As companies continue to search for reliable ways of keeping their teams connected in the new digital workplace, collaboration tools are more valuable then ever. Whether it’s video chat, instant messaging, or audio conferences, everyone has a strategy for managing remote meetings and interactions.
LogMeIn and Google are just two of the market leaders in the industry today, offering their own versions of a complete collaborative landscape.
For LogMeIn, the solution is GoToMeeting, a state-of-the-art environment combining everything from business telephony, to video conferencing and instant messaging.
For Google, the offering is Google Meet and Chat. Previously known as Google Hangouts Meet and Chat, these corresponding tools combine with the rest of the G-Suite to provide an all-in-one environment for teamwork.
So, which is right for you?
GoToMeeting Features
GoToMeeting is the solution designed by LogMeIn for today’s business conversations. The service is intended to make communication quick and easy, with the option to launch convenient conversations at the click of a button. The great thing about GoToMeeting is that anyone can use it without having to download any external software.
GoToMeeting makes it easy to host and join meetings, and there’s a 99.99% uptime guarantee for peace of mind. On top of that, you get integrations with dozens of other tools, including LogMeIn services like Jive VoIP, and external technology like Slack and Microsoft Teams. There are even toll-free multi-national numbers available too. Features include:
- Quick and easy meeting environments
- Simple to join without any downloads
- Meeting calendars and scheduling (including integrations to Google and Microsoft)
- One-click video and recording services
- Integrations with Microsoft Teams, Docebo, Slack, and many more
- Access to VoIP telephony through Jive
- Personal and HD meeting rooms
- Call Me functionality
- Global presence with local dial-in numbers
One of the most compelling solutions for companies that want to meet with internal and external collaborators fast, GoToMeeting makes daily discussions a breeze.
Google Features
Google used to refer to its collaboration tools as Google Hangouts Meet and Chat. However, recently, the company decided to drop the “Hangouts” aspect from its branding. This means that the videoconferencing tool is now Google Meet, and the conversational app is Google Chat. The consumer version of the communication tools still go under the Hangouts brand.
Despite the change of name, the functionality of the Google Meet and Chat tools remain largely the same. These two services interact both with each other, and the rest of the G-Suite environment, to provide a comprehensive environment for digital teamwork. Users can use Meet for instance video conferencing on any device, and chat for easy co-annotation, chatting and file sharing.
As part of the G-Suite solution, Hangouts also gives businesses the freedom to connect with their employees at the touch of a button, sharing links and requests through Gmail and calendar. There are also dedicated smartphone apps for the two services too. Features include:
- HD Voice and Video calling
- Auto screen focusing
- Instant messaging tools
- Google application integrations
- Intelligent muting
- File and screen sharing
- Custom admin control options
- Private or group messaging
- Access to various integrations
- Searchable history
Google vs GoToMeeting: Experience
Both Google and LogMeIn are committed to delivering a comprehensive collaboration solution for their customers. This means not just offering easy-to-access video collaboration, and chat, but also a host of other features too.
For instance, GoToMeeting users can also explore the benefits provided by things like GoToTraining to enhance their remote education environments, or GoToWebinar, for online presentations. LogMeIn’s integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack also provide an easy environment where organisations can build their own communication strategies. What’s more, access to things like Jive VoIP mean that business phone technology is available too.
Alternatively, Google offers Meet and Chat as part of a comprehensive and easy-to-use productivity environment. Working alongside other essential tools like Google Docs for file sharing and Gmail for email correspondence, Meet and Chat help businesses to stay connected in the digital landscape. Google also offers access to a range of extensions for the business landscape, including Google Contact Centre AI.
On top of that, Google and GoToMeeting also focus on delivering state-of-the-art security and privacy measures to businesses too. This ensures that you can continue to access the collaborative tools that you need without compromising on compliance.
Google vs. GoToMeeting: Integrations
Part of what makes both GoToMeeting and Google’s Meet and Chat tools so accessible and appealing to today’s companies, is the fact that they’re expandable. LogMeIn is constantly expanding it’s GoTo marketplace with new integrations and expansions intended for the modern business. There are options to connect your service with Google and Outlook calendar for easier scheduling, Docebo for LMS, and Microsoft Teams.
Google also has a range of fantastic integrations to offer, including support for everything from Slack and Zendesk, to Flowdock and beyond. These integrations, combined with the fact that you can access the full range of G-Suite’s tools, means that businesses can build an all-in-one environment for their day-to-day collaboration.
Going forward, as businesses continue to search for greater flexibility in their communication stack, tools like Google and GoToMeeting are likely to embrace even more integrations and expansion opportunities.
Google vs. GoToMeeting: Which is Right for You?
It’s often difficult to choose any kind of critical communication tool in today’s business landscape. All companies have different needs and expectations to consider. However, in the case of Google vs LogMeIn, there seems to be a few indicators of areas where one tool may be better than the other.
For instance, GoToMeeting is a fantastic solution for small businesses already using aspects of the LogMeIn environment, like Jive VoIP and GoToWebinar. It could also represent a useful opportunity for teams that need to collaborate with external contractors.
Alternatively, Google seems to be an ideal choice for those familiar with the G-Suite. If you already use Google Docs and Slides in your daily operations, then embracing Meet and Chat will be a natural next step for your team.
Which tool(s) do you use? Let us know in the comments below.
