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Google Hangouts Reviews

Vendor: Google
4.1 out of 5
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What is Google Hangouts?

Hangouts Chat makes it easy for teams to be able to get their work done in one place. From direct messages to group conversations, Chat helps teams collaborate easily and efficiently.

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Google Hangouts is the #5 ranked solution in top Virtual Meetings solutions. PeerSpot users give Google Hangouts an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Google Hangouts is most commonly compared to Zoom: Google Hangouts vs Zoom. Google Hangouts is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 97% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 97% of all views.
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Google Hangouts
March 2025
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Google Hangouts mindshare

As of April 2025, the mindshare of Google Hangouts in the Virtual Meetings category stands at 0.4%, down from 1.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Virtual Meetings

PeerAnalyst reports based on Google Hangouts reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryVirtual MeetingsApr 9, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersApr 9, 2025Download
ComparisonGoogle Hangouts vs ZoomApr 9, 2025Download
ComparisonGoogle Hangouts vs WebexApr 9, 2025Download
ComparisonGoogle Hangouts vs Skype for BusinessApr 9, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Zoom4.211.1%94%209 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Users value Google Hangouts for its easy use, integration with Google Suite, and features like screen sharing and video calling. Its reliability includes better audio/video clarity than some competitors. It supports group chat, online meetings, collaboration on Google Docs, and easy navigation of integrated features like Google Calendar. Users appreciate its stability, lack of time limits on meetings, and robust chat functionality, all contributing to effective communication and collaboration.
  • "I find that Google Hangouts is very quick and easy to create a meeting, which is its biggest benefit."
  • "The interface is simple and not complex."
  • "The product is stable."

Room for Improvement

Google Hangouts could enhance integration with diverse platforms and improve features like scheduling, screen sharing, and file transfers. Users suggest introducing a recording option, improving connectivity for poor connections, and allowing more flexibility for anonymous users without Google accounts. Enhancing user interface simplicity, increasing resolution options, and expanding participant interaction features like a virtual whiteboard, raise-hand functionality, and meeting attendance tracking would align Hangouts more closely with competitors such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
  • "Sometimes, due to system restrictions, I can't use blur effects or other filters."
  • "The platform's screen-sharing feature and the participant panel could be improved."
  • "The improvement needs to be done as per customer requirements."

Pricing

Google Hangouts pricing for enterprise buyers varies with options for free and paid plans. Some users pay $6 per user monthly, while others mentioned $50 monthly. It's part of Google Workspace, which requires a subscription. Many leverage the free version integrated with a Google account, benefiting from Google's suite of tools. Costs have recently increased, impacting cost-effectiveness perceptions. Licensing varies, with some users indicating annual payments, yet it's generally seen as reasonably priced.
  • "I don't need to buy Google Hangouts separately because it comes free with Google Workspace, and it is also available for my personal Gmail ID."
  • "There is a need to make certain payments towards the licensing costs attached to the product and some other tools that are included in the suite offered by Google. Google Hangouts alone as a product is available for free."
  • "For individual use, there's no license requirement as such. For storage or some other purposes, if I go beyond 15 GB, then I need to buy something."

Popular Use Cases

Google Hangouts is primarily utilized for video meetings, internal communication, and virtual collaboration. Various groups, including trucking companies and software firms, rely on it for remote work and team communication. It supports screen sharing and chat for work meetings, lectures, and personal calls. Its features facilitate communication between dispersed team members and are essential for reducing communication costs and providing a platform for virtual interaction during and beyond the pandemic.

Service and Support

Many users have not needed to engage with Google Hangouts support due to few issues. Those who did found the service responsive, with resolutions typically within two days. Some users suggest a quicker response time would be beneficial. Users often rely on internal support teams or self-help online resources. Most are satisfied with Google Hangouts' functionality, reducing the necessity for direct support interaction. Technical support is generally rated positively, with minimal problems reported.

Deployment

Many describe Google Hangouts' initial setup as simple and quick, requiring minimal effort. Users emphasize its seamless integration with Google accounts, allowing immediate access after logging in. Although some found the setup complex due to buried settings in Google Admin, most highlight the ease of deployment through the cloud, particularly for those familiar with Google Workspace. Maintenance demands are minimal, with speed of setup rated highly by various organizations.

Scalability

Many users find Google Hangouts scalable, with organizations successfully integrating it across various team sizes, from small groups to hundreds of participants. Frequent comments highlight its ability to handle numerous concurrent users effectively, particularly in large meetings. Most find it suitable for regular use within companies, rating its scalability highly. However, some encounter limitations with very large gatherings, opting for alternatives like Zoom for expansive meetings, yet still appreciating Google Hangouts for its overall capacity.

Stability

Google Hangouts is often described as reliable with consistent performance. Users report minimal glitches and stable video quality. Problems are typically linked to poor internet connections rather than the platform itself. There are fewer issues with bugs or downtime. Some users note that performance can vary depending on the browser used or high usage periods, but generally, Google Hangouts maintains high stability ratings, often scoring between eight and ten out of ten.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Google Hangouts Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
97%
Computer Software Company
1%

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Virtual Meetings

Popular Comparisons

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Google Hangouts reviews

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ANIS QURESHI - PeerSpot user
Senior Specialist- IT Systems Management at GAL
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Mar 28, 2025
Quick and seamless meeting setup offers a smooth experience

Pros

"I find that Google Hangouts is very quick and easy to create a meeting, which is its biggest benefit."

