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The 10 Best Free Group Meeting Apps

Jannik Lindner
Jannik Lindner
  • Last Updated: November 27, 2023

The 10 Best Free Group Meeting Apps primarily encompass platforms offering a variety of features such as video conferencing, file sharing, and collaborative tools, maximizing efficiency for different sizes and types of teams.

Learn more about our top picks for: Free Group Meeting App

A Free Group Meeting App is a digital platform that allows multiple users to connect virtually, interact and collaborate in real time, without having to pay for its usage. These applications are equipped with features such as video conferencing, screen sharing, instant messaging, virtual whiteboards, and file sharing. They provide opportunities for teams, businesses, educational institutions and individuals to conduct meetings, presentations, webinars, classes or social get-togethers regardless of geographical limitations. Apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Skype are popular examples of Free Group Meeting Apps.

The Best Products

Our Recommendations: Free Group Meeting App

  1. Zoom
  2. Skype
  3. Google Meet
  4. Cisco Webex Meetings
  5. Microsoft Teams
  6. Jitsi Meet
  7. Slack
  8. FreeConferenceCall
  9. Zoho Meeting
  10. Discord

Pick #1

Zoom

Zoom is a popular free group meeting app that facilitates online communication among users, allowing them to engage in virtual video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars. Renowned for its high quality video, audio, and screen-sharing features, Zoom supports meetings of up to 100 participants for 40 minutes under its free plan. With an easy-to-use interface, it enables people worldwide to connect and collaborate effectively, regardless of their location. Applications of the app range from business meetings and online classes, to virtual social gatherings, making it a versatile communication tool in the digital age.

High Quality Video and Audio: Zoom offers high definition video and audio quality for group meetings, which can make communication more effective and clearer.
Screen Sharing Flexibility: One of Zoom's standout features is its robust screen sharing options. Users can share their entire screen or just a select application window, allowing for easy presentation and collaboration.
Interactive Features: Zoom includes several interactive features that improve the quality of virtual meetings. These include the use of breakout rooms, whiteboards, and text chat, allowing for more engaging and productive group discussions.
Recording and Transcription: Zoom allows users to record their meetings for later replay, which can be useful for individuals unable to attend. Additionally, the service can automatically generate transcripts of these recordings, aiding in note-taking and review.
Calendar Integration: Zoom integrates with popular calendar programs like Google Calendar and Outlook. This feature can simplify the process of scheduling and joining Zoom meetings.
Limited Meeting Duration for Groups: With Zoom free version, the group meetings of 3 or more participants have a hard limit of 40 minutes per session.
Limited Video Conferencing Features: Advanced features such as recording, transcription, and social media streaming are not available in the free version.
Unpredictable Video Quality: The video quality can sometimes be unstable depending on the internet connection speed of the participants.
Limited Integration Features: The free version does not offer integrations with some business applications which can affect overall productivity.
Limited User Management: The free version lacks administrative control that allows users to manage, schedule, and prepare meetings which can sometimes lead to disorganized group meetings.
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Pick #2

Skype

Skype is a free and advanced communication service software owned by Microsoft. It offers various features such as audio and video calls, instant messaging, file sharing, and group conferences. Particularly ideal for businesses, it facilitates group meetings up to 50 people at once and can be used without any cost. Users can share their screens and interact virtually from any geographic location. Moreover, Skype’s group meeting functionality supports cross-platform use, enabling participants to join from computers, smartphones, or tablets, regardless of operating system.

Large number of participants: Skype allows up to 50 participants for a single meeting, making it suitable for larger meetings and webinars. Skype Meet Now: This feature enables you to create a meeting instantly without even needing to be signed in or having the Skype app, and this link can easily be shared with participants. Screen sharing & whiteboard: Skype features screen sharing and digital WhiteBoard useful for presentations, brainstorming, and collaboration. Integration with Microsoft tools: Given Skype is part of Microsoft, it has strong integration with other Microsoft tools such as Office 365, making it seamless to share and edit documents during the meeting. Real-Time Translation: Skype offers a unique benefit of real-time translation, allowing international teams to communicate better in their prefered languages.
Limited group size for video calling - As a free group meeting app, Skype allows only up to 50 participants for both audio and video conference calls. This could be a significant limitation for larger teams or organizations wanting to connect all their employees at once.
Problems with call quality - Skype call quality can fluctuate based on the internet connection strength of the participants. If one participant has a weak connection, it can affect the call quality for everyone.
No recording in free version - The free version of Skype does not have a meeting recording option. This could be a disadvantage for teams using Skype for meetings, as they may want to record their sessions for later reference.
Limited integrations - Skype's free version has limited app integrations. This could restrict businesses who rely on the ability to integrate with other software to streamline their workflow and improve productivity.
Skype account required - One other notable disadvantage is that every participant must have a Skype account to join the group meeting. This could be inconvenient for people who do not regularly use Skype and who may not want to create an account for a single meeting.
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Pick #3

