When we don't use Microsoft Teams, we plan our meetings and have them on Google Hangouts, though only sometimes. We use Google Hangouts occasionally, for example, about eleven times.
IT consultant at Secoptrial
It is lightweight as it doesn't take up much memory or resources; it has a free version
Pros and Cons
- "I find it valuable that Google Hangouts is a lightweight tool that doesn't take up a lot of memory and doesn't require a lot of resources."
- "Collaboration in Google Hangouts has room for improvement compared to Microsoft Teams. On Microsoft Teams, you can share a document directly and work on that document all at once, in real-time, with other team members, which isn't the case with Google Hangouts."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
I like that Google Hangouts works very well. You'll only have a problem using it if your internet connection isn't very good. I find it valuable that Google Hangouts is a lightweight tool that doesn't take up a lot of memory and doesn't require a lot of resources.
What needs improvement?
Collaboration in Google Hangouts has room for improvement compared to Microsoft Teams. On Microsoft Teams, you can share a document directly and work on that document all at once, in real-time, with other team members, which isn't the case with Google Hangouts. However, Google suite has Google Docs, which has a similar feature, but I haven't experimented yet.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Google Hangouts is a stable solution.
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January 2025
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Google Hangouts is scalable if you have the paid version, where more members can join the meeting. The paid version also allows you to record meetings. The free version will undoubtedly have some limits.
How are customer service and support?
I do a Google search when I have a problem with Google Hangouts, and then I follow the steps to fix that problem. I also go on YouTube to find a fix.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We use either Microsoft Teams or Google Hangouts. It depends on what the partner wants. One partner didn't want to use Skype, so it's either Google Hangouts or Microsoft Teams.
How was the initial setup?
It's easy to set up meetings on Google Hangouts. You need a meeting title and a date, and then you can add a meeting description. Once you've added that meeting to your calendar, you'll get a link you can share with other users, which can be clicked to join the meeting.
What was our ROI?
Google Hangouts is a good investment. There's ROI from it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Rating the pricing for a product, whether cheap or expensive, depends on the category, the functionality, and your budget. Google Hangouts has reasonable pricing, but I don't use the paid version because I only have a small budget, though you get more features from the paid version. I could go for the paid version if the tool's pricing is even cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
I have experience with Google Hangouts.
I use different versions of the tool. For example, sometimes, I use it on my PC through its application. Other times, I use the Google Hangouts application on my mobile phone. You can also use it on a web browser, but I haven't tried that version.
I recommend Google Hangouts to others as it has features that help improve meetings.
I work for a small company with about ten Google Hangouts users. Currently, it's not necessary to increase the usage of this tool.
I recommend the solution to others because, based on my experience, it's an easy tool. Google Hangouts doesn't consume much memory compared to Microsoft Teams. You don't need to install other components to make Google Hangouts work. The tool is fast because once you access the application, it automatically redirects you to the meeting room. Google Hangouts is not resource-heavy, so I recommend it to others.
My rating for Google Hangouts is eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
An easy-to-setup solution with good stability
Pros and Cons
- "It has efficient recording features."
- "There could be more precise instructions for beginners using the solution."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution to schedule online meetings where people can join from different locations.
What is most valuable?
The solution's most valuable features are recording, calendar, and streamlining the process by allowing us to send meeting invitations over emails.
What needs improvement?
There could be more precise instructions for beginners using the solution. Presently, it takes time for them to log in to the meeting.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution. It is more suitable for smaller companies.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's initial setup process is straightforward.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We access the solution through Google Workspace. It is inexpensive to use. I rate its pricing a five out of ten compared to other brands.
What other advice do I have?
The solution is stable and easy to set up. It is easy to collaborate within or outside the organization. I rate it an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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January 2025
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Automation Engineer at Hyperglance Ltd.
An exceptionally stable solution useful for chat and file-sharing purposes
Pros and Cons
- "Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten...Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten based on the number of users we have."
