Google Meet

Google Meet (formerly Hangouts Meet) is a business communication software developed by Google, and available on a wide variety of modern internet-connected platforms.

This app is a part of Google Workspace - Cloud Business Apps & Collaboration Tools. It’s FREE for the first 14 days, Try Now!



Originally built as Hangouts, this service went through several stages of deployment, merging functionality with other Google services such as Google+, Google Voice, and others.

While this web app can be accessed for free as part of the G Suite of standalone and browser extension apps, it can still be used by regular users who just want to chat with their friends even though the main focus of its tools and services is to allow businesses to hold frictionless, secure and easily accessible meetings via the internet.

Meet is included with Google Workspace, Google Workspace Essentials, and G Suite for Education.

Overview

This enterprise-grade video conferencing app prides itself on ease of use, allowing team members to join meetings by simply clicking on a URL link or calendar reminder.

The cloud product has built-in support for managing accounts and privileges of team members, clients, customers, guests, and anyone else who needs to be part of the online meeting.

The user interface of Google Meet for Windows 11 is streamlined and fast, following all the latest design choices present in modern applications built by Google.

As part of the G Suite of apps, this communication software is deeply embedded into the Google ecosystem of services, enabling users to quickly initiate a text, audio, or full video conferencing session directly from Gmail inbox, Calendar, and many other popular Google web services.



PC users can access Google Meet (formerly Hangouts Meet) directly from their browser, and instantly start communication with users on smartphones, tablets, or any other supported device. Larger businesses who elect to purchase G Suite's Enterprise edition can even easily invite users via a regular phone connection utilizing a brand-new phone number that is generated for each individual meeting.

Highlights

• Unlimited access to high-definition videoconferencing.
• Safe and secure encryption of all incoming and outgoing data.
• Streamlined access to meetings straight from the URL link or from inside any of the supported Google apps and services.
• Modern, fast, and intuitive user interface.
• Ability to share your desktop or app screen, present slides, documents, and more.
• Automatically generated real-time captions powered by Google’s industry-leading speech-to-text technology.
• 100% FREE to try!

In a competitive environment where several companies are producing highly capable video conferencing products, Google Meet for Windows 11/10 manages to distinguish itself by being a part of a well-established ecosystem of Google’s cloud-powered services.

It’s fast, intuitive, and sleek, and it provides everyone with an incredibly comprehensive set of enterprise tools and services.

From small casual video chats, and home business meetings, to the intercontinental virtual events set up by large corporations, the Meet app is more than capable to serve everyone.



Key Features

High-Quality Video and Audio: It delivers exceptional video and audio quality, ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication during meetings, regardless of the participants' location or network conditions.

Screen Sharing and Collaboration: Users can effortlessly share their screens, allowing for real-time collaboration on documents, presentations, and other content. This feature enhances productivity and facilitates effective brainstorming and idea sharing.

Live Captioning and Translations: It supports real-time captions, providing accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments. Additionally, it offers live translations, enabling participants to communicate seamlessly across different languages.

Meeting Recordings: Users can record meetings and save them to Google Drive, making it convenient to review discussions or share them with absent team members. This feature is especially useful for educational purposes and documentation.

Integration with Google Workspace: It seamlessly integrates with other Google Workspace applications, such as Google Calendar and Gmail, streamlining the scheduling and joining of meetings directly from these platforms.

User Interface

It boasts an intuitive and clean user interface, making it easy for both novice and experienced users to navigate the software.

The main dashboard provides quick access to essential meeting controls, participant management options, and advanced settings.

The interface is designed for efficiency, ensuring a seamless and distraction-free video conferencing experience.



How to Use

Start a Meeting: After signing in to your Google account, click on the "Start a meeting" button on the main dashboard. You can customize meeting settings, such as enabling captions or selecting specific video and audio devices.

Invite Participants: Share the meeting link or invite participants directly via email. Google Meet also integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, making it effortless to schedule and send meeting invitations.

Manage Participants and Controls: Once the meeting begins, you can manage participant permissions, mute or remove participants, and control video and audio settings. The host has access to additional meeting controls, such as recording and screen-sharing options.

Collaboration and Presentation: Utilize the screen-sharing feature to present slides, documents, or any other content relevant to the meeting. Participants can interact and provide feedback in real time.

