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    Zoom

    Video conferencing and online meetings.

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    ToolTrim verdict3.6/ 5Average

    Zoom makes sense for regular team video and advanced uses (webinars, phone); for occasional 1:1s, the free tier or your suite's video suffices.

    Zoom, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with Zoom.

    Zoom is video conferencing and online meetings. Starting at €13.33/month.

    Practical uses

    • Run regular team meetings.
    • Host webinars.
    • Centralise video, chat and phone.

    Features & use cases

    Collaboration

    Pros and cons

    What Zoom does especially well and the limits to anticipate.

    Pros

    • Reliable, widely adopted video.
    • Meetings, chat, webinars and phone combined.
    • AI Companion included on paid plans.
    • Functional free tier.

    Cons

    • 40-minute cap on group meetings on free.
    • Per-user subscription.
    • Redundant if your suite already includes video.

    Zoom: when it makes sense.

    Zoom makes sense for regular team video and advanced uses (webinars, phone); for occasional 1:1s, the free tier or your suite's video suffices.

    Keep if

    You need reliable, universal video calls.. You run group meetings beyond 40 minutes.

    Zoom becomes worthwhile when
    • You use it at least once a week
    • The monthly cost ($13.33) is small next to the time it saves you

    Challenge if

    Your meetings are mostly 1:1 or very short (free tier suffices).. Your suite (Google/Microsoft) already includes video you like.

    Zoom becomes too expensive when
    • You use it less than once a month
    • A simple free version or a tool already in your stack would do

    Pricing. What does Zoom cost?

    This tool is included in Zoom Pro. See pricing and plans on the suite's page.
    Free$0

    Free with a 40-minute limit on group meetings

    Paid plan$13.33/mo

    Pro at $13.33/month (annual) or $16.99/month (monthly): meetings up to 30h, 5GB cloud storage

    Zoom Pro — the full suite

    Zoom is part of Zoom Pro. The other tools included in the suite:

    Alternatives. What could replace Zoom?

    Current

    Direct substitutes

    Zoom Pro logoZoom Pro
    Included inZoom Pro logo

    Zoom Pro

    View full bundle

    Other tools in bundle
    The AI angle

    Zoom vs AI

    AI augments this tool
    Go further with AI

    Zoom added Zoom AI Companion to summarize meetings, generate recaps and answer questions about what was said, free on most plans.

    Can AI replace it?

    Replace Zoom with an AI? No: video conferencing itself (video quality, stability, webinar features) remains an infrastructure need AI doesn't eliminate. Verdict: AI summarizes the meeting, it doesn't replace the need for video calls.

    The AIs that matter here

    Zoom Summary

    Category
    productivity tool.
    Price from
    $13.33/mo.
    Best for
    professionals.
    Avoid if
    Your meetings are mostly 1:1 or very short (free tier suffices).; Your suite (Google/Microsoft) already includes video you like..
    Alternatives
    Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.
    ToolTrim verdict
    Zoom makes sense for regular team video and advanced uses (webinars, phone); for occasional 1:1s, the free tier or your suite's video suffices.

    Our verdict. What to know about Zoom.

    Why this verdict

    Average

    Zoom is fairly easy to replace with an alternative, a free tier to test before paying, clearly documented use cases.

    Frequently asked questions.

    What to know before choosing Zoom.

    What is Zoom used for?

    Video conferencing and online meetings.

    How much does Zoom cost?

    Zoom costs €13.33/month.

    Is Zoom suitable for beginners?

    Zoom suits most professionals. See the "Who is it for" section for details.

    Is Zoom worth the price?

    Zoom makes sense for regular team video and advanced uses (webinars, phone); for occasional 1:1s, the free tier or your suite's video suffices.

    What are the best alternatives to Zoom?

    The main alternatives to Zoom are: Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.

    What’s next?