Zoom is a video platform, which enabled remote working. As such it competes with other large tech players like Google and Microsoft for the productivity space, and other startups like Slack and Go-To-Meetings.
Competitor | Description | Key Insights | Competitive Overlap | Differentiation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Teams | Part of the Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Teams offers video conferencing, chat, and collaboration tools for businesses. Microsoft Teams competes directly with Zoom in the enterprise communication and collaboration market. | Microsoft Teams provides a suite of communication and collaboration tools, directly competing with Zoom in the enterprise communication and collaboration market. | Both compete in the enterprise communication and collaboration market, offering video conferencing, chat, and productivity tools, but with Microsoft Teams’ integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services. | Microsoft Teams’ integration with Microsoft 365 and a comprehensive collaboration suite. |
Cisco Webex | Cisco Webex is a video conferencing and collaboration platform designed for businesses, offering features such as video meetings, webinars, and messaging. Cisco Webex competes with Zoom in the video conferencing and collaboration market. | Cisco Webex provides video conferencing and collaboration tools for businesses, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the video conferencing and collaboration segments. | Both compete in the video conferencing and collaboration market, offering features like video meetings and webinars, but with Cisco Webex’s emphasis on security and integrations. | Cisco Webex’s focus on security and extensive integrations. |
Google Meet | Google Meet is a video conferencing platform offered as part of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), providing video meetings and collaboration tools. Google Meet competes with Zoom in the video conferencing and business communication market. | Google Meet offers video meetings and collaboration tools as part of Google Workspace, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the video conferencing and business communication segments. | Both compete in the video conferencing and business communication market, but with Google Meet’s integration with Google Workspace and Google services. | Google Meet’s integration with Google Workspace and Google services. |
GoToMeeting | GoToMeeting is a video conferencing and online meeting platform that offers features such as video meetings, webinars, and screen sharing. GoToMeeting competes with Zoom in the video conferencing and online meeting market. | GoToMeeting provides video conferencing and online meeting tools, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the video conferencing and online meeting segments. | Both compete in the video conferencing and online meeting market, offering features like video meetings and webinars, but with GoToMeeting’s emphasis on ease of use and integrations. | GoToMeeting’s user-friendly interface and integrations. |
BlueJeans | BlueJeans by Verizon is a video conferencing platform known for its high-quality video and audio, offering video meetings and webinars. BlueJeans competes with Zoom in the video conferencing and online meeting market. | BlueJeans provides video conferencing and online meeting solutions, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the video conferencing and online meeting segments. | Both compete in the video conferencing and online meeting market, with BlueJeans’ focus on high-quality video and audio experiences. | BlueJeans’ emphasis on high-quality video and audio. |
Slack | Slack is a messaging and collaboration platform known for team communication. While it’s primarily a messaging platform, Slack offers integrations with video conferencing tools like Zoom and competes indirectly in the online collaboration and communication market. | Slack is a messaging and collaboration platform with integrations for video conferencing tools like Zoom, indirectly competing in the online collaboration and communication market. | Both offer online collaboration and communication solutions, with Slack’s focus on messaging and integrations with various tools and services, including Zoom. | Slack’s messaging and integrations with third-party services. |
RingCentral | RingCentral offers cloud-based communication and collaboration solutions, including video conferencing, messaging, and phone systems for businesses. RingCentral competes with Zoom in the cloud communication and collaboration market. | RingCentral provides cloud-based communication and collaboration solutions, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the cloud communication and collaboration segments. | Both compete in the cloud communication and collaboration market, offering video conferencing, messaging, and phone systems, but with RingCentral’s focus on unified communication. | RingCentral’s unified communication solutions. |
Jitsi Meet | Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform that offers secure video meetings and is often used by organizations seeking self-hosted solutions. Jitsi Meet competes with Zoom in the video conferencing and open-source communication market. | Jitsi Meet provides open-source video conferencing and communication solutions, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the video conferencing and open-source communication segments. | Both compete in the video conferencing and open-source communication market, with Jitsi Meet’s emphasis on open-source and self-hosted options. | Jitsi Meet’s open-source nature and self-hosted capabilities. |
FreeConferenceCall | FreeConferenceCall.com offers free video conferencing, audio conferencing, and screen sharing services, with premium options available. It competes with Zoom in the online conferencing and collaboration market. | FreeConferenceCall.com provides video conferencing and audio conferencing services, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the online conferencing and collaboration segments. | Both compete in the online conferencing and collaboration market, offering free and premium conferencing services, but with FreeConferenceCall.com’s focus on simplicity and affordability. | FreeConferenceCall.com’s free and affordable conferencing options. |
Whereby | Whereby (formerly Appear.in) is a video conferencing platform designed for simple, browser-based video meetings. It competes with Zoom in the browser-based video conferencing market. | Whereby offers browser-based video conferencing, sometimes overlapping with Zoom in the browser-based video conferencing market. | Both compete in the browser-based video conferencing market, with Whereby’s emphasis on simplicity and ease of use, requiring no downloads or installations. | Whereby’s browser-based, no-download approach to video meetings. |
How the pandemic propelled Zoom’s brand
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, it was Zoom that was best placed to take advantage.
