Russians are actively discussing possible restrictions on the operation of the Google Meet service in the country. What to do? Could one of the most popular tools really be blocked? We answer these questions in the article and talk about 10 services that can replace Google Meet.
Could Google Meet be blocked in Russia?
The service is distinguished by its ecosystem: integration with other Google applications such as Calendar and Gmail allows you to conveniently hold meetings using a single account for all applications. As of the writing of this article (September 2025), Google Meet is still available in Russia in the free version. Each user can hold conferences for up to 100 people with a maximum duration of 1 hour through their account.
Although Roskomnadzor officially stated that no restrictive measures had been imposed against Google Meet, users began actively reporting problems with connection and access to the service as early as August 22, 2025. In some cases, the application did not open at all, and those who did connect experienced problems with sound and video — while in other countries the service worked stably.
The lack of a clear explanation from regulators and frequent disruptions reinforce fears that access to Meet may be restricted or completely blocked.
This situation poses serious risks, primarily for companies that use the service as their main tool for conferences.
Unexpected disruptions may derail meetings and require a rapid restructuring of business processes if the service is blocked.
Meeting recordings and materials stored in Google Cloud will be lost.
Users who use Google Meet for personal purposes and education, such as lessons, online courses, and video meetings with friends, should also consider alternatives with guaranteed availability in advance.
What to use instead of Google Meet: service overview
We have selected 10 alternative solutions for online conferences in case of blocking. The review includes both Russian and foreign programs.
Yandex Telemost
Telemost stands out for its simplicity: no registrations, applications, or extra steps. A user can connect to a conference in the browser via a link. This makes the service convenient for quick meetings.
Telemost has no time limits, and up to 40 participants can be gathered. The interface is minimalist: only camera, microphone, chat, and screen sharing. Its capabilities are limited for business, but as a free tool it works perfectly. For those accustomed to Yandex Browser and its products (mail, calendar), this service will be a suitable replacement option.
Public version: free for up to 40 participants, no time limit, basic functions available — chat, screen sharing, meeting recording, virtual backgrounds, reactions.
Corporate version: up to 1000 participants, up to 500 colleagues per meeting, extended functionality (for example, meeting transcription is added).
TrueConf
TrueConf is called the "heavy artillery" in the market. The platform focuses on corporate users, offering high-quality video in conferences. The system can be installed on a company’s server.
The service supports integration with professional equipment: conference cameras, microphones, terminals. TrueConf scales to thousands of participants.
The free version allows up to 6 participants (online) or 10 participants (server). The drawback is the 60-minute limit. But it has all the basic functions: video, chat, screen sharing, messenger for up to 50 users.
Corporate version: conferences with thousands of participants without time limits, meeting recording and storage, 4K support, SIP/H.323, installation on a local server, integrations with hardware-based VCS.
eXpress
A Russian platform that combines video conferencing, messenger, mini-apps, and chatbots for automating various tasks. Video conferences for up to 256 participants in eXpress are built into the messenger and available in the corporate plan.
In the free version, you can make video calls in personal and group chats, as well as join large conferences via a link created by corporate users.
A distinctive feature is high security, confirmed by FSTEC certificate No. 4232. eXpress also uses various security methods and protocols to protect data. That is why the platform is used by government agencies, banks, and large companies with distributed structures. But eXpress is also suitable for small and medium teams. In paid versions, the platform can be installed on your own servers or used in the cloud with more functions than in the free version.
Public version: free group and 1:1 video calls, reactions, messenger, channels, groups, threads, statuses, simple registration by phone number.
Corporate version: installation on own servers or in the cloud, large-scale conferences, meeting recording and secure storage, virtual backgrounds, integrations with corporate systems, the ability to develop your own branded application, as done by Norilsk Nickel, Rosatom, for example.
Zoom
Zoom (you can link to our article about Zoom alternatives) is an American video conferencing service. It is valued for stable connection and flexible management. The organizer can enable a waiting room, distribute participants into "rooms," enable screen sharing, and schedule conferences.
Zoom allows recording meetings, using virtual backgrounds and filters. For teachers and trainers, this is an important plus: you can upload recordings of classes so participants can review the material.
Public version: up to 100 participants, 40 minutes per call, chat, screen sharing, breakout rooms.
Corporate version: available, but not accessible for Russian users.
Although Zoom remains available in Russia, paying for subscriptions to corporate business solutions is practically impossible due to sanctions. Therefore, transferring all communications to this service is risky given the rapid import substitution of foreign solutions.
