Polycom Competitors: Top 8 Alternatives 2023

Companies can greatly enhance their communications with other offices, inside the same workplace, and with clients by utilizing the video conferencing solutions provided by Polycom. It’s important that video conferencing systems be cutting-edge, practical, and simple to use. They must provide an excellent experience regardless of whether they are used in a conference room or on the move via a mobile device. The visual and aural quality should be first-rate, with minimal technical support needed. Polycom’s technology is built around these and other aspects. It is now possible to bring the entire globe into any classroom, courtroom, boardroom, or doctor’s office. Even if they aren’t in the same room together, people from different locations can hold face-to-face meetings and exchange high-quality information as if they were. Simply put, physical location is now irrelevant. In this article, we will discuss what Polycom is all about and its competitors.

Polycom Overview

Polycom, a market leader in unified communication and collaboration solutions, provides a suite of cutting-edge tools for improving workplace collaboration and communication.

Furthermore, Polycom is popular for its video conferencing technology, which facilitates high-quality, real-time communication between geographically dispersed teams. Its video conferencing solutions enable smooth communication thanks to high-definition (HD) video and audio and the ability to share material.

Polycom also offers VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, which facilitates telephonic conversations via Internet Protocol (IP) lines. This innovation utilizes internet connectivity for calls, guaranteeing crystal-clear audio at a reduced cost.

Conference phones and in-room video systems are just two of Polycom’s many strengths in the workplace communication space. These tools improve the acoustics of conference rooms and facilitate the real-time distribution of meeting materials.

As a leading provider of cloud-based communication and collaboration services, Polycom helps businesses take advantage of flexible, safe, and advanced technologies.

As a whole, Polycom’s product line helps businesses better communicate and work together in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Polycom History

Brian L. Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman, two ex-PictureTel Corp. employees, founded Polycom in 1990. After starting out in San Francisco, California, using $400,000 of Hinman’s personal money and $100,000 from friends as seed money, the company relocated to San Jose. Then, a combined $3 million in venture finance from Oak Investment Partners and Accel Partners came into play. Polycom’s mission was to create products that facilitate all forms of communication, including voice, content (such as papers), and motion (video). Audio conferencing speakerphones were the company’s initial offerings. Company expansion into areas like video conferencing, content sharing, video bridging, and network monitoring and management followed.

From the company’s inception in 1990 until his replacement by Bob Hagerty in 1998, Brian Hinman held the position of chief executive officer. In 2010, Andy Miller took over for Hagerty. Miller addressed SEC charges of cost and accounting breaches at Polycom in 2012 by agreeing to step out as an officer at any company he was affiliated with for the next five years. Miller was paid $24 million USD to leave Polycom, as stated by Peter Leav, who succeeded him as CEO, and handed the position over to Mary McDowell after Siris Capital Group purchased Polycom in 2016.

In 2014, the company had around 3,800 workers on staff. Polycom laid off 15% of its personnel in 2015 in response to significant drops in sales.

In 2015, Polycom announced $1.3 billion in sales. Peter Leav was the CEO and president at the time, and Laura Durr held the positions of CFO and EVP.

What Are the Features of Polycom?

Poly, which now includes Polycom, is a leading provider of innovative tools for teamwork and communication. Some of the most significant features of Polycom technology, as of my most recent research in 20223, are as follows:

Video Conferencing: In order to facilitate distant communication and collaboration among employees, firms can take advantage of Polycom’s high-quality video conferencing solutions. However, this includes both in-room and desktop video conferencing setups.
Audio Conferencing: Polycom’s state-of-the-art audio conferencing systems feature noise cancellation technology, allowing participants to have an unobstructed conversation.
Unified Communications: Organizational communication and collaboration can be streamlined through integration with unified communication platforms like Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex.
Content Sharing: During online conferences and meetings, users can instantly share documents, presentations, and other media.
Cloud Services: Video conferencing and collaboration services from Polycom can be accessed through the cloud, streamlining the process of scaling and managing a company’s communication infrastructure.
Room Systems: Premium audiovisual equipment for boardrooms and conference halls, ideal for creating an intimate and businesslike atmosphere during meetings.
Collaboration Tools: Virtual meetings can be made more productive with the help of Polycom’s whiteboarding, annotation, and chat functions.
Security: Security measures are emphasized to safeguard confidential information and communications.
Interoperability: Support for many video conferencing protocols allows users to communicate with people using a wide range of equipment.

In addition, keep in mind that technological developments have likely resulted in the installation of new features and services. Please visit Poly’s website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on their technology solutions.

Who Benefits From This Technology?

