Webex Review: Is It Right for Your Business?

Webex is a cloud-based solution offering video conferencing, cloud calling, team messaging, and webinar services—all in one place. It includes artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as a virtual assistant, noise removal, speech enhancement, and transcriptions, allowing meetings to be more efficient and productive. There’s a free version, while paid monthly plans start at $14.50 per user. Based on this Webex review, we recommend it for teams that need a centralized platform for calling and video conferencing with various engagement features.

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Webex Overview

What We Recommend Webex For

Webex offers five subscription plans that cater to different conference calling needs, including cloud calling, meetings capabilities, and advanced messaging. This makes it a good solution for businesses that rely on different communication channels to connect and collaborate with their teams. In addition, it has webinar and events features helpful for companies looking for a video meeting solution with lead generation strategies.

When to Use Webex

• Companies needing automation features like AI assistance for improved collaboration: Webex has an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered video conferencing platform that includes advanced features such as speech enhancement, real-time translations, and a virtual assistant. These tools rely on voice-activated commands to keep your meetings more productive and save you from repetitive tasks, such as taking notes and sharing meeting highlights. This puts Webex in our list of the best video conferencing software.
• Teams looking for interactive tools for virtual events: Webex is our top choice for the best webinar software platform, offering various engagement tools for hosting company-wide webinars and interactive meetings. Aside from its built-in virtual assistant, Webex Webinar plans include music mode, polling, quizzes, whiteboarding, and audience-generated word clouds. It also lets you assign roles for attendees for more active participation.
• Remote teams looking for a budget-friendly conferencing solution with excellent engagement features: Webex offers a free entry-level plan for those who want to organize online meetings and team chats at no charge. The Webex Suite Basic plan is best for remote employees looking for a free conferencing solution with various collaboration features, such as screen sharing, interactive whiteboard, and polling. With this, Webex is among our list of the best conference call service and best free conference call service.
• Small businesses looking for a unified platform for video and audio conferencing: Webex is one of the best Join.me alternatives, offering a bundled plan for video callings and cloud calling. Users are given the option of whether they want to combine calling and meeting features in their package. With the Business plan, you get access to premium video and calling features at only $25 per user (paid monthly). This saves small businesses from the expense of subscribing to different providers.

When Webex Might Not Be a Good Fit

• Companies needing many third-party integrations: Since Webex only supports up to 100 third-party apps, it may not be a perfect fit for businesses needing various integrations to improve their workflow. If you’re looking for more integrations, try Zoom, one of our best Webex alternatives. It offers over 1,500 applications, including popular tools like Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Check out our Zoom review to learn more.
• Teams who want a video meetings solution with cloud storage: While Webex offers a free video conferencing plan, it doesn’t include cloud recording storage in this package. A better alternative is RingCentral, which offers 10 hours of cloud recording with a seven-day retention period. You also get RingCentral Video’s paid plan at a lower cost, which includes the same feature set as Webex. Read our RingCentral review and discover what makes it a top business phone system solution.
• Large teams looking for a more comprehensive collaborative platform: While Webex supports video meetings and team messaging, it doesn’t have productivity tools like a shared to-do list and team reminders. Choose Microsoft Teams if you’re looking for a central platform for interacting with teams and managing projects. It is our best team communication app for collaboration—combining instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management all in one place. Find out more in our Microsoft Teams review.

Webex Pricing

Webex pricing includes a free plan and four paid monthly subscriptions that range from $14.50 to $25 per user. All plans include meeting recording, noise removal, screen sharing, polling, and whiteboard. There is no free trial for the paid plans, and only the Meetings plan accepts an annual payment option.

The main difference between the plans depends on the type of conference call service you need. For example, Webex Call is best for businesses that need voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) capabilities, such as call hold, call transfer, and call forward, but doesn’t need all the advanced features for hosting virtual meetings. However, those who need all the premium features for calling and online meetings may subscribe to the Webex-Suite Business plan.

