Video Conferencing

Video conferencing has been a critical tool used for teaching, learning, and working remotely during the global pandemic and will continue to be an important resource going forward. Our primary video conferencing options on campus include Google Hangouts Meet and Zoom, view the comparison table below to see which option is best for you. Does your department need help ordering audio visual equipment? Get equipment recommendations and guidance here.

Whichever option you choose, here are some helpful resources for hosting remote or hybrid events:

Compare Options

Feature

Zoom

Google Meet
Account eligibility Zoom Licensed accounts
  • UC Berkeley faculty, and other academic titles, including Emeriti, 
  • Registered students 
  • Staff
  • UC Path Affiliates (except Staff Retirees)
  • Special Purpose Accounts
  • Additional Meet features available to* Plus license holders
Zoom Basic accounts
  • Not-registered students
  • Former members of the campus community, in their Grace Period.
  • UC Berkeley faculty, and other academic titles, including Emeriti, 
  • All students 
  • Staff
  • UC Path Affiliates, including Staff Retirees
  • Alumni who have registered for the @Cal alumni email service
  • Special Purpose Accounts
Host an online meeting  Licensed accounts: Host up to 300 people for up to 24 hours
  • >300 people available as add-on: view pricing
  • Basic accounts: Host up to 100 people for up to 40 minutes. Attend all meetings, regardless of duration.
Host a large event/seminar
  • In-Domain live streaming audience (100,000). Only UC Berkeley Google accounts can view.* Plus license needed
Dial-in phone number for attendees Toll dial-in number included; toll-free number with additional charge for host. Staff can purchase add-on for dial-in. view pricing
  • Every meeting automatically includes its own dial-in number and dial-out capability
  • International dial-in* Plus license needed
    		•
    Accessibility

    Zoom accessibility | Hosting accessible Zoom events

    		 Google Meet accessibility
    Recording meetings

    Recording sharing and storage options | Recording hosting policy

    		 Record meetings to Google Drive* Plus license needed
    Additional key features
    Cost Zoom Licensed accounts are funded by the Productivity Suite tax; additional license add-ons can be purchased through the Telecom Catalog System. Google Meet is covered under the Productivity Suite tax as part of our G Suite for Education offering.
    Securing your online meetings Any online meeting cannot be made fully secure by settings alone. Your actions are also critically important to prevent disruptions to your meetings. Key tips and best practices include:
    • Never post the connection details for a videoconference on a public site or social media (instead, distribute the details privately to people who RSVP).
    • Do not override the default security settings for Zoom and Meet. But if you have the need to switch back and forth between settings, consider using Zoom meeting templates.
    • Consider adding a Zoom waiting room as an extra layer of security. UC Berkeley Zoom accounts will now be able to disable the authentication requirements for meetings as long as a waiting room or passcode is enabled. Additionally, external participants will enter the waiting room by default. These settings can be changed in your account settings. Learn more
    • Make sure you know who a participant is before allowing them to share their screen.
    Review additional recommendations from Information Security Office: Settings for Securing Zoom and Office of Ethics: Privacy Considerations When Using Zoom.
    Resources for remote Academics and Work during COVID-19
    Learn more, training resources Setup Self-Help Updates to Zoom Setup Self-Help
    Contact the service provider Contact Support Report disruptive behavior in a UC Berkeley Zoom session: zoom-misuse@berkeley.edu

    Contact Support

    bconnected@berkeley.edu

    Service details

    Service category

    Email, Calendar and Collaboration

    Quick Links

    home buttonreport a security threat buttoncheck system status buttonsearch the knowledge base button

    Contact

    Log into Zoom

    Log into Meet

    Eligibility

    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • Students

    Etiquette & Best Practices

    For hosting and attending virtual meetings

    Hybrid vs Fully Remote Meetings

    Things to consider depending on participants and space.

    Zoom Recording Sharing & Storage Options

    Learn how to host accessible Zoom events

    Check your settings to prevent Zoom bombing

    Need help ordering equipment?

    View our video conferencing equipment recommendations.

    Related links