Zoom vs Google Meet in 2024

This week we’ll be delving into a much requested subject – Zoom vs Google Meet. Google Meet has moved along considerably in the past few years, pre-pandemic it wasn’t a viable alternative to established video conferencing software available at the time such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. However over the last 2 or 3 years, there has been a considerable focus from the Google Workspace team to bring Google Meet in line with these other solutions. Regular feature additions mean Google Meet is now competing at the highest levels.

This blog (and video above) won’t be a feature for feature comparison, those often don’t reflect the average team or users. Often we find those who are using Zoom have a very specific reason to do so. The developers at Google are constantly releasing new features, so it’s worthwhile keeping an eye on those updates to see if those specific use cases have been addressed and the features added in. If your business already uses Google Workspace then Google Meet is included as standard at no extra cost so you can immediately reduce subscriptions costs by switching over in the business.

We also have a downloadable PDF that has a good comparison between the two that could be useful for the decision making process.

Downloadable comparison PDF here

So without further ado, we’ll get into the features of Google Meet.  For clarity, in these comparisons we’re assuming the maximum feature level available for both applications.

Participants and broadcasting capabilities

Both Google Meet and Zoom have meetings with up to 500 and this can be expanded out to up to 1000 participants (as viewers only). Both also feature the ability to broadcast to a wider audience via live streaming for events for participants to join.

Dial in Access

You can also dial in externally to a Google Meet using a provided phone number, should the participant be on the move or unable to access via internet, making it easy for them to join a meeting being held. 

Q & A and Upvoting

This is useful for live streaming (as mentioned above) for hosts to allow users to ask questions as the Meet goes on and upvoting for the questions to be able to reach the top. Hosts can then quickly select the top 5 or 10 in a more collaborative portion of the meeting. Questions can also be moderated (off by default and only available in-browser) whereby questions can be approved or deleted.

Polls

Also a feature available within Meet is a live “Poll” which is another tool whereby the hosts can see in real-time some engagement based on their content that can be incorporated into their live streaming.

Hand Raising (and auto Hand Raising)

Another option available is that participants can click the button to raise their hand which will notify the host that someone is waiting to ask a question. And taking this further Google Meet has incorporated the ability for the software to identify users who do this manually, which is a nice feature to have.

Breakout Rooms

Hosts are able to split their participants into smaller groups during meetings. This is controlled by the meeting host in a Google Meet, but these aren’t able to be live streamed or recorded. This is typically only done by the person who initiated the meeting (who is by default the host), up to 25 co-hosts can be established which will allow them to create Breakout rooms. Once created, users will be invited to join them by the host – and are also able to be joined by users on a phone that have dialled in.

Noise Cancellation

As you’d expect, Google Meet has had noise cancellation for some time and it is a great feature for those who need that little extra in louder areas. This means that even in busy environments, users can use Google Meet and not have to worry about ambient noise. This means it will suppress noises that don’t sound like voices, although voices from TV’s or people talking at the same time aren’t filtered. Google Meet will also adjust itself so that everyone can be heard at a comfortable volume. This option can be found in Settings > Audio and by turning on noise cancellation.

Meet Recording

As has become standard practice, Google Meet allows for meeting recordings, perfect for those who aren’t able to attend or for those that would have benefitted from being present but perhaps a subject was discussed that they could be interested in.

Meet Transcription

One of the more exciting features is the transcription of those speaking within the Google Meet. This can be great for those who would prefer to read what was being said, over hearing it. At the moment, transcripts other than English aren’t accurate. They don’t cover the live-chat portion of the meeting, only the words spoken, that feature is available if you record the meeting however. After the meeting concludes, an automated email is sent to the host and co-hosts as well as the person who turned on transcripts (can be anyone within a domain). This can take some time when the meeting is lengthy, so it isn’t immediate and it is available as an attachment for anyone invited attached to the calendar event. However if this number is greater than 200 attendees, it will only be available for the host, co-hosts and the person who turned on the transcripts.

Integration with Google Calendar

Joining a Google Meet is easy for users, because they appear within Google Calendar as an event and the link to join is right there within the event. This means you can see when a Google Meet is coming up or when other participants are in a Google Meet. Users also have the ability to link documents that would be useful for others to view or collaborate upon in the call - as well as housing the meeting transcription within the invite once available.

2-Step Verification

Google Meet's 2-Step Verification feature adds an extra layer of security to user accounts, requiring a second form of authentication beyond just a password. This ensures that meetings remain private and secure, safeguarding sensitive discussions and data shared within them. Therefore users can have peace of mind knowing that only authorised individuals can access their meetings, mitigating the risk of unauthorised entry or data breaches.

