HCL Sametime vs Zoom comparison

HCLSoftware and Zoom Video Communications are both solutions in the Virtual Meetings category. HCLSoftware is ranked #19 with an average rating of 8.0, while Zoom Video Communications is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.3. HCLSoftware holds a 0.4% mindshare in VM, compared to Zoom Video Communications’s 11.0% mindshare. Additionally, 75% of HCLSoftware users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of Zoom Video Communications users who would recommend it.

HCL Sametime

Read 5 HCL Sametime reviews

81 Views
43 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Zoom

Read 209 Zoom reviews

6,532 Views
1,158 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

HCL Sametime

Zoom

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 3, 2025

HCL Sametime and Zoom compete in communication and collaboration tools, with Zoom having the upper hand due to its comprehensive features and scalability, making it popular for video-heavy communication.

Features: HCL Sametime offers secure messaging, integration with enterprise systems, and flexible customization. Zoom provides robust video conferencing, high-definition video, and virtual backgrounds.

Room for Improvement: HCL Sametime could improve scalability, user interface, and video capabilities. Zoom could enhance security, integration with enterprise tools, and customization options.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HCL Sametime requires tailored deployment due to its enterprise integration, offering a flexible approach. Zoom offers straightforward deployment, extensive online resources, and responsive support, enabling quick adoption.

Pricing and ROI: HCL Sametime may involve higher upfront costs but offers competitive ROI for secure and integrated solutions. Zoom's subscription-based pricing provides scalability and perceived higher ROI due to video capabilities and global reach, despite potentially higher ongoing costs.

To learn more, read our detailed HCL Sametime vs. Zoom Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

HCL Sametime vs. Zoom

March 2025

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Helped 842,388 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

HCL Sametime

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

19th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Zoom

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

209

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Virtual Meetings category, the mindshare of HCL Sametime is 0.4%, down from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zoom is 11.0%, down from 14.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Meetings

Featured Reviews

Bogdan Chechlowski

Kierownik Biura Informatyki at EIB SA

Stable product, communicate very fast and allows to see who's online in the office or work environment

It was used for communication through text messages, primarily Being able to see who was online and communicate very fast was a good feature. The security was quite good. However, when we tried to implement it for email at a high level, we had to use another solution, FortiMail Gateway. I view…

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Kallol Chaudhuri

Principal Consultant at Oracle

Helped us tremendously in collaborating with each other and getting our work done and offers the breakout rooms feature.

We are a team located across various locations. Not in the same geographic location. We are distributed. And it's not possible to physically travel and meet people. Sometimes it's simply not possible. But Zoom has helped us tremendously in collaborating with each other and getting our work done. Without Zoom, it would have been very, very difficult. The breakout rooms feature is also helpful. For example, I have a meeting attended by hundreds of people and want to create subgroups. I typically use it for different role-play scenarios during training if we are trying to conduct some training on presentation skills. So there's a large group, which is initially trained by an instructor. Then you get instructions that the room will be split into smaller breakout rooms. I'll give you a topic, and you'll practice in these smaller groups. That's one way I use it. So it's like a simulation of a real brainstorming session I'd have in a physical space.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The security was quite good."

"I can view the status and availability of colleagues or team members, which makes it easy to approach them when they are available."

"Zoom has a security feature that allows only authorized participants to join the meeting."

"The initial setup is straightforward as this is a cloud application. It only takes a few seconds."

"The ability to discuss and share training content would be the most valuable features of Zoom."

"Ability to record interviews."

"Zoom is pretty safe and secure."

"Zoom's interface is nice and has good performance."

"Zoom is very easy to set up. You simply download it and use it."

"It's got a simple, easy-to-understand user interface."

More Zoom pros

Cons

"The webinar should be integrated into Sametime for a larger number of participants."

"It lacks some features compared to modern solutions. For example, it doesn't allow sending screenshots or other files."

"The solution can improve by having the option to be able to lock the primary speaker on high definition the entire time. Additionally, it would be a benefit to have easy Zoom room-like features for individuals using lightboards. There should be quick invitations and integration with Slack and Outlook."

