CNET Editors' review
GoToMeeting allows you to host a virtual meeting with up to 25 attendees. This version of software is a 30-day, full-featured trial, but you will have to register and provide your credit card information. After the free trial, you can purchase the software by paying either monthly or yearly subscription fees. Most of the engine used for this application does not need to be downloaded, so installation of the executable is easy and fast.
The setup goes smoothly, and within minutes you will be able to create and start your online meeting. GoToMeeting allows participants to connect using Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems. The maximum allowable 25 connections keeps network lag to a minimum and allows meetings to proceed smoothly. Participants can connect to the audio portion of the program via phone or through an integrated VoIP system. The program also acts as a whiteboard, allowing the presenter to draw and highlight onscreen. Administrative features include logo integration, toll-free number integration, flexible security options that align with your company's policies, meeting logs, and attendance tracking. The administration control panel center can assign positions to those applying to be at the meeting and monitor whether those positions are used or not.
GoToMeeting offers an all-in-one service for conducting online meetings and is relatively easy to use. If you're still using teleconferences to keep in touch, this is a service worth checking out for the tools it gives the users to enhance communication.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of GoToMeeting 5.0.
Publisher's Description
From Citrix Online:
GoToMeeting is the simple way for people to meet and collaborate online for one low flat rate. Meet with anyone, anywhere. Patented technology enables co-workers, customers and prospects to view any application running on your computer in real time. And GoToMeeting now includes HDFaces, which combines high-definition video conferencing with screen sharing an audio conferencing. And HDFaces is included with GoToMeeting at no additional cost. You'll be able to instantly collaborate whenever - or wherever - inspiration hits.
More Products to Consider
-
Take an open-source approach to office productivity.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Open, edit, and save files using the new file formats in 2007 v...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create and share content with the help of a comprehensive set o...Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products -
Transform PDF documents to Excel documents.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert PDF files to Microsoft Word format.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
View, navigate, and print PDF files.Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products -
Read, create, and save files seamlessly in Office 2007/2010 and...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG images to PDF files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Get a comprehensive library of 4500 sample business letters and...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Prepare any business documents from 6000 professionally written...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Carry out your writing work while having access to multiple doc...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Read and write data in different formats.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create invoices and delivery notes for various purposes.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create, encrypt, and merge PDF files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create invoices and delivery notes for various purposes.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Keep track of how you use your PC.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Track your staff attendance and calculate employees worked hour...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert CSV, TXT or Excel files to OFX format and import into M...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Render PDF files within applications that support the print fun...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert Word, RTF, and TXT files into PDF documents.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Batch convert Powerpoint to PDF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF files without ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Share desktop resources and meet online with anyone, anywhere.Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products - Enjoy this Cancer Screensaver on the desktop.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Create, edit, markup, sign & secure PDFs.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install
-
All versions:
3.7 starsout of 33 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"App OK but billing deceptive"
Version: GoToMeeting 5.0
Pros
No distinction between presenter and 'other' means anybody can contribute and show screen.
No need to upload any files.Cons
No whiteboard.
Fixed price too high for small business that wants to use VOIP not dial-in.
Lousy customer service
Price offered online is not the price billed.Summary
I subscribed online to GoToMeeting for US$49 per month only to find my credit card charged A$72 per month (near enough to US$75 - or a 54% price gouge). I cancelled my subscription and asked Citrix to explain their deceptive billing behaviour. Received a standard email response (complete with Service Request number) saying my enquiry had been forwarded to "Online".
Well that was 15 days ago. After about 10 days without response I sent a reminder ... still no response.
Coincidentally, I received an email offer from GoToMeeting offering me the service for less than US$1 per day if I reactivated.
So I sent an email asking for a guarantee of the price offer so I wouldn't be gouged again ... absolutely no response.
What sort of circus is Citrix running?
Guess I will just have to make it all public over the interwebs and start contacting consumer protection agencies. -
"Now includes free apps for Mac, iPad, iPhone & Android"
Version: GoToMeeting 5.0
Pros
Works on PC, Mac and mobile devices
Supports HD video conferencing
Unlimited meetings of up to 15 people for a flat subscription
Audio via toll-free call or VOIP (computer headset or mic/speakers)
Schedule recurring meetings - less administrative work
Schedule with MS OutlookCons
Video conferencing means you need to clean up your office - at least what's behind you - and pay attention to how you look!
Summary
Version 5 of GoToMeeting keeps the service current by adding HD video conferencing and support for mobile devices.
The GoToMeeting interface makes it easy to hold a spontaneous meeting when you need to get something done right away. Great for teams that have a lot to do and not much time. The strong scheduling features can keep your project on track with regular meetings.
GoToMeeting is great for training. Not you can see the faces of the participants. That makes a big difference in how effectively you can provide training and assistance. You can see if you are getting across to your audience and tell how much attention they are paying. -
"It Works, use it."
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
Relatively easy to figure-out and use. Mark Levin likes it, so it must be good.
