Best online app for instant video/voice group chat
(This was originally posted to the internal blog at work, but since there isn’t any secret stuff to hide, I’m cross-posting here with a little tweaks)
I work remotely with the team in Tokyo and use hubot standup script for a daily standup and Google+ hangout (on a company Google app network) for a weekly meeting. It works really well, but the non-interactiveness of the standup script on hipchat makes it a little boring, I sometimes want more interaction and feedbacks, and it’s a little difficult on the text chat. I’ve been exploring and considering a lightweight and instant video/voice group chat alternative to replace that, for a trial.
The requirements for such a tool are as follows, in a random order:
- Instant: should be easy to setup, doesn’t need many clicks and emailing URLs for every meeting
- Contact list management: no need for registration, or automatic integration with Google Apps domain
- Permanent group setup: don’t need to pick a member every day for the same meeting
- Notifications: you can be notified when a meeting begins and you’re not on it.
- Voice calls: For people who work from home, getting ready for video chat is sometimes annoying. Voice calls could be a better option for a small team.
- Mobile apps: to join the meeting even when you’re away from computers
Google Hangout
Pros:
- Google Apps integration
-
Works from mobile with the latest iOS and Android app Cons:
- Too boring and messy to set up. It often happens you setup a hangout and coworker sets up another at the same time, so you have to quit yours first, etc.
- No permanent URL for a meeting. Have to set up every day
- Weird behavior of notifications, sometimes sent on GTalk IM but often not
- Can call phones but that’s only US numbers
Skype
Pros:
- Easy to setup chat, voice or video
- Group archives for repeated calls
- Good notification, as long as the app is launched
-
Works from mobile Cons:
- Have to add everyone’s accounts to buddy list
- Group video chat is paid ($8.99/mo~)
meetings.io
Pros:
- Easy to setup group video chat
- Permanent URL for a meeting room
-
No buddy list management Cons:
- No mobile apps
- Has email invitations, but no recurring meeting setup
- There was a little lag in the stream, last time I tried in May
Quicklychat
Pros:
- Easy to setup group video chat
-
Notifications Cons:
- Buddy list management
- No mobile apps
- Clumsy Adobe AIR app
Uberconference
Traditional conference call service connected to the web app.
Pros:
- Use your phone (smart phone or dumb phone) for meetings
-
Easy to schedule conference calls, with recurring option Cons:
- No web calls, the actual calls is plain old telephony calls
- US Only
iChat on Google Apps Jabber
Pros:
- Easy to setup Video/Audio as long as everyone’s on Mac
- Google Apps integrated
-
Notifications (Even better on Mountain Lion) Cons:
- Mac only. No PC, no mobiles
Zoom.us
Pros:
- Instant video chat
-
Google App and Facebook integration for buddy list Cons:
- Have to install client apps
- No mobile app yet Cons:
What is your best setup for group meeting with remote coworkers? Let me know in the comments!