"I don't have any particular issues, but I think the user interface could be improved. Previously, I used Microsoft Teams, where the chat, video, and audio options were all easily accessible in one place, making the user experience smoother. In Zoom, it's a bit more manual. For example, we must use external chat options like Slack and manually send the Zoom URL link to initiate a chat. In MicrosoftTeams, you can directly call and chat with someone from the contact list simultaneously."

"The main issue with Zoom is its adoption in the business world compared to platforms like Teams."

"Password requirement for every meeting."

"In general, the price could be a little cheaper."

"Zoom could be improved by making it easier to join meetings. It can be a bit confusing because sometimes you need meeting IDs and logins, sometimes you don't."

"The free version of Zoom could be improved and offer more functionality. We would also like to have whiteboard and drawing functionality."

"I would like to see Zoom integrated with other third-party services."

More Zoom cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"As an organization, we are paying a license fee for Zoom. Personally, I use the free version."

"We are using the free version of Zoom."

"In addition to any licensing fees, we hired Zoom to provide training to us in small groups."

"There is a subscription to use the solution."

"There are both free and paid versions available."

"The cost of Zoom has led me to use WeChat, instead."

"There is a licensing fee and although the price is fair, it can be a little cheaper."

"We use the free version of the product. We utilize it only three to four times a month."

More Zoom pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Educational Organization

92%

University

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with HCL Sametime?

I view it as part of HCL Notes and Domino, and my opinion is similar to those products. It lacks some features compared to modern solutions. For example, it doesn't allow sending screenshots or oth...

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What is your primary use case for HCL Sametime?

It was used for communication through text messages, primarily.

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What advice do you have for others considering HCL Sametime?

Overall, it was quite good. I would rate it an eight out of ten. It's a better product than some others from HCL, but overall, I wouldn't recommend it, given the availability of superior alternatives.

See all answers

LucidChart vs LucidSpark for brainstorming sessions over Zoom

Hi @Krista Thompson - Yes, LucidSpark is a much more nimble and, in some ways, user-friendly tool than LucidChart. LucidSpark is designed to do a better job managing multiple users participating ...

See all answers

What do you like most about Zoom?

The product is scalable.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zoom?

There is a concern about the free version's forty-five-minute limit. For education use, having more affordable access through institutions would be beneficial.

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

Webex vs Zoom

Compared 30% of the time

Skype for Business vs Zoom

Compared 28% of the time

GoToMeeting vs Zoom

Compared 9% of the time

TeamViewer vs Zoom

Compared 8% of the time

ON24 Platform vs Zoom

Compared 6% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Meetings

March 2025

Download HCL Sametime product report

Buyer's Guide

Zoom

March 2025

Download Zoom product report

Also Known As

Lotus Sametime, IBM Lotus Sametime

No data available

Overview

HCL Sametime. Secure Conversations Across Any Device

Your company can’t afford to take any data risks, but your teams still need to be able to interact and react quickly, wherever they are working. Sametime offers modern instant messaging, file-sharing, and online meetings with the proven security your business can trust.

HCLSoftware

Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Our easy, reliable cloud platform for video, phone, content sharing, and chat runs across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems. Message me to learn more about how Zoom can help your business or organization Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom_us.

Zoom Video Communications

Sample Customers

Connect2Cloud, Superior Group, Daifuku Co. Ltd., Seaward, The City of Fort Worth, Christian Brothers Services, Berlitz, Deutsche Notes User Group, Danske Fysioterapeuter, Slumberland, La Vacanza, Rheinmetall AG

Fortinet, Veeva, Proofpoint, Box, Ticketmaster, Trend Micro, Caesars Entertainment, Santa Clara University, Pandora, Stanford Continuing Studies

Buyer's Guide

HCL Sametime vs. Zoom

March 2025

Free Report: HCL Sametime vs. Zoom

Find out what your peers are saying about HCL Sametime vs. Zoom and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.

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