10 Best Web Conferencing Software Solutions for Online Consulting With Clients in 2021

Web conferencing has become the only way for many consultants to continue operating during the COVID-19 era when physical meetings have had to be canceled. Over 2020, conferencing technology was increasingly adopted by consultants worldwide, and the reason is obvious: web video conferencing is beneficial for both parties. It allows experts to continue consulting with clients and retain revenue during coronavirus lockdowns and allows clients to get professional advice remotely regardless of their location.

What is web video conferencing?

Web conferencing technology enables virtual face-to-face interaction and makes participants feel as if they are meeting in person. With helpful features like screen sharing, file sharing, and chatting, video conferencing tools can allow you to maintain efficient collaboration and communication with your clients globally from the comfort of your home or office.

9 reasons why consultants need to adopt web conferencing software

Web video conferencing can be extremely beneficial for your business because it:

• Provides flexibility and convenience by enabling you to hold meetings anywhere using any internet-connected device
• Allows you to reach a wider audience and offer your services without geographical barriers
• Enables face-to-face interaction with clients, thus improving communication, streamlining collaboration, building trust, and getting everyone engaged
• Saves you time and money by eliminating the need to travel
• Improves your ROI by reducing travel and office expenses and allowing you to allocate more time for revenue-generating activities
• Increases your productivity by eliminating back-and-forth communication with clients
• Improves client attendance by reducing the need for in-person meetings
• Provides you with a sustained competitive edge by offering convenient and effective real-time communication and collaboration with your clients
• Helps you achieve a healthier work–life balance by letting you establish a more flexible schedule and spend less time on business trips

9 must-have features of the best web conferencing software for consultants

Web conferencing solutions differ in their features. However, certain features are obligatory for any video meeting tool.

One-on-one calls

One-on-one calls allow you to run face-to-face meetings with clients during which you and your clients feel close to what you feel when you’re at an in-person appointment.

Group calls

Group calls are obligatory if you need to hold meetings for multiple attendees, such as for events, webinars, or group coaching. Think about your maximum call size when choosing your web conferencing software.

Video recording

This is a significant feature as it allows you to:

• Provide access to valuable information that clients can review, download, and forward after the meeting
• Prepare for your upcoming meetings by refreshing your memory about what you previously discussed with your clients
• Have a credible source of what was discussed and decided during a meeting
• Review your meetings in order to improve your presentation skills

Live in-meeting chats

This feature allows users to interact during a meeting without interrupting the speaker. It also enables you to keep your communication history with a client in one place, making in-meeting chat more convenient than external messengers.

File sharing

Sharing files and keeping them on the platform is convenient and allows you to streamline collaboration with your clients.

Screen sharing

Screen sharing capabilities allow you to show presentations or demonstrate any other information that’s difficult to comprehend through words only. Also, with screen sharing, you won’t need to send files to your clients before or after the meeting so they can get familiar with them.

Meeting rooms

Meeting rooms allow you and your clients easy one-click access to an online meeting directly from the browser. They also give everyone the chance to check their audio and video and get prepared.

Responsive design

Responsive design is crucial for any video conferencing tool. It allows users to easily and quickly connect and run effective online meetings with their clients from any device.

Security

Security is a critical aspect to consider when you want to implement web conferencing software best practices. Ensure your chosen tool provides end-to-end encryption for voice calls, messages, and video as well as multi-factor authentication to ensure transmitted data is kept secure.

The video conferencing software market is overwhelmed with tools and platforms, which makes it difficult to make the right choice. To help you out, we researched the best web video conferencing software in 2022.

10 best web conferencing software tools in 2022

ExpertBox

ExpertBox is web-based software that enables online consultants to deliver top-notch consulting services. Consultants can use ExpertBox to automate online scheduling and booking, receive payments, hold HD video meetings, exchange messages, and do much more. ExpertBox is perfect for consultants who want to build long-term relationships with clients and grow their consulting businesses. 

How it works: As soon as a client books an appointment, you and your client both receive a meeting link. No need to download anything.

Pricing: ExpertBox offers several pricing plans starting from $29.95 a month.

Special offer: ExpertBox offers a promo code for a 30-day trial of the Pro subscription plan.

Free trial: Get free access for 14 days to the whole set of features.

Demo: Book a live demo with an ExpertBox sales manager.