What is our primary use case?

I sometimes use Google Hangouts for my personal meetings only.

What is most valuable?

I find that Google Hangouts is very quick and easy to create a meeting, which is its biggest benefit. It doesn't have a 40-minute limitation unlike Zoom. It is easy to set up as well, taking just a couple of minutes.
*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (225 words)
Pratiksha Volvoikar - PeerSpot user
Consultant - Analytics Implementation at Brainlabs
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Nov 14, 2024
Simplified meeting management with intuitive layout options and an easy setup

Pros

"The interface is simple and not complex. "

Cons

"Sometimes, due to system restrictions, I can't use blur effects or other filters. "

What is our primary use case?

I use Google Meet to set up meetings. I also use it to block my calendar for times when I am unavailable, such as during lunch.

How has it helped my organization?

We use Google Meet along with Google Calendar, which really helps with productivity.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (415 words)
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Find out what your peers are saying about Google Hangouts. Updated March 2025
845,849 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Biswajith Gopinathan - PeerSpot user
Data Analytics Specialist at GlaxoSmithKline
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Jan 30, 2024
A tool for personal use with good screen-sharing capabilities

Pros

"The most valuable features of the solution are its ability to allow the sharing of screens and the way it allows a user to take control of another system."

Cons

"Google Hangouts is not good enough to be used in a professional environment or for some official work, especially when compared to a product like Microsoft Teams."

What is our primary use case?

I use the product on a quarterly basis in a year, specifically to attend some meetings. I also use the product to help my children attend some online classes.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of the solution are its ability to allow the sharing of screens and the way it allows a user to take control of another system.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (383 words)
Olivier Bourdon - PeerSpot user
Senior Software Developer at a computer software company with 1-10 employees
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Jul 17, 2022
Great for virtual meetings, screen sharing, and showing demos

Pros

"The solution is extremely stable. "

Cons

"We don’t have any complaints."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for virtual meetings. We have a daily meeting each and every morning and that’s where we share where we are in the project and what we are developing, the issues we are experiencing and everything. Sometimes we also run remote interviews for people who would like to join our company. That's basically it.

What is most valuable?

We have a very basic usage of it. We don't use it as much as it could be leveraged. The item that we use most is sharing the screen and showing demos, however, there’s nothing really fancy on this side.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (627 words)
GC
CIO at OCA Global
Verified user of Google Hangouts
May 28, 2020
Easy to use, integrates well, and the session recording is useful

Pros

"The ease of navigation is good, as we can easily share data and screens."

Cons

"The algorithm should be improved to automatically deal with poor connections in a better way. "

What is our primary use case?

We use Google Hangouts for virtual meetings.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are integration with the calendar and video conference equipment.

The ease of navigation is good, as we can easily share data and screens.

The session recording feature is useful.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (362 words)
Kanchi Kh - PeerSpot user
Student at Christ University
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Apr 23, 2023
No meeting duration limits, scales well, and quick setup

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Google Hangouts is there are no predefined or meeting durations. For example, Zoom meetings have a set duration, typically ranging from thirty minutes to an hour, whereas Google Meet meetings can continue indefinitely. Additionally, it is effortless to generate a meeting, whether it is a live session or for future use, and distribute your link to others, making these aspects appealing to me."

Cons

"Google Hangouts should add a feature to show how someone connects, such as via a laptop or phone. If you know if someone is using a laptop you can ask them to share their screen."

What is our primary use case?

I am using Google Hangouts for virtual meetings.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Google Hangouts is there are no predefined or meeting durations. For example, Zoom meetings have a set duration, typically ranging from thirty minutes to an hour, whereas Google Meet meetings can continue indefinitely. Additionally, it is effortless to generate a meeting, whether it is a live session or for future use, and distribute your link to others, making these aspects appealing to me.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (489 words)
Denisa Alimani - PeerSpot user
Group Senior IT Auditor at LafargeHolcim
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Dec 24, 2022
Easy to use; have not run into any issues

Pros

"I appreciated having the basic features like screen sharing and camera options."

Cons

"In the next release, I would like to see call recording made available."

What is our primary use case?

My primary use case of Google Hangouts is virtual meetings with my team.

What is most valuable?

I appreciated having the basic features like screen sharing and camera options.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (215 words)
HaiPham - PeerSpot user
Managing Director at sea-solutión
Verified user of Google Hangouts
Nov 27, 2022
Great for virtual meetings with good pricing and a straightforward implementation

Pros

"It's very easy to use. "

Cons

"It would be ideal if they could include in the offering a virtual whiteboard for users when they are running meetings. "

What is our primary use case?

If we need to hold an online meeting, we use Google Hangouts.

What is most valuable?

The solution is useful for virtual meetings. I like that we can do voice or video calls. There are also screen-sharing capabilities.

It is straightforward to set up the solution. 

It's very easy to use. 

The product is stable.

I find the solution to be scalable. 

The pricing is good.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (431 words)