Looking for the best zoom alternatives? We tested and compared the top options available in 2026, evaluating features, pricing, ease of use, and real-world performance.
Zoom is no longer the only serious choice for video meetings. In 2026, the gap has closed significantly — Microsoft Teams and Google Meet ship bundled with suites companies already pay for, and newer AI-first tools like Gemini in Meet and Copilot in Teams match Zoom AI Companion for meeting intelligence.
Here are the 7 best Zoom alternatives in 2026, who each is for, and how they compare on price and features.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Starting Price | Best For | Included AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Teams | Bundled with M365 ($12.50/user) | Microsoft 365 shops | Copilot ($30 extra) |
| Google Meet | Bundled with Google Workspace ($7.20/user) | Google Workspace shops | Gemini (included Business Standard+) |
| Slack Huddles | $8.75/user/month | Quick calls inside Slack | Slack AI ($10 extra) |
| Webex | $14.50/user/month | Enterprise, regulated industries | Webex AI Assistant (included) |
| GoTo Meeting | $14/user/month | SMBs, simple needs | GoPilot (higher tiers) |
| Whereby | $9.99/user/month | Embedded video in products | Limited |
| Around | Free (paid $15/user) | Creative and design teams | Built-in transcripts |
1. Microsoft Teams
Best for: Organizations already on Microsoft 365.
Teams is the obvious first answer for any Microsoft shop. It is bundled with Microsoft 365 Business Standard ($12.50/user/month) and higher plans, which means you are already paying for it. Video quality has improved substantially in 2024-2026, and Copilot adds AI meeting summaries, action items, and “catch me up” features — though Copilot costs an additional $30/user/month.
The downsides: video quality still trails Zoom under poor network conditions, and Teams is notably heavier than alternatives as a desktop app.
Switch from Zoom if: You are on Microsoft 365, most meetings are internal, and you want to consolidate subscriptions.
2. Google Meet
Best for: Google Workspace organizations.
Google Meet is included in every Google Workspace plan. The 2024-2026 Gemini integration has closed the AI gap with Zoom — “take notes for me” produces high-quality meeting summaries automatically, included in Business Standard ($14.40/user/month) and above. The browser-native experience is a significant IT advantage over Zoom’s client install.
The limitations: webinars and large-scale events are weaker than Zoom, and breakout rooms remain less polished.
Switch from Zoom if: You are on Google Workspace, meetings are mostly internal, and you want AI meeting notes without paying extra.
Related: Google Meet Review 2026
3. Slack Huddles
Best for: Quick team calls without scheduling.
Huddles are not a direct Zoom replacement — they are lightweight audio/video calls started instantly from a Slack channel or DM. But for many teams, the shift has been dramatic: half the meetings that used to be “15-minute Zooms” now happen as 5-minute Huddles.
Huddles are included in every paid Slack plan ($8.75/user/month and up). Video, screen share, and drawing annotations work well. You cannot schedule Huddles like traditional meetings, which is the point.
Switch from Zoom if: Most of your “meetings” are short team syncs, and you are already paying for Slack.
4. Webex
Best for: Enterprise and regulated industries.
Cisco Webex has quietly remained strong in enterprise and regulated markets (finance, healthcare, government). Pricing starts at $14.50/user/month. The Webex AI Assistant is included in all paid plans and handles summaries, action items, and real-time translation.
Webex excels at compliance, security certifications, and large-scale webinars. It lacks consumer polish compared to Zoom, but enterprise buyers often prefer it.
Switch from Zoom if: You are in a regulated industry or need FedRAMP/HIPAA compliance.
5. GoTo Meeting
Best for: SMBs with simple needs.
GoTo Meeting ($14/user/month) is a no-nonsense Zoom alternative aimed at small and medium businesses. It covers video calls, screen sharing, recording, and basic AI summaries (GoPilot) in higher tiers.
It is not flashy, but for a 10-50 person company that just wants working meetings without bells and whistles, GoTo is a reliable choice.
Switch from Zoom if: You want something simpler and slightly cheaper than Zoom Pro.
6. Whereby
Best for: Embedded video in your own product.
Whereby started as a browser-native meeting tool and evolved into a strong choice for embedding video calls in your own apps via the Embedded API. Pricing starts at $9.99/user/month for the meeting product, and the embedded product is priced per usage.
Consumer-facing Whereby meetings work well for customer calls, coaching businesses, and communities.
Switch from Zoom if: You need white-label video embedded in a product, or your customers dislike installing Zoom.
7. Around
Best for: Creative teams and casual collaboration.
Around takes a different approach — floating video tiles instead of a full-screen grid, designed to feel casual and unobtrusive. Free for basic use, $15/user/month for teams. Built-in transcripts and AI-generated summaries are included.
Around is not enterprise-grade, but design, marketing, and creative teams who dislike “big meeting” energy love it.
Switch from Zoom if: Your team works collaboratively and meetings feel too formal.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
- Already on Microsoft 365? → Microsoft Teams (you are paying for it)
- Already on Google Workspace? → Google Meet (you are paying for it, Gemini included)
- Most “meetings” are 5-15 min team syncs? → Slack Huddles
- Regulated industry or enterprise? → Webex
- SMB wanting simple and cheap? → GoTo Meeting
- Need to embed video in your product? → Whereby
- Creative team that hates formal meetings? → Around
When to Keep Zoom
Zoom is still the best choice if:
- You run webinars or paid virtual events (Zoom Events remains unmatched)
- Your customers are on poor networks (Zoom degrades best)
- You already pay for Zoom and meetings drive your revenue
For everything else, there is now a cheaper or bundled alternative that is good enough.
Related Comparisons
Compare video conferencing tools side by side → AIToolPick Tool Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best zoom alternatives in 2026?
The best choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and budget. See our ranked list above with detailed comparisons for each option.
Are there free zoom alternatives available?
Yes, most tools in this category offer free tiers. See each tool’s pricing details in our comparison above.
How do I choose the right zoom alternatives?
Consider your team size, budget, required features, and integrations. Our comparison criteria above will help you narrow down the best fit.