From March to June 2020, the number of daily active users on the Zoom platform jumped from 10 million to over 200 million.
A further 90,000 schools across 20 countries also utilized Zoom video conferencing to conduct classes remotely.
However, the immense popularity of Zoom has resulted in security and privacy concerns.
In a world that is progressively shifting to remote work, many Zoom users are seeking alternative video conferencing options.
Skype Meet Now
Skype has been synonymous with online communication for almost two decades.
Now owned by Microsoft, Skype Meet Now was created to be a light-weight alternative to Zoom.
Users can easily host a meeting with their team without having to sign up for a service or download software.
By simply creating a room and sharing a link asking participants to join the call, the platform appeals to many professionals who want to avoid the hassle of signing up for a dedicated service.
Importantly, Skype Meet Now allows for up to 50 people to attend the conference at any one time.
Conferences can also be recorded where necessary on either a smartphone app or desktop client.
Google Meet
Google Meet is a more streamlined version of the Google Hangout app for texting and video calling.
Google Meet matches Skype Meet Now for simplicity. Users are only tasked with creating a room and then sharing a link with their colleagues to get started.
The platform can support video conferencing for up to 100 participants with 16 of those visible on the screen.
Given that it is integrated with G Suite, users can join the meeting from an email invite or calendar event.
Offline users can also attend by dialing a unique conference phone number.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Meet was made free worldwide in a direct move to take market share from Zoom.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is one the most popular video conferencing apps, with Microsoft claiming over 44 million daily active users.
Like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams enjoys integration with parent company software.
As part of the Office 365 suite of applications, conference members can collaborate and share information in multiple ways.
Microsoft Teams has a competitive edge over Zoom – particularly where larger organizations are concerned – with the capacity to host 250 conference members simultaneously.
Slack
Slack is commonly associated with team chat, but it does have video conferencing functionality also.
Many businesses prefer to use Slack because the platform does not force them to use its features.
Indeed, Slack conversations are easily integrated with Zoom or Microsoft Teams to allow a seamless transition between text, audio, and video conferencing.
GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting was one of the first video conferencing services available and enjoys significant market share as a result.
The service is feature-packed, incorporating the ability to record meetings, share screens, and designate multiple facilitators.
It is also a versatile offering, readily accessible on Mac, PC, Linux, Android, and web browsers.
GoToMeeting offers a range of plans suitable for most organizations.
The entry-level plan alone allows for up to 150 participants.
For larger needs, the Enterprise plan can accommodate up to 3,000 participants.
Key takeaways:
- As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom saw its popularity explode during the early part of 2020. However, security concerns caused many remote workers to seek alternatives.
- Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are worthy options for business people who need integrated services such as email and scheduling and presentation software.
- Slack provides a worthy point of differentiation because it does not force businesses to use its proprietary features.
Key Competitors of Zoom:
- Skype Meet Now:
- Owned by Microsoft, Skype Meet Now offers a lightweight alternative to Zoom.
- Users can create a meeting room and share a link for participants to join without signing up.
- Supports up to 50 participants and allows recording of conferences.
- Google Meet:
- Streamlined version of Google Hangouts, integrated with G Suite.
- Users create a room, share a link, and can have up to 100 participants with 16 visible on screen.
- Made free during the pandemic to compete with Zoom’s market share.
- Microsoft Teams:
- One of the most popular conferencing apps with integration into Microsoft’s software suite.
- Part of Office 365, allowing collaboration and information sharing.
- Supports up to 250 conference members, particularly useful for larger organizations.
- Slack:
- Offers team chat and video conferencing functionalities.
- Provides integration with other platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams for seamless transitions.
- Uses a freemium model with a direct sales force to acquire enterprise customers.
- GoToMeeting:
- One of the earliest video conferencing services, offering features like recording and screen sharing.
- Versatile and accessible on various platforms, including Mac, PC, Linux, Android, and web browsers.
- Plans suitable for different organization sizes, accommodating up to 3,000 participants.
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Competitors Case Studies
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