Effective communication is vital to the success of any business and organisation. 

But how does your business achieve it? With the right tools. 

Businesses and organisations worldwide always look for the best options for their team. 

The bigger question is whether to use a free conference call app over a paid one. 

The below sections describe the pros and cons of free international conference calls. 

Want to know how sustainable or not sustainable free conference calls are?

Stay long enough, and you’d find out.

Also read: Here’s How Free Conference Call Services Make Their Money

How do free conference calls work? 

Many people have legitimate concerns about free conference calls. 

 How do free conference calls make money?

How do they generate enough revenue while providing free communications to their customers?

Simple. 

Advertisements are an easy way to generate revenue, among various other ways.

Organisations that offer free conference call services get paid. They get paid through revenue-sharing agreements with local telephone companies.

The free conference calls company and the local telecommunication provider reach an arrangement. This arrangement ensures the local phone company hosts the conferencing bridge.  Also sets up free conference calls for you.

Source 

Individuals and small company owners are then given a dial-in number with an area code. They use the code to sign up for a free conference service.

This code is a link to the operator,  paid based on the number of calls routed through their system.

Non-toll-free calls go through the local telecommunications provider’s carriers. 

This generates income for them. Also, the revenue gets shared with the conference calling service provider.

Critical questions you need to ask before opting for the free service

A great place to start is by looking at your requirements and specific business needs. 

Once you have that in perspective, keep the following aspects in mind:

1. Participant limits

Are you a small business owner looking to connect one-on-one with suppliers? Or a multinational company with a global remote team to manage? 

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Sign up with the free conference call app. Opt for a demo to see if its participant limits suit your communication and business needs.

2. Several connection options

It’s essential to research your participants’ preferred mode of communication. You should do this before selecting any singular service.

Free conference call service providers have various options. They include dial-in, dial-out, internet-based conferencing, or even zero-internet conferencing. 

You should determine which works for your business and teams.

3. Flexibility & scalability

A free conference call provider should allow you to upgrade your services.  Pick a conference call service with a transparent and scalable pricing plan.

4. Great call quality

Sometimes settling for “free” means opting for a less-than-ideal product.If free conference calls tempt you, make sure you’ll be able to enjoy consistent call quality.

Look for reviews online. Also, try various free conference call providers. Do this beforehand to save yourself in the long run.

5. Control and record your calls

The other important aspect to consider is having control of the calls. With features like hand raise and mute. Also, understand if your business needs the call recording feature.  

6. Great customer service

You will need customer support at some point with tech. Hence, it’s nice to know you can reach out to someone.Always check if the app provides reliable and convenient customer support service.

Also read: How Much You Can Save With Conference Calls

Should you go for free conference calls, or should you pay?

Let’s tackle this million-dollar question. 

Should you go the free or paid when it comes to conference calls? 

What are the pros and cons of each?

We get it. It is tempting to opt for a free conference call service. 

Yet, “free” doesn’t always offer the same level of security or functionality as a service you pay for. 

Free conference calls providers are not focusing on call quality or security. This is because they need to keep the lights on.

There may be a better answer than a free conference call service if you want to keep your business intact. 

The pros of choosing a paid conference call service

There are several strategic advantages of choosing a paid conference call. Here are a few that could help your business:

1. Quality and reliability

You receive consistent and high-quality service with paid conference calls.

Paid conference call providers offer reliability and customer support.

They ensure that your communication is seamless and your stakeholders get satisfied.

2. Advanced features

Paid conference call apps come with plenty of features. These features ensure productivity and growth. 

They are worth their price because they offer more flexibility and advanced features. 

They offer built-in security, advanced controls, and mobile and web interfaces. 

They also provide the technical capacity to accommodate a large number of participants.

Moreover, the flexible nature of the paid calls means you’ll always be up-to-date. 

3. The price tag

Paid conference call services might appear expensive to some businesses. But in the long run, most businesses that invest in paid services get a return on their investment. They get them in the form of better productivity and increased efficiency.

The cons of choosing free conference call

Free conference calls, like any other, also come with a cost (pun intended). Here are a few cons of using or setting up free conference calls.

• Unpredictable call quality: Free conference calls rely on internet VoIP lines. This results in a distorted call quality. This happens in background noises, crackling, echoes, quietness, and when the call drops. Paid services are often better suited for business conferences. This is because they use dedicated lines.
• Limited features and functionality: Free conference calls have minimal features. They allow you to connect with individuals without restrictions. Yet, they don’t always give you the option to tailor the calls according to your needs.  This reduces productivity. Especially if those you interact with are familiar with better conference call solutions.

Go free and pay the price later

With toll-free conference calls, you initially enjoy savings. Yet, the cost of using it is something your business would bear in the long run. 

Here are the advantages of using paid conference calls over free conference calls:

• Advanced connectivity 
• Crystal clear audio quality 
• Advanced tech features such as call recording and dial-in
• 24/7 customer support 
• Built-in security and privacy features 

Paid conferencing calls are the way to go, as it’s an investment that will take your business to the next level. With this in mind, you can now choose paid conference calls over free ones.

Let’s get you started with grptalk

So there you go. 

We have helped you with detailed pros and cons of free and paid conferencing calls. 

It’s time for you to choose the best option for your business. 

Grptalk is simple, has easy-to-use features, and can connect you with over 50,000 people. 

Grptalk is the best choice for you and your business. You need no internet or app to join grptalk calls.

So don’t waste time wondering what to do next. Create a free account on grptalk or book a demo now. 

You should also check out:

• All The Audio Conferencing Fundamentals You Should Know About
• How To Make A Conference Call On Android Or iPhone – Everything You Need To Know