Like it or not, web-based apps have changed our lives considerably because they have penetrated all spheres, from buying goods to video conferences. This article will explain what a web-based application is, what its advantages are compared to the programs that need to be downloaded, and what the best web-based video conferencing software is.
What Is a Web-based App?
Any such application is displayed on the monitor or smartphone screen as a web page. It contains certain information and the provided functional buttons and windows. They allow you to perform specific actions to get the desired result. Thus, web-based videoconferencing apps allow you to perform video calls combined with various additional functions.
But do not the browsers open the websites? Is a web-based app just a fancy name for the website? It’s not! Modern browsers open both websites and web-based apps. The former includes all the “simple” — news portals, personal blogs, corporate pages, landing pages, etc. The others comprise everything “complicated,” such as your Instagram page, Google Analytics account, and the web version of Whoosh.
Benefits of Web-based Video Calling Apps for Users
- No need to search, download and install software on their devices. All that is required for full operation is a browser, usually supplied with the operating system, and access to the Internet.
- By installing applications on your computer, the user takes on the duties of an administrator, which gives inexperienced people a lot of trouble. The application has to be installed, run, customized, and there might be some confusing bugs that require immediate resolution. In the case of a web-based application that actually resides on a server, you don’t have to worry about this. Developers act as administrators of web-based software. In the corporate sector, this is much more cost-effective and efficient than maintaining a team of programmers and admins involved in installing and configuring desktop applications on employees’ devices.
- Web applications are not resource-intensive and have no hardware platform requirements. This means it makes no difference how many megabytes of RAM are installed on the user’s computer and what operating system they use. The only thing that matters is having a browser and Internet access.
- There are no problems with the support of older versions of programs and backward compatibility. When a new desktop application version appears, users often have to deal with the problems associated with updating the copy already installed on their device. In the case of web-based applications, these problems do not arise. There is only one version in which all users work, and if a new version is released, all without exception, automatically move to it, sometimes even without noticing it.
- Web apps allow their users to be really mobile and make calls to people without being tied to an installed calling app.
Best Web-based Video Conferencing Software
Most companies that produce video communication applications immediately offer their users all the options to choose from — mobile, desktop, and web applications. We’ve selected some of the best to consider.
Zoho Meeting
This is a free web-based video calling application. With it, you will not only be able to video-communicate but also chat, share your screen, record meetings, and conduct presentations. The meeting administrator can easily manage attendees who won’t miss a call by sending out reminders about an upcoming event. The web app also has integrations with other services from Zoho, Slack, Microsoft, and Google.
Whoosh
This smart AI-based app offers multiple features in addition to the regular ones. The free version allows to invite up to 100 people per call. You don’t have to worry about the privacy of the conversation, as the app uses end-to-end encryption, and the meeting administrator can create secure meeting rooms. The touch-up feature helps users be ready for an unexpected video call, and the whiteboard and weatherman layout will diversify your presentations. The use of AI allows for analyzing meetings and compiling briefs with the most important points.
GoToMeeting
This web-based video calling platform offers its users a very diverse functionality. They are proud of the audio and video quality they offer and of the features that facilitate the work of remote teams working on the same project: keyboard, screen, and mouse sharing, recordings, and transcriptions. The meeting administrator can also add and remove new participants, mute their microphones, and invite them to speak.
Google Meet
This is probably the easiest way to make a video call in your browser for all users of Google services. Quality video, sound, call control in a couple of clicks, and the ability to join the call via a link — nothing extra. Google Meet offers more advanced functionality and perks to corporate and paid users.
As you can see, modern technology makes video conferencing available to anyone with a device with a browser. Regardless of performance, brand, or operating system, everyone can experience the convenience of web-based apps. You just need to choose the one that matches your needs.