Video conferencing is essential for keeping distributed teams on the same page and engaged in group discussions. And with the increase in hybrid work, in-person attendees still benefit from effective video conferencing software. Owl Labs found that 83% of employees consider technology an important factor at work—ranking only after salary, pay equity, supportive management, and health benefits.
But good tech isn’t just a one-off purchase. It’s an investment. We’ll cover how to find the best video communication platform for your business, as well as how to use asynchronous tools like Loom’s screen recorder to enhance team collaboration and communication.
Understanding video communication platforms: Video conferencing vs. video recording
Video is a powerful collaboration tool, and it comes in multiple forms. Video communication platforms fall into the video conferencing category, which primarily focuses on live communication using users’ webcams and microphones.
These platforms may include features like text chat, webinar support, screen sharing, and even digital whiteboards. Some allow users to attend meetings by dialing in on their phone, and others convert voice calls into video calls through voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
Video conferencing platforms may also include video recording tools, but this isn’t their primary function.
Video recording tools typically focus on features that allow you to capture, edit, and share recordings. For example, Loom features screen, webcam, and audio recording capabilities, instantly generated shareable video links, and tools for trimming and editing your videos.
How video recordings complement traditional platforms for enhanced team collaboration
Adding both video conferencing and video recording platforms into your workplace empowers your employees to communicate in a way that makes the most sense given their needs and the situation. Here’s how video recordings can enhance team collaboration alongside video conferencing services:
Create room for async communication and informal feedback
Video recording tools can fill a communication gap when a scheduled meeting isn’t feasible or necessary. Simply record your message along with any vital context, such as a website, document, or your smiling face via webcam, and share it. Team members can then view your message and continue the conversation when they’re available.
Owl Labs’ 2023 State of Hybrid Work report found that 68% of managers feel that their hybrid and remote employees miss out on informal feedback—but tools like Loom allow managers to facilitate impromptu and informal one-on-one conversations, like personal notes or even project feedback.
Increase focus time
Video recordings allow employees to share only the necessary parts of a conversation. After contributing, recipients can return to their work instead of sitting through the rest of an online meeting.
Recordings also let employees choose when they watch and respond. This allows them to safeguard focus time and take advantage of uninterrupted flow states.
Create and share internal processes
Managers can empower their teams and quickly train new hires by recording standard operating procedures. Employees can then revisit these screen recordings at a later time to ensure that they’re always aware of best practices.
For example, you can quickly record a Loom video that walks teams through the steps they should take to upload content to the company’s content management system. Along with sharing best practices, Loom screen recordings can also convey vital information that employees can reference later, such as details about their health care benefits.
Automate tasks
Pair your video recording tool with AI to reduce manual work while still conveying critical information.
Loom AI streamlines your workflow with the following features:
Auto-generated video titles, summaries, chapters, and calls to action
Automatically identified action items
Filler word removal
Awkward pause and silence removal
An automatic message composer
Did you know? 73% of people said that Loom AI is a valuable addition to their workflows.
3 key features to look for in video communication platforms
To get the most out of your video conferencing software, look for these key features:
1. Intuitive interface
Assess potential video conferencing apps’ user interface from the perspective of both a meeting host and a meeting attendee. Then, check to see how easily you can do the following:
Sign in, join, and host meetings
Invite participants
Adjust audio and video
Mute and unmute your microphone
Share or stop sharing your screen or webcam
Additionally, look for video communication tools that work with a range of operating systems, including Windows and macOS, web browsers, and mobile devices such as iPhones and Androids.
2. Captions and language support
Look for features that promote accessibility, such as auto-generated captions and support for multiple languages.
Captions are essential for allowing those who are hard of hearing to engage in conversation during virtual meetings. Similarly, many video conferencing tools also generate transcripts that employees can refer to later. Finally, multi-language support aids comprehension for those who speak English as a second language.