Google Meet

Google Meet is a free group meeting app, developed by Google, as part of its robust suite of productivity tools known as Google Workspace. It supports videoconferencing for individuals as well as businesses, allowing users to conduct meetings and group collaborations over the internet. This free version of Google Meet allows meetings with up to 100 participants with a maximum duration of 60 minutes. Google Meet offers high-definition video and audio quality, screen sharing, and real-time captioning, which makes it suitable for virtual classrooms, business meetings, and general social interactions. A key advantage of Google Meet is its seamless integration with other Google services like Google Calendar and Gmail.

Integration with Google Workspace: Google Meet seamlessly integrates with other Google Services such as Gmail and Google Calendar. This allows users to schedule meetings, send invites, and join meetings directly from these apps.
Real-time Closed Captioning: Google Meet uses speech-to-text technology to offer automated live captions during meetings, thereby improving the accessibility for participants with hearing impairments.
Screen Sharing: Google Meet offers a versatile screen sharing feature where users can choose to share their entire screen, a single window, or a specific tab. This feature is particularly useful for presentations, tutorials, or collaborative work.
Adjustable Layouts: Google Meet allows users to customize their meeting layouts. For example, users can switch to a tile view to see multiple participants at once, a spotlight view for important presenters, or a sidebar layout to focus on the active speaker.
Meet Quality Tool: This administrative tool provides insights into the system performance during a video meeting. It presents information about network and system conditions, and can assist in troubleshooting any performance issues.
Limited Meeting Duration: The free version of Google Meet only allows for up to 60 minutes per meeting with multiple participants. Therefore, if the group meetings typically last longer than one hour, they will be automatically ended by the system.
Limited Features: Many of the features that make Google Meet a robust platform such as noise cancellation, attendence report, breakout rooms etc. are reserved for the paid version. Users who stick with the free version might be missing out on these benefits.
No Dial-In Feature: Google Meet’s free version doesn't offer a dial-in option, which means attendees cannot join a meeting via a phone call. This could be problematic for users who have poor or no internet connection, as they won’t be able to participate in the meeting.
Dependence on Google Ecosystem: For you to use Google Meet, you will need to have a Google account. This might not be a problem for most, but it does force users to be entrenched in the Google Ecosystem which may not be ideal for everyone.
Limited Control for Host: The free version of Google Meet doesn't offer equivalent control for the host over meetings compared to paid versions, such as the ability to manage participants’ microphones or cameras, which can lead to disruptions during the meeting.
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Pick #4

Cisco Webex Meetings

Cisco Webex Meetings is a popular choice when it comes to free group meeting apps, providing secure and integrated audio, video, and content sharing from any device, anywhere. The platform is well-equipped to support businesses of all sizes, catering to their needs for team meetings, webinars, training, remote technical support, and more. Webex Meetings offers features like screen sharing, meeting recording, customizable video layouts, virtual backgrounds, and in-app voice commands, among others. The platform also offers strong security and privacy options, thereby ensuring professionalism and privacy when conducting meetings and webinars.

High Video Quality: Cisco Webex Meetings provides HD quality for both video and audio conference calls. This enables users to have a seamless experience with minimal lags or glitches.
Screen Sharing and Interactive Whiteboards: With Cisco Webex Meetings, you can share your screen or use an interactive whiteboard, which makes it easier for teams to communicate ideas and work on projects collaboratively.
Integration with Other Tools: Cisco Webex Meetings can be integrated with other apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Calendar, and more, enabling users to schedule and join meetings directly from these platforms.
Customizable Video Layouts: Webex Meetings gives users the option to customize their video layouts. This allows them to focus on who they want during the meeting which enhances direct engagement and productivity.
AI-Powered Features: Cisco Webex Meetings has artificial intelligence-powered features like Webex Assistant that provides voice commands, transcription services, note-taking, and highlight creation, thus making meetings more interactive and efficient.
Limited participant capacity. In the free version of Cisco Webex Meetings, users are limited to a maximum of 100 participants. This can pose a challenge for larger organizations that need to accommodate for more attendees.
Time constraints. Each meeting session on the free version of Webex is capped at 50 minutes, which can restrict longer discussions or presentations.
Limited features. While the free version of Cisco Webex Meetings includes some of the full version's features, it omits others. For example, it doesn't offer customizable Personal Room links.
Lack of customer support. As a free user, you don't get the dedicated customer support that paying users receive. This can present challenges when technical issues arise.
Lower video quality. The free version of Cisco Webex Meetings offers lower video resolution compared to the paid versions. This could lead to poorer visual quality during meetings.
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Pick #5

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a free group meeting application that forms part of Microsoft 365’s suite of tools, designed to enhance collaboration within business environments. It offers features such as chat, video meetings, and file sharing to facilitate communication and collaboration particularly for remote teams. Users can integrate it with other Microsoft services like Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as third-party apps. Its built-in security measures also protect data transmission and storage, making it a popular choice for businesses seeking secure, integrated communication tools.

Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365 - Microsoft Teams is built into the Microsoft 365 productivity suite, it allows for seamless integration with other Microsoft applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint making collaboration easier.
Access to Intelligent Communications - Teams offers a variety of communication ways such as chat, voice, and video. Moreover, it provides the feature of intelligent communication by converting meeting recordings into searchable transcripts.
Co-authoring and Real-time collaboration - Multiple team members can work on the same document at the same time, view changes as they're made, and have those changes saved automatically.
Interactive meetings - Microsoft Teams enables large interactive meetings with live events for up to 10,000 people and web conferencing that's experienced as a group chat.
Advanced workflow management - The integration with programs like Power Automate and Planner enables the creation of sophisticated workflows within Teams to manage projects effectively.
Limited Meeting Duration - Free version of Microsoft Teams limits meeting duration to 60 minutes only. If your meeting needs to go longer, you'll have to pay.
Limited File Storage - The free version of Teams only allows 2GB of file storage per user and 10GB across all teams. This could pose a problem if you need more storage space.
Limited Integration - While Microsoft Teams integrates well with Office 365 apps which is wonderful for organizations deeply vested in Microsoft's software ecosystem, it may not work as seamlessly with some non-Microsoft apps. This could limit its functionality depending on an organization's specific needs or current software services usage.
Guest Access Limitations - The free version of Teams does not allow you to add guests to a team, which might be an issue if you want to collaborate with people outside your organization on a regular basis.
No Audio Conferencing - Audio conferencing, which allows participants to join meetings using a phone number, is not included in the free version of Teams. This could be a significant limitation for those who usually attend meetings on the go and prefer calling in.
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Pick #6

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is an open-source software application designed to facilitate online meetings, video conferences, and group chats. It is browser-based, so it doesn’t require software downloading, and supports features like screen sharing, live streaming, and recording meetings. As a free group meeting app, it provides a cost-effective solution for businesses and individuals to connect and collaborate remotely, offering unlimited users and meetings without time restrictions. This platform is known for its strong emphasis on user privacy and security, enabling end-to-end encryption for all meetings.

Unlimited Users: Unlike other group meeting apps, Jitsi Meet doesn't impose a limit on the number of participants in a conference call. This makes it great for big team meetings, webinars or a large family get-together.
No Account Needed: Jitsi Meet does not necessitate creating an account. This reduces the barrier to join a call, all a participant needs is the meeting link.
Compatible with Web Browsers: Jitsi Meet supports direct access from a web browser, without needing to download any software or app on your device.
Livestreaming and Recording: Jitsi Meet allows you to live stream your meeting straight to YouTube or to store recordings in Dropbox, making call archive and retrieval easier.
Simultaneous Screen Sharing: Jitsi Meet allows multiple participants to share their screen at the same time. This is particularly useful in collaborative settings like team meetings or educational webinars where multiple people may need to share information at once.
Limited Customization - Unlike some other group meeting apps, Jitsi Meet does not provide extensive customization options to its users, impacting the overall user experience.
Complexity of Setup - For non-tech savvy users, setting up Jitsi Meet can be quite a challenge as it involves a somewhat complex process.
Performance Issues - Users have reported some performance issues, like dropping calls or intermittent audio/video during group meetings, due to high server load on Jitsi Meet.
No Virtual Backgrounds - Unlike apps like Zoom, Jitsi Meet does not offer the function of virtual backgrounds which has become a popular feature for online meeting apps.
Limited Integration - Jitsi Meet does not have robust integration with prevalent productivity tools, which can limit its effectiveness in a business setting.
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Pick #7

Slack

Slack is a popular team collaboration tool that functions as a hub for communication and team workflow management in a single, unified platform. This free group meeting app supports instant messaging, file sharing, and voice and video conferencing features, enabling users to harmonize their work operations effectively in real-time. Being cloud-based, Slack can be accessed both on desktop and mobile platforms, making it convenient for distributed or remote teams. Its application program interfaces (APIs) also allow integration with a multitude of other tools and applications, enhancing its functional capacity and adaptability to various business requirements.

