Webex vs Zoom: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Webex positions itself as "all-in-one intelligent collaboration" while Zoom goes after "video-first unified communications" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Webex (founded 1995) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Zoom (2011) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Webex | Zoom | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 74/100 | 87/100 |
| Starting price | Free | $15.99/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | All-in-one intelligent collaboration | Video-first unified communications |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Webex | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| HD video | Yes | Yes |
| Screen sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Breakout rooms | Yes | Yes |
| Recording | Cloud + local | Cloud (paid) / Local (all) |
| Virtual backgrounds | Yes | Yes |
meetings
| Feature | Webex | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Max participants (paid) | 200–1,000+ | 300–1,000 |
| Slido polls/Q&A | Yes | No |
| AI meeting summaries | Paid plans | No |
| Real-time translation | 40+ languages | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | No |
| Meeting duration limit (free) | No | 40 min |
| Waiting room | No | Yes |
| Polls | No | Yes |
| Webinar add-on | No | From $149/mo |
advanced
| Feature | Webex | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| FedRAMP authorized | Yes | No |
| Webex Calling | Suite+ | No |
| Webex Events | Yes | No |
| Hardware ecosystem | Cisco Desk/Board series | No |
| Compliance (HIPAA/GDPR/SOC2) | Yes | No |
| AI meeting summary | No | Paid plans |
| Live transcription | No | Paid plans |
| Zoom Phone | No | Add-on / Business Plus+ |
| Zoom Clips | No | Yes |
| Whiteboard | No | Yes |
| Team Chat | No | Yes |
| Translated captions | No | Business Plus+ |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Webex means going without Meeting duration limit (free), Waiting room, Polls (which Zoom offers). Choosing Zoom means losing Slido polls/Q&A, AI meeting summaries, Real-time translation. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Webex (85,000+ employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Zoom (7,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Webex if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Zoom if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Webex or Zoom better?
Zoom scores 87/100 compared to Webex's 74/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Webex excels at ease of use (6/10) while Zoom scores 9/10.
How much does Webex cost compared to Zoom?
Webex starts at free (free tier available). Zoom starts at $15.99/mo (free tier available). Webex is the more affordable option.
Does Webex or Zoom have a free plan?
Yes, both Webex and Zoom offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
Related comparisons
See how Webex and Zoom compare to other video conferencing tools.