These features are also essential for video recording tools. Apps like Loom automatically generate closed captions and transcripts, as well as support over 50 languages.
Did you know? The University of Michigan found that Zoom and Google Meet are the two most accessible video conferencing platforms.
3. Integrations
Dialpad’s State of Video Conferencing 2022 report found that about one-third of employees say their video conferencing platform doesn’t integrate with the other tools they use. This can make scheduling meetings, collaborating, and syncing notes and action items more difficult.
Integrated apps streamline employees’ workflows. Zendesk, for example, supports remote customer service, and Salesforce supports instant video chats with prospects. Additionally, Loom’s video recording integrations with apps like Salesforce, Calendly, and Gmail make it easier for team members to create, share, and access recordings for a variety of use cases.
Other important features to consider include:
File sharing
HD video support
Live streaming capabilities
Breakout meeting rooms
Browser-based video conference calls
Cloud storage for meeting recordings
If you opt for a free video conferencing solution, check for limitations on the number of participants and meeting length.
5 best video conferencing software
These five video conferencing apps stand out from the rest, thanks to a variety of features and pricing:
GoTo Meeting
Cisco Webex
Zoho Meeting
Zoom One
Microsoft Teams
1. GoTo Meeting
Perhaps the biggest draw for GoTo Meeting is the ability to hop into a meeting without downloading any software or updates. This platform also allows you to record meetings of up to 250 attendees and save them to the cloud for future reference.
Features
No software needed: Jump into meetings using web access, your mobile phone, or VoIP.
Breakout rooms: Divide teams into smaller groups for focused discussions.
Ample security: Use single sign-on and lock meetings or remove attendees.
Pros
Integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, and many other programs.
Provides auto-transcribed, searchable, and shareable meeting notes.
Alerts you when meetings are about to start by calling your phone.
Cons
The platform may lag, causing poor audio and video quality.
The free plan is limited to four attendees only.
Pricing
GoTo Meeting offers a free plan that supports up to four attendees. Paid plans start at $12 per organizer per month (billed annually).
2. Cisco Webex
Cisco’s Webex is a suite of communication and collaboration tools. Its features include screen sharing, automatic noise removal, and multi-language support for over 100 languages.
Features
Mobile meetings: Take your meeting on the go with QR codes and Apple CarPlay, even if you joined on your laptop.
Built-in polls: Improve engagement with interactive polls and Q&A tools.
Webex Assistant: Use voice commands, automatically highlight notes, and more.
Pros
An easy-to-use interface allows users to quickly invite participants and join meetings.
The platform offers high-quality voice and video—even during large meetings.
Cons
Webex has limited remote support capabilities.
Pricing
Webex offers a free plan for meetings up to 40 minutes long with up to 100 attendees. Paid plans start at $12 per license per month (billed annually).
3. Zoho Meeting
Zoho Meeting’s pricing makes it ideal for small businesses that need basic collaboration tools. The price changes based on the number of attendees, ranging from 10 to 250.
Features
Interactive features: Whiteboards and polls enable efficient brainstorming.
No downloads required: Attendees can easily join with a meeting link.
In-meeting file uploads: You can share relevant files in the moment.
Pros
The generous free plan offers 60-minute meetings and up to 100 attendees.
Chrome and Firefox browser extensions make it easy to start conversations.
Flexible pricing allows businesses to pay for fewer participants and upgrade as they grow.
Cons
The platform provides no built-in captioning or transcription features.
Pricing
Zoho Meeting offers a free forever plan that supports 60-minute meetings with up to 100 participants. Paid plans start at $1 per host per month (billed annually).
4. Zoom One
Zoom One is an all-in-one collaboration suite that features email and chat alongside video and web conferencing tools. Additionally, integrations with Gmail and Google Calendar, as well as browser extensions, make it easy to schedule and join Zoom meetings.
Features
Multi-language captions: Generate live captions in over 30 languages.
