In 2025, the familiar Zoom is not the only choice for video communication. Among the service's analogues, both domestic developments and familiar foreign platforms are appearing. For many specialists, the transition to an alternative is becoming relevant - be it for reasons of security, convenience or integration with other tools. In this review, we will examine in detail a number of services that can fully replace Zoom, including: eXpress, Yandex.Telemost, TrueConf, VK Videocalls, SberJazz and others. For each, we will describe real-life use cases, pros and cons, interface features and compatibility with devices.
eXpress Platform
The eXpress interface looks like a familiar Telegram messenger: there are chats, video calls, chat bots, integration with mini-applications. The Russian messenger eXpress is positioned as a secure "superapp"" for business. It is certified by FSTEC and has already been implemented in large companies (for example, Rosatom and Russian Railways) for communication of thousands of employees.
Features: video conferences for 250+ participants, built-in corporate messenger with voice messages and file sharing, meeting scheduling, screen sharing, call recording. There is a "raise hand" button, reactions and much more. WebRTC and proprietary protocols (SIP/H.323), End-to-End encryption are supported.
Convenience: the interface is simple and familiar, available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and in the browser. You can join via a guest link without an account, or via the application. Scenarios are simplified: for example, a new user simply downloads eXpress or follows the link and immediately gets into a video meeting.
Price: a standard subscription costs ~250₽/month per user (with annual payment). It includes a full set of functions. Additionally, you can order extended licenses (SmartApps, etc.).
Real cases: eXpress is already used for internal corporate communications by companies such as Russian Railways, Rosatom, Norilsk Nickel and others. Customers note stability at the level of Western solutions and high security.
Pros: comprehensive solution, high level of security, integration with internal services and SmartApp applications.
Cons: limited to 250 active participants in VKS (but the number is growing).
Yandex.Telemost
Yandex.Telemost is part of the Yandex360 cloud office. This is a Russian service for video meetings that works directly in the browser. Yandex.Browser, Chrome, Firefox and mobile/desktop applications are supported. Its main advantage is unlimited conference time: the meeting lasts exactly as long as necessary, without a timeout.
Features: up to 100–500 participants at once by default in different tariffs and up to 1000 upon request. Up to 40 participants for free, if you need more - only with a paid subscription. There is a chat, screen sharing in 4K, which is ideal for showing presentation details, automatic transcription of meetings, virtual background, polls and other familiar features. Recording on the web or in the PC application without a time limit is supported. Integrates with Yandex.Calendar and mail, you can create events in one click and invite participants with a link.
Convenience: Telebridge does not require installation: just send your colleagues a link, and they will connect (no login or password required). The interface is concise and intuitive - by default, the main conference call screen shows all speakers ("gallery" or only the speaker). Works on PCs, tablets, smartphones.
Real cases: Telebridge is actively used for remote work and online education. For example, school tutors and online schools conduct lessons via Telebridge: send a link to students - and the lesson begins. Businesses have even more scenarios: salespeople call clients via video link without additional software, and large companies organize synchronous departmental meetings and webinars for hundreds of people.
Pros: unlimited meetings, support for up to 1000+ participants (according to the tariff), Russian interface and quick setup. The free version is convenient for up to 40 people without registration.
Cons: options such as recording, extended number of participants are tied to paid tariffs. Some customers note that advanced features, such as transcription, are not always easy to connect.
TrueConf
TrueConf is a Russian developer of video conferencing for business and education. There is a cloud version and installation on your server. TrueConf supports everything you need: video conferences, group and private chats, screen sharing, built-in messenger, webinars and broadcasts. You can show presentations, draw on top of content, record meetings. Works on any device (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) and major browsers.
Features: The free version of TrueConf Online allows conferences for up to 10 active participants and a chat for up to 50 users. Paid solutions (Online from ~9,000 rubles / year per organizer, Server - from 23,000 rubles / year per participant) increase the limits: up to 200 conference participants, webinar capabilities for 1,500+ people. There is a flexible licensing scheme (boxed and cloud packages with a different set of functions).
Convenience: the interface is not the simplest - some users complain about "non-intuitiveness" and periodic failures. But TrueConf has a wide call control panel and many settings. The application client is similar to a corporate chat with contacts, videos, conferences. Integration with CRM and educational platforms is supported.
Real cases: TrueConf is widely used in the public sector and education: it is often purchased for universities and departments. In Russia, many large companies use this platform for meetings and training.
Pros: flexible deployment options (cloud or your own server), rich functionality (webinars, recording, customization), high security.
Cons: high price of licenses, sometimes difficult to set up, and some report occasional crashes.
VK Teams
VK Teams is a Mail.Ru Group product for business. It is part of the VK WorkSpace platform. VK Teams combines a corporate messenger with built-in video communication. Video conferences here are up to 300 participants (including guests via a link), with no time limit. Meeting recording, screen sharing, and chat during a call are supported. The platform can be used to hold full-fledged webinars.
Convenience: the interface is close to the familiar VK messenger - chat + call in one environment. There is a free version for companies and a paid one (from 1908₽/year per user). There are applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, as well as a web version in the browser. Guests do not need a VK account - just copy the link, and they will get to the meeting.
Real cases: Small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia choose VK video communication for meetings within the company and with clients. For example, in the trading business, managers arrange regular video calls with colleagues via VK Video Calls, and recruiting agencies held webinars for hundreds of applicants using the video chat of this platform.
Pros: up to 300 participants, integration with the VK ecosystem (mail, tasks), relatively low price.
Cons: fewer "widgets" and add-ons compared to larger platforms, not the most extensive user experience.
