IBM Cloud Video vs Polycom RealPresence Desktop comparison

IBM and Poly are both solutions in the Virtual Meetings category. IBM is ranked #39, while Poly is ranked #18 with an average rating of 7.0. IBM holds a 0.3% mindshare in VM, compared to Poly’s 2.0% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Poly users who would recommend it.

IBM Cloud Video

Read 1 IBM Cloud Video review

60 Views
28 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Polycom RealPresence Desktop

Read 1 Polycom RealPresence Desktop review

275 Views
128 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Cloud Video

Polycom RealPresence Desktop

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM Cloud Video and Polycom RealPresence Desktop based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Zoom Video Communications, Cisco, Microsoft and others in Virtual Meetings.

To learn more, read our detailed Virtual Meetings Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Meetings

April 2025

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Helped 850,760 peers since 2012

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

IBM Cloud Video

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

39th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

CDN (31st)

Polycom RealPresence Desktop

Ranking in Virtual Meetings

18th

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Virtual Meetings category, the mindshare of IBM Cloud Video is 0.3%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Polycom RealPresence Desktop is 2.0%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Virtual Meetings

Featured Reviews

RONALD Lim

Co-Founder & Events Producer at Think Event

Great user interface and easy to implement

I like the corporate looking user interface for the audience and very straight forward log-in process too. The user interface of other solutions such as GoToWebinar can be confusing for a less tech-savvy audience. IBM has thoroughly thought through everything and the flexibility to integrate the API to expand the registration gateway allows us to have an extra layer of security. Furthermore, the brand IBM is reputable in the market for its data and network security.

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Norm Hubert

VTC Network manager at a government with 10,001+ employees

Regular use enables effective communication with room for improvement in interoperability

The most valuable part of the desktop is the ability to make voice and video calls. Without getting too technical or divulging too much due to the environment we are in, it allows us to further our reach, from a traditional video conferencing room. Scalability was easy. It was based on calls, not licenses.

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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

"I like the user interface. There aren't too many buttons that the audience will have to fiddle with."

"It allows us to further our reach, from a traditional video conferencing room."

Cons

"They should improve the registration gateway. Currently, you can't do a pre-event registration that's straightforward. You have to do an API to integrate. It would be a lot easier if they had that."

"There is probably room for improvement in interoperability."

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Questions from the Community

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Polycom RealPresence Desktop?

The solution is built right into Clarity.

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What needs improvement with Polycom RealPresence Desktop?

There is probably room for improvement in interoperability.

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What is your primary use case for Polycom RealPresence Desktop?

We use the desktop. It was used in the same case. We use it with our partners.

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Comparisons

No data available

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Compared 38% of the time

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Compared 33% of the time

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Compared 29% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Meetings

April 2025

Download IBM Cloud Video product report

Buyer's Guide

Virtual Meetings

April 2025

Download Polycom RealPresence Desktop product report

Also Known As

IBM Ustream

RealPresence Desktop

Overview

With cognitive and AI infused technologies, IBM Cloud Video empowers customers to enhance live and on-demand video opportunities, and maximize viewer engagement.

IBM

Polycom RealPresence Desktop is a powerful, enterprise-grade video chat app for PC & Mac. The video conferencing software extends communications beyond the typical conference room setting to mobile professionals. RealPresence Desktop combines quality HD video, industry-leading interoperability, and security that is both cost effective and highly scalable.

When powered by Polycom's infrastructure, customers can extend desktop collaboration value with app management, interoperability, scalability, resiliency, and multi-point calling.

Poly

Sample Customers

Airbnb, N3 Results, University of Notre Dame

John Laing, China Daily, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, NATO Communications and Information Agency, NHS Home Dialysis, Silver Chain, South Carolina Department of Mental Health, nimed

Find out what your peers are saying about Zoom Video Communications, Cisco, Microsoft and others in Virtual Meetings. Updated: April 2025.

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We monitor all Virtual Meetings reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.