Zoom Review – Prices, Features & Business Value Explained

As hybrid working and remote communication become essential for modern businesses, Zoom has established itself as one of the go-to platforms for video conferencing and collaboration. But beyond its famous video calls, Zoom offers a range of features tailored to business communication, including phone systems, team chat, and webinars. This review covers the key features, pricing, and potential drawbacks of Zoom to help you decide if it’s the best fit for your business.

Key features of Zoom for business

Zoom provides several communication and collaboration tools designed for businesses of all sizes. Below are some of the most relevant features.

1. Zoom Meetings

Zoom’s flagship product, Zoom Meetings, enables high-quality video conferencing with tools for virtual collaboration. It offers HD video and audio, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, and meeting recording. With up to 1,000 video participants and various security features (e.g., waiting rooms, password protection), Zoom Meetings is robust enough for everything from team meetings to large-scale webinars.

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2. Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone offers a cloud-based phone system ideal for businesses aiming to streamline their voice communication. This VoIP solution integrates directly with Zoom’s Meetings and Team Chat, allowing businesses to manage voice and video calls on a single platform. It includes essential PBX features such as call routing, voicemail, call recording, and call queues. Zoom Phone also offers integrations with CRM systems and other tools, making it versatile for customer-facing businesses.

3. Zoom Team Chat

Designed as an all-in-one communication platform, Zoom Team Chat enables instant messaging, file sharing, and collaborative discussions. This feature is useful for keeping teams connected between meetings and helps reduce email traffic. Integrated across the Zoom ecosystem, it also provides notifications about upcoming calls, messages, and other scheduled tasks.

4. Zoom Webinars

Zoom Webinars is ideal for businesses needing a scalable solution for hosting virtual events, training sessions, and presentations. With the ability to host up to 10,000 view-only participants and interactive options like polls, Q&A, and hand-raising, it offers flexibility for audience engagement. Analytics and reporting tools also help measure audience engagement post-event, providing valuable insights for marketing and training teams.

5. Zoom Rooms

Zoom Rooms supports hybrid and in-person meeting setups with hardware and software for conference room meetings. Equipped with touch displays, whiteboards, and high-quality audio-visual equipment, Zoom Rooms allow businesses to create modern, tech-enabled meeting spaces. It also integrates with Zoom’s video conferencing and phone services to make remote participants feel present.

Cost of Zoom for business

Zoom offers several pricing tiers for its business products, allowing flexibility depending on your company’s needs. Below is a breakdown of some of the key plans and costs.

Zoom Meetings pricing

Basic (free): Ideal for small, internal meetings with limited duration and features.
Pro (£11.99 per user/month): For SMEs, allowing meetings of up to 30 hours with cloud recording.
Business (£15.99 per user/month): Adds branded options, single sign-on (SSO), and phone support.
Enterprise (£15.99+ per user/month): Includes advanced features like webinar hosting, managed domains, and more extensive support.

Zoom Phone pricing

Zoom Phone starts at around £8 per user/month, with pricing varying depending on the location and service options. International plans, call queues, and call centre functionality are priced separately, with additional fees for toll-free numbers and outbound international calls.

Zoom Webinars pricing

Pricing for Zoom Webinars begins at approximately £32 per month, with rates increasing based on participant capacity. For larger webinars, costs can increase significantly as options for additional participant tiers become available.

Zoom Rooms pricing

Zoom Rooms licenses start at £37 per room/month. This pricing is separate from the video conferencing licenses, and costs increase with additional hardware requirements, such as cameras, screens, and microphones.

Pros and cons of Zoom for business

Before committing to Zoom, it’s essential to weigh its advantages and potential drawbacks.

Pros – What we like

Comprehensive communication platform: Zoom offers an integrated ecosystem for video calls, VoIP phone systems, messaging, and webinars.
Scalability: With a range of pricing tiers and add-ons, Zoom can scale to meet the needs of small and large businesses.
High-quality audio and video: Zoom is renowned for its reliable call quality and range of video conferencing tools, making it a strong choice for professional virtual meetings.
Flexible integrations: With integrations across popular CRMs, productivity tools, and custom API options, Zoom works well within established tech ecosystems.
Advanced meeting features: Options like breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, and polls make Zoom suitable for varied meeting needs, from standard calls to interactive events.

