随着远程工作(remote work)在世界许多地方的不断增加，虚拟会议已成为必需品。有许多视频会议系统可供使用，这使您比以往更容易主持自己的电话会议。
如果您想知道如何进行电话会议，有许多电话会议应用程序可以让您轻松设置和接听电话。但是，尝试找到合适的可能会令人生畏，因为它们中的大多数都提供类似的功能。
如何使用电话会议应用程序进行电话会议(How to Do a Conference Call Using a Conference Call App)
无论您是拥有一家小型企业、在家工作还是只想与家人和朋友保持联系(stay in touch with family and friends)，我们都将帮助您选择合适的电话会议应用程序以保持联系。
Zoom是一款基于云的视频会议应用程序，当全球大流行使实体会议变得不可能时，它变得流行起来。该应用程序不仅用户友好且可靠，而且提供了广泛的工具和功能，可让您主持建设性的会议。
如果您想主持电话会议，请参阅我们关于如何设置和使用 Zoom( how to set up and use Zoom)的指南。但是，如果您收到了加入Zoom会议的邀请，您可以通过单击链接、输入会议主持人提供的Zoom ID和密码来加入，或者(Zoom ID)使用您的电话号码拨入 Zoom 会议( dial into a Zoom meeting with your phone number)。
Zoom提供适合不同预算的计划和服务，最好的部分是您可以同时拥有的视频源的数量没有限制。
您可以在Zoom中找到其他有价值的功能，包括会议记录(meeting recording)、群组消息传递、分组讨论室(breakout rooms)、白板和屏幕共享、当前演讲者视图以及与Outlook和Chrome的集成。
您也可以举手(raise your hand)提问而不会打断其他参与者，并在需要离开通话时指定其他人作为主持人。
该应用程序适用于Windows、Mac、Android和 iOS 设备，因此您可以从智能手机或台式机开始或加入会议( start or join a meeting from your smartphone or desktop)。如果您使用的是ChromeOS，请参阅我们关于如何在 Chromebook 上使用 Zoom(how to use Zoom on Chromebook)的指南。
Microsoft Teams不仅是一款电话会议应用程序，还是一款专为团队远程协作而设计的群组协作软件。该应用程序提供了许多功能和协作工具，包括聊天、视频通话以及访问Word、PowerPoint和Excel等(Excel)Office程序。
借助 Teams，您可以共享屏幕(share your screen)、创建调查和投票、在数字白板上工作、共享文件以及从桌面或移动应用程序主持会议。
如果您想知道是使用Microsoft Teams 还是使用 Zoom(Microsoft Teams or Zoom)进行电话会议，这取决于您使用的是免费计划还是付费计划。使用Teams时，免费计划仅允许您主持一对一的视频通话，因此您无法主持有多个参与者的电话会议。
(Zoom)另一方面，Zoom允许您使用其免费版本主持与多个与会者的电话会议。
您可以在Teams中发现的独特功能之一是“在一起模式”(Together Mode)，它允许您在您选择的虚拟空间中与其他参与者会面，无论是办公室还是咖啡店。请参阅我们关于最佳 Microsoft Teams 提示和技巧(best Microsoft Teams tips and tricks)的指南，以帮助您提高使用该应用程序的效率。
Skype是自 2003 年以来最早提供视频聊天和VoIP服务的应用程序之一。该应用程序提供免费的 Skype 到 Skype(Skype-to-Skype)通话、最多 50 名参与者的免费视频会议，以及SMS短信、高清视频和音频以及固定电话等其他功能电话。
您还可以像使用Zoom一样在(Zoom)Skype中共享您的屏幕、上传文件、使用实时翻译，并在您的 Windows、Mac、iPhone 或 Android 设备上录制 Skype 通话(record Skype calls on your Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android device)。
要在Skype(Skype)上设置电话会议，您可以在线创建免费的会议链接(create a free meeting link online)，或使用桌面或移动设备上的Skype应用程序进行设置。
如果您使用的是Skype应用程序，请在您的计算机或移动设备上启动它，然后选择联系人列表上方的群组(Group)图标。在空白窗口中，选择并拖动要加入电话会议的联系人，然后通过选择呼叫组(Call group)按钮发起呼叫。
GoToMeeting 是一款适用于小企业主的出色电话会议应用程序，因为它允许您根据订阅的服务计划举办大型会议。
该服务充满了高质量的电话会议功能，包括消息传递、录音、屏幕共享、转录、会议锁定和绘图工具(drawing tools)。
您可以在 Web 浏览器、桌面或移动设备上使用 GoToMeeting，并主持即时会议或安排稍后的会议。主要缺点是没有免费计划，但您可以免费试用 14 天。
包括聊天功能，让参与者可以在不打断演讲者的情况下相互交流，高清视频流可在会议期间提供清晰的图片。
