Looking for free conference call option

[Ambrosia7177]

Hello everyone.

I belong to a group that has an upcoming meeting - which we had to cancel due to coronavirus - and I am wondering if there are any free/open-source solutions out there where we could host a conference call instead.

I know there are things like Skyper and WebEx, but I believe all of those solutions require you to buy software and a business plan or get wrapped up in some ugly contract.

Are there any alternatives that would allow a loosely affiliated group (e.g. church or community group) to hold a conference call/phone meeting for free and that would be accessible to people who probably don't have a lot of $$ or technical know-how?

Thanks!

 

[D.T.]

There's a number of options that have free tiers, they have both phone access for voice and computer access via browser and app (also supporting voice).

Join.me
GotoMeeting
Zoom

Some of these have a time limit, but they allow chat, screen and file sharing.

And Skype is free, I mean, there's also business class tiers, I just don't know if there's a current limit for concurrent users, etc.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Realistically if you are trying to keep it cheap and really simple (consumer friendly) you have three primary choices: Facebook, Google and Skype (i.e., Microsoft).

The free tier will probably have a limited number of users per call or a hard call time limit.

I have also used GotoMeeting, BlueJeans and Zoom as well as the stalwart WebEx. Those are much more business oriented services.

 

[maflynn]

Zoom has a free option

 

[MacNut]

Zoom also has recording archive options.

 

[metalsiren]

thought MS Teams was free but not sure

 

[mikzn]

The problem with Skype and Google is getting everyone to register and set up thier computers with those services, and even when they do, there always seems to be connection issue with some participants (especially if there are more than a few) that may not have the app configured properly

GoToMeeting and Zoom are not free for the administrator but is for everyone else and is fairly easy to set up with a free link for invited participants

As D.T. mentions some have a "try before you buy" period - GoToMeeting is 14 days I believe

 

[D.T.]

Realistically if you are trying to keep it cheap and really simple (consumer friendly) you have three primary choices: Facebook, Google and Skype (i.e., Microsoft).

The free tier will probably have a limited number of users per call or a hard call time limit.

I have also used GotoMeeting, BlueJeans and Zoom as well as the stalwart WebEx. Those are much more business oriented services.

Duh, totally missed the other obvious one, Google, we actually use that since we have a Biz Account, and Google just made the premium version free:

Google Makes Premium Version of Hangouts Meet Free As More People Work Remotely

Google is waiving the fees on the premium version of Hangouts Meet to assist businesses and schools operating remotely.

www.searchenginejournal.com

 

[Ambrosia7177]

There's a number of options that have free tiers, they have both phone access for voice and computer access via browser and app (also supporting voice).

Join.me
GotoMeeting
Zoom

Some of these have a time limit, but they allow chat, screen and file sharing.

What kind of commitment do you have to give with those? Do they ask for SSN, DOB, DNA samples?

Does just the host need the software, or would every use have to sign up for an account and install stuff?

Do you trust these companies with your DATA and with access to to your computer? (I'm a paranoid cybersecurity and privacy nut!!) 😎

And Skype is free, I mean, there's also business class tiers, I just don't know if there's a current limit for concurrent users, etc.

But that only works on Windows, right?

 

[shiratek]

You could possibly try Discord. It works on just about any device, and if you're on desktop you can share your screen. You can video or voice call on any platform. The main feature is text chatting. Also, their limit for screen sharing is temporarily upped from 10 to 50 people due to coronavirus. It's completely free and definitely worth a try in my opinion.

 

[D.T.]

What kind of commitment do you have to give with those? Do they ask for SSN, DOB, DNA samples?

Does just the host need the software, or would every use have to sign up for an account and install stuff?

Do you trust these companies with your DATA and with access to to your computer? (I'm a paranoid cybersecurity and privacy nut!!) 😎

But that only works on Windows, right?

Let' see ...

No commitment or CC needs to be on file, just a supplied name (you could be User McTesty), and an email, they will occasionally push an upgrade offer during login.

Some of those are purely browser based - to also answer the last question - and some have a native client, but they're available on Windows, MacOS (even native mobile like iOS). I want to say that when you're hosting a meeting, if you're doing a screen/window share, you need the client app as teh sharer, but the view only clients don't (though I know Google Meet is fully functional in just the browser [Chrome]).