- "The user interface is an area with shortcomings and needs improvement."
What is most valuable?
The chat feature is the most valuable feature of the solution. I can just drag and drop the images that I want my team needs to see. There is also formatting of font size and color.
What needs improvement?
I actually prefer Google Hangouts compared to Microsoft Teams.
The user interface is an area with shortcomings and needs improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Google Hangouts in my current company for a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten. We are using it in our notifications. During the running of our pipeline, when we trigger the QA test, there will be a notification sending a message to Google. For all those pipeline runs, I think it is kind of stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
About eight people in my team use the solution.
Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten based on the number of users we have.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before choosing Google Hangouts, I was evaluating other options like Microsoft Teams. I just noticed that in Microsoft Teams, it's hard to backread the previous messages in a group chat. It's kind of slow and hard to backread all previous messages. I don't know if it's a performance issue in Microsoft Teams. In Microsoft Teams, I kind of appreciate how it has centralized documents, chats, and groups. That's the good thing about Microsoft. In Google as well, with Google Docs, we can work faster and collaborate with others. I use Google Docs when using anything since I like it.
What other advice do I have?
My recommendation to those planning to use it is that they should enjoy using the solution. I rate the overall product a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Engineer at BNP Paribas
Enables us to chat and exchange quick information.
Pros and Cons
- "We use Google Hangouts to chat and exchange some quick information."
What is our primary use case?
I used it extensively during the pandemic to collaborate in remote meetings. We use Google Hangouts to chat and exchange quick information.
What needs improvement?
An area of improvement could be to make it more user-friendly.
An additional feature that I would like to be included in the next release is a recording feature.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Hangouts for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution, and I rate it an eight out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
It is easy to setup.
What about the implementation team?
We didn’t deploy it. I just use it in my private way.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I use the free version.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend it to others.
Overall, I rate it an eight on a scale of one to ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior manager at Wipro Limited
Intuitive with good performance and offers a trial version
Pros and Cons
- "When you get a meeting invitation, it's very easy to just join and go."
- "Support could be a bit faster."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for meetings.
What is most valuable?
It works really well.
It's great for meetings. The solution is helpful for videos especially.
The product is very intuitive. When you get a meeting invitation, it's very easy to just join and go.
We feel the performance is quite good.
Google offers a trial version, which I have used.
What needs improvement?
Support could be a bit faster.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for a few meetings.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and the connectivity is great. It's reliable. There are no bugs or glitches and it doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I can't speak to the scalability. I've never experimented with expanding it.
I'm not sure how many people are using it. We are not using it in our organization, however, I will get invites from other organizations and use it that way.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is very good. We have no issues with Google support. We would, however, like them to increase the response rate and move a bit faster.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I'm aware of Skype, however, I don't use it myself.
We are using Microsoft Teams.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I'm not sure what the licensing costs are.
What other advice do I have?
I'm not sure if we are using a specific version or not.
I'd rate the product eight out of ten. It's pretty good overall. I'd recommend the product to others who need to run video conferences and meetings.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
System Administrator at Access Techy Limited
User-friendly, easy to deploy, and stable
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is easy to use and navigate."
- "The scalability has room for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution for virtual meetings.
What is most valuable?
The solution is easy to use and navigate.
What needs improvement?
The scalability has room for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I give the stability a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I give the scalability an eight out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used Zoom and switched to Google Hangouts because it was cheaper.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward and takes under one hour. The deployment was completed by one person. To use the solution we must set up a Gmail account and create meeting links.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation was completed in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is no license cost.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution an eight out of ten.
We have 15 end users and plan to gradually increase that number.
Google Hangouts is user-friendly and I recommend it to others.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Google
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
AVP, Automation Center of Excellence Head at a financial services firm with 501-1,000 employees
It has multiple features, such as polling, whiteboarding, and captioning
Pros and Cons
- "What I like best about Google Hangouts is its integration with other Google solutions, so scheduling is easy because you have the calendar. It also has a whiteboard feature. I also like its polling feature and that it even has a captioning feature."
