RoundtableUC&C8 Jul 2019 · 5 min read

GoToMeeting vs GoToWebinar

Companies of all sizes are on a quest to find the best communication strategies in the modern business environment.

Companies of all sizes are on a quest to find the best communication strategies in the modern business environment. For some businesses, this means accessing collaborative tools that offer instant chat, video conferencing, and file sharing. For other, large enterprise groups, it means hosting engaging webinars and presentations for employees and customers alike.

The "GoTo" brand, responsible for tools like GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, and even the new GoToConnect provides a range of tools for organisations that want to align and unify their communication strategies.

The question is, which GoTo features do your employees need?

Let's take a look at what you can expect from two of the biggest contenders: GoToWebinar and GoToMeeting.

GoToMeeting vs. GoToWebinar: User Experience

gotomeeting logo The GoTo company is committed to finding the best ways for organisations to get more work done in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Their initial flagship offering, "GoToMeeting" provides the tools that businesses need to collaborate in real-time, regardless of where their employees might be. With GoToMeeting, you can access unlimited video meetings through a clean, easy-to-use interface.

There's no need for any specialist software or hardware to access a conference via GoToMeeting because the solution is delivered over the cloud, all you need to do is provide attendees with a customised URL to get started. Users can log in either on their desktop or smartphone, with dedicated apps available for Android and iOS.

Features include:

Smartphone apps
One-click meeting join
No downloads required
Video meetings one-on-one or in groups
Simple single-pane-of-glass interface

GoToWebinar is a service from GoTo that focuses less on video conferencing and team meetings and more on global presentations. Just like GoToMeeting, there are mobile options available for attendees that don't have access to a computer, and you can invite users to join your webinar with nothing but a simple URL.

Thanks to built-in features like recording and webinar templates, it couldn't be easier for users to get started using GoToWebinar. You can pre-record sessions and host them online with "simulated Live," and simply sit back and relax while the results roll in.

Features include:

Extensive broadcasting
One-click webinar joining
No downloads required
Simple interface
Built-in reports, analytics, and services

GoToMeeting vs. GoToWebinar: Team Experience

gotowebinar logo Every component in the GoTo portfolio is designed to make communication easier. Powered through the cloud, there's no need for any annoying downloads or expensive hardware to launch your conversations, and teams can use their GoTo services to work better together.

GoToMeeting supports team experience by helping employees to build better relationships wherever they are. Through HD video conferencing technology, it's easy to get your team interacting over the latest projects, mimicking face-to-face conversations without the unnecessary travel. Screensharing and filesharing are available, along with unlimited recording to capture crucial information. There's also instant chat and virtual whiteboarding tools to make teamwork more immersive.

Team features include:

Video and audio conferencing
Dial-in conference lines
Business messaging
Unlimited recording
HD video for up to 25 webcams
Personal meeting rooms
Active Directory
Drawing tools
File and screen sharing

GoToWebinar approaches team experience from a different angle. This software makes it easier for groups to work cohesively when presenting information to others or aligning for a business training session. Company leaders can host crucial mentoring webinars with templates to guide their lessons, and they can even keep an eye on attendee interest with an engagement dashboard.

When presenters need to work together to engage a separate audience, there's access to HD webcam displays and recording features. You can bring your team together to record a presentation, then share it with new audiences' time and time again.

Features include:

VoIP and toll-free voice
Online and local recording
Webinar templates
HD webcam displays
Reusable content

GoToMeeting vs. GoToWebinar: Customer Experience

Everything a business does today needs to address the expectations and requirements of a target audience. This even applies to collaboration and presentation strategies.

GoToMeeting helps companies to make their employees more effective at serving customers with features like screen sharing, unlimited meetings, and web-based audio and video. Employees can meet with clients and prospects over a web-based link and guide them through the values of a product or service, without having to travel to meet face-to-face.

Thanks to screen sharing and keyboard-handover options, it's possible to even use GoToMeeting to address client issues and fix software remotely from a distance.

Features include:

Screen sharing
Global video and audio conferencing
HD video
Dial-in conferencing lines
Keyboard handover

GoToWebinar also supports better customer experiences by helping companies to give their target audience the information and education they need. Organisations can host training sessions for new users online and make sure that they feel comfortable using new products or services. Additionally, there are polls and surveys available so you can capture insights from your clients.

GoToWebinar also comes with a range of real-time analytics features so you can track audience engagement and improve your chances of delighting your customers. With customised registration forms, businesses can even capture useful customer data that they can use to inform future company decisions.

Features include:

Surveys, polls, and Q&As
Live analytics and reports
Interactive presentations
Custom registration forms
Source and event tracking

GoToMeeting vs. GoToWebinar: Customer Experience

Whether you choose GoToMeeting or GoToWebinar for your team, you can rest assured that you'll be getting a combination of excellent customer care and security from the GoTo brand. GoTo provides 24/7 customer support.

Both GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar offer excellent admin-level control features, with the option to determine who should have access to what features during your meetings and presentations. GoTo also uses TLS protocols to protect all communications between various endpoints.

GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar offer 128-bit AES encryption, services are HIPAA compliant, and GoTo holds itself to the highest US and industry standards for cryptographic algorithms.

With GoToMeeting, you can start a free trial for your business with up to 50 attendees with no credit card required, then jump into paid services from $12 per month.

Features include:

HIPAA compliance
128-bit AES encryption and TLS protocols
High-level admin control features
Free trial and transparent pricing

With GoToWebinar, business leaders can easily adjust settings for all their presentations and adjust recording strategies for compliance purposes. APIs make it easy to build your Meeting solutions out with developer help, and there's a free trial available for up to 100 attendees, with no credit card required. Paid services start at $69 per month.

Features include: