Top 5 Google Hangouts Alternatives

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As technology continues to evolve, newer apps
keep emerging. Most of the new apps are built as
improvements to existing ones or as their
alternatives. Depending on their
functionalities, there are those that do catch
on, while others do not. Google hangouts is one
such app. Although it was developed by one of the
most powerful companies on the internet
business, it never really took off. This article
looks at the app, its functionalities, the
reasons why it may have failed, and list out
Google Hangouts alternatives that now compete
with it. Part 1. What Is Google Hangouts? This
is a Google productivity tool that is available
across various platforms. It was developed by
Google with the aim of offering communication
through various channels including voice,
texting, and video chatting. The tool offers
functionalities that are useful for one-on-one
communication between two individuals and for
general corporate use. The app is integrated
into Google and in Gmail. A mobile app is also
available for those using iOS and Android
operating systems. For most individuals, the app
has been perceived as a tool for individual
communication. However, it is built with
functionalities that handle corporate
communications with ease.
Pros
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It is mostly free to use Largely, the use of
the app is free. You ou can easily download,
install, and use it from the Google Play app
store. The only time that it incurs a cost is
when call are made to carriers outside the US or
Canada. Charges also apply when it is used
commercially, mainly for corporate purposes.
Available across various platforms Since Google
has numerous other products that people already
use, Hangouts can also be accessed in many ways.
It is available for download across many mobile
phone operating systems. It can be installed on
other web browsers or paired with Google Chrome.
It can also be used inside a Gmail account.
Can be used in multiple ways One can use Google
Hangouts as a texting message, a voice calling
tool or through Google video calling to get
connected with your colleagues and clients. This
makes it a tool that is very handy and easy to
use. Cons Inconsistency there is a level
of inconsistency in the way that the app works on
different platforms. For example, to use the app
to make voice calls to mobile devices, one is
required to install another app called Hangout
Dialer. However, to achieve the same goal when
using its desktop version, one is required to
first install the Google Chrome browser. Lack
of Independence - The app requires additional
tools to give some of its basic services like
voice calling. Having to add the Hangout Dialer
or Google Chrome seems cumbersome. Not ideal
for users of other platforms Google works best
for people who are fans of other Google tools.
However, it may not work as well if you intend to
use just one of Googles products. This is a
major failure compared to other google hangouts
alternatives that work as standalone
communication tools. Generally, Google Hangout
is a good communication tool for you to
communicate with colleagues and clients when all
of your users of other Google tools such as
Google Chrome, Gmail, and Google . However, it
faces stiff competition from other alternatives
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that seem to offer many more functionalities.
Here is a look at some of the top
alternatives. Part 2. Alternatives to Google
Hangouts 1.eztalks Cloud Meeting ezTalks Cloud
Meeting is a professional video conferencing tool
that is available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and
Android Phone platforms. The app has both free
and paid options depending on the features one
want to use. The fact that its creators have
focused on offering video conferencing services
makes it very superior in this space. It also has
various important features that make it a good
alternative to Google Hangouts. For starters,
video conferencing is possible for up to 100 for
free, and up to 500 participants for premium
version. Secondly, one can send an invitation for
a video call to another person without requiring
that person to install or register for an
account. This makes it easy to use and hustle
free for people who do not already have it. The
invite can be sent as a link via email. The app
also has high quality video and audio
capabilities. It can offer resolutions of up to
1920 x 1080p HD. Additionally, eztalks Cloud
Meeting gives you the power to do the following
things, like application and desktop sharing,
drawing ideas with inbuilt interactive
whiteboard tool, annotation, group chat, private
chat, locking unlocking meeting room, meeting
scheduling and more.
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2. Facetime This Google Hangouts alternative
client is an app that comes as a default tool in
iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. It is free to
use. It offers both video and voice call services
with family and friends who have Apple gadgets.
Since the app uses internet connectivity, you do
not have to have a cellular service to use it.
Facetime can be used as long as the gadget can
connect to the internet, even though a Wi-Fi
connection. The main disadvantage of this
Hangouts alternative client is that it is only
available on Apple devices. Secondly, it also
cannot call landline numbers. It also lacks video
group calling capabilities, a key feature in
communication tools.
3. Messenger This is an alternative to Hangouts
that associated with the Facebook ecosystem.
Users of Facebook are required to install this
app as an alternative to the previous messaging
service that was available within the platform.
Like other products in this space, it offers
text, voice, SMS, and video calling
services. Messenger is free and it offers an
encrypted messaging service. This means that all
messages sent through the app are private. One
does not have to have a Facebook account or
cellular service to use the app. Once this
alternative to Hangouts is installed on your
smartphone, it automatically detects the
contacts in your smartphone. However, there is an
option for the app not to
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access this information. Logging into the app is
not required as long as one is logged into
Facebook. However, the app offers limited
file-type support compared to other apps.
4. Telegram Messenger This is one of the latest
apps to enter into the messaging space. This
Hangout alternative has superior features that
have most likely been developed in consideration
to the failures in other similar apps. It is
available on multiple platforms and offers
end-to-end encryption. Telegram offers texting
services, photo editing tools, and a wide array
of stickers. The key drawback of this app is its
lack of voice or video calling options.
5. WhatsApp This app is one of the most
multifunction tools in this space and a great
Google Hangouts alternative. It can be used to
exchange messages, videos, audio messages, voice
calls, video calls, images and even files. The
app is free to install and use, regardless of the
extent to which one uses it.
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The other advantage is that it automatically
detects the contact of colleagues who have the
app in your phonebook. Its also easy to create
groups by sending invites to colleagues who
already have the app. They can also be added to a
group automatically. The key drawback of the app
is that it is mainly created to work on mobile
devices, smart phones and tablets. https//www.e
ztalks.com/video-conference/google-hangouts-altern
ative.html