要使用GoToMeeting进行电话会议，请登录您的帐户，然后选择我的会议(My Meetings)页面上安排(Schedule)会议下的安排(Schedule)按钮。在新的浏览器窗口中，选择通话的日期和时间，选择是一次性会议还是定期会议、音频选项，然后设置权限和密码。
会议设置到位后，邀请您的与会者，然后开始电话会议。在会议期间，您可以从控制面板访问其他选项和与会者列表、协作并与与会者共享通话录音。
Google Meet 和 Zoom(Google Meet and Zoom)在功能和设置方面几乎相似，但Google Meet是一款适用于所有(Google Meet)Google帐户用户的免费电话会议应用。
该应用程序适用于台式机和移动设备，您可以从Gmail本身访问它，也可以从(Gmail)Google Meet首页或移动设备上的应用程序创建即时电话会议。
在会议期间，您可以进行演示(make a presentation)、举手、进行投票、使用分组讨论室、使用白板、更改背景、发送聊天消息，甚至使用字幕。
查看我们关于Google Meet 的深入指南及其工作原理(Google Meet and how it works)，了解如何设置它的详细步骤。
增强您的群组通话体验(Enhance Your Group Call Experience)
您需要电话、 SIM(SIM)卡和足够的通话时间来安排电话会议的日子已经一去不复返了。如今，您所需要的只是强大的 WiFi(strong WiFi)、笔记本电脑或移动设备以及出色的电话会议应用程序。
借助这五个电话会议应用程序，您可以更好地与世界各地的家人或同事联系，更灵活地在任何地方工作，并且您可以立即召开会议。如果您想以更身临其境的方式与同事会面，请查看在虚拟现实中举行会议的最佳服务(best services to hold meetings in virtual reality)。
您最喜欢的电话会议服务是什么？在评论中告诉(Tell)我们。
How to Do a Conference Call on PC or Mobile
As remote work continues to increase in many parts of the world, virtual conferencing has become a necessity. A host of video conferencing systems is available, which makes it easier to host your own conference calls than ever before.
If you’re wondering how to do a conference call, there are dozens of conference call apps that make it easy to set up and hop on a call. However, it can be daunting trying to find the right one because most of them offer similar features.
How to Do a Conference Call Using a Conference Call App
Whether you own a small business, you’re working from home or just want to stay in touch with family and friends, we’ll help you choose the right conference call app to stay connected.
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing app that gained popularity when the global pandemic rendered physical meetings impossible. The app is not only user-friendly and reliable but offers a wide range of tools and features that let you host constructive meetings.
If you want to host a conference call, turn to our guide on how to set up and use Zoom. However, if you received an invitation to join a Zoom meeting, you can join by clicking on the link, entering the Zoom ID and password provided by the meeting host, or dial into a Zoom meeting with your phone number.
Zoom offers plans and services suitable for different budgets, and the best part is that there’s no limit to the number of video feeds you can have on at the same time.
Other valuable features you’ll find in Zoom include meeting recording, group messaging, breakout rooms, whiteboard and screen sharing, active speaker views, and integration with Outlook and Chrome.
You can also raise your hand to ask a question without interrupting the rest of the participants, and designate someone else as host if you need to leave the call.
The app is available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices so you can start or join a meeting from your smartphone or desktop. If you’re on ChromeOS, turn to our guide on how to use Zoom on Chromebook.
Microsoft Teams is not only a conference calling app but also a group collaboration software designed for teams to work together remotely. The app offers lots of features and collaboration tools including chat, video calls, as well as access to Office programs such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
With Teams, you can share your screen, create surveys and polls, work on a digital whiteboard, share files, and host meetings from a desktop or mobile app.
If you’re wondering whether to go with Microsoft Teams or Zoom to do a conference call, it’ll depend on whether you’re using the free or paid plans. With Teams, the free plan only lets you host one-on-one video calls so you can’t host a conference call with multiple participants.
Zoom, on the other hand, allows you to host a conference call with multiple attendees using its free version.
One of the unique features you’ll find with Teams is the Together Mode, which allows you to meet other participants in a virtual space of your choosing whether it’s an office or coffee shop. See our guide on the best Microsoft Teams tips and tricks to help you be more productive using the app.
Skype is among the earliest apps to offer video chat and VoIP services since 2003. The app offers free Skype-to-Skype calls, free video conferencing for up to 50 participants, and other features such as SMS texting, HD video and audio and landline phone calls.
You can also share your screen, upload files, use real-time translation in Skype as you would with Zoom, and record Skype calls on your Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android device.
To set up a conference call on Skype, you can create a free meeting link online or set one up using the Skype app on your desktop or mobile device.
If you’re using the Skype app, launch it on your computer or mobile device, and select the Group icon above your contacts list. In the empty window, select and drag the contacts you want to be in the conference call and then initiate the call by selecting the Call group button.
GoToMeeting is an excellent conference calling app for small business owners as it allows you to host large meetings depending on the service plan you subscribe to.
The service is chock-full of high-quality conference calling features including messaging, recording, screen sharing, transcriptions, meeting locks, and drawing tools.
You can use GoToMeeting on a web browser, desktop or mobile device, and host instant meetings or schedule a meeting for later. The main drawback is that there’s no free plan but a 14-day trial is available for you to try it out at no cost.
A chat feature is included that lets participants communicate with each other without interrupting the speaker, and HD video stream for crystal-clear pictures during meetings.
To do a conference call using GoToMeeting, sign into your account and then select the Schedule button under Schedule a Meeting on the My Meetings page. In the new browser window, select a date and time for the call, choose whether it’s a one-time or recurring meeting, your audio options, and then set permissions and passwords.
Once the meeting settings are in place, invite your attendees and then start the conference call. During the meeting, you can access other options and list of attendees from the control panel, collaborate and share the call recordings with participants.
Google Meet and Zoom are almost similar in terms of features and set up, but Google Meet is a free conference call app for all Google account users.
The app works on desktop and mobile devices, and you can access it from Gmail itself or create an instant conference call from the Google Meet front page or app on your mobile device.
During a meeting, you can make a presentation, raise your hand, conduct polls, use breakout rooms, use a whiteboard, change your background, send chat messages, and even use captions.
Check out our in-depth guide on Google Meet and how it works for detailed steps on how to set it up.
Enhance Your Group Call Experience
Gone are the days when you needed a phone, SIM card and enough airtime to set up a conference call. Today, all you need is strong WiFi, a laptop or mobile device and a good conference calling app.
With these five conference call apps you get better connectivity with family or colleagues across the world, more flexibility to work from anywhere, and you can run meetings at the drop of a hat. If you want a more immersive way to meet with colleagues, check out the best services to hold meetings in virtual reality.
What’s your favorite conference calling service? Tell us about it in the comments.
