Google Meet – Zoom’s Competitor is Now Free For Everyone

Google’s New Video Chat Service Will Now be Free For Everyone

As the novel coronavirus continues to tear us apart, technology is trying its best to keep us intact. Over the past few months, video conferencing software has been the lifesaver. Using them even when staying at home we can be connected. Alongside they help professionals collaborate with teams, students to learn, patients to take advice from health professionals, and do a lot more.

Looking at this change and growing market trend Google comes with a new video chat service called Google Meet. This decision comes less than a week after Facebook’s release of Messenger Rooms. Although this is the third video chat service after Google Hangout and Google Duo, Google considers it new because prior to this company never focusing on a video chat this much. If attention to video chat apps was paid instead of Zoom, Google would have been the industry leader.

Since Google Meet was locked behind G Suite not many of us have heard about it. But now you will see more of it as it will be open for all Google account users.

Using the Google Meet video conferencing platform, you can host or join a video chat with up to 100 people.

Why is Google making Google Meet free?

There are two possible reasons for this decision:

1. To compete against Zoom the most popular video conferencing service.
2. Allowing Google to move one step closer to close Google Hangout

How to use Google Meet?

Users can visit meet.google.com or can use the app on an Android or iOS app.

To use Google Meet on a PC follow the steps below:

1. Head to meet.google.com
2. Sign in using your Google account
3. Click Start a meeting > Continue > Join Now.

In addition to this, you can add participants. To do so, head to People > Add People. Type in the email address of the contact you want to invite and click Send invite.

Steps to use on Android and iOS

1. Install the Google Meet app.
2. Tap Add New meeting > Join meeting.

That’s it you are all set.

 To invite others to tap Info > Share.

Will the service be free for a lifetime?

No, after September 30^th there will be a time restriction of 60 minutes for non-G Suite users.

Is Google Meet Better Than Zoom?

Google claims better security but Google Meet just like Zoom is not end to end encrypted. This means during data will be encrypted during transmission like in the case of HTTPS. But there is no guarantee of data security.

Certainly, your communication will be private but the service provider will be able to view your meeting data.

Alongside to participate in a meeting using Google Meet you need a Google account, while Zoom makes this easy. You don’t need an account to join a Zoom meeting.

This makes Zoom the winner but Google’s restriction of allowing only Google Account users makes it secure. Also, the lack of landline dial-in access in the free version makes it less vulnerable.

Zoom Meetings can be secured via a password.

When will be the service available for all?

Like most Google launches, this one too will be rolled out slowly for everyone.

With this step it seems finally, Google is planning to enter the video chat market. Not only this Google even plans to give strong competition to Zoom. By making Google Meet free, Google has already got Zoom shares down to 7%.  It’s just the beginning of a new war, we just need to wait and watch to see who will be the winner. What do you think? Will Zoom be able to compete with Google or Not? Which service will you use Zoom or Google Meet?

Do let us know about your preference and your thoughts about this step taken by Google.