Video Conferencing

Video conferencing is a critical tool used for teaching, learning, and working remotely during the global pandemic. 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. Be sure to practice good video conferencing etiquette and take privacy considerations into account to host a great meeting.

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
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.
  • Up to 100 people standard
Host a large event/seminar
  • Feature not available
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. 
Accessibility Zoom accessibility Google Meet accessibility
Additional key features
Cost Zoom Licensed accounts are funded by the Productivity Suite tax and Student Tech fee; 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.
  • 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 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
Video and Media

Quick Links

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

Contact

Eligibility

  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Students

Check Your Settings to Prevent Zoom-Bombing

Video Conferencing Etiquette Best Practices

Related links