Our verdict: Webex is mainly worth installing when your employer, school or a client already uses it. The free plan is usable for short meetings with up to 100 people, but the 40-minute limit and a heavy desktop app make it a weaker choice for casual calls.
About Webex
Webex is Cisco's collaboration platform. The Windows app combines video meetings, team messaging, whiteboards and, on paid plans, phone calling in one client. Guests can join meetings without a paid license, and most meetings also work in a browser.
Webex Free costs nothing and needs no credit card. It includes unlimited meetings of up to 40 minutes with up to 100 attendees, screen sharing with annotation, unlimited whiteboards, local recording, noise cancellation and unlimited messaging. Paid plans remove the time limit and add cloud recording and larger meetings.
What it does well
- Video meetings. Host meetings of up to 40 minutes with 100 attendees on the free plan.
- Team messaging. Unlimited messaging in spaces and direct chats.
- Whiteboards. Unlimited whiteboards for drawing and brainstorming together.
- Noise cancellation. Filters background noise from your microphone.
- Local recording. Record meetings to your PC on the free plan.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who join Webex meetings for work or school, and small groups with short meetings.
Look elsewhere
Anyone who needs free meetings longer than 40 minutes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan with up to 100 attendees
- No credit card needed for the free plan
- Meetings, messaging and whiteboards in one app
- Installs without admin rights
Cons
- Free meetings are limited to 40 minutes
- Cloud recording requires a paid plan
- Large app that starts with Windows by default
How to install Webex
The direct link is Cisco's 64-bit MSI; it installs for your user without admin rights. Webex starts with Windows by default; turn off Start Webex when my computer starts in settings if you only use it for occasional meetings. Webex needs Microsoft Edge WebView2, which Windows 11 already includes.
Questions about Webex
Is Webex free?
Yes. Webex Free has no cost and needs no credit card. Meetings are limited to 40 minutes and 100 attendees.
Do I need the app to join a Webex meeting?
No. Most meetings can be joined in a browser, but the app is needed for some features such as phone calls.
Does Webex run on Windows on Arm?
Yes. Cisco offers separate x64 and Arm64 installers.
