The best free alternatives to Zoom -- with no time limits
For a while, Zoom was the darling of the video conferencing world, but a series of privacy and security issues -- although ultimately resolved -- knocked confidence in the platform. Many users hung on, though, with the free tier proving particularly popular.
But Zoom's recent, quiet announcement that one-on-one meetings are going to be subject to a 40-minute limit from May 2 means that a new batch of users is looking to jump ship and is on the lookout for a replacement. To help out, we've collected together a list of the best free Zoom alternatives that do not have a time limit on meetings (or at least not one that will impact on most usage scenarios).
Zoom is slashing the length of free 1-on-1 meetings from May
Zoom is a service that huge numbers of businesses and individuals have come to rely on during the COVID pandemic and associated lockdowns. For people working on a one-to-one basis -- such as therapists and coaches -- the fact that free meetings involving two participants were not subject to the same limitations as larger meetings is a major bonus. But this is about to change.
At the moment, if you want to use Zoom for free, there is a 40-minute limit on meetings involving three or more participants. Free one-on-one sessions have a 30-hour limit. The company has been busy emailing free users advising them that the 40-minute limit will also apply to free meetings with two participants. The result? As well as confusion and annoyance, people are now seeking out free Zoom alternatives.