No concerns for me, and I wrote the book on security, literally, wrote a book (er, at least contributed come chapters )

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The problem with Skype and Google is getting everyone to register and set up thier computers with those services, and even when they do, there always seems to be connection issue with some participants (especially if there are more than a few) that may not have the app configured properly

One thing for certain, there are FAR more people with Google and Skype accounts than Zoom, GotoMeeting, whatever.

Skype is the legacy service. When I was still working in the corporate world, I used this occasionally particularly international partners. It's still the de facto standard for free teleconferencing worldwide. Apart from Google & Facebook, there are likely more people with Skype accounts than all other services combined.

With the other teleconferencing systems you often have to sign up anyhow. A lot of times a browser extension needs to be installed so it's the same amount of effort.

Discord? Haha.

Lowest common denominator today are Facebook and Google.
[automerge]1584472057[/automerge]

But that only works on Windows, right?

I don't know about business class Skype, but the regular version runs on macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, even Linux.

Note that the macOS Address Book has recognized Skype handles for years.

Card > Add Field > Instant Message (and select Skype from the pulldown menu of services).

If you have the Skype app on your Mac and you click on the address book link, the Skype app should automatically open up and start to place a call.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Let' see ...

No commitment or CC needs to be on file, just a supplied name (you could be User McTesty), and an email, they will occasionally push an upgrade offer during login.

Some of those are purely browser based - to also answer the last question - and some have a native client, but they're available on Windows, MacOS (even native mobile like iOS). I want to say that when you're hosting a meeting, if you're doing a screen/window share, you need the client app as teh sharer, but the view only clients don't (though I know Google Meet is fully functional in just the browser [Chrome]).

No concerns for me, and I wrote the book on security, literally, wrote a book (er, at least contributed come chapters )

Do you do security for a living?

Which book?

I am a privacy and security nut, and shun social media and the large tech companies. (I think Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc are *evil* companies...)

That being said, which solutons would address my personal #1 concern which is privacy and security?

I realize that to use a computer/software/the Internet, it is a balancing act of giving up some privacy and security so you can use the service and interact with the world. But I also know that Google and Facebook exist to **** people out of their information and make as much $$$ as possible...

One of the main reason I have a mac is for privacy and security, although Apple is far from completely benevolant.

I also tend to use most open-source solutions (e.g. Firefox, LibreOffice, Audacity, etc.)

It would be nice to learn how to do teleconferencing in a way that protects my provacy and otehrs as well, that has a low bar of entry as far as techno-know-how and sign-up (if at all), and where one could feel reasonably 'safe" using the technology and not fear that they are selling your signup info, or even worse, installing root-kits on your computer and reading your enture hard-drive while you discuss the upcoming church potluck...

Follow me?

With those constraints and concerns, which choices would be best to look at and do a deeper dive?

(Fwiw, I *love* business Skype as a way to communicate on my client's Windows work laptop, but then if it gets hacked or steal info, I could care less because otehr than my name and work email, I have nothing to lose!! But for this particular problem I am trying to solve, I DO care a bunch about privacy and security, because I would be using my personal macs to connect and likely run the meeting, plus there are lots of other "innocent victims" who would be trusting me when they dialed in.)

People often laugh and tease me about being so hyper-vigilent about such things, but then I don't have 1/10 of the privacy and security concerns that most people have (and don't know they have).

 

[D.T.]

Yeah, I'd just review them, pick the one that seems to click, they have more or less the same TOS, same free service levels, etc.

Oh yeah, FWIW, since we're G-suite customers, we have access to Google Meet, which is a little more feature rich vs. Hangouts (you can do things like record the meeting, etc.) I did a couple of demonstrations of our clinical analytic solution on two separate cases to pediatric surgical groups, and it worked fantastic (one included a few surgeons/HCPs from outside the US).

 

[chown33]

If everyone can use an Apple product (Mac, iPhone, iPad), maybe Group Facetime would work.

Use FaceTime on Mac - Apple Support

FaceTime makes it easy to have a video or audio call. All you need is a broadband internet connection and a built-in or connected microphone and camera.

support.apple.com

Use Group FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Group FaceTime makes it easy to chat with multiple people at the same time. You can start a Group FaceTime from the FaceTime app or from a group conversation in the Messages app—and you can add up to 32 people.

support.apple.com

 

[D.T.]