*The prices displayed are based on monthly per-user pricing

Companies needing larger cloud storage and participant sizes for meetings should consider upgrading to the Enterprise plan. You get up to 1,000-participant meeting capacity, unlimited cloud storage, developer tools, and Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization. For webinars and large-scale events, contact the sales team to get custom pricing.

Webex Features

Webex is business software for voice calling, team messaging, video conferencing, and webinars. Its features focus on making meetings more inclusive through real-time transcriptions and improving team productivity through AI-powered tools. The platform is accessible through desktop and mobile devices through the Webex app.

General Features

Webex offers unified communications services and collaborative features that drive engagement and interactive experiences. Its all-in-one platform includes a suite of online meeting tools, such as screen sharing, whiteboarding, breakout rooms, and noise removal. Even at the basic tier, Webex is packed with security features, end-to-end encryption, meeting passwords, locked personal room meetings, and HIPAA-compliant security.

The Webex virtual meeting platform includes interactive audience tools to encourage active participation. (Source: Webex)

Although its user interface looks well-designed and sophisticated, less tech-savvy users will find it confusing and complicated. Users ended up not utilizing the new tools because they either couldn’t find them or don’t know how to use them. Also, Webex only has 100 integrations, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. This is considerably fewer than its closest competitor, Zoom, which has over 1,000 third-party integrations.

Webex Calling

The Webex cloud calling service enables users to move their calling operations to the cloud and access their phone lines from anywhere. It offers a complete cloud phone system that includes a phone number for every user and VoIP calling features. Here are the standard calling features offered by Webex:

• Call queues
• Auto-attendant
• Call forwarding
• Call hold/resume
• Call waiting/call transfer
• Extensions and phone menu
• Intelligent call routing
• Merge and conference
• Move/pull calls
• Visual voicemail

Webex helps you centralize business communications in one secure, easy-to-use platform. (Source: Webex)

The Webex Call plan enables users to make and receive business calls domestically or internationally. When complemented with the Meet plan, you’ll easily be able to turn a call into a full-featured meeting. If you’re on the go, the Webex app allows you to quickly move calls between desktop and mobile.

Webex Calling supports a wide range of internet protocol (IP) phones, such as the Cisco 6800, 7800, and 8800 Series. It includes comprehensive private branch exchange (PBX) capabilities, such as virtual receptionist and personalized voicemail boxes. Plus, it lets you make calls with extension numbers, direct inward dialing (DID) numbers, and directory-based dialing.

Webex Meetings

Webex offers an AI-powered video conferencing platform equipped with interactive features. For example, it combines advanced noise removal and speech enhancement to eliminate background noise while enhancing speech. It includes an interactive virtual assistant that makes meetings more productive. Use the Webex Assistant to highlight key moments, take note of important decisions, and follow up on action items.

Here are other features Webex Meetings offers:

• Custom layouts
• Content and screen sharing
• Breakout sessions
• Animated virtual backgrounds
• Recordings and transcriptions
• Meeting controls
• Picture-in-picture for multitasking
• Gesture recognition
• Meeting lock

Webex Meetings has an immersive share feature that lets you insert your video feed into the content you’re sharing. (Source: Webex)

For a richer collaboration experience, Webex has a digital whiteboard feature that enables teams to work together on any device. It allows you to add pictures, draw, react, and build templates to capture information. If you’re hosting a multilingual meeting, Webex has real-time translation and transcription capabilities that support 13 spoken languages that can be translated to more than 100 other languages in closed captions.

Webex Messaging

Webex offers a centralized hub to collaborate with internal or external teams. Spaces are like messaging channels that enable participants to share files, create a thread, use emojis and GIFs, and add various formatting options. It allows you to host quick meetings, then have the recordings and transcripts automatically stored alongside your chats. All shared files and interactions are searchable and saved within the space.

Here are other features to look for in Webex Messaging:

• Two-way whiteboard
• Large file sharing
• End-to-end encryption
• Filters and advanced search
• Contacts and presence

Webex lets you filter your space list to help you concentrate on spaces with unread messages. (Source: Webex)

Through its integration with OneDrive and SharePoint, teams are able to edit and review files within a chat space, reducing the need to switch between apps. If you want to collaborate with anyone outside your organization, simply add their email address to a space. Webex lets you update your status through presence to let coworkers know when you’re available, on a call, or in a meeting. Additionally, your status update provides the time you were last available.