Effective Communication Channels - Slack enables you to create separate conversation channels for different teams, projects, or topics. This helps to keep group discussions organized and easily accessible.
Integration with Other Tools - Slack can integrate with many other popular business and productivity tools like Google Docs, Asana, and more. This allows for seamless sharing and collaboration across multiple platforms during meetings.
Built-in Search Functionality - This feature allows users to easily search for specific items within conversations, shared files, or across the entire workspace. This can be helpful when referencing past group meeting information.
Instant and Asynchronous Communication - Slack allows for both real-time and asynchronous communication, meaning group meeting participants can either respond immediately or at their own pace, which is helpful for distributed teams across different time zones.
Direct Messaging and Threaded Conversations - In addition to group channels, Slack allows for direct messages to individuals or smaller groups for more focused discussions. Plus, threaded conversations keep side discussions from cluttering the main conversation, keeping group meeting topics on track.,
Limited Search Capability - In the free version of Slack, users have access to only the latest 10,000 messages in their search history. This can be a significant disadvantage for large group meetings where past discussions and shared resources may become inaccessible over time.
No Video Calls for Large Groups - While Slack does offer video calls, the feature is limited to one-on-one meetings in the free version. This acts as a major limitation for groups that need video conferencing functionality for larger team meetings.
Limited File Storage - The free version of Slack has a storage limit, allowing only 5GB for a team's file uploads. This might prove insufficient if the group shares a large number of documents, photos, videos, etc. during meetings.
Limited Integration - Free Slack only supports 10 third-party or custom integrations. This could be a hurdle for groups employing a wide array of different tools and applications in conjunction with Slack.
No Screen Sharing - In the free version of Slack, there is no screen sharing feature available. This feature can be vital for team meetings, presentations, or collaborative work sessions. Lack of this feature can limit how effective Slack can be as a free group meeting app.

Pick #8

FreeConferenceCall

FreeConferenceCall is a digital platform that facilitates group communication and collaboration through audio, video, and screen-sharing capabilities. It is a free group meeting app that allows users to schedule and host virtual meetings or conferences with multiple participants, irrespective of their geographical locations. The platform comes with features like high-definition audio and video quality, active speaker display, breakout rooms, recording and playback, international dial-in numbers, and real-time chat capabilities. As a user-friendly tool, it serves as a handy solution for businesses, schools, nonprofits, and individuals seeking for seamless and cost-effective group communication.

Unrestricted Global Access: One of the key benefits is that it offers worldwide coverage, enabling users to conduct meetings across various geographic locations. Users can avail free dial-ins from anywhere around the globe.
High Capacity: The app allows up to 1000 participants in a single conference call. This is particularly useful for large-scale webinars, multi-department meetings or global collaborations.
Recording and Playback: It allows users to record their calls and meetings, providing them with playback options. This is especially helpful for those who may have missed the meeting or wish to revisit important discussions.
Margin of Customization: It provides options for custom greetings and waiting music, thus, providing a more personalized touch for users during their conference calls.
Simplicity and User Friendliness: The app's design is simple, straightforward, and easy to use. Users can initiate or join conference calls with just a few taps, making it convenient for users with different levels of tech-savviness.
Limited File Sharing: FreeConferenceCall lacks robust file sharing capabilities. Participants can send files during a meeting, but storage options for shared files are not extensive.
Clunky Interface: The platform may not be as intuitive as some of its competitors. The interface can seem dated and tricky to navigate for inexperienced users.
Inconsistent Audio/Video Quality: Depending on network strength, the app may experience inconsistent audio and video quality which can be disruptive to meetings.
Limited Integration with Other Tools: FreeConferenceCall does not offer many integrations with other business and workflow tools, which might limit its utility in an all-encompassing business ecosystem where seamless integration and interoperability are critical.
No Breakout Rooms: FreeConferenceCall does not support breakout session functionality. This feature, which allows for splitting the main meeting into sub-meetings, is useful for brainstorming and group work within larger meetings. Its absence can be a limitation for users.
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Pick #9

Zoho Meeting

Zoho Meeting is a comprehensive, free-for-use group meeting app that facilitates seamless online meetings, webinars and collaborative remote interactions. Supported by robust and secure cloud-based software, it offers users an interactive platform to conduct virtual meetings, share presentations, interact with participants, and perform other collaborative tasks. Zoho Meeting has in-built recording and reporting features along with a range of tools geared towards enhancing group or individual communication. With its intuitive interface and robust features, it provides a cost-effective solution for businesses, educators, entrepreneurs, and others who need to conduct virtual meetings in a professional and efficient manner.

