Google Hangouts vs HCL Sametime comparison

Google and HCLSoftware are both solutions in the Virtual Meetings category. Google is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.3, while HCLSoftware is ranked #19 with an average rating of 8.0. Google holds a 0.6% mindshare in VM, compared to HCLSoftware ’s 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Google users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 75% of HCLSoftware users who would recommend it.

Google Hangouts

Read 57 Google Hangouts reviews

703 Views
703 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

HCL Sametime

Read 5 HCL Sametime reviews

192 Views
102 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Google Hangouts

HCL Sametime

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 3, 2025

HCL Sametime and Google Hangouts are competing in the communication solutions category. Data suggests Google Hangouts has the upper hand due to its wider feature range and user satisfaction with value for money.

Features: HCL Sametime includes persistent chat, video conferencing, and strong security protocols aimed at enterprises. Google Hangouts stands out with seamless integration with Google's ecosystem, compatibility across a broad range of devices, and user-friendly communication tools.

Room for Improvement: HCL Sametime can improve its integration with third-party applications and ease of use for non-enterprise users, and could benefit from a more intuitive user interface. Google Hangouts could enhance its security features, expand its data export options, and offer more advanced meeting management tools.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Google Hangouts offers a straightforward deployment process within Google Suite, making it easy for existing users of Google's services. HCL Sametime might require more complex implementation, ideal for enterprises needing dedicated support, benefiting from IBM's customer service expertise.

Pricing and ROI: HCL Sametime represents a higher enterprise-level investment focusing on security and coordination, reflecting in its pricing. In contrast, Google Hangouts provides a cost-effective solution with high ROI due to its inclusion in Google Workspace.

To learn more, read our detailed Google Hangouts vs. HCL Sametime Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Google Hangouts vs. HCL Sametime

July 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Google Hangouts

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

HCL Sametime

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

19th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Virtual Meetings category, the mindshare of Google Hangouts is 0.6%, down from 0.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HCL Sametime is 0.5%, down from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Meetings

Featured Reviews

ANIS QURESHI

Senior Specialist- IT Systems Management at GAL

Quick and seamless meeting setup offers a smooth experience

I sometimes use Google Hangouts for my personal meetings only I find that Google Hangouts is very quick and easy to create a meeting, which is its biggest benefit. It doesn't have a 40-minute limitation unlike Zoom. It is easy to set up as well, taking just a couple of minutes. So far, I think…

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Bogdan Chechlowski

Kierownik Biura Informatyki at EIB SA

Stable product, communicate very fast and allows to see who's online in the office or work environment

It was used for communication through text messages, primarily Being able to see who was online and communicate very fast was a good feature. The security was quite good. However, when we tried to implement it for email at a high level, we had to use another solution, FortiMail Gateway. I view…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We use transcriptions to document meetings, which is important for productivity."

"The facility is always online and very easy to share the screen using the solution."

"What I like best about Google Hangouts is its integration with other Google solutions, so scheduling is easy because you have the calendar. It also has a whiteboard feature. I also like its polling feature and that it even has a captioning feature."

"I find the sound quality of Google Meet a valuable feature. You can join Google Meet with just your phone. You only need the link of the meeting to join."

"The installation part of the product is easy since one generally needs to use a browser to use the product."

"Google Hangouts is easy to use and intuitive."

"The product is stable."

"The initial setup is very easy."

More Google Hangouts pros

"I can view the status and availability of colleagues or team members, which makes it easy to approach them when they are available."

"The security was quite good."

Cons

"There is no delete option for messages which could be an added feature in a future release."

"I would like for the platform to have a call recording feature in the free version."

"Maybe they should offer more security features."

"We purchased a videoconference system called Zoom. We want to see if Google Hangouts has the ability to integrate our Zoom device to use it with Hangouts and meet directly."

"The product was quite unstable during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when we shared our screens, as it often resulted in a black screen."

"Sending documents and other things is not an option."

"I think the version that I'm using doesn't allow recording. I guess it's more of a licensing issue than anything else, and it needs to be improved."

"The user interface is an area with shortcomings and needs improvement."

More Google Hangouts cons

"It lacks some features compared to modern solutions. For example, it doesn't allow sending screenshots or other files."

"The webinar should be integrated into Sametime for a larger number of participants."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I use the free version of the solution."

"We are using the free version of Google Hangouts."

"I don't need to buy Google Hangouts separately because it comes free with Google Workspace, and it is also available for my personal Gmail ID."

"I believe my company has a yearly license for Google Hangouts, but I'm not sure because this is a corporate account, so I don't have the details."

"We access the solution through Google Workspace. It is inexpensive to use."

"We are a small team and a small organization such as ours just uses the free version of Google, so there's no cost associated with Google Hangouts at the moment."

"The screen-sharing feature is the most valuable feature."

"This solution is available for free with the opening of a Google account."

More Google Hangouts pricing and cost advice

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

71%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Performing Arts

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Google Hangouts?

It's integration with Google is the valuable feature.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Hangouts?

I think the price is okay for us.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Hangouts?

One improvement could be integration with Google Calendar to help find available timeslots when scheduling meetings with many participants.

See all answers

What needs improvement with HCL Sametime?

I view it as part of HCL Notes and Domino, and my opinion is similar to those products. It lacks some features compared to modern solutions. For example, it doesn't allow sending screenshots or oth...

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What is your primary use case for HCL Sametime?

It was used for communication through text messages, primarily.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering HCL Sametime?

Overall, it was quite good. I would rate it an eight out of ten. It's a better product than some others from HCL, but overall, I wouldn't recommend it, given the availability of superior alternatives.

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Google Hangouts

July 2025

Download Google Hangouts product report

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Meetings

June 2025

Download HCL Sametime product report

Also Known As

No data available

Lotus Sametime, IBM Lotus Sametime

Overview

Hangouts Chat makes it easy for teams to be able to get their work done in one place. From direct messages to group conversations, Chat helps teams collaborate easily and efficiently.

Google

HCL Sametime. Secure Conversations Across Any Device

Your company can’t afford to take any data risks, but your teams still need to be able to interact and react quickly, wherever they are working. Sametime offers modern instant messaging, file-sharing, and online meetings with the proven security your business can trust.

HCLSoftware

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Connect2Cloud, Superior Group, Daifuku Co. Ltd., Seaward, The City of Fort Worth, Christian Brothers Services, Berlitz, Deutsche Notes User Group, Danske Fysioterapeuter, Slumberland, La Vacanza, Rheinmetall AG

Buyer's Guide

Google Hangouts vs. HCL Sametime

July 2025

Free Report: Google Hangouts vs. HCL Sametime

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