Cons – Potential drawbacks

Pricing adds up: With separate charges for different Zoom products, total costs can escalate, especially for businesses using multiple features like Zoom Rooms and Webinars.
Dependence on good internet: While Zoom is reliable, it requires a stable internet connection, which can present challenges for businesses with remote workers in areas with poor connectivity.
Learning curve for advanced features: Zoom’s suite of features can be overwhelming for new users, and training may be required to get the most from it.
Privacy concerns: Although Zoom has addressed past security issues, businesses handling sensitive data should review Zoom’s encryption and data handling policies.

Customer support and security

Zoom provides multiple support channels, including live chat, email support, and phone support for paid accounts.

Zoom’s help centre also includes a range of articles, video tutorials, and forums where users can troubleshoot common issues independently.

Security-wise, Zoom has enhanced its encryption and security features, such as end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for meetings, to address prior concerns.

Zoom reviews and ratings

Here are some recent ratings for Zoom from popular review sites:

TrustPilot: Zoom has an average rating of around 2.7 out of 5, with mixed feedback highlighting its functionality but concerns around customer service.
G2: On G2, Zoom fares better with an average of 4.4 out of 5, praised for its video quality and range of features.
Reviews.org: While not an exact score, Reviews.org rates Zoom positively, noting its performance but mentions limitations with the free plan.
Capterra: Zoom maintains a strong rating of 4.6 out of 5 here, with users appreciating its reliability for team and client meetings.

These scores show a generally positive reception, though specific critiques focus on support responsiveness and the free plan’s limitations.

Review – Is Zoom right for your business?

Zoom’s feature-rich platform and extensive scalability make it a top choice for businesses seeking a versatile communication tool.

Its all-in-one approach appeals to organisations aiming to consolidate video, phone, and messaging services under one provider.

While the pricing can add up as features scale, Zoom’s range of functions provides flexibility for businesses needing tailored communication solutions.

For smaller businesses or those prioritising simple video calls, Zoom’s entry-level options are accessible and affordable.

On the other hand, larger businesses needing webinar capacity, dedicated phone systems, or hybrid meeting solutions may find Zoom’s offerings essential for efficient communication.

Final verdict – Zoom review

Zoom’s platform is well-suited for UK businesses seeking a reliable, comprehensive communication tool.

Its features span from basic video calls to advanced business phone systems and webinar hosting, providing flexibility and scalability.

While the pricing structure may seem complex, the breadth of options enables businesses to select the most relevant features for their needs.

For a business prioritising hybrid or remote communication and looking for a platform that can grow with them, Zoom stands out as a strong contender in today’s market.

Comparisons

FAQ – Zoom review

What is Zoom used for in business?

Zoom is a communication platform enabling video meetings, phone calls, webinars, and team messaging. It’s widely used for virtual meetings, remote collaboration, and customer communications, integrating well with popular CRM and productivity tools.

Does Zoom offer a business phone system?

Yes, Zoom Phone is a cloud-based VoIP system with features like call routing, voicemail, and call queues. It integrates with Zoom’s video and messaging tools, making it easy to manage voice and video communication in one place.

Is Zoom secure for business use?

Zoom offers several security features, including end-to-end encryption, waiting rooms, and host controls to keep meetings secure. Businesses should review Zoom’s data policies and activate these features, especially for sensitive discussions.

What are the pricing options for Zoom?

Zoom offers Basic (free), Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans. Costs vary, starting at £11.99 per user/month for Pro. Additional charges apply for features like webinars, Zoom Rooms, and toll-free numbers.

Can Zoom handle large online events?

Yes, Zoom Webinars allows up to 10,000 view-only participants. It includes interactive features like polls and Q&A, making it suitable for virtual conferences, training, and large audience engagement.

Does Zoom offer customer support for businesses?

Paid Zoom accounts include various support options like live chat and phone support. The company also provides extensive online resources, tutorials, and forums to help users troubleshoot independently.

Can I use Zoom on multiple devices?

Yes, Zoom is compatible with PCs, smartphones, tablets, and conference room setups. It supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, enabling seamless communication across devices.

How reliable is Zoom’s call quality?

Zoom is known for high-quality video and audio, though it relies on a stable internet connection. Businesses with strong bandwidth typically find Zoom’s performance reliable for HD meetings and webinars.

What integrations does Zoom offer?

Zoom integrates with CRMs like Salesforce, productivity tools like Slack, and popular email platforms, enhancing workflow efficiency. Its API also allows custom integrations for more tailored business needs.

Can Zoom be used for hybrid office setups?

Yes, Zoom Rooms supports hybrid meeting spaces with hardware like screens, microphones, and cameras. It links in-person and remote attendees, creating a collaborative environment regardless of location.