With online meetings and video calls gaining traction across the world, various apps have emerged or become more popular to offer these services. From Zoom to FaceTime, you may be torn between which one to choose. And one pressing question from users is whether Zoom is better than FaceTime in remote areas.
Zoom is better than FaceTime in remote areas. Face Time frequently buffers in remote areas, and Zoom does not. They both have been tested and are on the same ISP, so it should not differ. For someone who has been using an Apple iPhone for years, there is definitely a difference.
If you have a hard time choosing which of these apps to use in a remote area, this guide is what you need. Read on to learn more about the app’s distinctive features and which of the two is more suitable for use in remote areas.
App Reliability and Access In Remote Areas
Reliability in remote areas is probably the most critical factors in considering any application. Often the only access you have to outside civilization in remote places in the world; if you can get cellular or an ethernet signal at all is an app like FaceTime or Zoom. That is the good and bad news of our times.
Having an app like Zoom or FaceTime is also a fantastic gift and the good news, thanks to our current technology. Not only does it make a face to face business meetings, classrooms, and everything in between available to us whenever we need them. It also makes the same available to us personally, even if it is just a simple conversation with a spouse, child, parent, or friend.
The use of such applications went off the scale in the 2020 pandemic. At the end of December 2019, the app reported a maximum of 10 million daily users. By March 2020, over 200 million people were on it each day.
Understanding Zoom vs. FaceTime
Although there are various factors, you would need to consider between the Apps. They are issues like how many people are expected in the meeting, their devices, and what key features you will use. Pricing may also affect your app choice, depending on your budget.
Zoom
The Zoom setup is an easy to use app that integrates simple online meetings, video conferencing, and group messaging all in a single cloud-based platform. It is ideal for hosting webinars, conducting online training, teaching online classes, holding virtual meetings, video demonstrations, and video conferencing.
It is designed to hold up to 100 interactive participants for a free plan and 1,000 participants concurrently for more extensive meetings with add-ons on a paid package. Zoom webinars can hold up to 10,000 view-only attendees and can stretch to a maximum of 50,000 upon request.
The Zoom progream is known for its quality video and audio as well as screen-sharing capabilities.
Apple FaceTime
Apples FaceTime is a video messaging platform popular among iOS users. It is designed to allow face-to-face conversations between people using iPhone, iPad, Mac computer, or iPod touch. This app is suitable for virtual and one on one business meetings. You can invite up to 32 interactive participants for a group FaceTime call.
Let’s now look at the main distinguishing features between these two apps:
| ZOOM | FACETIME | |
| Pricing | FreeMonthly payment | FreeOne-off payment |
| Device compatibility | Supports Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and web-based devices. | Supports only iOS devices such as iPads, iPhones, and Mac. |
| Target clients | Small, medium, and large enterprise | Small, medium, and large enterprises. It also works well for freelancers. |
| Technical support | Email, phone, live support, ticket | Email, phone, training, tickets |
| Unique features | Video webinarPremium audioGroup collaborationIntegrated schedulingZoom meetings and roomCloud-based and local recording | Elegant interfaceEasy-to-organize contactsHigh definition videosRing anywhere anytime |
Pricing
Price is a vital factor to consider when comparing Zoom and FaceTime apps.
FaceTime Pricing
FaceTime doesn’t have monthly premiums; instead, it requires a one-off payment. It is available for download from the Apple iTunes store for just $0.99.
Zoom Pricing
the Zoom program comes with a free plan as well paid plans renewable monthly. The free Zoom plan has its limitations in that it only allows you to host 100 participants concurrently, with each schedule having a time limit of 40 minutes.
If you intend to hold small meetings and don’t want to subscribe to the paid package, you can use the free version, for which you’ll need to keep on rescheduling after every 40 minutes. This rescheduling applies only if the other participants are comfortable with it. However, it doesn’t portray a good professional image.
If the free plan doesn’t work for you, you can sign up for the affordable paid packages. These packages range from $14.99 per month per license to $19.99. Each of these packages come with added features such as :
Basic: Ideal for Personal Meetings
Free
- Hosts up to 100 participants
- Each meeting lasts for 40 minutes.