Webex Webinars

Webex offers a scalable webinar platform that accommodates up to 100,000 attendees. It has two options when organizing an event: webinar and webcast view for attendees. Webinars are designed for collaboration and interaction, while webinars in webcast view call for a simpler attendee participation only through polling, Q&A, and text-based chat.

Webex Webinars uses gesture recognition technology to let others know your reaction without interrupting the conversation. (Source: Webex)

Webex Webinar comes with all the advanced features included in Webex Meetings, such as AI-assistance, whiteboard, annotation, live closed captioning, and transcription. Themes and custom branding options are available to build brand identity. Additionally, participants have access to various engagement tools, such as live polling, chat, emoji reactions, moderated Q&A, and gesture recognition. There’s also a music mode if you want to perform or play music.

There are multiple roles assigned during a webinar: host, cohost, panelist, interpreter, presenter, note taker, closed captionist, and attendees. The host or the cohost will designate the role you will have in a webinar. Once the webinar is finished, Webex provides post-webinar reports, including registration, attendee, and activity reports.

Webex Events

Webex Events makes hosting online events easy by making them more customized and engaging. Its virtual event platform allows you to create TV-like, professional livestreams without the need for an audio-visual team. Plus, it includes engagement tools, such as chat, polling, gamification, moderated Q&A, and video rooms, encouraging attendees to connect with your brand.

Webex Events offers an intuitive virtual event platform that includes advanced tools to manage the entire event lifecycle. (Source: Webex)

Webex offers flexible registration and ticketing features to enable multiple ticket types, groups, prices, and discount codes. With its event mobile app, attendees have the option to access your event content, whether in-person or on the go. For lead generation purposes, Webex allows organizers to turn their virtual events into on-demand experiences by making their content accessible before, during, and after the event.

Webex Alternatives

Webex provides several interactive tools for its conferencing services, but it may not be the best fit for your business. For example, you may be looking for a provider with a more user-friendly interface or a more robust set of third-party integrations. If so, here are the best Webex alternatives to consider:

Best for: Teams needing plenty of third-party integrations	Best for: Businesses needing a robust phone system with video conferencing features	Best for: Small businesses looking for an affordable virtual meeting solution with large participant capacity
Monthly starting price: Free for the basic plan; $14.99 per user for the first paid tier	Monthly starting price: $19.99 per user*	Monthly starting price: $12 per user*
Visit Zoom or Read Review	Visit RingCentral or Read Review	Visit GoTo Meeting or Read Review

*Pricing for RingCentral and GoTo Meeting is based on an annual subscription option

Webex Reviews: What Users Think

According to Webex reviews we found online, users utilize the platform for hosting internal meetings, webinars, and large events. They commented that its powerful security features make Webex the best choice among other competitors. Users like the video meeting platform as a collaborative tool for hybrid work environments because it includes several interesting features and AI capabilities, such as real-time translations and whiteboarding.

Webex earned the following average ratings on these popular review sites at the time of publication:

• GetApp: 4.4 out of 5 based on 6,400 reviews
• G2: 4.2 out of 5 based on 14,119 reviews
• TrustRadius: 8.3 out of 10 based on 2,027 reviews
• Capterra: 4.4 out of 5 based on 6,462 reviews
• Gartner: 4.4 out of 5 based 2,663 reviews

Meanwhile, some users who left negative reviews said that the platform isn’t user-friendly because it is confusing to navigate, and some features are unintuitive to use, like the drawing tool. Also, even though its services work across devices, it doesn’t guarantee it will work properly, especially its mobile app.

Bottom Line

Webex offers an all-in-one platform for hosting online meetings, conference calls, and webinars—making it a good choice for businesses operating in remote and hybrid work environments. It includes a variety of interactive tools and automation features that makes video conferencing convenient and engaging. Get started by signing up for a free Webex plan or contact its sales team to learn which plan suits your needs.

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