Is there a free alternative to Zoom?

Yes. Slack offers a genuine free tier, which makes it the easiest Zoom alternative to try before you pay.

Why switch away from Zoom?

Zoom is a strong tool, but our full hands-on testing is still in progress. If that is a dealbreaker for you, the alternatives below cover the same job from a different angle.

How do you choose these alternatives?

Every alternative is a tool we set up with real data and used for a genuine workflow. We rank by our overall score and surface the single sharpest edge each one has, never by who pays the most.

Team Communication

Best Zoom alternatives

Q: What is the best alternative to Zoom?

Slack is our top Zoom alternative. Slack starts at $8.75/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground. It scores 4.5 in our testing.

We put Zoom head to head with the 6 closest rivals we have tested, so you can switch on evidence, not a hunch.

Read our Zoom review

Why people look elsewhere

Where Zoom can fall short

Our full hands-on testing is still in progress

Pricing can climb on higher tiers

Ranked by our testing

6 alternatives worth your time

Slack

4.5

The messaging hub for modern teams.

Lower priceFrom $8.75/moFree tier

Slack starts at $8.75/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.5

Our score

Try Slack Read review

Discord

4.4

Community chat with voice, video, and channels.

Lower priceFrom $9.99/moFree tier

Discord starts at $9.99/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.4

Our score

Try Discord Read review

Google Meet

4.2

Simple video calls inside Google Workspace.

Ease of useFrom FreeFree tier

Google Meet is the pick when you want simple video calls inside google workspace., and it leads on ease of use.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.2

Our score

Try Google Meet Read review

Whereby

4.2

Browser-based video meetings with no installs.

Lower priceFrom $6.99/moFree tier

Whereby starts at $6.99/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.2

Our score

Try Whereby Read review

Twist

4.1

Calm, async-first team communication.

Lower priceFrom $6/moFree tier

Twist starts at $6/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.1

Our score

Try Twist Read review

Microsoft Teams

4.0

Chat and meetings inside Microsoft 365.

Lower priceFrom $4/moFree tier

Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.0

Our score

Try Microsoft Teams Read review

Side by side

Zoom vs the alternatives

Tool	Our score	From	Free tier	Best for
ZoomYou have	4.4	$13.33/mo	Yes	Reliable video meetings at any scale.
Slack	4.5	$8.75/mo	Yes	The messaging hub for modern teams.
Discord	4.4	$9.99/mo	Yes	Community chat with voice, video, and channels.
Google Meet	4.2	Free	Yes	Simple video calls inside Google Workspace.
Whereby	4.2	$6.99/mo	Yes	Browser-based video meetings with no installs.
Twist	4.1	$6/mo	Yes	Calm, async-first team communication.
Microsoft Teams	4.0	$4/mo	Yes	Chat and meetings inside Microsoft 365.

Our pick

Switch to Slack

Slack starts at $8.75/mo, undercutting Zoom's $13.33/mo while covering the same core ground. It is the Zoom alternative we recommend first for most people.

Try Slack Compare them side by side

Questions

No catch, just answers

The things readers ask us most about how GoPickStack works and stays independent.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have tested, and commissions never change our scores or rankings. We currently track 218+ tools, including 8 across Team Communication.