If everyone can use an Apple product (Mac, iPhone, iPad), maybe Group Facetime would work.

Use FaceTime on Mac - Apple Support

FaceTime makes it easy to have a video or audio call. All you need is a broadband internet connection and a built-in or connected microphone and camera.

support.apple.com

Use Group FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Group FaceTime makes it easy to chat with multiple people at the same time. You can start a Group FaceTime from the FaceTime app or from a group conversation in the Messages app—and you can add up to 32 people.

support.apple.com

True, I didn't even really ask what kind of features they needed, if it's just a straight up conference call, there's no need for anything very exotic, or 3rd party client side apps, etc. (when I think conference, I always think screen sharing, group white board, combined voice/video/chat).

GF would be simple, safe, easy for users.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

True, I didn't even really ask what kind of features they needed, if it's just a straight up conference call, there's no need for anything very exotic, or 3rd party client side apps, etc. (when I think conference, I always think screen sharing, group white board, combined voice/video/chat).

GF would be simple, safe, easy for users.

Well, a few use-cases...

1.) Main need is to just have a phone conference call to hold a meeting that got cancelled due to coronavirus.

2.) The ability for the presenter to screen-share a presentation deck would be nice for another group I belong to.

3.) The need for everyone to share/see video is ness likely, but I guess that is where Zoom and FaceTime come in?


Btw, I would say that most people will be Windows users, so I don't think FaceTime would be an option, right?

 

[chown33]

Btw, I would say that most people will be Windows users, so I don't think FaceTime would be an option, right?

It depends on how many of those people also have an iPhone or iPad, and are willing (or even prefer) to use it.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Well, a few use-cases...

1.) Main need is to just have a phone conference call to hold a meeting that got cancelled due to coronavirus.

2.) The ability for the presenter to screen-share a presentation deck would be nice for another group I belong to.

Skype screen sharing no longer requires a Premium account.

What’s new in Skype | Skype Blog 

Stay up to date on Skype news. The latest features and video call technology keeping you connected with the people that matter most. 

blogs.skype.com

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Skype screen sharing no longer requires a Premium account.

What’s new in Skype | Skype Blog 

Stay up to date on Skype news. The latest features and video call technology keeping you connected with the people that matter most. 

blogs.skype.com

Which solution would work best for use-case #1 and #2, and satisfy my privacy and security concerns in post #13?

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Skype would seem to be the easiest way to do #1 and #2.

I decline to provide any guidance concerning your security questions. That is up for you to assess to your satisfaction.

If you are truly serious about security and not some poseur dilettante, DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE rather than ask some random Internet stranger on an anonymous Q&A forum like MacRumors.

You claim to be a security expert and yet here you are asking a stranger about a common tool.

For what it's worth at my old corporate job, the IT department said that Skype was approved for use business use. We were using Skype to connect to other corporate users whose respective IT departments allowed the tool as well.

That's probably not enough for you but you have certainly displayed your level of competence in the past regarding your ability to properly think things through and proceed in a rational, deliberate manner.

One thing for sure, if you are a security expert when you talk the talk, you must walk the walk. There is no "fake it until you make it."

 

[konqerror]

The main problem with consumer services is moderation. When you get more than two or three people together, undoubtedly somebody will put the phone down to handle a screamy kid or try to call in from a car and disrupt the whole conference with background noise. Commercial services like Zoom, Gotomeeting, etc. allow the moderator to remote mute, as well as features like virtual hand raising to prevent 10 people from talking over each other.

Most of the commercial services have browser-based WebRTC clients so no install or signup is necessary on the desktop, whereas forcing people to sign up for Skype or WhatsApp (or worse, buying Apple hardware) is the business model of the free services.

Also, commercial services offer end-to-end encryption and audited security. My company allows HIPAA medical data to be shared over our commercial service. While certainly not airtight, they're a significant step above no-promises consumer services like Skype.

So really, you get what you pay for. Save a few bucks at your own risk.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

It's not the technology that the problem, it's that the meeting organizer does know how to effectively manage an online meeting.

