The free version of Whereby creates a "meeting room" for you for up to 4 people.

This is your personal room named by you.

You don't have to create a new link for each meeting - just invite people to your room at a time when you will be there.

Your guests don't have to sign up or register; they just enter your personal room URL in their browser.

You will see them "knock" on the room door - let them in or don't, it's up to you!

​You can "lock" the door to prevent others from joining or disturbing you.

The section on security looks as if it has covered all the bases, but you may want to get it checked out by an IT expert.

No maximum meeting length is defined, but use is goverened by a "fair use" policy.

​It can be used on computers, laptops, and mobile phones.

Please share your experiences with Whereby by posting a comment below.

Zoom is fairly easy to use platform and can be used on different devices.

During the pandemic Zoom is free to use and the time is unlimited ​if you register with your nhs.net email details.

How to make Zoom meeting secure (Jo Kirkcaldy, September 2020).

Please share your experiences with Zoom by posting a comment below.

Microsoft Teams is part of the Office 365 suite of applications, all of which are free if you sign in with your nhs.net email address and password.

It is the only video conferencing platform for which the NHS has approved the security.

You need to set up your "contacts" before you can start a video conference.

There is no time limit on each video conference.

"How to" guides".
How to use Microsoft Teams.
​Microsoft Teams video training.

Share your experiences of Microsoft Teams by posting a comment below.

Face Time can only be used on Apple products such as iPhones and iPads, so both appraiser and doctor will need one of these for Face Time to work.

It is free to use and works well for two people.

​For a 2-3 hour conference, the small screen on a mobile phone may become a strain.

​Share your experiences of using Face Time by posting a comment below.

WhatsApp can be used for video conferencing between two people and it is free.

Unfortunately it can only be used on mobile phones, and the small screen size can be a strain on a 3 hour call.

Share your experiences of using WhatsApp by posting a comment below.

Free Conference is free to use and appears to have no limit to the duration of each conference.

​Share your experiences of using Free Conference by posting a comment below.

Lifesize Go is free and has unlimited time per conference.

​Share your experiences of using Lifesize Go by posting a comment below.

Google Hangouts is not designed for large conferences but may work well for just two participants.

It is free. 

It is unclear whether there is a time limit - at present it appears to have no limit.

Share your experiences of using Google Hangouts by posting a comment below.

Google Meet is free and has been unlimited in duration.

Unfortunately from 1st October 2020 the free version is limited to 60 minutes per meeting.

​Share your experiences of using Google Meet by posting a comment below.

8x8 is free to use and unlimited on the basic plan.

Advanced features, which are unlikely to be needed for appraisals, can be purchased in other plans.

​Share your experiences with using 8x8 by posting a comment below.

Jitsi is free to use by all.

​Share your experiences of using jitsi by posting a comment below.

Skype is free to all and is often already loaded on smart phones and Windows 10 computers.

It is owned by Microsoft who also developed Microsoft Teams.
​Teams is considered more secure.

Share your experiences with Skype by posting a comment below.