Key features:

• HD one-on-one and group video calls
• Personal meeting rooms
• Screen sharing
• File sharing
• In-meeting encrypted chat
• Cloud video recording

By using ExpertBox, you also get access to a number of other valuable features for: 

• Booking and scheduling
• Online payment processing
• Team and client management
• Branding and customization 

Support: ExpertBox offers a Help Center with an extensive knowledge base containing guides to working with the platform. Also, you can get help from a highly responsive support team that provides fast, accurate, and reliable support.

Best for: Independent consultants in any sphere, from coaches and fitness instructors to physicians, psychologists, lawyers, and financial advisors

RingCentral Video

RingCentral Video is a complete web conferencing solution that supports HD video conferencing, team collaboration, screen sharing, and large-scale webinars. It is provided as part of RingCentral Office. RingCentral Video offers a secure and open video meeting environment for business collaboration inside and outside organizations.

How it works: RingCentral Video allows users to hold video meetings using a computer, smartphone, or tablet via an invitation link.

Pricing: Plans start from $39.99 per month.

Special offer: You can choose annual billing and save up to 33%.

Free trial: A free 15-day trial is available.

Demo: You can sign up to access product demos.

Key features:

• HD video conferencing
• Screen sharing
• Speaker spotlight
• Schedule meetings for another host
• Integrated chat
• Drawing tools
• Calendar integration
• Video recordings

Support: RingCentral Video offers a customer support chatbot, user guides and videos, and how-to courses.

Best for: Experts in industries such as healthcare, contact tracing, retail, education, financial services, technology, professional services, government, and nonprofits

Zoho Meeting

Zoho Meeting is browser-based video conferencing and webinar software that best satisfies the needs of users who want to host perfect web meetings with audio and video conferencing and screen sharing and run engaging webinars with analytics, polls, records, hand raising, and other useful features.

How it works: To host a meeting or webinar, create an account in a browser or in your Zoho Meeting desktop app, invite participants by sharing a meeting link, and start your meeting.

Pricing: Zoho Meeting pricing plans start from $3.00 a month. You can also enjoy a free plan for meetings and webinars with limited features.

Special offer: You can choose annual billing to save up to 17%.

Free trial: Zoho Meeting provides a 14-day free trial.

Demo: You can sign up to request a detailed one-on-one product tour.

Key features:

• Audio, video, and screen sharing
• Recording
• In-session chat
• Screen sharing
• Instant and scheduled meetings
• RSVPs and reminders
• Calendar synchronization
• Mobile apps
• Remote access
• Private meetings
• Moderator controls
• Embedded meeting links
• Security

Support: Zoho Meeting provides user guides, an FAQ section, and tips on how to use the software. You can also book a free training session with an expert.

Best for: Experts in various industries who train, consult, or teach their clients

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is a solution for online meetings and brainstorming sessions. It is an easy-to-use service that enables audio and video conversations and screen sharing.

How it works: Sign in, create a meeting, and share an invitation.

Pricing: GoToMeeting plans start from $14.00 a month.

Special offer: By choosing the annual plan, you can save up to 16%.

Free trial: You can get a free 14-day trial of GoToMeeting with no credit card and no commitment required.

Demo: If you want to see a live demo of the solution, you can contact the GoToMeeting sales team via the form provided on the site.

Key features:

• HD video and audio
• Screen sharing
• Webcam preview
• Drawing tools
• Presenter control
• Custom backgrounds
• Personal meeting rooms
• Mobile meeting apps
• Commuter mode
• Keyboard & mouse sharing
• Chat
• Video recording
• Captioning
• Scheduling

Support: GoToMeeting provides a resource center that includes white papers, case studies, videos, and webinars for users as well as an FAQ page.

Best for: Personal and business purposes

Google Meet

Google Meet is a free version of Google Hangouts that’s suitable for personal users and companies of any size. It allows you to hold video conferences, remote interviews, webinars, and virtual training sessions. Initially, Google Meet was created as a secure video conferencing service for businesses. Now, Google has made it free and available to everyone.

How it works: Сreate a meeting, share a link, join, and collaborate.

Pricing: Google Meet plans start from $8 a month. There’s also a free package with limited features.

Special offer: No

Free trial: No

Demo: No

Key features:

• Unlimited meetings
• Automatic subtitles during meetings
• Video and audio preview screen
• Video and sound settings
• Mobile access
• Screen settings and window layouts
• Screen sharing
• Instant messaging during meetings
• Controls for meeting hosts

Support: Google Meet offers detailed guides to help users get acquainted with the service.

Best for: Personal and business purposes

Cisco Webex

Cisco Webex allows you to hold meetings, presentations, and training sessions. All you need to do is install the application on your computer or smartphone.

