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Olivier Bourdon - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Software Developer at a computer software company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Great for virtual meetings, screen sharing, and showing demos
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is extremely stable."
  • "We don’t have any complaints."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for virtual meetings. We have a daily meeting each and every morning and that’s where we share where we are in the project and what we are developing, the issues we are experiencing and everything. Sometimes we also run remote interviews for people who would like to join our company. That's basically it.

What is most valuable?

We have a very basic usage of it. We don't use it as much as it could be leveraged. The item that we use most is sharing the screen and showing demos, however, there’s nothing really fancy on this side.

What needs improvement?

The solution completely fulfills our needs. We don’t have any complaints.

For how long have I used the solution?

I started using the solution in 2015. I’m still using it.

Buyer's Guide
Google Hangouts [EOL]
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about Google Hangouts [EOL]. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is extremely stable. There are no bugs or glitches and it doesn’t crash or freeze. I have more issues with my own ADSL line than the infrastructure itself.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

At the beginning, we were around seven people joining, so it was good for the team that we had. I have attended some conferences using this tool where we were over 100 people connected at the same time and there was absolutely no issue. It's got quite good scalability.

Now, we have only three people left in the company and we have an intern sometimes, so we can go from three to six at most in terms of users.

How are customer service and support?

We’ve never had to escalate any issues to technical support. We haven’t had significant issues like that.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We also use Slack. We use a lot of Google solutions as our corporate mail is Gmail. I’ve also used Skype (as a corporate account) and Zoom. That was in previous companies. Zoom was okay, however, as far as my computer was concerned, it was 100% CPU usage, so I don't like it so much. We had some issues sometimes sharing when I had several screens on my desk. Sometimes when you don't share a good screen, it's very difficult to come back. With Skype, it has been a long time since I have used it. However, I recall it was very basic. It doesn't have the same capabilities as seen in Google Hangouts.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very basic. I just clicked on the link in an email, and it just fired up on my Mac. I didn't have to do anything.

As end-users, we don’t have to deal with maintenance.

What about the implementation team?

I’m unsure as to if it was done in-house. It’s just a corporate Google account, and that's it.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I don’t deal with licensing. I’m not sure what the costs would be.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Choosing this was a corporate choice. It was there before I came into the company.

What other advice do I have?

We use the latest version of the solution. Everything is put to the latest version as soon as possible.

I’d recommend the solution to others. It’s very easy. It does the job, basically. You don’t need more reason than that.

I would rate the solution nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Josuah ErvinPonteres - PeerSpot reviewer
Automation Engineer at Hyperglance Ltd.
Real User
An exceptionally stable solution useful for chat and file-sharing purposes
Pros and Cons
  • "Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten...Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten based on the number of users we have."
  • "The user interface is an area with shortcomings and needs improvement."

What is most valuable?

The chat feature is the most valuable feature of the solution. I can just drag and drop the images that I want my team needs to see. There is also formatting of font size and color.

What needs improvement?

I actually prefer Google Hangouts compared to Microsoft Teams.

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

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Google Hangouts in my current company for a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten. We are using it in our notifications. During the running of our pipeline, when we trigger the QA test, there will be a notification sending a message to Google. For all those pipeline runs, I think it is kind of stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

About eight people in my team use the solution.

Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten based on the number of users we have.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Before choosing Google Hangouts, I was evaluating other options like Microsoft Teams. I just noticed that in Microsoft Teams, it's hard to backread the previous messages in a group chat. It's kind of slow and hard to backread all previous messages. I don't know if it's a performance issue in Microsoft Teams. In Microsoft Teams, I kind of appreciate how it has centralized documents, chats, and groups. That's the good thing about Microsoft. In Google as well, with Google Docs, we can work faster and collaborate with others. I use Google Docs when using anything since I like it.

What other advice do I have?

My recommendation to those planning to use it is that they should enjoy using the solution. I rate the overall product a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Google Hangouts [EOL]
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about Google Hangouts [EOL]. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
866,218 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Arthur Muruga - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at Access Techy Limited
Real User
User-friendly, easy to deploy, and stable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to use and navigate."
  • "The scalability has room for improvement."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for virtual meetings.

What is most valuable?

The solution is easy to use and navigate.

What needs improvement?

The scalability has room for improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I give the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I give the scalability an eight out of ten.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used Zoom and switched to Google Hangouts because it was cheaper.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward and takes under one hour. The deployment was completed by one person. To use the solution we must set up a Gmail account and create meeting links.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation was completed in-house.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is no license cost.

What other advice do I have?