Zoho Meeting offers recording options allowing users to record their entire meeting, including video, audio, and shared screen for later viewing and reference.
Screen Sharing features allow users to share their entire screen or specific applications with meeting participants, promoting clear and concise communication.
It supports a real-time chat option where participants can share their thoughts, comments, and questions during meetings without interrupting the speaker.
Zoho Meeting offers seamless integration with Zoho's suite of other business applications such as Zoho CRM, Projects, and Calendar for efficient scheduling and tracking.
Its interactive polling and Q&A features allow engaging discussions during the online meetings, helping make the sessions more interactive and productive.
Limited Participants: In its free version, Zoho Meeting restricts the number of participants to a maximum of 3, which significantly reduces its usability for larger group meetings. No Recording Function: The free version of Zoho Meeting does not offer a recording feature, which can be a major drawback for those who want to record and review meetings later. Limited Support for Platforms: Zoho Meeting has limited support for mobile platforms and does not have dedicated apps for iOS and Android, impacting individuals reliant on mobile devices for meetings. Absence of Advanced Moderation Tools: Zoho Meeting lacks advanced meeting moderation tools such as polling or white-boarding that other platforms offer, which can limit interactive capabilities during group meetings. Limited Integration: The free version has limited integration with other popular tools like Outlook, Google Calendar etc., which can lead to difficulties in scheduling and organizing meetings.
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Pick #10

Discord

Discord is a free, digital platform primarily designed for creating communities ranging from gamers to businessmen. It provides users with voice, video, and text communication channels, allowing them to converse in groups or one-on-one. Users can create servers for a specific topic or group and within these servers, administrators can generate multiple channels for different discussions. It’s widely recognized for its robust notification system, easy-to-use interface, and strong privacy controls. Additionally, it supports integrational features and bots for an enhanced user experience. Both mobile and desktop versions allow for flexible usage.

Versatile Communication Options: Discord enables users to communicate through voice channels, video calls, and text messaging, catering to different users' preferences or meeting needs.
Seamless Integration with Gaming Platforms: Discord can integrate easily with many dominant gaming platforms (Steam, Xbox Live, etc.), making it an ideal choice for group meetings that involve gaming discussions or shared gaming activities.
Customizable Server Creation: Discord users can create their own servers, customize permissions and roles for server members, which helps in creating a structured and controlled group meeting environment.
Rich-Featured Bots: Discord supports the use of bots that can fulfill various functions such as music playing, moderating chat, scheduling events, and more, enhancing the group meeting experience by automating tasks.
Live Streaming and Screen Sharing Capabilities: Discord provides users with the capability to live stream games or share their screens, making collaborative discussions, presentations, or group activities more interactive and engaging during meetings.
Limited Video Quality: Discord's video quality, especially during group calls, may not always be the highest. This could result in poor communication, especially during crucial business or educational sessions.
User Interface: Discord was originally designed with gamers in mind, making its interface potentially confusing and overwhelming for first-time users, particularly if it's used for non-gaming purposes like group meetings.
Lack of Formal Features: Unlike dedicated meeting software (like Zoom or Microsoft Teams), Discord lacks certain formal features such as scheduled meetings, calendar integrations, meeting agendas, and more.
Unnecessary Distractions: With in-app games, bots, and a generally informal atmosphere, Discord can present unnecessary distractions during serious group meetings, causing disruptions and loss of focus.
Lack of Professional Support: As a free app, Discord does not offer professional customer support. If any technical difficulties arise, the meeting host or participants may have trouble getting prompt assistance.
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FAQs

What is a Free Group Meeting App?

A Free Group Meeting App is a software application that enables users to organize and participate in virtual meetings, collaborative sessions, and discussions without any cost. It provides features including video/voice calling, group chat, file sharing, scheduling, and more.

Can a Free Group Meeting App facilitate large group meetings?

Yes, most Free Group Meeting Apps are designed to facilitate meetings of various sizes, from one-on-one conversations to large group meetings. However, the maximum number of participants may vary based on the specific application.

Is it secure to use a Free Group Meeting App?

Security can vary among different applications. It is important to check the privacy and security measures of the app, which should include data encryption and user authentication. Reputable apps often prioritize user security and privacy.

Can I schedule future meetings with a Free Group Meeting App?

Yes, most Free Group Meeting Apps provide a scheduling feature that allows you to plan and organize future meetings. These apps even send reminder notifications to participants before the meeting starts.

Can I use a Free Group Meeting App on any device?

Generally, yes. Most Free Group Meeting Apps are developed to be compatible across various platforms, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. However, it’s always good to check the specific device requirements for the app you choose to use.

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