Overall Findings
Both GoToMeeting and Cisco WebEx Meetings are popular online meeting tools with similar functionality that allow users to meet at any time, from anywhere. Both offer an impressive array of features and are reliable, safe, and easy to use. Each offers iPhone and iPad apps for on-the-go meetings, and both services have a variety of paid plans. Cisco WebEx Meetings has more features than GoToMeeting, making it a better choice for those who want to host advanced web meetings.
Features: Cisco WebEx Meetings Is More Advanced
GoToMeeting is a browser-based tool, so it doesn’t require any downloads to be used. It works with PC and Mac computers and offers a useful iPhone and iPad app, so it’s easy to meet when you’re on the go. GoToMeeting has a simple and intuitive interface, offering instant messaging, scheduled meetings, Outlook integration, audio conferencing via phone and computer, screen and application sharing, and attendance reporting. Meeting recording is available only for PC users. Cisco WebEx Meetings, in comparison, has more features than GoToMeeting. This makes WebEx Meetings a better choice for those who host advanced web meetings. It offers support for PC, Mac, Linux, Solaris, and Unix, and has an iPad and iPhone app, though it seems to run slower than the GoToMeeting app. WebEx has instant messaging, video support (showing up to six participants at a time), file transfers, screen and application sharing, and the ability to assign privileges to individual participants. Invite participants to a meeting that has started via email, voice conference, or instant messenger. Meeting recording is available for PC and Mac users.
Reliability and Safety: Both Are Highly Rated
GoToMeeting is highly rated for reliability and performance. However, screen sharing isn’t always robust when transmitting video. It has data centers all over the world and audio quality is consistently high. Security measures in GoToMeeting include an SSL-encrypted website and end-to-end 128-bit AES encryption. Calls time-out after a period of inactivity. WebEx, like GoToMeeting, is extremely reliable, providing both high-quality audio and video. Sharing video through screen sharing is reliable, although it suffers occasional slight delays. WebEx features switched architecture, meaning the session information from the presenter’s machine going to the attendees’ computers is switched, so it’s never permanently stored. It also boats an SSL-encrypted website.
Usability: GoToMeeting Is More Intuitive
GoToMeeting is user-friendly and easy-to-use. People who have never used an online meeting tool can quickly learn to use it. Getting a user account is quick and requires only two simple steps. It’s also easy to invite attendees to a web meeting, especially since the tool integrates with Outlook with no need to install an add-on. Cisco WebEx Meetings, while user-friendly, is not as intuitive as GoToMeeting. It’s appropriate for beginners, but it might take some time to learn to use properly. It offers so many features that it may take some time to locate all the features and become proficient with these tools. Registering for and installing WebEx is easy, although it takes a few more minutes than GoToMeeting. Once its Outlook add-on is installed, it’s easy to plan meetings.
Price: Both Offer a Variety of Options
Both services offer several plans. GoToMeeting has a free 14-day trial where you can get to know the product’s basic functionality. Its Professional plan is $12 per month, billed annually, and allows 150 participants. Its $16 per month (billed annually) Business plan is the most popular, allowing 250 participants. Custom enterprise plans are also available. Prices are slightly higher per month when billed monthly. Cisco WebEx Meetings has plans ranging from free to $26.95 per month. The free plan provides 40-minute meetings with 50 participants, HD video, screen sharing, and a personal room. Starter (50 participants), Plus (100 participants), and Business (200 participants) plans offer an array of features for $13.50, $17.95, and $26.95, respectively.
Final Verdict
Both GoToMeeting and Cisco WebEx Meetings are easy to use, reliable, secure, and excellent tools for web conferencing. You can’t go wrong with either one. However, if you prefer a simpler tool, GoToMeeting is a great choice. If you want to explore more advanced features, give Cisco WebEx Meetings a try.