I give the solution an eight out of ten.

We have 15 end users and plan to gradually increase that number.

Google Hangouts is user-friendly and I recommend it to others.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Google
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1909341 - PeerSpot reviewer
AVP, Automation Center of Excellence Head at a financial services firm with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
It has multiple features, such as polling, whiteboarding, and captioning
Pros and Cons
  • "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."
  • "Google Hangouts has breakout rooms now, but not as extensive as Zoom, so that's one area for improvement. I mentioned that I like the Google Hangouts captioning feature, but that could be improved. For example, importing Filipino-English captions here in the Philippines would be great."

What is our primary use case?

We use Google Hangouts for meetings and alignment.

What is most valuable?

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.

What needs improvement?

Google Hangouts has breakout rooms now, but not as extensive as Zoom, so that's one area for improvement.

I mentioned that I like the Google Hangouts captioning feature, but that could be improved. For example, importing Filipino-English captions here in the Philippines would be great.

I want to add a Zoom feature in Google Hangouts, where multiple people can interact with what's shown on the screen and draw and put shapes, for example.

For how long have I used the solution?

I joined the company in 2020, and that's the time I started using Google Hangouts.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Google Hangouts is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

So far, I'm happy with Google Hangouts in terms of scalability, but that still depends on your license because that dictates the number of users you can have in a room.

How are customer service and support?

Google technical support is okay, but I used it for a different solution, Google AppSheet, and not for Google Hangouts. The team gave me a fast response for other solutions. However, for my Google AppSheet concern, it took a while to receive feedback from Google because the general support team needed to pass my question to a real expert.

How was the initial setup?

Google Hangouts is installed on the web browser, so setup or installation-wise, it's okay.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

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.

What other advice do I have?

My company uses Google Workspace, which includes Google Hangouts.

In my company, more than five hundred people use Google Hangouts.

I'm happy to recommend the solution to others because it's web-based and extensive, with features for emailing, documentation, and conferencing.

My rating for Google Hangouts is nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Vijay Muddu - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager server admin and security at Vivaconnect
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Video conferencing solution that is readily accessible and facilitates presentation sharing during meetings
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature has been the ability to present presentations during meetings."
  • "It would be great if this solution could be added to smart TVs. We would also like the ability to broadcast to a YouTube channel when having a meeting or session using this solution."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution for video calls for group meetings. It used by more than 50 people in our business. 

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature has been the ability to present presentations during meetings. 

What needs improvement?

It would be great if this solution could be added to smart TVs. We would also like the ability to broadcast to a YouTube channel when having a meeting or session using this solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for three years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This is a stable solution. 

How are customer service and support?

We have not experienced any issues so have not reached out to the customer support team. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have previously used WebEx and Zoom. WebEx is very complicated but does have enhanced features compared to Google Hangout. However, Hangouts is a lightweight solution that can be used across devices including phones. It is easy to download and is readily available. You don't need to sign in separately and this makes it convenient to use. 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Google
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Adrian Mukisa - PeerSpot reviewer
Student at Kabale University
Real User
Useful meeting recording, stable, and simple setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Google Hangouts is the ability to record the classes that I'm not able to attend. I can use the class recording to view whatever I missed later."
  • "Google Hangouts could improve by allowing someone to record a meeting without the need to have a company email. You cannot record with a Gmail account."

What is our primary use case?

I am using Google Hangouts for classes online if we do not have physical lectures in the classroom. For example, a lecturer schedules a class at a specific time and then we use a link to join the video call.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Google Hangouts is the ability to record the classes that I'm not able to attend. I can use the class recording to view whatever I missed later.

What needs improvement?

Google Hangouts could improve by allowing someone to record a meeting without the need to have a company email. You cannot record with a Gmail account.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Google Hangouts for approximately three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Google Hangouts is stable as long as you have a reliable internet connection and there is nothing wrong with our system.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of Google Hangouts has been good in my experience. We only have a few people in the class and we haven't faced any problem with anyone having to be kicked out of the meeting because it was not able to accommodate the numbers.

We have approximately 40 people per class that are using the solution. In our whole university, I am not sure of the total number of users that are using it.

We have a number of online lectures and they have increased this year, there is a plan to increase the usage.

How are customer service and support?

I have not had any problems with the need to contact support.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Google Hangouts is straightforward. The setup was basic, it only involves opening an application, scheduling, or starting a call immediately.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation of the solution can be done in-house and it does not require a third-party implementation.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate Google Hangouts a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Nilanjana Dey - PeerSpot reviewer
Content Marketing Strategist at Niswey
Real User
Has a free version that works well for small-sized teams; technical support is responsive
Pros and Cons
  • "The technical support team for Google Hangouts has been pretty responsive and could solve whatever challenges arise, within a day or two."
  • "I would like for the platform to have a call recording feature in the free version."

