Frontline Tech

Category: Video Conferencing for Group Meetings/Sessions

Video streaming tools used mainly for live group video sessions, presentations, group discussions, collaboration, conversations, and service delivery.

  • SpatialChat

    Description

    SpatialChat is an immersive group or one-on-one video chat where you can host virtual meetings in spaces that you create. Users can move freely around the screen and have video conversations as they approach others or among small groups. A “metaverse”-type experience that overlays video conferencing on a virtual environment/space.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • SpatialChat could be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as an alternative video conferencing and meeting approach.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    SpatialChat has a free version that allows you to meet with up to 25 people in one space. They have paid plans based on per use or monthly fees.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    SpatialChat indicates it is best used on a laptop or computer.

    Mobile friendly

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    SpatialChat indicates that it doesn’t “collect any data that is unnecessary to provide you with the best possible user experience.” They are also currently working to meet a high security/privacy industry standard. Find out more in their Security & Privacy section.

    Multilingual capabilities

    The interface is in English and SpatialChat does not appear to have multilingual capabilities.

    Additional resources

  • Gather

    Description

    Gather is a web-based video call platform, building virtual spaces for people to interact live online. With Gather you and your participants create avatars or character that you move/walk around a room or space where you can have audio and video chats with other people. You can also embed videos, presentations, whiteboards, and other features to increase interactions in the space.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Gather can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as an group communication and discussion tool with clients and communities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Gather has a free version for up to 25 users and paid versions with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Gather is optimized to be used on computers/laptops. They have information about accessibility and how they’re working to make it better to use with assistive technology.

    Mobile friendly

    Gather can be used on mobile devices through the web browser, but has some limitations.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Gather is not a secure space for interactions with clients that include personal information. They have information about security and privacy here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Gather’s interface is currently English-only.

    Additional resources

  • Microsoft Teams

    Description

    Microsoft Teams combines video conferencing software with team collaboration tools. It is a workspace chat and videoconferencing tool, with file storage, and integration with other applications. Part of the Microsoft 365 family of products.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Teams is used by many organizations as both an internal tool for collaboration as well as an external client service tool.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Teams has a free version as well as a number of paid options with additional features that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft also has a Charity program which offers discounts on Microsoft 365, including Teams.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Microsoft has a number of accessibility features, such as voice-controlled navigation, support for multiple assistive devices.

    Mobile friendly

    Teams is mobile friendly and available on Android, iOS, and Windows apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Find out about Privacy, security, and compliance in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 Business Premium (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) appears to have more advanced security features according to Microsoft.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • GoTo Meeting

    Description

    GoTo Meeting is a video meeting and video conferencing tool.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • GoTo Meeting can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    GoTo Meeting has a free version as well as several paid options.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    GoTo Meeting is easy to use. Find out more about accessibility features.

    Mobile friendly

    GoTo Meeting has a computer app as well as Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change your language settings in GoTo Meeting.

    Additional resources

  • Whereby

    Description

    Whereby is a video chat/conferencing tool that does not require any downloads.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Whereby can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Whereby has a free version and paid plans with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Whereby is easy to use. They recommend using the accessibility settings in Google Chrome for closed captioning functionality.

    Mobile friendly

    Whereby works with mobile web browsers.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change Whereby’s interface into a few languages.

    Additional resources

  • VDO.Ninja

    Description

    VDO.Ninja is a video chat/conferencing tool used in your browser, no downloads needed.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • VDO.Ninja can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    VDO.Ninja is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    VDO.Ninja is easy to use. No information about accessibility is available.

    Mobile friendly

    VDO.Ninja is accessible in mobile web browsers.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    You can find information about security and privacy features here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    VDO.Ninja is available in English.

    Additional resources

  • Jitsi

    Description

    Jitsi is a free, secure, and open source video conferencing with collaboration functionality, video directly in browse. No downloads required.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Jitsi can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Jitsi is free to use. They also offer paid versions with additional features.

    Ease of use

    Jitsi is easy to use. No information about accessibility could be found.

    Mobile friendly

    Jitsi works on mobile web browsers. They also have Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    Jitsi’s interface is in English.

    Additional resources

  • Skype

    Description

    Skype is a free web-based communication tool which allows people to video conference, make calls, and instant message.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Skype can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to engage with Newcomers visually, brainstorm ideas, capture Newcomer feedback, ideas, insights, suggestions, comprehension, etc.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Skype is free. However, if you want to get a phone number with the country code in which you live, you have to pay a little amount of money.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Skype is fairly simple. You can easily see sign up, download Skype, use Skype online, and help icons.

    Skype offers voiceover, narrated screen reader, High-contrast settings, magnifier, and speech recognition to convert speech to texts to support people with hearing or seeing disabilities.

    Mobile friendly

    Skype is available for iOS and Android devices.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Skype uses cookies to get some personal information about users. It benefits from the cookies to improve itself, recognize people’s preferences, and tailor Skype web content for individuals. You can disable cookies if you do not  want Skype to use your information.

    All Skype-to-Skype voice, video, file transfers and instant messages are encrypted. If you make a call from Skype to mobile and landline phones, the part of your call that takes place over the PSTN (the ordinary phone network) is not encrypted. Voice messages are encrypted when they’re delivered to you. However, after you have listened to a voice message, it is transferred from Skype servers to your local machine, where it is stored as an unencrypted file.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Google Meet

    Description

    Google Meet is voice, instant messaging, video chat/conferencing platform.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Google Meet can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Google Meet is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Google Meet is easy to use and allows you to have video meetings right in your web browser instead of having to download any software. Find out about accessibility features here.

    Mobile friendly

    Google Meet is available as an Android and iOS app.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Google Meet security and privacy for users information is here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Zoom Meeting

    Description

    Zoom Meeting is a video platform you can use to communicate with Newcomers through video meetings, text chat, audio/phone, interactive sessions, and online events.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Zoom Meeting can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Zoom Meeting Basic is free, as well as other fee-based plans with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Zoom is easy to use. Find information about accessibility features here.

    Mobile friendly

    Zoom has Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Browse their Privacy, Security, Legal Policies, and Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement resources, as well as their Trust Center for more information about privacy and security settings and standards.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources