Zoom vs Google Meet: Which online meeting tool should you choose?

Choosing the right platform for virtual meetings is critical to your team's efficiency and collaboration. Zoom and Google Meet are among the most popular tools for online meetings, but which platform is better suited to your company's needs? In this guide, we'll compare the main differences between the two solutions and help you make the best decision.

Zoom vs Google Meet: Comparing functionality

Zoom: The classic for video conferencing

Zoom has made a name for itself as a specialized platform for online meetings. The ease of use and functionality have made Zoom one of the leading solutions in this area.

Key Features:

• Number of participants: Up to 100 subscribers in the free version, up to 1000 subscribers in paid plans.
• Breakout rooms: Perfect for smaller group discussions or workshops.
• Whiteboard feature: For collaborative work during meetings.
• webinars: Add-ons allow events with large audiences, such as up to 10,000 participants.

Google Meet: Seamless integration with Google Workspace

Google Meet is part of Google Workspace and is easy to use and integrate with existing Google tools such as Google Calendar and Google Drive.

Key Features:

• Number of participants: Up to 100 subscribers in the free version, up to 500 in premium packages.
• Real time subtitles: AI-powered transcription for better accessibility.
• Screen sharing: Presentations and content are easy to share.
• No software installation required: Meetings run directly in the browser.

Zoom is ideal for companies that value advanced meeting features and customization options. Google Meet, on the other hand, offers a simple, browser-based solution with the strength of seamlessly integrating into Google Workspace.

Ease of use: How easy are Zoom and Google Meet to use?

Zoom: The intuitive user interface makes it easy for all users to get started, even without previous knowledge. The platform provides comprehensive control over meeting features, such as easily inviting participants and managing Breakout rooms.

Google Meet: Particularly useful for users who are already familiar with Google products. Meetings can be scheduled directly via Google Calendar, which makes it much easier to organize appointments.

Both platforms are user-friendly, with Google Meet scoring points through integration with Google products, while Zoom impresses with specialized meeting functions.

Pricing model: How do Zoom and Google Meet differ in price?

Zoom:

• Free version: Meetings with up to 100 participants and a time limit of 40 minutes.
• Pro: $12.49/month per user — longer meetings, additional features such as cloud recordings.
• Business: $17.49/month per user — Up to 300 participants and advanced features such as branding and reports.

Google Meet:

• Free version: Up to 100 participants without time limits.
• Google Workspace Essentials: $8/month per user — Additional features, such as advanced recording options.
• Google Workspace Enterprise: Individual pricing — For companies that need advanced features, such as security management.

Security: How secure are Zoom and Google Meet?

The security and privacy of your data are key aspects when choosing a video conferencing platform. Both Zoom and Google Meet have improved their security measures in recent years to meet user requirements. But how well is your data really protected and how are the platforms doing in terms of GDPR compliance?

Zoom: Advances and challenges in data protection

Zoom had in the past due to security issues and privacy deficiencies, such as the so-called”Zoombombing”, made headlines. However, the company has invested heavily in improvements to regain user trust.

Important safety measures:

• End-to-end encryption (E2EE): Zoom offers end-to-end encryption for certain types of meetings. This feature ensures that only participants have access to the encrypted content.
• Advanced security features: Features such as password protection, waiting rooms, and the ability to remove participants increase control over meetings.
• GDPR compliance: Zoom has set up data centers in the EU to meet the needs of European customers. Companies can store their data within the region.

Concerns: Despite significant progress, the transfer of data to the USA remains a point of discussion. Since Zoom is a US company, US authorities could theoretically access data under the CLOUD Act. Users should therefore obtain comprehensive information about the data protection guidelines and consider additional security measures.

Google Meet: Security through Google Workspace

Google Meet benefits from Google Workspace's proven security infrastructure. The company is known for its high standards of protection of personal and business data.

Important safety measures:

• Data encryption: All data is encrypted both during transmission and at rest, preventing unauthorized access.
• Control mechanisms: Admins can individually configure security options such as participant permissions, screen sharing, and muting participants.
• GDPR compliance: Google is committed to GDPR compliance and provides detailed reports and data control mechanisms. European customers can store their data in the EU, which ensures greater security.

Concerns: As with other US companies, Google Meet also has the risk that data could be made accessible as a result of the CLOUD Act. However, Google is praised for its transparent communication about data protection and security measures.

Conclusion: Which platform is better suited to your company?

Zoom is ideal when:

• Your focus is on large meetings or webinars.
• Breakout rooms and advanced features are important to you.

Google Meet is ideal if:

• Your company is already using Google Workspace
• you are looking for a simple, browser-based solution without software installation.

The choice between Zoom and Google Meet depends on your organization's specific needs. Try out both platforms to see which is the best fit for your team.