What is our primary use case?

Google Hangouts is being used for virtual meetings, whether that's face to face or you're presenting your screen. There's also a whiteboard where you can brainstorm on the call itself, so that's about it.

What is most valuable?

Whatever features are on offer right now on Google Hangouts, I find all of them useful. I don't have a preference, and Google Hangouts doesn't have time limitations.

What needs improvement?

Google Hangouts is pretty good as it is, so there's nothing I would like to change about it.

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

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Google Hangouts is a stable platform.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Google Hangouts, being a Google product, is available and scalable. The free version works well for small-sized teams that have thirty to forty people, and that's good enough for us.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support team for Google Hangouts has been pretty responsive and could solve whatever challenges arise, within a day or two.

How was the initial setup?

Setting up Google Hangouts is very, very easy. You just open a Gmail account to get access to all the Google tools, including Google Hangouts. It's very easy to just set up a Gmail account, and you don't have to do anything else.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

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.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We use Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, but use Zoom more often compared to the other two platforms.

What other advice do I have?

Sometimes my company uses Google Hangouts, but that's very rare. Typically, the team uses Zoom, and Google Hangouts is used once or twice a month, and that's about it. My company is an end-user, not a partner of Google.

At the moment, there's no plan of increasing the number of users of Google Hangouts.

I would rate Google Hangouts eight out of ten.

I'd recommend the platform to other people.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Google
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Gary Jolley - PeerSpot reviewer
PAM Architect at GCA
MSP
Top 20
Good, reliable source of communication, but it is not compatible with every device, it's browser-based
Pros and Cons
  • "Google Hangouts is an excellent tool."
  • "Google will not have two identical chat platforms. Google Chat is always a winner because it is compatible with my device."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use Google Hangouts to communicate with one another. We've moved on from Google Hangouts and are now using Google Chat. You will notice that people are getting out of Hangouts. Hangouts will be going to go away.

I haven't used Google Hangouts in two months, and I used to use it more than two dozen times a day.

What is most valuable?

It's really good, it works out pretty well.

Google Hangouts is an excellent tool.

What needs improvement?

Hangouts will go the way of the Dodo. Google will not have two identical chat platforms. Google Chat is always a winner because it is compatible with my device. Google Hangouts, however, was not. Google Hangouts is a browser-based application.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's very stable. We have no issues with the stability of Google Hangouts.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Google Hangouts is very scalable.

What other advice do I have?

In terms of Webex and potentially losing some quality having a good meeting often entails muting everyone except the speaker and then switching from one speaker to another. Because whenever there is an open forum, or there is a larger audience, and I believe the number is usually around 16, your chances of having a know-it-all who has something to say about everything skyrocket. Being able to mute somebody, would be very valuable.

Anybody who needs that many people and you need professional services like that, it's time to start paying the subscription and support the product. If they want to have control of the venue, the only way to have control of the venue is with the paid version.

It pays for itself. Having a meeting go off the rails is an embarrassment.

Webex is probably one of my only 10s, but I am really starting to enjoy Microsoft Teams. It has the features that I need. It's built into Windows. I get it as part of my subscription to Microsoft Office from the company. I have only had one issue where I made a mistake. There's a little rule that you should have. If it's your meeting, it needs to be your meeting, it should be your tool choice. if it's your meeting, you should be the one to schedule it, even if it's very difficult, the project manager with the client wants to host the meeting himself.

For example, I had a very interesting little experience, only a few weeks ago, where it was my meeting, but the project manager from the client set up the meeting. I did not know this, but he had me muted. When I was responding to people, it was as if nobody was listening to me. I didn't know what was going on. Then, after about 15, or 20 minutes, the project manager said, "are you going to respond to this?" And I said, "Is anybody listening to me?" I've answered these questions I don't know how many times. One of the people on the call called me up, not even 15, 20 minutes ago, and said, "by the way that meeting you were in yesterday, you were muted." I would recommend if it's your meeting, it's got to be your tool.

It's PAM, and PAM Solutions are notoriously politically fraught by those who want to have their environment secured versus those that like things the way they are, and we had one of those.

I would recommend using Google Chat.

It was nothing out of the ordinary in comparison to others. I would rate Google Hangouts a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Google
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Google Hangouts [EOL] Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: August 2025
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Google Hangouts [EOL] Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.