{"id":23393,"date":"2020-04-29T06:53:03","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T13:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dottotech.com\/?p=23393"},"modified":"2020-08-17T01:52:01","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T08:52:01","slug":"zoom-free-vs-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dottotech.com\/zoom-free-vs-pro\/","title":{"rendered":"Zoom Free (Basic) vs. Zoom Pro: Should You Upgrade?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Confused about the differences between the paid and free versions of Zoom? Learn everything you need to know right here.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>SUBSCRIBE TO DOTTO TECH YOUTUBE CHANNEL<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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You\u2019d be amazed at the sheer number of questions we receive regarding the differences between Zoom<\/a>\u2019s free (officially called Basic) and paid (formally known as Pro) options. Many of these queries come from viewers who watch our tutorial videos and wonder why the features<\/a> they see on their Zoom apps are not exactly the same as the ones we show here.\u00a0<\/p>

The \u201cnew normal\u201d has required many of us to familiarize ourselves with the features of Zoom and other video conferencing software, especially for conducting our business meetings and family gatherings online.\u00a0<\/p>

And at a time like this when every expenditure counts, it\u2019s important for you to know exactly what you\u2019re getting from the free version of such a critical app, and if it\u2019s really worth shelling out those extra dollars per month to go Pro.<\/p>

So that\u2019s what today\u2019s tutorial is all about \u2014 and quite frankly, the answer might surprise you.<\/p>

Zoom Free vs. Zoom Pro Features Comparison<\/strong><\/h2>

So to start, just go to the Zoom pricing page<\/a> for your country. The prices will depend on your location; I\u2019m in Canada, so all the pricing is in Canadian dollars. The page will have a list of all the different services included in each package, and you\u2019ll notice that there are three packages on the page, suited to the size of your business.\u00a0<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

As the pandemic continues, expect that there might be some further changes to security in both versions. Essentially, though, there are just three major differences between the free and paid versions.<\/p>

Difference #1: Time Limit for Calls<\/strong><\/h3>

Looking at the functionalities, you\u2019ll notice that across the board, the features are basically identical. When it comes to calls in particular, all versions come with unlimited one-on-one calls. This means that when there are just two people in the call, there\u2019s no time limit; additionally, there\u2019s no limit to the number of times you can call a person.<\/p>

However, when a third person gets added into the mix, things change. The call can only last for a maximum of 40 minutes. It doesn\u2019t matter if there are three, thirty, or even a hundred people in the video conference; it can\u2019t last longer than an hour when you\u2019re not on Zoom Pro.<\/p>

Meanwhile, the paid version removes that restriction, regardless of the size of the group. That\u2019s right; basically, the conference can go on for as long as you want.<\/p>

Difference #2: Call Recording\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>

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When you scroll down the Features page and look at Web Conferencing, you\u2019ll notice a wide range of features. One of the features you\u2019ll find in Zoom Basic is the ability to record all calls, but only to your computer. With the Pro version, however, you can record directly into the cloud, which you can easily share with other members. Take note, though, that you can only save up to a gigabyte\u2019s worth of space, so that\u2019s maybe two meetings of average length. Additionally, you can purchase more storage if you need to store a lot of meetings on the cloud. Otherwise, you\u2019ll have to check your recorded calls and delete them from time to time.<\/p>

Difference #3: Call Routing<\/strong><\/h3>

The third big difference, which isn\u2019t something you\u2019ll find on the Features page, is an upgrade that Zoom has put into place in order to address the security concerns that many people have with calls being routed through different data centers.\u00a0<\/p>

For Zoom Pro users who are worried about this, it\u2019s possible to have your calls routed through specific channels; for example, North America and European data services, instead of the ones based in China. Basically, the paid version of Zoom lets you determine which data centers handle your calls. Take note, though, that there may be a performance hit if you turn off a lot of data centers.\u00a0<\/p>

Zoom Free vs. Zoom Pro, Side by Side<\/strong><\/h3>

Here\u2019s what the free and paid versions of Zoom look like, side by side:<\/p>