- Unlimited one-on-one meetings
Pro: Best for Small Teams or Meetings
$14.99/month/license
- Hosts up to 100 participants
- You can increase participants to 1,000 with large meetings add-ons
- Social media streaming
- Sessions can last up to 30 hours
- 1 GB cloud recording per license
Business: Ideal for Small and Medium Businesses
$19.99/month/license
- Can host up to 300 participants
- Can increase participants to 1,000 using large meetings add ons
- Recording transcripts
- Company branding
- Managed domains
- Includes all the features of pro
Enterprise: Ideal for Large Enterprises
$19.99/month/license
- Hosts up to 500 participants
- The number of participants can increase to 1,000 with large meeting add-ons.
- Recording transcripts
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Includes all features of the business plan
Device Compatibility
When it comes to compatibility with other devices, Zoom wins hands down over FaceTime. It is compatible with Android, iOs, and web-based devices. Generally, Zoom is compatible with almost all smartphone devices. On the other hand, FaceTime is restricted for use only on Apple iOS devices.
Therefore, if you are in a remote area and intend to connect with people outside the iOS ecosystem, Zoom is the best option for you. Zoom has the upper hand when it comes to device compatibility, especially in remote areas.
We discuss many related questions in our articles “What Is 8K on a Smartphone’s Camera?” or “Do You Need the Latest iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro Camera?”
App’s Meeting Capacity
When making your decision, keep in mind the number of participants you intend to host. The basic (free) Zoom plan can accommodate up to 100 participants, while the paid packages can extend up to 1,000 with large meeting add-ons.
With FaceTime, you can host up to 32 participants. If all you need is a simple video messaging app for small business meetings or catching up with a few of your colleagues or family within the iOS network, FaceTime will be ideal for you. However, you should note that FaceTime does not support screen sharing, and you may need third party services to do so.
For larger, more professional meetings, go for the Zoom app.
Outstanding Features
It is also important to consider the features you get from each app. Zoom is designed for a more professional audience. It boasts of features and capabilities that meet the needs of the most demanding users. They include recording video meetings, muting participants, sharing screens, creating polls, having an integrated chat per meeting session, and virtual hand raising to request a chance to speak.
On the other hand, FaceTime is limited in terms of features. It has a simple design with the essential elements for communication. For example, it allows you to make video or audio calls by merely pulling up a participant’s name from your contacts list, provided they are using an Apple device.
Another exciting feature in Zoom is the virtual background that you can utilize to hide your actual location. For example, if your remote area’s background scene isn’t ideal, you can cover it up using Zoom’s virtual background feature. This feature allows you to upload a photo or video to create a virtual background.
Zoom vs. FaceTime: Which Is Better In Remote Areas?
The answer to this question depends on what’s convenient to you. The features listed above are just a glimpse of what Zoom has to offer. It also has many other features depending on the package you intend to use, whether Zoom Free, Pro, Business, or Enterprise.
FaceTime can be convenient in remote areas if all the participants are on iOS devices. Additionally, it is simple to use as it doesn’t have many more complex features present in Zoom.
Zoom is compatible with most devices, which is essential in a remote area. The idea of changing Zoom’s background is also fun and a plus. Zoom’s main downside is the time limit (40 minutes) on the free plan. However, you can avoid this by signing up for the affordable paid-for packages.
The Conclusion is Zoom Better Than FaceTime in Remote Areas?
FaceTime for personal calls is straightforward if you are already an Apple user. If you are on a phone call with someone, you just press the Red center face time button on the bottom of your screen, and you are now in a real-time video call. Or open the app, tap on the contact you want to call, and FaceTime them for a video call.
For video, conferencing Zoom seems to outdo FaceTime in many ways and not just in remote areas. Even its basic plan has more features than FaceTime. Additionally, it generally has more features that make meeting sessions more real and manageable. Dependability, device compatibility, screen sharing, and interaction are features that are either better or Facetime does not have. So Zoom is better overall and especially on a meeting level.
However, whether Zoom is better than FaceTime for you in remote areas depends on factors such as:
- Your personal preferences
- Pricing
- Device compatibility
- Meeting Capacity
- Unique features and target clients
References:
iPhone User Guide: Make a Group FaceTime call on iPhone