There have been remarkable developments in the field of collaborative conferencing technologies in recent years. Improvements in communication have been revolutionary. As a result of being able to work together from anywhere, the office has become redundant. Here are just a few of the numerous industries that will benefit from the widespread use of this technology:

Education
Healthcare
Federal Government
Oil & Gas
Financial Services
Business
Retail Sales

Furthermore, the latest Polycom products have many applications and can benefit many different types of organizations. The flexibility and efficiency of Polycom technologies provide businesses with an edge in any market. Also, the constant availability of video chat means that all available resources are always in the know.

What Are the Benefits of Using Polycom?

Polycom is a household name in the business of making conference phones, both analog and VoIP. The IP 500, IP 600, and IP 700 are three of the most up-to-date Polycom models available for VoIP teleconferences. Polycom conference phones provide adaptable options for meeting spaces of all sizes. With this, multiple people can talk without losing sound quality.

Each supports desktop paging and Polycom HD voice technologies. Voicemail, hold, and mute are standard. The power over Ethernet switch allows these phones to be powered from a regular wall outlet. These conference phones have a number of advantages:

Excellent Audio and Visual: The high caliber audio and video quality of Polycom’s solutions makes clear and efficient communication possible when it comes to remote collaboration.
Different Options Available: Video conferencing systems, audio solutions, and collaboration software are just a few examples of the many ways in which Polycom facilitates business communication and collaboration.
Scalability: The modular nature of many Polycom solutions makes them adaptable to the varying needs of businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to multinational conglomerates.
Support and Services: To help businesses get the most out of their Polycom solutions, Polycom offers a full suite of customer support and services, such as maintenance, troubleshooting, and training.
Security: Polycom places a premium on safety, so it includes safeguards like encryption and network security to keep private conversations and files safe.
An Easy-to-Use User Interface: The majority of Polycom’s interfaces are straightforward, making it simple for staff to learn and use the technology.
Reliability: Products from this manufacturer have a solid reputation for keeping meetings and communications running smoothly and with minimal interruptions.
Productivity Boost: Tools that improve communication and collaboration among workers have been shown to increase output by fostering more rapid and well-thought-out decision-making.

How Much Does Polycom Cost?

The cost of Polycom products varies widely depending on a number of criteria, such as the model, the number of units desired, and the number of extra features you require. As of the 2021 revision, Polycom has established itself as a leading provider of audio and video conferencing solutions such as conference phones, video conferencing systems, and other collaboration tools.

To give you an idea, a single Polycom conference phone can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars or more. More powerful video conferencing systems, like those in the Polycom RealPresence Group series, might cost several thousand dollars or more, depending on the configuration and accessories.

Also, please check the official Polycom website or get in touch with a Polycom-authorized reseller for the most up-to-date pricing information, as these prices are subject to change. In the time since the previous price modification in 2022, Polycom may have introduced new items or revised its pricing.

What Are the Disadvantages of Using Polycom?

Despite Polycom’s prominence as a provider of video conferencing and collaboration solutions, the company isn’t without its drawbacks. Here are some of its disadvantages:

Cost: Hardware and software from Polycom can be on the pricey side, making it unsuitable for some enterprises and organizations.
Complexity: Polycom’s systems may require some familiarity with IT and, according to some users, can be difficult to set up and configure.
Compatibility: Some problems with interoperability with different video conferencing tools and systems are possible. However, it is not always easy to ensure that all participants who are using various systems can communicate without any hitches.
Limited Features: It’s possible that some high-end capabilities and integrations seen in competing video conferencing solutions are unavailable on Polycom products and services.
Dependence on Online Activity: Polycom, like another online communication tool, needs a reliable internet connection to function properly. Disruptions in meetings are possible if participants cannot connect.
Maintenance: Polycom hardware and software maintenance and updates can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially for widespread rollouts.
Lock-In of Vendors: In the future, it may be difficult and expensive to transition to a different platform if you’ve been using Polycom products.
Emerging Innovations: The development of video conferencing and online teamwork is ongoing. However, it’s possible that Polycom products could become obsolete or would need regular revisions to remain competitive.

In addition, to decide if Polycom is a good fit for your company’s communication needs, you should think about these drawbacks in addition to the pros.

Best Polycom Competitors

The Polycom video conferencing product line includes not just video terminals but also audio terminals and network equipment. The company also offers an HD video conferencing solution by the name of Polycom. Although Polycom video conferencing technology is extensively used, not everyone is happy with it due to its expensive price, complex configuration, etc. Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of Polycom’s most formidable competitors so you can make an informed decision about which video conferencing system is right for you.