Co-Presenting

Co-Presenting in Google Meet enables multiple participants to control a Google Slides presentation. Quickly assign co- presenters in-meet from their video tile and allow a colleague to take over the presentation to deliver on their area of expertise. Co-presenters can click through the presentation in order or jump to a specific slide, control any embedded media and view speaker notes right within the meet window. Allowing for much slicker shared presentations internally or externally. Co presenters do need to be given editor permissions in advance of the meet to ensure they have access to all co presenter features.

Guest Invitation

This simplifies the process of inviting external stakeholders or guests to join meetings on Google Meet. With just a few clicks, users can send out invitations via email, providing recipients with direct access to the meeting room. This feature streamlines collaboration across teams and organisations, allowing for seamless communication and participation from both internal and external contributors.

Screen Sharing + Mobile Screen Sharing

Google Meet can empower users to share their screens from ao mobile device while on the go. This functionality enhances visual communication by enabling real-time demonstrations, presentations, and document sharing regardless of location. Whether it's sharing slides, demonstrating software functionality, or showcasing mobile apps; screen sharing democratises  communication and collaboration for all meeting attendees.

Pinning

Google Meet allows participants to highlight specific speakers or content within the meeting. By pinning a participant's video feed or shared content, users can ensure that important information remains visible throughout. This feature is particularly useful in large meetings or presentations, where it's important to keep focus on specific speakers or topics. Up to 3 tiles can be pinned, these can be pinned for the singular user or all attendees. Eg a speaker, a presentation & and an BSL interpreter.

Spotlight View

Spotlight view automatically switches focus to active speakers during Google Meet sessions. This feature improves clarity and engagement by ensuring that the speaker's video feed is prominently displayed for all participants. By dynamically adjusting the layout based on who is speaking, Spotlight View helps keep Google Meets organised and participants engaged in the discussion for the duration.

Live Closed Captions

This feature looks to provide accessibility by generating real-time captions for participants with hearing impairments or language barriers. This feature ensures that all participants can follow along with the conversation, even if they are unable to hear or understand the spoken language fluently. By providing live captions, Google Meet promotes inclusivity and ensures that all attendees can fully participate in meetings.

Reactions

Reactions enable participants to express feedback and engagement non-verbally during Google Meet sessions with emojis. Whether it's giving a thumbs-up, clapping, or expressing laughter, reactions offer a quick and easy way for participants to interact with the content and each other. This feature enhances communication, engagement and fosters a sense of camaraderie among meeting attendees.

Layouts

Google Meet offers customizable viewing options, allowing users to adjust the meeting interface according to their preferences. Whether it's focusing on the active speaker, viewing multiple participants at once, or emphasising shared content, layouts provide flexibility in how meetings are displayed. This feature caters to different meeting styles and preferences, ensuring that participants can customise their viewing experience for better engagement. Useful if users spend long periods in Google Meets!

Chat within Meet

Chat allows instant messaging among participants during Google Meet sessions. This feature enables parallel conversations and information sharing alongside the main discussion, allowing participants to collaborate more effectively. Whether it's sharing links, asking questions, or providing feedback, this is a great feature to increase the collaboration options for users in Google Meet.

Enhanced Security

Google Meet utilises a range of features designed to bolster the platform's security measures, ensuring meetings are conducted in safe and protected environments. These measures include robust encryption protocols, access controls, and monitoring tools to safeguard against unauthorised access, data breaches, and disruptions. Google Meet employs encryption for data transmission, ensuring that conversations and shared content remain confidential and protected from being intercepted. 

Google Meet also offers advanced host controls including chat, screen share/audio/videos locks, post meeting room closing and attendee verification.Thus providing hosts the ability to manage participant access and maintain the integrity of their meetings. By prioritising security and implementing these comprehensive measures, Google Meet provides users with the confidence and assurance they need to conduct meetings securely and without interruption.

Endpoint Encryption

Google enhances its security within Google Meet by extending encryption measures to the devices used by participants to access meetings. This ensures that data transmitted between devices and Google's servers remains encrypted, safeguarding against potential vulnerabilities and threats. Endpoint Encryption adds an additional layer of protection to sensitive information, mitigating the risk of interception or unauthorised access, particularly in environments where security is of the utmost importance, such as corporate boardrooms, educational environments or government agencies. By encrypting data at both ends of the communication channel, Endpoint Encryption reinforces the security of Google Meet, providing users with peace of mind and assurance that their conversations and shared content are protected from prying eyes and malicious intent.

Summary

Google Meet has come a long way since its days as Google Hangouts, now with features that provide the majority of businesses with everything they’d need to utilise it instead of more expensive alternatives that often require additional spend to use within the business. 

To speak to us to find out if you could take advantage of Google Meet or if you would like help with anything involving Google Workspace or consolidating your software costs, please do get in touch. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and we’ll see you next week!