Does Zoom Have a Free Plan? (2026 Full Breakdown)

Everything you need to know about Zoom's free tier, free trial and how to get started without paying

Verified April 26, 2026 Unbiased research Real buyer data Free to read
TL;DR - Yes, Zoom offers a free plan, but it comes with some limitations. You can host up to 100 participants, but only for 40 minutes at a time, and there's no phone support or e-mailed transcripts.
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Quick Comparison

Feature Zoom FreeTop PickGoogle Meet
Free Plan yes, with limitationsyes, with no limitations
Free Trial no free trialno free trial
Credit Card Required nono
Paid Starts At $19.99/mono paid plan
Screen Sharing basicbasic
Chat yesyes
Audio/Video Recording yesyes
Phone Support nono
E-mailed Transcripts nono
Cloud Storage nono
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Our Top Pick

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Zoom Free Top Pick

Zoom's free plan includes unlimited one-on-one meetings, but group meetings are limited to 40 minutes and 100 participants. You also get basic screen sharing, chat, and audio/video recording. However, phone support, e-mailed transcripts, and cloud storage are not included.

Pros

  • unlimited one-on-one meetings
  • basic screen sharing
  • chat
  • audio/video recording

Cons

  • group meetings limited to 40 minutes
  • group meetings limited to 100 participants
  • no phone support
  • no e-mailed transcripts
  • no cloud storage

Pricing: Free tier available — paid plans from $19.99/mo

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Google Meet

Google Meet offers a genuinely free alternative with a more generous free tier. You get unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants, and there's no time limit. You also get basic screen sharing, chat, and audio/video recording. However, phone support and e-mailed transcripts are not included.

Pros

  • unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants
  • no time limit
  • basic screen sharing
  • chat
  • audio/video recording

Cons

  • no phone support
  • no e-mailed transcripts

Pricing: Free forever plan available

Our Verdict: If you're looking for a free plan with some limitations, Zoom's free tier might be a good choice. However, if you need a more generous free tier with no time limits, Google Meet is a better option.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zoom free forever?

No, Zoom's free plan has some limitations, including group meetings limited to 40 minutes and 100 participants.

What do you get with Zoom's free plan?

You get unlimited one-on-one meetings, basic screen sharing, chat, and audio/video recording, but group meetings are limited to 40 minutes and 100 participants.

What happens when the Zoom free trial ends?

Nothing, there's no free trial. You can start using Zoom's free plan immediately.

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