Post an agenda. Tell people beforehand to stick to the current topic. Instruct participants to mute their microphones until they have something pertinent to contribute or to wait to the designated Q&A session.

Being the technical guy who sets up the system does not automatically make you the best meeting host. In fact, there should be a technical person on standby and to help a specific user in an offline conversation (SMS, phone call) if they are having technology issues. In my experience, the IT guy silently monitors but does not actively participate in the discussion.

Give people some time to familiarize themselves with the system, especially first time users. Things like how to mute your microphone, what do so if you lose the signal, how to control the volume. Don't expect a number of newbies to log in at 9:59am and be all ready to go at 10:00am the first time around.

One simple ploy is to stick to mundane housekeeping items for the first few minutes before you dive into the main agenda.

For sure, do a dry run with a handful of willing volunteers beforehand regardless of whatever system you choose. Make sure one person is what would be considered a typical user. Don't do a test run with only technical folks. If the platform appears to be deficient for your needs at least you have time to consider other options.

 

[chown33]

I would add to those:
Don't put off the decision of which system to use for too long. If you're scrambling in the last few hours, and everyone else is scrambling behind you, then the first meeting is almost guaranteed to fail.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

I decline to provide any guidance concerning your security questions. That is up for you to assess to your satisfaction.

If you are truly serious about security and not some poseur dilettante, DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE rather than ask some random Internet stranger on an anonymous Q&A forum like MacRumors.

You claim to be a security expert and yet here you are asking a stranger about a common tool.

Seriously?

Let's see...

1.) I am more secure than 90% of the people out there because I don't use all of this Google/Facebook/social media/toy **** that everyone else is a slave to...

2.) Because I have never used Facebook/Instabram/TikTok/Zoom/etc/etc, it means I am not overly familiar with such gizmos. It also means I have way more privacy and security - see #1.

3.) Anyone who works in IT security will tell you that no one knows everything, and the smart person is *constantly* asking others for advice.

4.) Your comments/implications are a SLAM to a a lot of SUPER SMART people who dole out free, yet very good, advice here on MacRumors. I asked my questions here, because I almost always get good advice on MacRumors and a new way to look at things.

5.) The fact that you are trying to fit privacy and security onto a pin head says to me that maybe it's you that could learn a thing or two? I know an enormous amount about privacy and security in the areas where I know an enormous amount about privacy and security, and in the other areas I start off by asking others to figure out where to go next.

No need to be so dramatic or insulting...

For what it's worth at my old corporate job, the IT department said that Skype was approved for use business use. We were using Skype to connect to other corporate users whose respective IT departments allowed the tool as well.

As I said earlier, I *love* Skype from a functional standpoint, and live off of it as a remote IT contractor. But then I don't give a flip about my clients computer or data - in the context of THEM making a mistake and getting burned.

I do give a flip about protecting my computer and my data and myself and the people with whom I am researching a way to still meet in light of coronavirus.

Solutions by any large, for-profit company always make me suspicious, although there probably aren't any decent free/open-source choices in this realm, i.e. no Apache/Firefox/LibreOffice for Tele/Video-Conferencing. (How cool would that be?!)

And there is no harm in getting feedback from MacRumors - it is on the a preliminary step.

That's probably not enough for you but you have certainly displayed your level of competence in the past regarding your ability to properly think things through and proceed in a rational, deliberate manner.

Wow, I just got upgrade from "poseur dilettante" to "mortal"!!!


(Never heard that term before, so see, I just gained some knowledge by coming to (the sometimes wolves) at MacRumors!!)

One thing for sure, if you are a security expert when you talk the talk, you must walk the walk. There is no "fake it until you make it."

As stated before, I do consider myself an expert in my area or knowledge and experience. However, I would NOT hire me to: configure your firewalls, set up a secure network, solve a cryptographic problem for you, or secure Windows.

Does that mean I don't know anything about security? Of course not.

Why is it that I belong to a security group, and all of those people make a living in formal security roles, and I don't, yet I watch people all day long... Emailing passwords, exposing where they live, posting wild ass stuff on social media, and of course EVERYONE has a Gmail and Facebook account.

In closing, one of the main reasons I am so smart is that I always surround myself by people who are smarter, more talented, and have more epxerience than I do ===> enter a lot of people here at MacRumors!!!