Since the coronavirus outbreak, many people have begun working from home as a result of this shift. Businesses and schools, but also coworkers, instructors, and students, have been able to connect, collaborate, and learn thanks to video conferencing and online classrooms. Online communication tools have never been more important or widely utilized than they are now, and here are some of the products that are leading the charge.

Zoom                       

The 7-year-old Zoom application has undoubtedly gotten the most attention in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, as it is among the most popular conferencing programs. Its popularity has increased by more than 65% since January 2020, and more people have adopted it by giving free service to K-12 school districts transitioning to online classes during a federal government shutdown. Zoom's virtual rooms provide calendar coordination, collaboration workspaces, and customizable appearance options for remote business meetings.

Skype

It's been years since Microsoft acquired Skype, and the service is still one of the most popular ways to chat online across platforms. While this may not be as massive a deal for people who use Facebook Messenger all day it does offer an intriguing alternative for those that want more from their cross-platform messaging app than just text chat (such as video chatting). For professional purposes, businesses can use hybrid video conferencing services such as LogMeIn Meeting Center or Zoom to save money on both technology and personnel costs.

Google Meet

Google's video conferencing app, Meet, has seen a surge in popularity as the company makes it available for free to all Gmail users. The app offers features such as screen sharing and live captions, which can be helpful for those who are attending online classes or participating in business meetings. Google is also planning to add more features to the app, such as low-light mode and the ability to blur your background.

Slack

Slack is a popular team collaboration tool that has been around for a few years now. The app offers features such as video conferencing, file sharing, and searchable chat history. Slack also integrates with a number of other productivity apps, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, which makes it a valuable tool for businesses.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a relatively new entrant into the team collaboration market, but it has quickly become a popular option for businesses. The app offers features such as video and audio calling, chat, and integration with Microsoft Office 365. Teams also has a number of features that make it suitable for remote work, such as the ability to set up virtual "rooms" for collaboration and the ability to share your screen with others.

While there are many options available, these are some of the most popular apps being used for conferencing and online communication. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs.Other Conferencing Applications

A host of other applications—some already well-known, some relative newcomers—have also served as communication lifelines during the coronavirus outbreak, including:

• FaceTime (iOS): The preinstalled video chat app on Apple devices is simple to use and offers end-to-end encryption for calls between iOS users.
• WhatsApp (Android, iOS): Another Facebook-owned app, WhatsApp has more than 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. The app offers end-to-end encryption for all communication, including calls and video chats.
• Houseparty (Android, iOS): A social networking app designed for group video chat, Houseparty has seen a surge in popularity during the coronavirus outbreak as people look for ways to stay connected with friends and family.
• Telegram (Android, iOS): A messaging app with more than 200 million monthly active users, Telegram offers features such as group chats, voice and video calls, and file sharing.
• Signal (Android, iOS): A privacy-focused messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption for all communication. Signal is recommended by security experts as a more secure alternative to WhatsApp.

These are just a few of the many options available for those looking for ways to stay connected with others during the coronavirus outbreak. With so many choices available, there's sure to be an app that meets your needs.

Conclusion

The coronavirus outbreak has forced many people to work from home, which has resulted in an increase in the use of conferencing and communication apps. While there are a number of different options available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, the most important thing is to choose the right one for your needs. Whether you're looking for a simple tool for video chat or a more full-featured option for team collaboration, there's an app that's right for you.