Cons
None that I can think of
-
"great product"
Version: GoToMeeting 3
Pros
Amazingly easy to bring up and use, reasonably easy to operate, and has never failed to work.
Cons
A bit expensive if you only do a few meetings per month.
Summary
I've been a Windows developer for 10+ years, and for a Windows program that runs over the internet *and* uses audio, this thing is amazing. On multiple computers, in multiple US States, it has never failed to simply launch, find the mic and headphones, connect to the meeting, and just work. A rare piece of complex software: great features, easy to use, and it just works. I love it.
-
"Good software but I don't prefer this."
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
* It has vast and extensive features that I really like!
* It's very easy to useCons
* It's very expensive that I can't put my business on my own due to its cost
* Software download is required (I really don't like downloading)
* There's a 30 day trial but they require users to input their credit card number???Summary
I can say that even though GoToMeeting has great features, I just keep on preferring the one that does not require any downloads but still absolutely free at all. I'm using 321meet as it is very simple yet has no limitations for free versions.
-
"Versatile app: 1-to-1 meetings, presentations & support"
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
Very easy for your clients to join your meetings
Versatile: share your screen, share their screen, transfer files
Friendly interface for setting up meetings and sending invitations
Fast performance
Handles multiple monitors and multiple windowsCons
By default, leaves an applet running on participant's computer, but this is a benefit for those who want to make fast connections to meetings
Summary
GoToMeeting does much more than allow you to share visuals with people on a teleconference. That is the most common perception of online meetings: You sign up to attend one, dial into a teleconference, and see some slides while you listen to someone talk.
But GoToMeeting has versatile features that work for you when you want to work interactively with one other person or multiple people on a team or collaborative effort. With its graphical interface, it is obvious how you can start and stop sharing your screen, give control of your screen to another, and switch to sharing another person's screen.
For one-to-one screen-sharing, GoToMeeting really lets you work together. Both of you can share the keyboard and mouse at the same time, so you can naturally co-edit or review a document together. All this without the downtime and expense of travel. Even just going across town can waste a significant amount of time, not to mention the much big cost in time and money of air travel.
For meetings with multiple people or for Webinars, GoToMeeting prepares the text of invitation e-mails that explain how to join and provide the meeting link and Meeting ID. For larger groups, a related product from Citrix Online, GoToWebinar, will send out and manage invitations under your direction.
GoToMeeting provides each participant with a small control panel on the right side of their screen. They can size the window, choose whether to use their telephone or computer headset (or mic and speakers), mute their mic or phone, and send Chat messages to one or more participants.
As meeting organizer, you can mute everyone and can selectively mute and unmute people in the meeting. This is a critical feature for ensuring that some participants don't distract everyone unintentionally with their background noise.
The audio portion of a GoToMeeting is inexpensive or free. GoToMeeting lets anyone and everyone listen and speak using a headset (or mic and speakers). VOIP is built-in and is free to everyone. Anyone can use the phone option by dialing a non-toll-free number. As organizer, you only pay for the cost of a call to, for example, area code 213. Participants have the same option. If you have unlimited long distance, the call doesn't cost you anything. You also have the option of using your own teleconference service.
Your entire meeting, including a video of the shared screen and the audio of all participants, can be recorded. As organizer, you have the option to share a recorded meeting and the opportunity to edit the video file with your own software.
You can schedule meetings well in advance if you like and keep track of them using GoToMeeting's web-based interface. You can set up recurring meetings and copy settings from an old meeting to a new one.
In our experience, the performance of GoToMeeting is fast and accurate, even with many participants. Unlike some alternative online meeting solutions that require a great deal of bandwidth, with GoToMeeting you are sending and receiving one stream from your computer to the Citrix Online servers, which share the stream with the other participants. There is nothing like slow or jerky performance to turn an efficient meeting into an alienating ordeal. Before going with a different solution, consider the importance of solid, fast performance.
While there are better services for providing Technical Support, such as GoToAssist from Citrix Online, if you need to minimize your costs, GoToMeeting can work as a remote support service. It doesn't integrate file transfers - you could use e-mail or FTP for that - but it allows you the share your customers screen quickly and even switch screens to demonstrate an action on your screen.
The versatility of GoToMeeting widely understood. As a subscriber, you really get a broad range of features and efficiencies for your "all-you-can-use" flat monthly or annual fee. -
"Very satisfied"
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
Meet with one or many people without a hitch. Easy. Free trial IS free -- no problem what-so-ever.
Cons
No video camera
Summary
Great and useful tool for meeting when you cant' afford to travel for real face time
-
"I didn't like it"
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
?Try it free for 30 days? and when you click on it, GoToMetting requires your credit card number. In my opinion, this is not legal.
The software doesn't work properly and I never actually got connected to my colleague.Cons
?Try it free for 30 days? and when you click on it, GoToMetting requires your credit card number. In my opinion, this is not legal.
The software doesn't work properly and I never actually got connected to my colleague. -
"great........."
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
.............
Cons
..............
-
"good one...."
Version: GoToMeeting 4.0
Pros
good one....
Cons
good one....
