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Software · head to head

Webex by Cisco vs Zoom

Webex by Cisco logo

Webex by Cisco

Software

A simpler, smarter way to work

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoom logo

Zoom

Software

Video conferencing that's easy, reliable, and secure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Webex by Cisco listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL); Zoom cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features
  • They diverge on capability: Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Zoom covers HD video & audio.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Webex by Cisco and Zoom actually diverge.

Attributes where Webex by Cisco and Zoom differ
AttributeWebex by CiscoZoom
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Founded19842011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Webex by Cisco

  • Video and audio conferencing
  • Screen sharing and annotation
  • Recording and playback
  • Meeting transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Breakout sessions
  • Google Workspace

Only in Zoom

  • HD video & audio
  • Screen sharing
  • Recording & transcripts
  • Breakout rooms
  • Polling & Q&A
  • Chat
  • Whiteboard
  • Google Calendar

Both cover

  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Salesforce
  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Outlook
  • SOC2

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Webex by Cisco

  • Video conferencingnot Zoom
  • Webinars
  • Virtual events
  • Trainingnot Zoom
  • Enterprise communicationnot Zoom

Zoom

  • Team meetingsnot Webex by Cisco
  • Webinars
  • Virtual events
  • Online trainingnot Webex by Cisco
  • Telehealthnot Webex by Cisco

Both are used for webinars, virtual events, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Webex by Cisco

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

Zoom

  • Cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features
  • Feature set is overwhelming with complex navigation and too many options
  • Limited analytics and coaching features compared to dedicated contact center platforms
  • Call recording and admin oversight lack strict governance needed for regulated industries

Pricing, plan by plan

Webex by Cisco

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited 1:1 meetings
    • Group meetings (40 min limit, 100 participants)
    • HD video
  • Pro$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings (500 participants)
    • Cloud recording and storage
    • Advanced scheduling
  • Business$18/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced security
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom deployment

Zoom

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 100 participants
    • 40-minute group meetings
    • Unlimited 1-on-1 meetings
  • Pro$14.99/month
    • 100 participants
    • 30-hour group meetings
    • Cloud recording (5GB)
  • Business$19.99/month
    • 300 participants
    • Single sign-on
    • Recording transcripts
  • Enterprise$25/month
    • 500 participants
    • Advanced admin features
    • Executive business review

Which should you pick?

Choose Webex by Cisco if

  • You need video and audio conferencing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want screen sharing and annotation.
Webex by Cisco review

Choose Zoom if

  • You need hd video & audio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want screen sharing.
Zoom review

Questions people ask

Is Webex by Cisco or Zoom better?
Neither clearly leads. Webex by Cisco starts at Free and Zoom at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Webex by Cisco or Zoom?
Webex by Cisco starts at Free and Zoom at Free.
Does Webex by Cisco or Zoom run on more platforms?
Webex by Cisco runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Zoom runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use Webex by Cisco for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Webex by Cisco best used for?
Webex by Cisco is most often used for video conferencing, webinars, virtual events, training. Of those, video conferencing and training are not what Zoom is typically brought in for.
What can Webex by Cisco do that Zoom cannot?
Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Screen sharing and annotation, Recording and playback, Meeting transcription. Zoom covers HD video & audio, Screen sharing, Recording & transcripts, Breakout rooms. Both handle Virtual backgrounds, Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zoom: What are Zoom's main pricing tiers?

Zoom offers a free Basic plan with 40-minute limits for group meetings, Pro at $14.16/user/month, Business at $15.58/user/month with 300 participant capacity, and Enterprise with custom pricing. Additional costs apply for Phone ($10.50/user/month), Webinars, and Rooms.

Source
Zoom: What integrations does Zoom support?

Zoom integrates with Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Zendesk, and many other business applications, though integration depth varies by partner.

Source
Zoom: Can Zoom be used for webinars?

Yes, Zoom Webinars is available as a separate product starting at $66.67 per month, providing larger audience capabilities and specialized webinar features.

Source
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