HCL Sametime vs Webex comparison

HCLSoftware and Cisco are both solutions in the Virtual Meetings category. HCLSoftware is ranked #19 with an average rating of 8.0, while Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 7.9. HCLSoftware holds a 0.5% mindshare in VM, compared to Cisco’s 16.2% mindshare. Additionally, 75% of HCLSoftware users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

HCL Sametime

Read 5 HCL Sametime reviews

192 Views
102 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Webex

Read 125 Webex reviews

1,960 Views
1,882 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

HCL Sametime

Webex

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 3, 2025

Webex and HCL Sametime both compete in the communication and collaboration space. While Webex is seen as more advantageous in pricing and support, HCL Sametime offers superior features, making it a worthwhile investment.

Features: Webex provides robust video conferencing, cross-platform integration, and real-time collaboration tools. HCL Sametime excels in messaging capabilities, presence awareness, and offers extensive customization options.

Room for Improvement: Webex could enhance its real-time messaging features, improve customization options, and refine user interface for easier navigation. HCL Sametime needs to improve its video conferencing quality, integration capabilities with external platforms, and simplify initial setup procedures.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Webex offers easy cloud-based deployment and has dedicated support services, making setup straightforward. HCL Sametime provides both cloud and on-premises deployment, offering flexibility but requires a more involved setup process, which may appeal to those who need in-depth customization.

Pricing and ROI: Webex offers lower upfront costs with a subscription model that is seen as cost-effective for immediate needs. HCL Sametime might require larger initial investments but promises a good return on investment in the long run through its customizable solutions.

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

Buyer's Guide

HCL Sametime vs. Webex

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

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

Webex

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

2nd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

125

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Virtual Meetings category, the mindshare of HCL Sametime is 0.5%, down from 0.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Webex is 16.2%, up from 15.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Meetings

Featured Reviews

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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Wajid Khattak

Procurement Officer at Emerging Systems

Easy to use, enables remote meetings, and saves time and money

We deployed the product in our headquarters and connected our four plants. It enables us to meet remotely. We use the tool for remote meetings. I work in the manufacturing sector The product is easy to use. We are very comfortable with it. The video call features are compatible with different…

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The security was quite good."

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

"It is a scalable solution."

"The camera moves in tandem with the person who is using it to communicate with the other participants."

"The transcripts from Webex calls get delivered to the inbox five minutes after the call. However, out of 20 people on a call, maybe only one person bothers to read through the entire transcript, which can be lengthy for an hour-long call."

"The important feature is breakout sessions. We can create a breakout session if you want to hold a conference and make a room only for some people at the meeting."

"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to integrate with multiple products."

"Team members do not need to use public solutions to collaborate on complex projects, share files and screens."

"The product's initial setup phase is very straightforward."

"It is a valuable solution for virtual meetings."

More Webex pros

Cons

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

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

"The interface of Webex should be improved and it is difficult to find information."

"Webex could improve the calling feature. It would be helpful to be able to call outside the IP environment."

"Zoom entered into the commercial space for end-users. It's more of a solution for single users for training classes or music centers and all that. Cisco is not in that space."

"Some concerns are raised by the company's team when it comes to the screen portion of the tool. There is a need to hire engineers to deal with the aforementioned issue."

"When I use it personally, not in my enterprise, there is a time limit of about 60 minutes. After one hour, the call gets cut off. This limit should be increased."

"Sometimes we've had issues with the connection."

"The high price of the product is an area of concern where improvements are required."

"I do not like the solutions functions."

More Webex cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"The charges attached to the subscriptions of the product are okay. There are no extra charges to be paid in addition to the standard licensing fees."

"The price of the license for the solution could be less expensive."

"Features matter more than the price for us. As long as we get all the features we want and it fits our budget, then the price doesn't matter. I can't speak for other companies. We have tried other applications, and we run into some problems that we don't see in Webex."

"The pricing of this solution is fine and I am satisfied with it."

"We paid for our Webex license as a bundle."

"The tool's licensing is expensive, but it should be cheaper."

"I use the free version, not the enterprise version. The only compelling reason to go for paid WebEx pay is if you're hosting large meetings."

"There are no licensing fees."

More Webex pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

13%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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.

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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.

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What do you like most about Webex?

Webex improved our overall team collaboration.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Webex?

Webex is expensive. If it weren't that expensive, we would probably use it for all our telecommunication needs, not just for telemedicine.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Webex?

Usability needs improvement. Webex is more complex compared to Zoom ( /products/zoom-reviews ). Zoom ( /products/zoom-reviews ) has a big advantage in simplicity, especially for the other side to c...

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Comparisons

No data available

Skype for Business vs Webex

Compared 32% of the time

Cisco Meeting Server vs Webex

Compared 17% of the time

Zoom vs Webex

Compared 17% of the time

Adobe Connect vs Webex

Compared 12% of the time

TeamViewer vs Webex

Compared 10% of the time

More Webex Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Meetings

June 2025

Download HCL Sametime product report

Buyer's Guide

Webex

June 2025

Download Webex product report

Also Known As

Lotus Sametime, IBM Lotus Sametime

Cisco Spark

Overview

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

Webex is designed to help companies improve communication and increase productivity with unlimited HD video meetings in shared meeting spaces.

Companies can use Webex, a Cisco product, to collaborate with peers, share documents and other information, create high-impact webinars and online events, and present dynamic online courses. It can be tailored to your exact company needs and can be fully integrated with mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry.

Cisco

Sample Customers

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

Seagate Technology, Kohn Pedersen Fox, World Vision International, Glen Raven, University of Notre Dame, CEV Multimedia, The Food Group, LUMEDX, California Baptist University, and Georgetown University Law Center.

Buyer's Guide

HCL Sametime vs. Webex

July 2025

Free Report: HCL Sametime vs. Webex

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