Today, staying connected means using conference call services that provide audio, video, and collaboration capabilities. Conferencing systems offer an array of features and tools, such as document sharing or switching devices mid-call. We reviewed the top platforms and chose five that stand out for user-friendly and feature-rich services while better serving various business use cases.
Our choices for the best conference call services for 2021 are:
- RingCentral: Best overall for companies wanting an all-in-one audio and video conferencing solution
- Cisco Webex: Great for companies with remote workforces requiring interactive meeting tools
- GoToMeeting: Best value for businesses needing advanced conferencing features, like meeting transcription and a smart assistant
- Vast Conference: Best for businesses wanting to host international conference calls
- ClickMeeting: Ideal for organizations looking for conferencing systems with a focus on training and onboarding functionality
How We Evaluated Conference Call Services
A business conferencing solution should make it easy for clients or employees to call in or join by video to participate in your conference. Audio and video solutions also support file and screen sharing, team messaging, and can replace your existing business phone system. We examined conference call services to uncover the best options for small businesses.
With a score of 4.84 out of 5, RingCentral offers the best conference call services. It features a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) system with communication and collaboration tools and allows companies to host video or audio calls with hundreds of participants. The secure platform can replace your existing phone system and help you deliver your conference message internationally.
Click on the tabs below to see how we evaluated the best conference call services:
25% of Overall Score
We reviewed all tiered pricing plans while factoring in the availability of free solutions or cheaper annual pricing.
25% of Overall Score
We examined must-have features like video calling and mobile apps. Additionally, we checked for security features, call controls, and participant numbers.
25% of Overall Score
We assessed conferencing call services for software integrations, international dial-in numbers, and call recording. Plus, we considered the range of customer service options.
25% of Overall Score
We based our expert score on overall feature quality and value while accounting for ease of use and popularity.
RingCentral
PROS
- Public and private chats available during conference calls
- Integrations with Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Zoho
- On-demand and automatic call recording options
CONS
- Need to use Glip for RingCentral to host video conferences on the Essentials plan
- It can get pricey for larger teams
- There’s a learning curve for advanced phone setup
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.69 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.69 | OUT OF | 5 |
RingCentral is a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) phone system with video and audio conferencing technologies. People can join via an internet browser, switch between devices during a call, and access password-secured conferences. It supports up to 1,000 audio callers or up to 200 video participants, depending on your plan. Monthly packages start at $19.99 per user, per month on an annual basis. On top of that, it also comes with a complete set of VoIP phone features like toll-free numbers and text messaging. For companies wanting one system to handle voice and video calls, RingCentral is an excellent option.
RingCentral Pricing*
- Essentials: $19.99 per user, per month for unlimited calls, text, and team messaging, document sharing, auto-attendant, and audio conference call services
- Standard: $24.99 per user, per month for video meetings with up to 100 participants, multilevel auto-attendant, and on-demand call recording
- Premium: $34.99 per user, per month for video meetings with up to 200 participants, single sign-on (SSO) security, and automatic call recording
- Ultimate: $49.99 per user, per month to store an unlimited amount of recordings, documents, and presentations while monitoring devices
*Pricing is based on two to 20 users with an annual payment. Monthly plans are available at a higher cost.
RingCentral Features
- International numbers: With RingCentral, you can host or join conferences across more than 40 countries, such as Germany, China, Mexico, U.K., and Japan.
- Host and security tools: RingCentral provides optional password protection. Upper-tier plans feature single sign-on (SSO) so employees can log in with company credentials. During the call, the host can get a caller count, record a conference, or mute a caller.
- Mobility: With RingCentral, users can join by a web browser, desk phone, or mobile app on iOS and Android devices. Plus, you can turn an audio call into a video call or switch between devices during a conference. RingCentral Glip also provides a free conference call service for video, perfect for teams on the go.
Decide if RingCentral is a good fit for your business by visiting our RingCentral review page.
Cisco Webex
PROS
- Free plan for up to 100 participants
- VoIP calling features
- Raise-hand and polling
CONS
- Extra fee for call-me feature
- Limited customer support on free and Starter plans
- Cloud storage has limits
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.69 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 |
Cisco Webex offers web conferencing, VoIP, and collaboration tools, allowing businesses to host meetings and get work done, together, online. You can have up to 200 conference attendees connected via video or audio, including international teams in 57 countries. The free plan provides plenty of features, except participants can’t dial into your conference; they must connect by a computer or any internet-connected device. Paid plans start at $13.50 per host, per month when paid annually. Cisco Webex’s team engagement and collaboration features, along with its heavy-duty conferencing solution, make it a great option for remote workforces.
Cisco Webex Pricing*
- Free: It’s free for one user, up to 50 minutes per conference and 100 participants, screen sharing, and recordings
- Starter: $13.50 per host, per month for one to 50 users, up to 150 conference attendees, and 5GB of cloud storage
- Business: $26.95 per host, per month for one to 100 users, up to 200 conference participants, and 10GB of cloud storage
- Enterprise: Custom plans available for additional users, participants, cloud storage, and a toll-free dial-in conference number
*All plans are based on annual payment, but monthly plans are available.
Cisco Webex Features
- Engagement: Webex stands out for its conference call engagement features, including in-meeting gestures, like a thumbs-up, raise a hand, polling, breakout sessions, chat, and notes.
- Host controls: The host can lock meeting rooms, pass the presenter controls, and even send notifications if someone is trying to speak on mute.