How it works: Cisco Webex allows users to join meetings through desktop, mobile, or web applications by creating an account, scheduling a meeting, and sharing a meeting link.

Pricing: Cisco Webex pricing plans start from $14.95 per month. There’s also a free plan with limited features.

Special offer: You can save up to 10% with annual billing.

Free trial: No

Demo: No

Key features:

• HD video and audio
• Screen sharing
• One-on-one and group messaging
• Meeting controls
• File sharing
• Meeting recording and transcriptions
• Calendar integrations

Support: Cisco Webex provides customer support through an FAQ section, a help center, and interactive training sessions. There’s also a chat available for paid subscribers.

Best for: Specialists in the education, healthcare, financial services, government, startup, sports, and entertainment industries as well as developers and IT buyers

Lifesize

Lifesize is a video conferencing platform that connects experts with their clients – regardless of the platform and device they’re using – to deliver consistent conferencing experiences across all devices and platforms. 

How it works: You don’t need to install Lifesize; just use it right from your browser. Set up a free account, create a meeting, share an invitation link, and start your meeting.

Pricing: Lifesize pricing plans start from $12.50 a month. There’s also a free plan with limited features.

Special offer: No

Free trial: No

Demo: You can request a demo by filling out a form on the Lifesize website.

Key features:

• 4K screen sharing
• Meeting recordings
• Live streaming
• Security
• Web-based management console
• Calendar integration
• Interoperable cloud video
• One-on-one calls
• Group calls
• Chat

Support: You can find answers to your questions by exploring the helpful resource on the Lifesize support center or by using the chatbot.

Best for: Midsize and large businesses in various industries

Skype

Skype offers free video conference calls with up to 100 people without sign-ups and downloads. This makes Skype useful for urgent meetings. Skype is an old-timer on the video conferencing market, so it’s likely everyone is familiar with this tool. It has a full-fledged feature set for video meetings of any type. There’s one striking disadvantage compared to competitors, though: Skype loads slowly and can have server connection issues.

How it works:

Skype is pretty straightforward: Generate a meeting link, share it, and host a meeting right away.

Pricing: Free

Special offer: No

Free Trial: No

Demo: No

Key features: 

• Audio and HD video calling
• Screen sharing
• Call recording
• Live subtitles
• Instant messaging

Support: Skype has a wide FAQ base and community support.

Best for: General purposes video calling

Whereby

Whereby is a web conferencing tool designed for professionals who need to hold successful online meetings and maintain effective collaboration. It allows experts to effortlessly connect with their teammates, partners, and clients on a secure platform.

How it works: Create an account, create your personal room, share a meeting link, and run your meeting.

Pricing: Whereby plans start from $9.99 a month. There’s also a free plan with limited features.

Special offer: You can choose annual billing and save 20%.

Free trial: Whereby provides a free 7-day trial.

Demo: No

Key features:

• Video meetings
• Chat
• Security
• Waiting rooms
• Customization
• Integration with Outlook and Google Calendar
• Video recordings
• Screen sharing
• YouTube integration
• Google Docs integration
• Mobile support

Support: Whereby provides users with a support center and an FAQ page where they can find answers to questions.

Best for: Personal use as well as for small and midsize businesses in various industries

Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based service for video conferencing, online meetings, webinars, and personal conversations. With Zoom, you can quickly communicate with your friends, clients, or teammates.

How it works: Sign up, create a meeting, share a link, and start your meeting. You can use a web-based version of Zoom or a desktop or mobile app. 

Pricing: Zoom plans start from $14.99 a month. There’s also a free plan with limited features.

Special offer: You can save from $30 to $400 if you choose to be billed annually.

Free trial: No

Demo: If you want to be guided through the product and ask any questions, you can request a demo with a Zoom product specialist by filling out a form on the website.

Key features:

• HD video and audio calls
• Recordings and transcripts
• Screen sharing
• Scheduling 
• Start meetings from Outlook, Gmail, or iCal
• Chat
• Virtual backgrounds
• Easy-invite URL codes

Support: The Zoom help center provides guides and video tutorials on working with the service. You can also find information using the chatbot.

Best for: Professionals in industries such as healthcare, education, and finance

Comparison table

We’ve compiled a table comparing the best video conferencing software for online consulting so you can quickly assess the options and choose the most appropriate tool to suit your needs.

Conclusion 

Choosing the best web conferencing software may be rather challenging. We’ve tried to offer you extensive information on the most popular web conferencing solutions. All of them differ in their features. However, all-in-one solutions are preferable for most users.