Zoom

 Zoom focuses on delivering high-quality video, so you can invite a Collective onto a ‘call’ and see and hear each other.  Everyone can speak, hear and contribute. 

Zoom is an industry-standard tool and comes with more features than a Collective will need, but the quality of video and audio is higher, which is one of its key benefits.  

To use it, all users will need to download Zoom onto their computer or device, but once it’s been downloaded once this is a very simple option.  

Zoom offers a free account, which limits your calls to 40-minutes.  To remove that limit it costs $14.99/month. 

This amount is only payable by the ‘host’, your Collective participants don’t need to pay anything, but may need a user guide to help get them set up for the first time.  

Pros

•  You can host large numbers on Zoom.

•  There are no limits to the number of meetings you can have.

Cons

• Collectives would be limited to 40 minutes on the free version, BUT you could just re-invite people after the 40 minutes is up.

• Participants need to download Zoom and become accustomed to how it works.

  Start with Zoom OR  Help with Zoom

Google Hangouts

Google’s option requires you to have a google account, which is free to create. It works in the browser, but also has mobile and tablet apps you can download.

The Collective leader starts a call and can either invite people in or can circulate a link to Collective members that they can click on and join the video call.

Pros

• Hangouts is free, and if you’re used to using Google and Android products, it can be a very natural fit.

• Simple and high quality

• Free

Cons

• Google Hangouts works with your existing contacts, but you can share a link to your Collective if you don’t have everyone’s google email address.

• Video quality is not as high as Zoom.

Start with Google Hangouts  OR  Help with Google Hangouts

Skype 

Skype has been around for a while and the majority of people are familiar with the name, even if they don’t use it.  Skype has continued to improve it’s call quality since it first launched and is a stable and useful tool.

 You don’t need a skype account to use it.  It’s now possible to send a link to anyone, which they can use to access a group call.  As with Zoom and Hangouts, you can use this on a mobile device. 

Pros

• People are familiar with the name. 

•  Free for up to 50 people.

• Participants don’t need a skype account.

Cons

•  Quality is not as high as other free options.

• Layout and registration can be confusing.

Start with Skype  OR  Help with Skype

Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is more than just a chat feature.  It also has the ability to allow groups and individuals to create a video call, without charge.  

Pros

• Uses a platform that many are already used to. 

•  Can work easily if your Collective already has a private Facebook Group.

• Free

• Works with up to 50 people

Cons

• You can only see 6 people at a time on the screen.

• You need a Facebook account to use this and not everyone uses Facebook, so this may make this option inaccessible to some.

Start with Facebook Messenger  OR  Help with Facebook Messenger

This guidance is adapted from the Vineyard Churches website, found here. Thank you Vineyard Churches!