Google Meet is Ending Unlimited Group Meetings for Free Users: Google Meet Alternative From Google

Google Meet

When the Coronavirus-driven pandemic began in early 2020, Google made its previously G-Suite-only video chatting service Google Meet free to everyone. Furthermore, the company also revealed that group video calls on Meet would not be limited, and users will be able to have group calls (with more than three participants) for up to 24 hours until September 2020. The company later extended the period, stating that the free Meet service would be accessible until June 2021. Google no longer appears to have any plans to extend the free service.

No Free Unlimited Meeting Time on Google Meet for Free Users

As a result, Google Meet users who previously used the service to conduct unlimited group calls would only be allowed to do so for 60 minutes. Users who wish to take advantage of Meet's 24-hour limit for group calls will need to subscribe to the Google Workspace Essentials plan, which costs $8 (Rs 600) per month.

For those who aren't aware, video chatting services like Zoom allow unlimited group calls for a monthly charge. Although Google Meet fits into this category, the platform began offering a free group call service last year to connect individuals during lockdown periods. Following this, Meet saw a significant increase in users in 2020.

However, as Google now states on its Google Meet price page, group calls for Meet customers who are utilizing the program for free are now limited to one hour. Last month, Meet's free unlimited group video call service came to an end.

It's worth noting that customers will still be able to make 1-on-1 video calls on Meet for free. As a result, if you start a one-on-one chat on Meet, you'll get up to 24 hours of video time for free, which is the same time limit as every Google Meet subscription plan.

You can upgrade to the Google Workspace Essentials or Google Workspace Enterprise plans if you want unlimited group calls on Google Meet. More information regarding the subscription bundles may be found on Meet's official pricing page.

Google Meet Alternative From Google

Depending on who you call and how many people you phone at once, Google's Duo app could be a good alternative for you. The app supports video calls with up to 32 people, is absolutely free to use, has fun filters, and is compatible with Chrome, iOS, and Android. It may not have the same professional UI as Meet, but let's face it: you're much more likely to call friends and family for more than an hour. A work meeting that lasts more than 60 minutes seems like a nightmare.

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