Zoom - basic or pro package

[Tempjob]

I run a small charity with 5 volunteers. We want to keep in touch and continue our work during this outbreak, by using Zoom.

Would you recommend Zoom basic or Zoom pro? Im not technically minded and am struggling with all the info!! If we got one person on Zoom Pro, would we be able to share the password with all other colleagues?

[tribpot]

If you are on Zoom basic, you will be limited to calls of no longer than 40 mins if more than 3 of you are on at the same time. (And I think that Zoom are not guaranteeing to offer that at the moment either, given they are maxed out - we have just switched to Zoom from Skype/Teams as we are having so many problems managing three different installations of Skype).

If you have one pro account, and that pro account is used to arrange the calls, I think that should be all you need.

I would check you can get Zoom working for all of you before deciding it's the right solution; as it requires a download or browser extension, not everyone may be able to install it. There are a lot of 'clientless' alternatives like Google Hangouts and whereby.com which you might also want to try out.

[Tempjob]

Thanks @Tribpot !!

[Growingboys]

I think Zoom have done away with that time limit actually - think I read it yesterday.

[tribpot]

It looks as if they've removed it for schools, Growingboys - details here. I definitely got the warning about 40 mins earlier in the week (before I reactivated my Pro subscription).

[ouch321]

We've been using Zoom a couple of years on the Pro plan. It's quite easy to use. You can use it on a PC or download the app on your phone. The former means you need a headset or a system with it all built in.
Phone is easy to use as obviously it automatically has a mic and webcam. Also if they don't have any tech at all you can dial into the call on a landline.
Yes, the main difference between the two plans is the time limit but if they have removed the time limit go with the Free.

[ouch321]

To add, if you're having issues just bear in mind the queues for live chat this week have been for example 826 people in the queue so if you need help try and use the live chat system at a out of hours time.

[AlwaysCheddar]

Haven’t you got MS teams?

[AlwaysCheddar]

Or
Free conference call.com

[Medievalist]

@Tempjob - did you go with Zoom? Am also looking to get it for work purposes but not at all technically minded so need something very simple!

[Growingboys]

Zoom seems pretty simple - I am in my 40s so don't have an innate grasp of tech and I can work zoom

[wibdib]

The other thing to remember if you go with the free package is to schedule 2/3/4 meetings as needed with 5/10 minutes between them so that it doesn’t suddenly stop and you find yourselves mid meeting and not sure what’s happening next...

If you have 2 or 3 meetings scheduled, you all know that there’s a 5/10/15 minute break before you restart so everyone top up their drink/pop to the loo/ check email/ get a mumsnet fix before dialling back in which makes it much more efficient. Otherwise a couple of people pop out, two more try to set up the part 2 of the meeting, someone decides it’s all over and never returns to hear their actions and so on.

It’s also good for being really efficient in meetings to get everything done within the time limits!

[GrumpyHoonMain]

Contact Zoom because they do sometimes waive the fee for charities for their premium service