End and Archive Meetings: After the meeting concludes, you can choose to end the session for all participants or allow them to continue the discussion. Meeting recordings are automatically saved to Google Drive for easy access and future reference.



FAQ

Is Google Meet for PC FREE to use?
Yes, it offers a FREE tier with limited features and meeting durations. However, there are also paid plans, such as Google Workspace Essentials and Google Workspace Enterprise, which offer enhanced capabilities and additional benefits.

How many participants can join a Google Meet session?
The number of participants allowed in a Google Meet session depends on the subscription plan. The free plan supports up to 100 participants, while the paid plans offer higher participant limits, ranging from 150 to 250 participants.

Can I record meetings in Google Meet?
Yes, it allows users to record meetings, which are automatically saved to Google Drive. However, please note that meeting recordings may be subject to certain storage limitations based on your Google account's storage quota.

Can I use Google Meet on mobile devices?
Absolutely! The app is available as a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices. You can download the app from the respective app stores and enjoy the full functionality of Google Meet on your smartphone or tablet.

Is Google Meet secure?
It incorporates robust security measures, including encrypted video and audio transmission, anti-abuse features, and multi-factor authentication. Google continuously monitors and updates its security protocols to ensure the privacy and protection of user data.

Can individuals outside of our organization join a call on Google Meet?

Yes! External participants can indeed join a call on Google Meet. The accessibility depends on the type of Google Meet account being used:

Free Version: External participants can either sign in with a Google Account or receive approval from the meeting organizer to join.

Google Workspace Customers: After creating a meeting within Google Workspace, you have the flexibility to invite anyone, including those without a Google Account. You can simply share the meeting link or Meeting ID with all intended participants to enable their access.

Alternatives

Zoom: A popular video conferencing platform known for its ease of use, reliability, and extensive feature set.

Microsoft Teams: A comprehensive communication and collaboration platform that offers video conferencing, chat, file sharing, and integration with Microsoft Office applications.

Cisco Webex: A robust video conferencing tool with advanced features like breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, and integration with various productivity applications.

GoToMeeting: A reliable and user-friendly platform that supports meetings of all sizes, with features such as screen sharing, recording, and customizable meeting URLs.

Adobe Connect: Host, share, collaborate, and train from anywhere, anytime!

Pricing

It offers various pricing options based on Google Workspace plans.

The exact pricing structure may vary depending on your region and requirements.

The free tier provides basic functionality, while paid plans offer enhanced features and support.

It is recommended to visit the Google Workspace pricing page for up-to-date information on available plans and pricing details.

Choose your Google Workspace pricing plan. Try it free for 14 days.

Business Starter Plan - $6 USD per user/month - 1 year

• Custom and secure business email
• 100-participant video meetings
• 30 GB pooled storage per user
• Security and management controls
• Standard Support

Business Standard Plan - $12 USD per user/month - 1 year

• Custom and secure business email
• 150 participant video meetings + recording
• 2 TB pooled storage per user
• Security and management controls
• Standard Support (paid upgrade to Enhanced Support)

With Google Meet, joining or initiating a video meeting is a breeze, right from your Gmail inbox. The integration with Google Calendar ensures that all the necessary meeting information, including the agenda and meeting details, is conveniently accessible within the Meet interface.

This streamlined process allows you to quickly catch up on the important aspects of the meeting before diving into the discussion. Say goodbye to the hassle of switching between different applications and enjoy a seamless video conferencing experience with Google Meet.

System Requirements

It runs directly from web browsers, eliminating the need for specific system requirements. It is compatible with popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Opera.

PROS

• Seamless integration with Google Workspace applications.
• High-quality video and audio experience.
• Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Wide device compatibility, including mobile platforms.
• Versatile features for collaboration, screen sharing, and recording.

CONS

• Limited functionality in the free tier.
• Advanced features and higher participant limits require a paid subscription.
• Occasional connectivity issues in low-bandwidth or unstable network conditions.

Conclusion

Google Meet is a feature-rich video conferencing solution that excels in simplicity, compatibility, and seamless integration with Google's suite of productivity tools. It provides an excellent communication platform for individuals, teams, and organizations of all sizes.

Whether you're hosting a small team meeting or conducting a large-scale webinar, it offers the necessary features to ensure a smooth and efficient collaboration experience. The FileHorse review team highly recommends this outstanding Online Video, Meetings, and Conferencing app!

Also Available: Download Google Meet for Mac