It is not necessary to download Zoom to use it so long as you have a browser and an internet connection. However, there is a distinct difference when using each version of the app.
There are three versions of Zoom: the app for a computer (desktop or laptop), the mobile app, and the browser-based version.
Zoom app for desktop/laptop
The Zoom app designed for desktops/laptops provides you with complete functionality. In essence, it means that you have access to ALL the features of Zoom that come with your plan. By default, everyone starts at the basic plan. Higher plans require additional payment.
Zoom app on a mobile device
The mobile version has majority of the features of the desktop version and is often preferred because the video usually has a better resolution than the desktop app.
Zoom on a web browser
Think of browser version as the “zoom of last resort” and only use it when all else fails. Essential features are accessible but not everything that you would want.
Side by side comparison
Below is a side-by-side comparison of available features for a basic plan. This should help you decide which version to use.
| Desktop | Mobile | Web Client | ||||
| Feature | Host | Participant | Host | Participant | Host | Participant |
| START OR JOIN A MEETING | ||||||
| Display synced calendar events | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Display upcoming meetings | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Join a meeting in progress | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Join a meeting without signing in | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Pre-assign participants to breakout rooms that are setup by the host | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Schedule a one-time or recurring meeting | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Sign in using Zoom account, Google, Facebook, or SSO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Start an instant meeting | YES | YES | YES | |||
| View, edit, start, or delete your scheduled meetings | YES | YES | YES | |||
| IN-MEETING CONTROLS | ||||||
| Change your own screen name | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Gallery view and active speaker view | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| In-meeting chat | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Invite others to join a meeting | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Join computer audio | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Live stream the meeting/webinar | YES | |||||
| Live transcription | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Mute/unmute mic | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Non-verbal feedback | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Reclaim host | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Share screen | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Start a cloud recording | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Start a local recording | YES | YES | ||||
| Start/stop video | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| IN-MEETING SECURITY CONTROLS | ||||||
| Control if participants can mute/unmute themselves | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Control if participants can share a screen | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Control if participants can use in-meeting chat | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Enable/disable video receiving | YES | |||||
| Lock the meeting so that participants cannot enter a meeting in progress | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Place the attendee in a virtual waiting room | YES | YES | YES | |||
| MANAGE PARTICIPANTS | ||||||
| Allow a participant to stop or start a recording | YES | YES | ||||
| Assign a participant to be a co-host | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Assign a participant to be the host | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Automatically mute participants as they join the meeting | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Change a participant’s name displayed to other participants | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Control who participants can chat with | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Don’t allow participants to join the meeting in progress | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Mute all participants/ask all to unmute | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Put participants on hold | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Remove participant from a meeting | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Stop a participant’s video | YES | YES | YES | |||
| SHARE CONTROL SCREENS | ||||||
| Control if multiple participants can share screen simultaneously | YES | YES | ||||
| Pause your current shared screen | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Share device audio | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES (android) | YES (android) |
| Side-by-side mode | YES | |||||
| Stop a participant’s screenshare | YES | YES | ||||
| PROFILE | ||||||
| Change a profile photo or screen name | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Manually change your status | YES | YES | ||||
| CHAT | ||||||
| Delete your sent messages, images, or files | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Edit your sent messages | YES | YES | ||||
| Invite contacts to an existing chat | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Mark messages as unread | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Save images or files sent in the chat | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Send a capture of the current screen | YES | YES | ||||
| Send animated gifs | YES | YES | ||||
| Send emoticons | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Send messages or files | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Share sent and received chat files with contacts | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Store chat message history | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| View all files sent and received in chat | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| SETTINGS | ||||||
| Automatically disable your video when joining a meeting | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Automatically join meeting by computer or device audio | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Automatically mute when joining meeting | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Change notification settings for chat | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Display closed captions (if available) | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Insert a link preview whenever a chat message contains a link | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Touch up appearance | YES | YES | ||||
| Virtual background | YES | YES | YES | YES |
* Comparison taken from https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360027397692-Desktop-client-mobile-app-and-web-client-comparison
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