- "Google Hangouts has breakout rooms now, but not as extensive as Zoom, so that's one area for improvement. I mentioned that I like the Google Hangouts captioning feature, but that could be improved. For example, importing Filipino-English captions here in the Philippines would be great."
What is our primary use case?
We use Google Hangouts for meetings and alignment.
What is most valuable?
What I like best about Google Hangouts is its integration with other Google solutions, so scheduling is easy because you have the calendar. It also has a whiteboard feature. I also like its polling feature and that it even has a captioning feature.
What needs improvement?
Google Hangouts has breakout rooms now, but not as extensive as Zoom, so that's one area for improvement.
I mentioned that I like the Google Hangouts captioning feature, but that could be improved. For example, importing Filipino-English captions here in the Philippines would be great.
I want to add a Zoom feature in Google Hangouts, where multiple people can interact with what's shown on the screen and draw and put shapes, for example.
For how long have I used the solution?
I joined the company in 2020, and that's the time I started using Google Hangouts.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Google Hangouts is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
So far, I'm happy with Google Hangouts in terms of scalability, but that still depends on your license because that dictates the number of users you can have in a room.
How are customer service and support?
Google technical support is okay, but I used it for a different solution, Google AppSheet, and not for Google Hangouts. The team gave me a fast response for other solutions. However, for my Google AppSheet concern, it took a while to receive feedback from Google because the general support team needed to pass my question to a real expert.
How was the initial setup?
Google Hangouts is installed on the web browser, so setup or installation-wise, it's okay.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I believe my company has a yearly license for Google Hangouts, but I'm not sure because this is a corporate account, so I don't have the details.
What other advice do I have?
My company uses Google Workspace, which includes Google Hangouts.
In my company, more than five hundred people use Google Hangouts.
I'm happy to recommend the solution to others because it's web-based and extensive, with features for emailing, documentation, and conferencing.
My rating for Google Hangouts is nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Content Marketing Strategist at Niswey
Has a free version that works well for small-sized teams; technical support is responsive
Pros and Cons
- "The technical support team for Google Hangouts has been pretty responsive and could solve whatever challenges arise, within a day or two."
- "I would like for the platform to have a call recording feature in the free version."
What is our primary use case?
Google Hangouts is being used for virtual meetings, whether that's face to face or you're presenting your screen. There's also a whiteboard where you can brainstorm on the call itself, so that's about it.
What is most valuable?
Whatever features are on offer right now on Google Hangouts, I find all of them useful. I don't have a preference, and Google Hangouts doesn't have time limitations.
What needs improvement?
Google Hangouts is pretty good as it is, so there's nothing I would like to change about it.
I would like for the platform to have a call recording feature in the free version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Google Hangouts is a stable platform.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Google Hangouts, being a Google product, is available and scalable. The free version works well for small-sized teams that have thirty to forty people, and that's good enough for us.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support team for Google Hangouts has been pretty responsive and could solve whatever challenges arise, within a day or two.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up Google Hangouts is very, very easy. You just open a Gmail account to get access to all the Google tools, including Google Hangouts. It's very easy to just set up a Gmail account, and you don't have to do anything else.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We are a small team and a small organization such as ours just uses the free version of Google, so there's no cost associated with Google Hangouts at the moment.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We use Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, but use Zoom more often compared to the other two platforms.
What other advice do I have?
Sometimes my company uses Google Hangouts, but that's very rare. Typically, the team uses Zoom, and Google Hangouts is used once or twice a month, and that's about it. My company is an end-user, not a partner of Google.
At the moment, there's no plan of increasing the number of users of Google Hangouts.
I would rate Google Hangouts eight out of ten.
I'd recommend the platform to other people.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Google
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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