- Cloud collaboration: Get work done in the cloud using screen-sharing tools, interactive whiteboarding, and file-sharing while integrating with your favorite software, such as Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Calendars, and Slack.
GoToMeeting
PROS
- Free 14-day trial, no credit card needed
- Extra security features
- Affordable plans
CONS
- No poll feature for meetings
- You can’t replace your business phone system
- No free plan
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.20 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
GoToMeeting is a web conferencing tool that lets participants dial in using a phone or via an internet connection on any device. It can host up to 150 to 3,000 participants with plans starting at $12 per organizer, per month when paid annually. All tiers provide SSO and risk-based authentication, which scans for unknown remote users. GoToMeeting includes everything you need for audio or video conferences for businesses wanting an inexpensive way to connect with clients and employees.
GoToMeeting Pricing*
- Professional: $12 per organizer, per month for up to 150 conference participants with screen sharing, Salesforce and calendar integrations, and custom meeting links
- Business: $16 per organizer, per month for up to 250 participants, unlimited cloud recordings and transcripts, an intelligent assistant, and an in-app notetaking tool
- Enterprise: Custom quote for up to 3,000 conference attendees, onboarding, and training, and it connects to your existing conference room system
*Plan prices are based on an annual payment, but you can opt for month-to-month pricing for an extra few dollars a month.
GoToMeeting Features
- Advanced features: On Business and Enterprise plans, you can record and transcribe all calls in a searchable format, use a smart assistant to capture meeting highlights and action items, or take notes in your conference without leaving the app.
- Recurring meetings: Create a custom meeting link that never changes for weekly meetings or set up a recurring conference call on your meetings page to add calls to your calendar automatically.
- Accessibility: Attendees can join via a web browser or mobile app using a cell phone, internet, or traditional phone services. Additionally, GoToMeeting will call up to five participants on your behalf or call you to join the meeting. With the Business plan, you also can use the Siri assistant module to enter.
Vast Conference
PROS
- 14-day free trial
- Unlimited cloud recording on all but the Essential plan
- Operator-moderated conferencing available
CONS
- Essential plan only offers 1GB cloud recording
- Fewer features than other solutions
- Extra services can get pricey
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.20 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
Vast Conference provides audio and video conferencing solutions so that attendees can join via a telephone or internet web browser. Meeting recordings, instant messaging, and file sharing allow you to interact during the meeting and review it afterward for more insights. Prices start at $11.99 per user, per month when paid yearly. The conference call line supports callers from over 70 countries, making Vast Conference an excellent solution for teams worldwide.
Vast Conference Pricing*
- Essentials: $11.99 per user, per month for up to 10 conference participants
- Standard: $15.99 per user, per month for up to 100 attendees
- Professional: $31.99 per user, per month for up to 250 participants
- Enterprise: Get a custom quote to host conferences for up to 6,000 people
*Pricing above is based on annual subscriptions. You may also sign up for a monthly option if you prefer short-term contracts.
Vast Conference Features
- International options: Callers can join using a local dial-in number in more than 70 countries, or you can provide a toll-free conference phone number for more than 80 international locations.
- Personalization: Stand out with professional branded conferences using features, such as branded meeting links, custom greetings, and on-hold music.
- Operators: For 16 cents to 19 cents per minute, per line, you can get help managing your conference. The operator answers calls, greets guests, and can even provide technical support or survey your callers.
ClickMeeting
PROS
- 30-day free trial
- Polls and surveys
- Livestream on social media
CONS
- Limited recording and file storage
- Only 25 conference attendees
- Breakout sessions available for 50 or more participants
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.20 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
ClickMeeting is a webinar and presentation solution offering conference call services for up to 25 attendees. However, you can host an interactive webinar for 10 to 10,000 people online, and attendees can join via the internet or dial in. You can stream it to YouTube or Facebook and track guest or employee attendance. ClickMeeting prices depend on how many webinar attendees you expect, with plans starting at $25 per month. Companies can use ClickMeeting to host engaging training and onboarding webinars, meet online with teams, or leverage the platform as a selling tool.
ClickMeeting Pricing*
- Live: $25 per month for unlimited meetings and webinars, four webinar cameras or up to 25 meeting cameras, six hours of recording storage, and 1GB file storage
- Automated: $40 per month for 10 hours of recording storage, 2GB file storage, on-demand webinars, and unlimited automated recurring webinars
- Enterprise: Get a custom quote to hold webinars with up to 100,000 people
*The above pricing is based on 10 to 20 attendees when billed annually. Monthly plans are available, and you can have up to 900 participants on the Live and Automated plans for an additional cost.
ClickMeeting Features
- Social media integrations: Stream your event live on Facebook or YouTube, integrate with LinkedIn, and add a Facebook pixel for tracking. On the automated plans, your events automatically stream on social media, and your recording gets published on YouTube.
- Host controls: Hosts can fully control meetings in ClickMeeting. They can block or remove someone from the conference, moderate chats, and assign presenters.
- Interactive tools: Use polls, surveys, whiteboarding, screen and file sharing, or question-and-answer mode to keep staff engaged during training sessions.
Bottom Line
Modern businesses need multifunctional solutions, and the best conference call services provide that flexibility. Your communication platforms need to deliver feature-rich and affordable services, from companywide interactive training sessions to simple yet high-quality audio conferences.
RingCentral is the ideal all-in-one solution because you can host large or small audio and video conferences easily. Its flexible plans offer single or multilevel auto-attendants, call recording, and plenty of security features. Learn more about RingCentral by visiting its website today.
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