SberJazz
SberJazz is a domestic messenger and VKS from Sber. It allows you to hold video conferences for up to 100 participants for free, with unlimited time. The SberJazz web and applications have all the modern features: AI-based noise reduction, automatic speech transcription (meeting notes), screen sharing for several participants at the same time, and content highlighting tools. Chat (with reactions, “raise your hand”), webinar recording, virtual backgrounds, and other features are available.
Convenience: SberJazz login is as simple as possible - by invitation or link. The applications support Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and in addition to mobile devices, there are branded SberPortal and SberBox Top devices with smart call management. The interface is clear (supports gallery mode and speaker highlighting). If the channel is weak, you can turn off the video and leave only audio, SberBox will amplify the sound.
Real cases: SberJazz is actively used within Sber and its ecosystem, as well as by third-party companies. Users note the convenience and quality: the platform does not "sag" the sound and picture when a large number of participants are connected.
Pros: stable sound and video, Russian solution, wide range of business functions.
Cons: new users sometimes complain about the redundancy of the interface, some advanced options are difficult to implement.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is an international collaboration platform that includes messaging and video calls. In Russia, only the free version of Teams is fully functional due to sanctions. The service is not officially banned in Russia, but there are a number of restrictions and risks associated with its use, especially for new users and in the long term. Without a paid subscription, organizations can hold meetings of up to 300 participants lasting up to 60 minutes. The interface is close to other Microsoft applications.
Features:group conferences and webinars (with time limits), screen sharing, chats that work together with Office 365.
Convenience: applications are available on PC, Mac, mobile platforms and in the browser. The interface is already familiar to users of Outlook and Teams. The unified space is very convenient - teams, channels, meetings in one window.
Real cases: Teams is actively used by companies that previously worked in the Office ecosystem. But due to the developer's limitations and lack of technical support, many companies migrate to domestic solutions.
Pros: work with Office products, familiar interface.
Cons: in Russia, only the free part is available - without a paid subscription, many business functions are blocked, there is no technical support, you cannot install it on your own servers, which creates a threat to corporate data security.
Google Meet
Google Meet is a foreign video meeting service built into the Google Workspace ecosystem. The free version allows conferences for up to 100 people for 60 minutes and almost unlimited one-on-one (up to 24 hours). Meet works directly in the browser and does not require installation on a PC. There is also a mobile application.
Features: screen sharing, chat, virtual backgrounds, "raise your hand", subtitles and an interactive Jamboard. There is integration with Google Calendar - you can invite participants with one button.
Convenience: simple modern interface - you can start a conference in seconds. Chat and reactions are built right into the call window. To enter the meeting, you need a Google account, and if you do not have one, you can join the call anonymously. Real cases: Google Meet is usually used in startups, online schools, small teams.
Pros: familiar interface, up to 100 participants in the free version, excellent integration with Google services (Docs, Calendar).
Cons: in Russia, you cannot officially pay for corporate rates, so many restrictions (more than 60 minutes for group calls, conference recording, surveys) remain unavailable. The solution is not included in the register of domestic software, which may not suit many Russian companies.
Whereby
Whereby is the simplest video conferencing service that works directly in the browser without installing software. The free plan has unlimited conference time and all the necessary functions (screen and text chat, speaker pinning, etc.). The main drawback is that the free version can connect no more than 4 participants at a time. Paid plans extend the limits to dozens of people and add branding.
Convenience: To call, just send a link to the Whereby room. The interface is intuitive and resembles Zoom 2019 in design - a large speaker and a number of "windows" for participants.
Real cases: Whereby is convenient for small teams and personal projects. The service is not widespread in Russia, so there are few public cases.
Pros:very easy to set up, works in any browser, no time limits (in the free version).
Cons: limited number of participants, no advanced moderation or recording in the free plan. This is a foreign service, so the solution is not suitable for Russian companies that value the security of internal communications.
Webex
Cisco Webex is a corporate service for audio and video conferencing. Paid plans allow you to organize meetings for up to 1000 participants with HD video. There are web and desktop clients, mobile applications, you can connect via Cisco video equipment. Webex integrates with MS Office/Outlook, Google calendars, supports invitations via a link or phone number.
Features: high-quality video/audio, screensharing, collaborative work with a whiteboard, TLS encryption, conference recording (locally or in the cloud) and automatic transcription. Video meetings can be scheduled via the calendar - with one click you create an event and send a link to all participants.
Convenience: the interface is strict corporate, but understandable: the window shows current speakers and a chat. To connect, you need either a client or an invitation via a link. There are applications for almost any system.
Real cases: Webex is traditionally used in international companies and for distance learning.
Pros: work on a large scale (over 500 participants), rich functionality (annotations, detailed statistics, integrations).
Cons:foreign solution that does not allow you to deploy the program on your own servers, high prices (annual subscription - tens of thousands of rubles and up), not suitable for small businesses.
Conclusion
To sum it up, there are many alternatives to Zoom on the Russian market, from familiar "Western" solutions to new domestic projects. The eXpress service stands out as a single platform for communications in Russian realities: it combines a messenger, video conferencing, is scalable and at the same time ensures the reliability and security of corporate data. Among others, Yandex.Telemost and SberJazz emphasize local independence and simplicity, TrueConf also shows a good level of security and scalability, and Teams and Meet are good at integrating with office tools.
Each tool has its own characteristics, so the choice of a suitable service depends on the specific tasks of the team. However, it is worth remembering that domestic developments are considered more reliable solutions for use in Russian companies, as they have more secure methods of working with data and full technical support.
Try these solutions in action - try a free trial period or a demo version to see which service is right for you.