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If we take a look along the bottom, there are a few extra menu options on my Paid version. However, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that some features were intentionally left out of the free version, as you\u2019ll see later on.<\/p>

Now, I\u2019m using my newer computer (with better specs) to run Zoom Basic, while my older MacBook is running Zoom Pro. I did this because I want to illustrate something to you.<\/p>

If I go in and take a look at my video settings on both versions, they\u2019re mostly identical. Until we reach the options for virtual backgrounds, that is.\u00a0<\/p>

A lot of people mistakenly believe that because they\u2019re only running Zoom Basic, they don\u2019t have the spiffier virtual background options, and are just limited to static images<\/p>

In reality, Zoom looks at the hardware that you\u2019re using. Based on your computer\u2019s processing power, it makes certain features available or unavailable to you.\u00a0 In other words, if your computer can\u2019t handle it, Zoom won\u2019t give you the option to do it, regardless of whether you\u2019re on the free or paid version.<\/p>

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Observe:<\/strong> Even though I\u2019m on the paid version, because I\u2019m using my older MacBook, I can only use static images as my background. Meanwhile, on my more powerful computer, Zoom Basic lets me add video backgrounds as well, simply because its processing power can handle it.<\/p>

Oh, and by the way, you can check out our green screen tutorial here<\/a> if you\u2019re interested to know how you can enhance your virtual background for calls!<\/p>

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Zoom Video Conferencing Security: Basic vs. Pro<\/strong><\/h3>

Next, let\u2019s look at Zoom\u2019s security features on both Basic and Pro.<\/p>

Again, the features are identical between the two: locking the meetings, turning screen sharing and chat access on and off, allowing participants to name and rename themselves, and so on. The screen sharing options are virtually identical, too!<\/p>

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The recording options are where things differ, though. As mentioned earlier, the free version only allows you to record to your local storage, while the Pro version lets you save your recorded calls to the cloud.<\/p>

Zoom Meeting Breakout Rooms<\/strong><\/h3>

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If you\u2019re using Pro, you\u2019ll notice the Breakout Room button on the bottom menu. It\u2019s a useful and interesting feature: For meetings with large people, you can break larger groups into smaller, separate rooms and let them do group work.<\/p>

Before you start thinking it\u2019s a paid-only feature: actually, it\u2019s also available in the Free version. The only difference is that it\u2019s not enabled by default.<\/p>

On Zoom Basic, go into Settings and scroll down. You\u2019ll notice that you have all the same features as the paid version. Near the bottom, you\u2019ll see the Breakout Room option, which is not switched on! Once you turn it on, it will be available to you there in the menu the next time you start a conference call.<\/p>

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Another thing:<\/strong> Whenever I\u2019m running a meeting, I always like to enable Show Manage Participants. This is a great window to have open, so you can easily control the flow of the meeting.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

In the free version, you can create a link to invite people to your meeting. The paid version shows you a few more options, though, like automatic integration into email. Also, both versions include a password, should you want to password-protect your meeting.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

Along the bottom of your participants list in Zoom Basic, you\u2019ll see the option to mute or unmute everyone else in your call with one click.\u00a0<\/p>

In Pro, though, everyone has access to icons that allow them to indicate agreement or disagreement, perform a \u201cshow of hands,\u201d and other actions. These facilitate dynamic interaction and feedback during the meeting. It\u2019s a nice feature that most people don\u2019t really notice in Pro, and that I haven\u2019t been able to find in the Free version.<\/p>

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Lastly, in the Paid version of Zoom, you can broadcast live to Facebook, Facebook Workplace, or YouTube. Just click the More button as you\u2019re broadcasting, and you\u2019ll find the options there.<\/p>

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So, final verdict:<\/strong> Should you spend money on Pro on a monthly basis?<\/p>

I think it\u2019s worth it, if only for the extra time you can spend on calls. However, if you\u2019re the kind of host who likes to keep video conferences short and sweet, you\u2019ll find that Zoom Basic is more than enough for your needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Important links:<\/strong><\/p>