Text chat: Encourage teammates to share and ask questions during video calls.
Zoom AI Companion: Summarize conversations, answer questions during meetings, and more.
Pros
The Zoom app includes messaging and email capabilities.
The platform offers multiple integrations with apps like Prezi, HubSpot, Breezy HR, and more.
Meeting passcodes, waiting rooms, and end-to-end encryption enhance security.
Cons
The service is billed per user, which makes Zoom one of the more expensive options.
Pricing
Zoom offers a free plan that supports meetings up to 40 minutes long with up to 100 participants. Paid plans start at $13.33 per user per month (billed annually).
5. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams seamlessly supports collaboration with other Microsoft 365 apps. That’s not to say you can’t use Teams if you use other remote work tools—it works with hundreds of apps like ClickUp, Figma, and more, as well as with Macs.
Features
Copilot AI support: Summarize meeting notes and docs, draft messages, and more.
Engaging presentations: View previous PowerPoint slides and share feedback while you present.
Interactive collaboration: Annotate with sticky notes, drawings, or reactions while you share your screen.
Pros
Focused channels keep conversations organized.
Live captions improve accessibility for all attendees.
The Business Basic plan and up also include additional Microsoft 365 apps.
Cons
No free version is available for business use.
Pricing
Microsoft Teams offers paid plans starting at $4 per user per month with an auto-renewing annual subscription.
3 examples of businesses successfully using video communication
Brex replaced 1,273 meetings with Loom recordings
Fintech brand Brex’s design team recently faced the challenge of collaborating on multiple projects. This required team members to contribute to about 50 Google Docs, respond to Slack messages, and share email updates each week.
To reduce the workload and keep company stakeholders in the loop, Brex introduced its design team to Loom. The company also drafted communication guidelines that designated a single day of the week for recording and sharing Loom updates. Stakeholders could now set aside time to watch video updates and add feedback directly to the recordings.
This new, efficient approach replaced almost 1,300 meetings over the course of 90 days.
“Thanks to Loom, our designers can spend less time wrangling feedback and more time designing.”
Levels used async video to share information
Startups are notorious for their fast-paced culture, and Levels is no exception. But CEO and co-founder Sam Corcos wanted a way for his remote team to move faster without overwhelming employees or reducing communication. So he turned to Loom.
Now, Levels uses Loom for all kinds of communication, including recording summaries of any written memos shared between teammates.
“The intent of recording is that it’s way easier to just get first-person information,” said Corcos in an interview with Tim Ferriss. “Let’s say me and an engineer have a call, and we’re working through a problem and somebody else also needs context on it. Your options are: every person who could conceivably need this information needs to be in this meeting in real time right now, or here’s the recording.”
MetaLab used video to improve remote collaboration
Design work can be exceptionally detail-driven—just ask MetaLab’s design team. Because they collaborated with a combination of emails and synchronous meetings, the team was frustrated with a lengthy process that resulted in missed context and details.
“If a designer in one time zone was wrapping up their day, they’d hand off to me by email,” said Andrew Reynolds, design lead at MetaLab. “The emails were always well-considered and thoughtful, but there was a risk you’d misinterpret a point, take the wrong direction, or just be left with more questions to ask—which could leave you behind by a day.”
The team needed a way to communicate more efficiently. So Reynolds introduced Loom to improve their remote collaboration. The team found its video recording tools easy to use and began using Loom for brainstorming, sharing feedback, and handing off projects.
Streamline team communication with Loom
While face-to-face meetings still have their perks, teams can use video meetings to focus on the flexibility that many remote and hybrid workers enjoy. This includes the ability to fit into existing workflows, thanks to integrations and user-friendly controls.
When paired with video conferencing software, video recording tools like Loom give teams freedom and control over when and how they communicate. These tools also fill communication gaps and solve remote collaboration challenges with vital context and a human touch.
Ready to add efficient, one-click video recordings to your communication flow?