#1. TrueConf

The first competitor on our list of the best competitors to Polycom is TrueConf. When it comes to European video conferencing product and equipment development, TrueConf is far and away the leader. A secure corporate unified communications system with support for UltraHD video conferencing may be deployed with TrueConf solutions in as little as 15 minutes.

Meeting rooms, conference halls, and executive offices now have a cutting-edge new option with TrueConf Terminal 2.0. It’s an evolving software platform that has supplanted older hardware methods. TrueConf Terminal 2.0 is free, open-source software that can be installed on any computer running Windows and used for conferencing on one or more monitors.

#2. VideoMost

VideoMost is another popular and practical Polycom competitor. It’s a piece of software that may be used on any IP network to have video conferences with high-definition video and audio. With this technology, you can set up video chats with an unlimited number of people (although only the 10 most active users will be shown simultaneously). Use a web browser or dedicated software to join the meeting from your computer. Video chats between users are also supported. VideoMost allows users to work together on documents while also moderating discussions, displaying participant status, and chatting in real-time. The first three users can use the service for free.

Also, up to 50 fully interactive video participants (and up to 500 video listeners) can join each conference using the latest iteration of VideoMost’s industry-leading video conferencing system, which can display 16 participants on the screen at once and supports 4K (Ultra HD) video resolution. With VideoMost 3.0, you may view the video of your conversation partners on one screen while simultaneously viewing the data being broadcast on the other. In addition, VideoMost now supports the Google WebRTC standard.

#3. Cisco Telepresence

The Cisco Telepresence system is a powerful video conferencing software and hardware package. It’s a great alternative and competitor to the costly Polycom systems for online gatherings. The system, however, allows users to join in from anywhere, using everything from a desktop computer to a mobile phone, thanks to its seamless connection with cloud services (Cisco WebEx).

CTI Company’s “on demand” designation signifies an expansion of the company’s cloud service offerings. Companies can use the new “Videoconferences on Demand” service, which is based on the Cisco Telepresence system, to boost communication efficiency, speed up decision-making, gain easy access to specialists, cut down on travel costs, and provide a further boost to business growth. The company claims to provide round-the-clock assistance and support in addition to a monthly membership rate that is significantly lower than the exorbitant expenditures of procuring such a solution.

#4. Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts is a video conferencing app designed for corporate use. The suite includes two separate but complementary programs: Meet (for group video) and Chat (for generating group chats). It is also compatible with mobile devices.

Google Hangouts, a platform for online chat and video conferences, is currently underestimated due to its confusing posture. Whether it’s a video chat program, an IM service, or a commercial teleconferencing service.

And Google, at long last, saw fit to clarify matters. Hangouts has evolved into a professional tool. Two services, to be exact. First, Google has a video conferencing service called Hangouts Meet (it’s essentially the same as before, but it looks different now). It’s included in G Suite as well as sold separately, and it lets you host free video conferences with up to 30 people. The second is called Hangouts Chat, and it’s a business chat room that can compete with Slack thanks to its own rooms, bots, and integrations. Only G Suite customers can access it. In addition, Google Hangout is among the best alternatives and competitors to Polycom due to its exciting features.

#5. Zoom

Zoom Meetings provides an extensive collaboration suite, complete with numerous helpful tools for real-time communication, teamwork, and an individualized user experience. It serves as an alternate meeting option for us. Due to their size, companies primarily utilize the product as a collaboration platform; but, when more than 80% of a company’s activities are developed remotely, you need to ensure, the availability of technology, support for that technology, and backup plans in case something goes wrong.

Here, Zoom Meetings has emerged as a strategic ally in the fight to keep collaboration tools available; however, it serves as more than just a backup tool; rather, it is better suited to certain remote activities, such as those involving external users’ meetings, quick presentations, one-way transmissions, and podcasts.

#6. Avaya

Avaya, a major competitor to Polycom, is an industry leader in commercial communication and collaboration solutions. Voice, video, messaging, and call center solutions are just some of the areas where Avaya excels technologically. Avaya’s array of video conferencing products and services is competitive with Polycom’s.

The video conferencing solutions from Avaya are trusted and adaptable, meeting the needs of a wide range of businesses. They allow for top-notch video and audio communication, file sharing, and other collaborative tools. Avaya is a viable alternative for businesses looking to implement a unified communication ecosystem due to its ability to integrate with a wide variety of communication tools and platforms.

In addition to being a viable competitor to Polycom, Avaya has a substantial foothold in the enterprise sector and offers solutions that are vertically focused. Their dedication to both innovation and client service makes them an even more attractive option for enterprises in the market for cutting-edge tools for communication and collaboration.

