Zoom vs Google Meet
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool in 2026
π Quick Verdict
It's a tie! Both are great options.
Zoom is the better standalone video conferencing tool with more features and larger event capacity. Google Meet is the better choice for teams already in the Google Workspace ecosystem who want simplicity.
π Explore More
π Visual Comparison
Overall Score Comparison
Category Breakdown
Zoom Highlights
- β Industry-leading video and audio quality
- β Breakout rooms for group sessions
- π° Free / $13.33/month per user
Google Meet Highlights
- β No app required β runs entirely in browser
- β Free 60-minute meetings with up to 100 participants
- π° Free / $7.20/month (Workspace)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zoom | Google Meet |
|---|---|---|
| Max Participants | 1,000 (meeting) / 10,000 (webinar) | 100 (free) / 500 (paid) |
| Free Meeting Duration | 40 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Breakout Rooms | β | Paid plans only |
| Recording | Cloud + local | Paid plans only |
| Virtual Backgrounds | β | β |
| Screen Sharing | β | β |
| Whiteboard | β | Via Jamboard |
| AI Companion | β | Gemini integration |
| Calendar Integration | β | Google Calendar native |
| Waiting Room | β | β |
| Polls | β | Paid plans only |
| Mobile App | β | β |
What is Zoom?
Zoom is the most recognized video conferencing platform, known for reliability, feature richness, and scalability from small meetings to large webinars and events.
β Pros
- β’Industry-leading video and audio quality
- β’Breakout rooms for group sessions
- β’Virtual backgrounds and touch-up features
- β’Webinar and large event support (up to 10,000)
- β’Extensive third-party integrations
- β’Recording with cloud storage
βCons
- β’Free tier limited to 40-minute meetings
- β’Zoom fatigue is a real phenomenon
- β’Security concerns (improved but historically an issue)
- β’Subscription costs add up for teams
- β’Desktop app required for full features
What is Google Meet?
Google Meet is Google's video conferencing solution, tightly integrated with Google Workspace. It runs entirely in the browser, offers generous free meetings, and provides a simple, reliable experience.
β Pros
- β’No app required β runs entirely in browser
- β’Free 60-minute meetings with up to 100 participants
- β’Seamless Google Calendar and Gmail integration
- β’Clean, simple interface
- β’Good noise cancellation and video quality
- β’Included with Google Workspace plans
βCons
- β’Fewer advanced features than Zoom
- β’No breakout rooms on free tier
- β’Limited third-party integrations
- β’Recording only on paid Workspace plans
- β’Less suitable for large webinars
Pricing Comparison
Google Meet
Free / $7.20/month (Workspace)
Free / Google Workspace bundled
β Free tier availableView detailed pricing βπIn-Depth Analysis: Zoom vs Google Meet
Choosing between Zoom and Google Meet can be challenging, as both tools offer compelling features for modern workflows. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll analyze every aspectβfrom features and pricing to real-world use casesβto help you make an informed decision.
Zoom
Zoom is the most recognized video conferencing platform, known for reliability, feature richness, and scalability from small meetings to large webinars and events.
Google Meet
Google Meet is Google's video conferencing solution, tightly integrated with Google Workspace. It runs entirely in the browser, offers generous free meetings, and provides a simple, reliable experience.
π―Best Use Cases
When to Choose Zoom
- βFor Teams:
Industry-leading video and audio quality
- βFor Small Business:
Breakout rooms for group sessions
- βFor Enterprise:
Virtual backgrounds and touch-up features
When to Choose Google Meet
- βFor Individuals:
No app required β runs entirely in browser
- βFor Small Business:
Free 60-minute meetings with up to 100 participants
- βFor Teams:
Seamless Google Calendar and Gmail integration
πFeature Deep Dive
Max Participants
Free Meeting Duration
Breakout Rooms
Recording
Virtual Backgrounds
Screen Sharing
π°Pricing Analysis
Zoom
Freemium per-user
β Free tier availableGoogle Meet
Free / Google Workspace bundled
β Free tier availableπ‘ Pro Tip
Both tools offer free trials or tiers. We recommend testing both with your actual workflow before committing to a paid plan.
πOur Recommendation
After extensive analysis and testing, here's our take: Both Zoom and Google Meet are excellent tools that can significantly improve your productivity. The best choice depends on your specific needs, workflow, and priorities.
Choose Zoom if:
You need breakout rooms, large webinars, advanced recording, or best-in-class video conferencing features.
Choose Google Meet if:
You're in the Google Workspace ecosystem, want browser-only meetings, or need longer free meetings without app downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Google Meet offers 60-minute free meetings vs Zoom's 40-minute limit. For casual meetings, Google Meet's free tier is more generous.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
β¨ Choose Zoom if
You need breakout rooms, large webinars, advanced recording, or best-in-class video conferencing features.
β¨ Choose Google Meet if
You're in the Google Workspace ecosystem, want browser-only meetings, or need longer free meetings without app downloads.