viewable by everyone in the conference. Text chat is a useful ‘backchannel’ for comments or questions during presentations.

Meeting recording

This valuable feature records your conference as it happens, so you can play it back again or skip through to particular points. It’s particularly handy if you need a record of discussions, or want to make the web conference available to people who weren’t able to attend.

Compatibility

Most web conferencing systems will run on most modern computers, so compatibility is not a big issue. Conference problems are more likely to be caused by slow or unreliable internet connections.

However, it’s important to note that web-based services will often only run properly with an up-to-date web browser.

Ease of use

It’s important your web conferencing service is easy to use, both for the meeting organizer and for attendees. The only real way to test this is to try out a web conferencing service. Many offer a trial period or free version with limited features.

Help and support

If you plan to hold important meetings with your web conferencing service, it’s worth spending a little extra for good telephone support. This will ensure you can get help if anything goes wrong during a web conference.


FAQs

Here are our answers to the most common questions about website hosting.

Q. What is a web conference?

A. It’s a meeting held in a virtual meeting space on the internet. Instead of getting people together in the same location, everyone logs in with their computer. Holding a meeting or giving a presentation via a web conference means people can attend no matter where they are located.

Q. Do I need a web conferencing service?

A. A web conferencing service is the only practical way to hold a web conference, where you want to be able to show and share items as well as talk to each other. If there is no visual element to your meeting (for instance, you don’t need to see the other people nor have slides to show), a teleconference might be a better option.

Q. What equipment do I need to use a web conferencing service?

A. Usually you need a reasonably-modern computer with up-to-date web browser software (like Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome). You also need a broadband internet connection – the faster the better.

You will require a microphone and headphones or speakers to speak to other people in the conference. A webcam can be useful too, if you want other people to be able to see you.

Q. What sort of internet connection do I need to hold a web conference?

A. You really need a broadband internet connection to hold a web conference. Basic broadband should be enough for acceptable audio, but faster is better – particularly if you plan to use video.

Q. How much technical knowledge do I need to use web conferencing?

A. Generally, not much. You can usually join a web conference simply by clicking a link.

Setting up a web conference can be a little more involved. If you’re completely new to web conferencing, choose a service with telephone support so you can get help if you need it.

Q. Are web conferencing services secure?

A. Web conferencing services should keep your meetings private by asking for a password before allowing you to join a web conference.

For extra security, choose a service which encrypts all the data you send. This ensures it can’t be read – even if someone intercepts it.


Jargon explained

Here’s our guide to key web conferencing terms.

Chat moderation

Gives you control over what messages are displayed during your web conference. You may be able to approve messages before they are displayed in the conference chat room, or be able to change or delete messages from other people. Moderation is useful during large conferences. You can use it to keep the conversation on track or ignore repeated questions.

Custom URL

Gives you a unique, ‘friendly’ website address for your web conferences. This makes you look more professional when you send the address to others.

Polling

Poll people in your web conference to get instant feedback. Find out what people would like to see you cover next in a presentation, or gauge people’s views on an issue under discussion.

Presenter preparation mode

If you are presenting to a group of people, presenter preparation mode lets you get ready in private. You can load and check your slides, practice demonstrations and try out the available tools without revealing your presentation to other people in the meeting.

Screen sharing

Allows you to show what’s on your computer screen to all the people in your web conference. Screen sharing is ideal for demonstrating software or showing a website.

SSL encryption

Keeps your web conference safe from online hackers by scrambling all the information you send across the internet. SSL encryption practically guarantees that nobody can snoop on your meeting or conference.

User authentication

Enables you to control who attends your web conference by issuing a unique username and password to each person you wish to participate.

VOIP

Stands for ‘voice over internet protocol’. VOIP converts your voice into data which can be transferred across the internet. Web conferencing systems use VOIP so you can speak to people in the meeting without having to make a telephone call.

Whiteboard

A shared area onto which conference participants can add text, images and drawings. It’s designed to work like a normal whiteboard, so is useful for sharing ideas, demonstrating concepts and brainstorming.


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