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Google Hangouts [EOL] pros and cons

Vendor: Google
4.1 out of 5
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Pros & Cons summary

Google Hangouts [EOL] offers screen sharing and integrates seamlessly with Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar. While it allows unlimited meeting durations, enhanced security and stability are required, especially during poor connections. It lacks virtual backgrounds, whiteboards, and improved call recording capabilities. Known for scalability, it efficiently accommodates many users. However, it struggles with device integration like Zoom. Reports show issues with disconnects and delays were a concern during the pandemic.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Google Hangouts is praised for its seamless screen sharing, allowing collaborative work on documents like Google Docs and Sheets.
Its integration with other Google solutions enhances scheduling and productivity, offering features like calendar integration, whiteboard, polls, and captions.
The ease of use and ease of setup make Google Hangouts a popular choice, as it doesn't require separate accounts or extensive configuration.
Google Meet, part of the Google Hangouts suite, offers excellent audio quality, robust feature sets, and no predefined meeting durations, providing flexibility in meeting management.
The platform's stability and scalability are highly valued, as it supports a large number of users and adapts well to varying internet bandwidths.

CONS

Google Hangouts has issues with disconnectivity and stability, making it less reliable for professional use compared to competitors like Microsoft Teams.
There is a lack of features for interacting with participants, such as screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and a virtual whiteboard.
The integration with other platforms and tools is limited, and it does not offer seamless compatibility with devices like smart TVs or browsers beyond Chrome.
Google Hangouts lacks a recording feature in the free version, which is a disadvantage compared to competitors like Zoom.
Improving voice quality during meetings is necessary, and there should be enhancements in handling poor connections automatically.
 

Google Hangouts [EOL] Pros review quotes

Sukanya Bharati - PeerSpot reviewer
Feb 13, 2023
I think that Google Meet allows for easy interaction and has additional features, such as background blurring, among others.
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reviewer1254288 - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 21, 2020
The screen sharing is the most valuable feature. It ties in with Google docs and Google sheets so that we can work on a single document as a whole group of us at once. That's the biggest feature we rely on.
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SH
Jan 29, 2024
The installation part of the product is easy since one generally needs to use a browser to use the product.
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Google Hangouts [EOL]
August 2025
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Gary Jolley - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 15, 2021
Google Hangouts is an excellent tool.
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PB
Feb 1, 2023
I find it valuable that Google Hangouts is a lightweight tool that doesn't take up a lot of memory and doesn't require a lot of resources.
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Olivier Bourdon - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 6, 2022
The solution is extremely stable.
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reviewer1374795 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 5, 2020
It is very easy to use and is available as soon as you open a Google account.
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reviewer936699 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 31, 2022
Communication platform that's effective in project planning, project status communication, and virtual meetings. Setting it up is straightforward.
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SG
Jul 13, 2020
The most valuable features are that you don't have to create a separate account, it's easy to use, and you don't have to enter an ID or password to start video conferencing.
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Kanchi Kh - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 18, 2023
The most valuable feature of Google Hangouts is there are no predefined or meeting durations. For example, Zoom meetings have a set duration, typically ranging from thirty minutes to an hour, whereas Google Meet meetings can continue indefinitely. Additionally, it is effortless to generate a meeting, whether it is a live session or for future use, and distribute your link to others, making these aspects appealing to me.
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Google Hangouts [EOL] Cons review quotes

Sukanya Bharati - PeerSpot reviewer
Feb 13, 2023
The product was quite unstable during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when we shared our screens, as it often resulted in a black screen.
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reviewer1254288 - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 21, 2020
The way it works with anonymous users should be improved. That could be strengthened to let anonymous users do more.
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SH
Jan 29, 2024
It would be better to have a feature for recording the meetings in Google Hangouts.
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Buyer's Guide
Google Hangouts [EOL]
August 2025
Free Report: Google Hangouts [EOL] Reviews and More
Learn what your peers think about Google Hangouts [EOL]. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
DOWNLOAD NOW
866,218 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Gary Jolley - PeerSpot reviewer
Dec 15, 2021
Google will not have two identical chat platforms. Google Chat is always a winner because it is compatible with my device.
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PB
Feb 1, 2023
Collaboration in Google Hangouts has room for improvement compared to Microsoft Teams. On Microsoft Teams, you can share a document directly and work on that document all at once, in real-time, with other team members, which isn't the case with Google Hangouts.
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Olivier Bourdon - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 6, 2022
We don’t have any complaints.
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reviewer1374795 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 5, 2020
I would like to see support for showing virtual backgrounds.
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reviewer936699 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 31, 2022
The stability of Google Hangouts could still be improved. How virtual backgrounds are handled also needs improvement.
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SG
Jul 13, 2020
Google Hangouts restricts you to those with a Gmail account.
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Kanchi Kh - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 18, 2023
Google Hangouts should add a feature to show how someone connects, such as via a laptop or phone. If you know if someone is using a laptop you can ask them to share their screen.
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Show 10 more reviews (out of 55)

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Popular Comparisons

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