The 8 Best Microsoft Live Meeting Alternatives

Microsoft Live Meeting is a web conferencing package that is preferred by many users because they offer everything that is required to host a presentation, training seminar, or simply a way to connect with team members to discuss a project. While some Live Meeting alternatives like GoToMeeting and Webex are better known, these may also come with a higher price tag that smaller businesses might not be willing to pay.

If you’re looking to drop Live Meeting for a different solution then we hope that you’ll find a suitable replacement in this list of services. There’s something for everyone and every budget!

MegaMeeting
MegaMeeting is a more expensive alternative to Microsoft Live Meeting, but it’s also designed to host larger online meetings since as many as 16 people can attend an online conference using their webcam to stream video. Like other Live Meeting equivalents listed here, MegaMeeting is browser-based and no download is required. Meeting attendees can simply join the conference directly in a web browser regardless of their OS as it is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It’s a worthwhile Live Meeting alternative option for those who regularly host larger meetings in an environment of mixed operating systems.

DimDim
DimDim is a great Live Meeting alternative because of its affordability. It offers all of the features of a more expensive package including desktop and document sharing as well as high quality video and audio conferencing – it has all the essential features that many users look for in a conferencing tool. It also offers modern features with integrated social networking, meeting widgets that can be posted on blogs, and a shared whiteboard for all users. Best of all, Dimdim is a web-based conferencing tool. Attendees of your online meeting don’t even have to install anything, making the whole process much smoother.

InstantPresenter
InstantPresenter is a really interesting alternative to Live Meeting. It is relatively expensive, but for prices similar to other software packages this one offers a lot for the cost. It’s browser-based, and in addition to the essential web conferencing features (such as screen and document sharing, chats and whiteboards) needed for any online meeting, it integrates with social networks, offers built-in conference recording for future review and archiving, and there is even the ability to survey attendees for feedback.

FuzeMeeting
FuzeMeeting differentiates itself with the high quality of graphics they offer. All of the meeting software features are typical, but the graphics are in high-resolution so they cater greatly to those in creative fields where clear visuals in meetings and presentations are even more essential. Some of the more useful features of this highly capable alternative to Live Meeting include desktop sharing, file annotation, integrated multi-protocol chat and support for 1080p high definition content, which is just brilliant if you’re in the creative industry.

Vyew
For those that want a free or inexpensive option, Vyew is definitely worth taking a look at. Pricing, like most other meeting tools, is based on the number of participants that typically attend the meetings. For a small number of individuals, there is even a free package that is full featured and even offers video conferencing. Vyew offers all the usual features you’d expect to see in a Live Meeting alternative including desktop sharing, screen capturing, whiteboards, annotation and support for a broad range of files. However, it also has a few tricks that do set it apart. Meetings are persistent, ie. they automatically saved in real-time so that they can be archived and made available at any time to authorized users or shared via a specific URL. Interestingly, Vyew can also be branded with your logo and corporate colors.

GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is as popular as Microsoft’s Live Meeting, but it is expensive. Users can choose from a range of packages that offer different features and allow varying limits on maximum attendees. Conversations can happen in GoToMeeting by phone with an assigned call-in number, or chat built into the software. It offers a wide range of conferencing features such as scheduled and recurring meetings integrated with Microsoft Outlook, desktop and application sharing, integrated chat, recording and annotation. GoToMeeting works with Windows and Mac OS X and has dual monitor support.

Webex
Webex is a full featured, highly regarded alternative to Live Meeting that offers most of the functionality you would conceivably need. It make desktop sharing easy, with the capability to host as many as 500 participants in your meeting. You can easily share documents, applications or your whole screen with attendees on their Windows PC, Apple Mac or smartphone and has integrated VoIP and phone conferencing if required. One of its defining features is its support for smartphones (including the iPhone), an added convenience for those on the go!

Yugma
Yugma has a very comprehensive free package which allows total meeting attendance of up to 20 people. There is also a paid version for those who would like some added features, like the option to use the software with Skype.