Free plan limits side by side
The time limit is the catch on most free meeting plans. What the official pages state:
| Tool | Time limit | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom | 40 minutes per meeting | Up to 100 |
| Google Meet | 60 minutes for group meetings, none for 1:1 calls | Up to 100 |
| Microsoft Teams | Up to 60 minutes | Up to 100 |
| Zoho Meeting | 60 minutes | Up to 100 |
| Whereby | 30 minutes | 4 |
| Slack | Not stated | 1:1 huddles only |
A short limit is fine for a quick check-in. For a weekly team meeting, plan for it or pick a tool without one.
Recording on a free plan
Recording is often a paid extra. Zoom's free plan includes local recording in the desktop app and web portal, but not on a phone, and cloud recording is paid. Google lists meeting recording among the extras of its paid plans.
The open source tools in the table record without a plan: BigBlueButton lets presenters record sessions for later playback, MiroTalk P2P lists recording, and Galene records to disk on your server. Ask everyone in the call before you record.
Host your own meetings
If time limits or accounts get in the way, you can run the meeting software yourself:
- BigBlueButton is a virtual classroom with whiteboards and breakout rooms.
- MiroTalk P2P runs browser-based rooms and lists no time limits.
- Galene was built for lectures, conferences and student tutorials.
- Jami needs no server at all: calls run peer to peer.
Jitsi Meet is in our open source alternatives list. Hosting means you need a server and keep it updated.
Before the call
- Webcam test: check your camera picture before you join.
- Mic test: make sure people can hear you.
- Time zone converter: find the right time for people in other countries.
- Meeting planner: compare working hours across cities.
- Meeting cost calculator: see what a meeting costs in salaries.
We opened each tool's official pricing page, help page, website or repository on the date in the table and wrote down only what it says. An empty cell means the page does not say it.
Frequently asked questions
Which free video call app has no time limit?
Google Meet says 1:1 calls and mobile calls have no time limit; group meetings on the free plan end after 60 minutes. Self-hosted MiroTalk P2P lists no time limits, and Jami calls run peer to peer without a hosted plan.
How long can a free Zoom meeting last?
Zoom's free Basic plan has a meeting duration limit of 40 minutes, with up to 100 participants. Guests can join without creating an account.
Can I record a meeting for free?
On Zoom's free plan you can record locally in the desktop app or web portal, but not on a phone. Google Meet lists recording as a paid feature. BigBlueButton, MiroTalk P2P and Galene include recording when you host them yourself.
Which tool works best for online classes?
BigBlueButton calls itself an open source virtual classroom, with multi-user whiteboards, breakout rooms, polling and recording. Galene was also built for lectures and student tutorials. Both need your own server or a hosting provider.
How many people can join a free meeting?
Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoho Meeting each allow up to 100 participants on their free plans. Whereby's free plan allows 4, and Slack's free plan limits huddles to 1:1.