#7. Logitech

When comparing audio and video conferencing hardware and peripherals, Logitech is an excellent competitor to Polycom. Video conferencing solutions from Logitech aim to improve remote teamwork in a variety of settings. Their products compete with Polycom’s video conferencing hardware and include webcams, conference cameras, and speakerphones.

Additionally, Logitech’s video conferencing equipment is well-known for its user-friendly interface and excellent sound and video quality. With support for a wide range of protocols, these gadgets are a flexible investment for enterprises of any size. The fact that Logitech works with widely used video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams only increases its attractiveness.

Logitech has been increasing its rivalry with Polycom’s room-based video conferencing systems by introducing room-based solutions for video conferencing in recent years. It is an attractive option for businesses looking for dependable video communication equipment because of its reputation for supplying high-quality conferencing hardware at a lower cost than its competitors.

#8. BlueJeans by Verizon

When it comes to video conferencing and teamwork, Verizon’s BlueJeans is a formidable competitor to Polycom. A leading provider of top-notch business video conferencing services is BlueJeans, which Verizon recently acquired. In direct competition with Polycom, BlueJeans allows for HD video and voice conferencing, file sharing, and screen recording.

BlueJeans’ cloud-native design is a major strength because it facilitates effortless scalability and adaptability. Because of this, it is a good choice for corporations seeking a scalable conferencing solution. BlueJeans also places a premium on user usability, with features including an easy-to-navigate UI and support for multiple platforms.

Especially for larger businesses, BlueJeans’ integration with Verizon’s other communication offerings is a big plus. Through integration with Verizon’s network, a dependable and powerful conferencing solution is made possible. To sum up, BlueJeans by Verizon is a cloud-based conferencing software that competes with Polycom by providing scalability, user-friendliness, and the support of a major telecom provider.

What Is the Difference Between Cisco and Polycom?

In the field of telecommunications and video conferencing equipment, Cisco and Polycom are two distinct corporations that focus on communication and collaboration solutions. Here are some of the main distinctions between the two:

#1. Core Focus

Cisco: Video conferencing is just one of the many networking and communication technologies offered by Cisco, a worldwide technology company.
Polycom: Polycom, on the other hand, specializes in conference phones and video conferencing systems, among other audio and video conferencing equipment and solutions.

#2. Product Range

Cisco: Beyond video conferencing, Cisco also provides a wide selection of other networking and communication equipment, such as routers, switches, and security systems.
Polycom: Historically, audio and video conferencing solutions have been Polycom’s bread and butter.

#3. Integration and Ecosystem

Cisco: Networking, security, and collaboration tools are all part of Cisco’s ecosystem, which enables closer service integration.
Polycom: The solutions for conferencing and collaboration that makeup Polycom’s ecosystem are its primary focus.

#4. Ownership and Changes

Cisco: Cisco has always been a major force in the IT sector. However, it occasionally modifies its product lineup to accommodate market shifts.
Polycom: In 2018, Plantronics purchased Polycom, and the merged business is now simply called Poly. Because of the merger, we had to rename and refocus our products.

In addition, it’s worth noting that the most recent information update was in 2022, and that since then, both Cisco and Polycom (now Poly) may have developed new products or services or undergone further modifications. Therefore, you should always check out their newest services and products for the most recent details.

Will Polycom Phones Work With Microsoft Teams?

Yes. By using a feature called “Direct Routing,” Polycom phones can be connected to Microsoft Teams. To make and receive Teams calls, you might use Polycom phones in this way. If you want the most up-to-date details on Microsoft Teams compatibility and integration possibilities, though, you should review the most recent documentation or get in touch with Microsoft and Polycom.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, it’s worth noting that the cooperation and communication market is always changing, so fresh competitors or alterations to existing companies could have occurred after the last update in 2022. The most up-to-date details on Polycom’s competitors can be found in recent trade publications and papers.

Polycom Competitors FAQs

Who is the CEO of Polycom?

In 1990, former coworkers at PictureTel Corp., Brian L. Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman, established Polycom.

Who is the manufacturer of Polycom?

Poly, formerly known as Polycom and now a division of HP Inc., is a global technology leader in the areas of video, voice, and content collaboration and communication. Santa Cruz, California’s Poly Inc. Brain L. Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman established Polycom in 1990.

Is Polycom or Yealink better?

The quality of phones made by both Yealink and Polycom is high. Their most notable features vary: Polycom phones are widely regarded as having superior audio quality. With the WF40 Wi-Fi dongle, you can use WiFi instead of a hard connection on phones in the Yealink T4 series.