Zoom software alternatives

Best Zoom Alternatives in 2026

Updated July 6, 2026 · 18 ranked

Daily offers free video-conferencing, while Zoom charges per user. Switch if your team size makes Zoom's monthly subscription model too expensive to scale.

Feature Overview: Top Zoom Alternatives

Zoom compared against all 18 video conferencing alternatives. Pricing, free plan availability, rating, and video conferencing-specific capabilities.

ToolPriceFree PlanRating
Zoom logo
Zoomyou
$16.99/mo4.5G2
Riverside.fm logo
Riverside.fm
$14/mo4.8G2
Loom logo
Loom
$18/mo4.7G2
Daily logo
Daily
$200/mo4.7G2
Cal.com (Cal Video) logo
Cal.com (Cal Video)
$16/mo4.7G2
Butter logo
Butter
$18/mo4.7G2
Slack logo
Slack
$8.75/mo4.5G2
Demio logo
Demio
$63/moNo4.4G2
Google Meet logo
Google Meet
$8.4/mo4.6G2
Whereby logo
Whereby
$10.99/mo4.6G2
Livestorm logo
Livestorm
$99/mo4.3G2
Vowel logo
Vowel
$16.49/mo4.5Capterra
Microsoft Teams logo
Microsoft Teams
Pay-as-you-go4.3G2
Jitsi Meet logo
Jitsi Meet
$99/mo4.3G2
Webex by Cisco logo
Webex by Cisco
$14.5/mo4.3G2
Around logo
Around
Free4.4G2
Dialpad logo
Dialpad
$27/moNo4.4G2
GoTo Meeting logo
GoTo Meeting
$14/moNo4.2G2
RingCentral logo
RingCentral
$30/moNo4.1G2


When Should You Stick with Zoom?

Alternatives are not always the right move. Zoom remains strong in these scenarios.

Stick with Zoom if you need
  • +Industry-leading video/audio quality and reliability, even on low bandwidth
  • +Generous free plan with 40-minute group meetings for up to 100 attendees
  • +Extensive third-party app integrations via the Zoom App Marketplace
  • +Robust webinar features for large-scale virtual events and broadcasting
  • +Advanced features like immersive views, breakout rooms, and detailed analytics
Consider an alternative when
  • -Free plan meetings are limited to 40 minutes for 3+ participants
  • -Cloud storage on paid plans is limited (1-10GB) without expensive add-ons
  • -End-to-end encryption is not enabled by default and limits some features
  • -The user interface can feel cluttered with numerous settings and options
Before You Switch: 5-Step Migration Checklist
1Export your Zoom data — documents, settings, templates, and API credentials
2Audit all integrations and automations built on Zoom
3Run a 2-week parallel trial on a non-critical workflow before cancelling Zoom
4Calculate true cost delta: include retraining time + data migration, not just subscription price
5Confirm the alternative covers your primary use case — a lower price is worthless if core workflows break

Zoom Alternatives by Team Size

18 video conferencing tools compared. Most teams switch over participant limits, recording features, or pricing.

Expert Take

Zoom works well when hosting standard virtual meetings with high-quality video and audio. The friction starts when users navigate its interface, which suffers from slow un-hides, hard-to-find controls, and floating windows that disrupt the workflow. Before buying, compare vs Jitsi Meet: an open-source, browser-based alternative that does not charge on a per-attendee basis.

·Oleh KemOleh KemFounder & Lead Analyst
Riverside.fm logo
SaaS ToolFrom $14/mo

A remote recording studio that captures locally-recorded, separate audio and video tracks for high-quality content creat. Rated 4.9/5 vs 4.6/5 for Zoom.

Why Choose Riverside.fm
  • +Local recording for lossless 48kHz WAV audio & 4K video
  • +Separate audio/video tracks for each participant for easy editing
  • +AI-powered text-based video editor simplifies post-production
  • +Progressive upload ensures files are safe even if connection drops
Points of Friction
  • Free plan watermarks all exported content
  • Mobile app has fewer features than the desktop version
  • Requires significant local storage and upload bandwidth from guests
Loom logo
Loom4.7G2
SaaS ToolFrom $18/mo

An async video messaging platform for creating and sharing instantly-watchable screen recordings and webcam messages.. Rated 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5 for Zoom.

Why Choose Loom
  • +Instant sharing via link; no rendering or upload wait time
  • +Generous free plan with up to 25 videos/user and 5-min limit
  • +AI-powered summaries, titles, and chapter generation
  • +Interactive features: viewer comments and emoji reactions
Points of Friction
  • No advanced video editing tools like trimming the middle of a clip
  • Mobile app has limited recording and editing functionality
  • Video organization can become cluttered without disciplined folder use
Daily logo
Daily4.7G2
SaaS ToolFrom $200/mo

An API platform for developers to embed real-time video and audio calls directly into any website or application.. Rated 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5 for Zoom.

