Zoom vs GoToMeeting: Features, Pricing, and Security Compared

Overview: Zoom vs GoToMeeting

Choosing the right meeting software is critical for business collaboration and productivity. Zoom and GoToMeeting are two leading video conferencing platforms, often used for virtual meetings, webinars, and remote teamwork. While both serve similar business needs, they differ in pricing, features, security, and scale. Understanding these differences helps ensure your organization gets the functionality and compliance it requires.

Key Takeaways

• Zoom offers a free tier with core features; GoToMeeting is paid-only but starts at a lower base price per organizer.
• GoToMeeting enables unlimited cloud recording on specific plans, while Zoom restricts this to paid plans and sets storage limits.
• Zoom includes breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds; GoToMeeting does not offer breakout rooms as a standard feature.
• Both platforms support robust encryption and meeting security, but only GoToMeeting offers HIPAA compliance on applicable plans.

Pricing and Plans Comparison

Zoom provides a generous free plan allowing meetings up to 40 minutes for groups and up to 100 participants. Its paid plans start at $14.99 a month per host, increasing participant and meeting length limits. For larger businesses, enterprise options exist, but participant limits at the very top tier are not publicly specified.

In contrast, GoToMeeting does not have a free plan. Its pricing begins at $12 per organizer per month and allows up to 150 participants in its base tier. Upgrades to higher plans expand participant capacity and unlock additional features, such as unlimited cloud recording.

Choose Zoom if you need a free tier or frequent short meetings. Opt for GoToMeeting if you require a slightly lower entry price for long meetings and want larger participant limits out-of-the-box.

Features Breakdown

Zoom provides built-in breakout rooms, enabling organizers to split participants into small groups during meetings—a valuable tool for training or workshops. Virtual backgrounds are also available. GoToMeeting does not offer built-in breakout rooms unless specified otherwise and focuses on full-featured meeting scheduling and conference tools. On the recording front, GoToMeeting stands out by including unlimited cloud recording on certain plans, whereas Zoom limits cloud recordings to paid tiers and sets storage restrictions.

If you need advanced group discussion capabilities or visual options, Zoom is ahead. For unlimited recording and streamlined core video calls, GoToMeeting is competitive, provided you select the correct plan.

Security and Compliance

Both Zoom and GoToMeeting prioritize meeting security. Zoom employs 256-bit TLS encryption, SOC 2 compliance, as well as waiting rooms and password protection. GoToMeeting uses SSL encryption, offers meeting lock and password options, and uniquely features HIPAA compliance on select plans—an important consideration for healthcare or other regulated industries.

Both tools offer core compliance measures, but GoToMeeting’s explicit HIPAA support serves regulated sectors better. Always verify plan specifics if you require compliance guarantees.

Recording and Transcription

GoToMeeting offers unlimited cloud recording for eligible plans, making it easier to store, archive, and review meetings. Zoom enables cloud recording and transcription only for paid plans, and applies storage limits based on plan type. For businesses with heavy post-meeting review needs or compliance archiving, GoToMeeting removes common storage worries. Otherwise, Zoom’s basic plans suffice for most transcription and recording use cases.

Capacity and Scalability

On the free plan, Zoom supports up to 100 participants. Paid plans increase this number, although the maximum on Zoom’s largest tier is not publicly specified. GoToMeeting starts with 150 participants on its base plan, with options to upgrade further for higher capacity. If frequent large meetings are standard in your workflow, GoToMeeting’s entry-level allowance is generous, while Zoom may require plan adjustments as meetings scale up.

Integration and Admin Controls

Zoom and GoToMeeting both connect with various productivity suites and business tools, but full integration lists are not publicly specified. Both platforms likely support admin controls—like user management and permissions—but again, exact details are not stated. When integration with other workplace software or robust admin tools is critical, confirm the specifics with sales teams or product documentation.

Support and Accessibility

Support availability, including 24/7 support and mobile app features, is not publicly specified here. Both Zoom and GoToMeeting are well-known for their broad accessibility, including mobile apps and international support, so they’re suited for remote and flexible workforces. For mission-critical availability or around-the-clock help, consult vendor support pages directly.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business

If price flexibility and group session features such as breakout rooms are key, Zoom is the better bet—especially if you use the free plan or need customization with visual backgrounds. GoToMeeting is better suited to organizations needing larger meeting capacity from the start, unlimited meeting recordings, or those with heightened compliance requirements like HIPAA. In any case, weigh your organization’s size, legal requirements, and feature priorities before finalizing a choice. For advanced or ambiguous needs, reach out to each vendor to clarify plan and feature details.

Conclusion

Both Zoom and GoToMeeting deliver solid video conferencing, but your choice depends on your priorities: Zoom excels at interactive and flexible meeting features, while GoToMeeting leads in recording and compliance options. Review plans, check security requirements, and assess which features map to your organizational needs.

FAQs

Which is better for large virtual meetings: Zoom or GoToMeeting?

GoToMeeting allows 150 participants on its base plan, which is higher than Zoom’s 100-person free plan. For very large meetings, check plan limits directly with each vendor.

Do Zoom and GoToMeeting offer similar security features?

Both include strong encryption and meeting controls. Only GoToMeeting specifies HIPAA compliance on select plans, which matters for regulated industries.

How do the pricing structures compare between Zoom and GoToMeeting?

Zoom offers a free plan and starts paid tiers at $14.99 per host; GoToMeeting is paid-only, starting at $12 per organizer per month.

What integrations are available with Zoom vs GoToMeeting?

Full lists are not publicly specified. Both likely offer common integrations; confirm key connections with sales or product support.

Which platform offers better call quality and reliability?

Not publicly specified. Both are considered reliable by enterprise and SMB users.

Are both Zoom and GoToMeeting compliant with industry standards?

Both cover typical meeting security standards. Only GoToMeeting is explicitly HIPAA compliant on some plans; Zoom’s HIPAA status is not publicly specified here.

Which platform is easier to use for first-time users?

Ease of use is not specified, but both platforms are widely adopted and recognized for simple interfaces.