Why Choose Daily
  • +Generous free tier: 10,000 participant-minutes/month
  • +Prebuilt UI for rapid deployment with minimal front-end code
  • +Global infrastructure for low-latency calls (SFU network)
  • +Comprehensive SDKs for web, mobile, and desktop platforms
  • +Advanced features like live transcription and real-time streaming
  • +Video API
Points of Friction
  • Usage-based pricing can become expensive at very high scale
  • Free tier lacks HIPAA eligibility and advanced support options
  • Fewer out-of-the-box integrations than some larger competitors

Open-source scheduling infrastructure that automates meeting bookings with its own built-in video conferencing solution.. Rated 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5 for Zoom.

Why Choose Cal.com (Cal Video)
  • +Open-source core allows for deep customization and self-hosting
  • +White-labeling on Team plan for a fully branded client experience
  • +API-first design enables embedding scheduling into any product
  • +Built-in Cal Video simplifies workflow; no third-party app needed
  • +Extensive app store for integrations beyond standard calendars
Points of Friction
  • Cal Video lacks advanced features like virtual backgrounds or polling
  • UI can be less intuitive for users new to advanced scheduling tools
  • Mobile app experience is less polished than the web application
Butter logo
Butter4.7G2
SaaS ToolFrom $18/mo

An all-in-one video platform for planning, running, and recapping highly engaging, collaborative workshops and training . Rated 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5 for Zoom.

Why Choose Butter
  • +Built-in agenda with time tracking keeps workshops on schedule
  • +Pre-set breakout rooms with unique tools for each group
  • +Interactive flashcards, polls, and soundboards engage participants
Points of Friction
  • Free plan is limited to 40-minute sessions and 10 participants
  • Mobile app has limited functionality compared to the desktop version
  • No virtual backgrounds or advanced video filters are available
Slack logo
Slack4.5G2
SaaS ToolFrom $8.75/mo

A team communication hub where you can launch instant audio/video huddles with screen sharing directly from your chats.. Starts cheaper at $8.75/mo vs $16.99/mo.

Why Choose Slack
  • +Seamlessly start video huddles directly within any channel or DM
  • +Live video, screen sharing, and drawing tools in one lightweight interface
  • +Persistent huddle thread keeps notes and links organized post-call
  • +Deep integration with your existing Slack workspace and workflows
  • +Multi-person screen sharing allows for collaborative presentations
Points of Friction
  • Huddles are limited to 50 participants, even on paid plans
  • No native virtual backgrounds or advanced video filters
  • Video recording is a premium feature, unavailable on the Free plan
Demio logo
Demio4.4G2
SaaS ToolFrom $63/mo

No-download webinar platform for marketing teams and lead generation. Priced higher at $63/mo vs $16.99/mo.

Why Choose Demio
  • +Highly rated (4.4/5 on G2)
  • +15 key features including Live Webinars and Automated Webinars
  • +Multiple pricing tiers (3 plans) to match different needs
  • +AI-powered features built in
  • +Workflow automation capabilities
  • +Live Webinars
  • +Automated Webinars
Points of Friction
  • Higher price point (from $59/mo)
Google Meet logo
SaaS ToolFrom $8.4/mo

Secure video conferencing deeply integrated into the Google Workspace suite for seamless collaboration from any device.. Rated 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5 for Zoom.

Why Choose Google Meet
  • +Seamless integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Drive
  • +Browser-based access requires no software installation for guests
  • +Real-time translated captions in multiple languages (paid plans)
  • +Robust security features inherited from Google's global network
  • +Generous free plan with 60-minute meetings for up to 100 people
  • +Real-time Captions
  • +Q&A
  • +Hand Raising
Points of Friction
  • Advanced features like polling and Q&A are limited to paid tiers
  • Free plan lacks meeting recording capabilities
  • Fewer third-party app integrations compared to Zoom or Teams

Showing 8 of 18 alternatives



Oleh KemOleh KemFounder & Lead AnalystExpert verified·Updated July 6, 2026·Our methodology
Price & Data Intelligence SyncLast verified: July 8, 2026 · CE-VIDEO-2026W22-84CEF8 · No changes detected
Up to date

Common Questions About Switching from Zoom



Sources & verification

Verified by ComparEdgeMethod: Vendor docs, official pages, and selected independent sources
SourceWhat was checkedLast checked
Official WebsiteOfficial vendor website
Official Pricing PageSource of verified tiersJuly 8, 2026
G2G2 verified user reviews · 4.5/5 · 56,370 reviews
CapterraCapterra verified user reviews · 4.6/5
TrustRadiusTrustRadius verified reviews
PeerSpotPeerSpot enterprise peer reviews

Every fact on this Zoom pricing page is tied to a named source and a verification date. Freshness-sensitive figures trace to the sources above; verify against the vendor before relying on them.