All Conferencing

The Bottom Line: GoToMeeting 2.0 is a good buy for basic Web conferencing needs, such as a PowerPoint slide show, but it lacks the muscle for streaming video, an important component of many online training sessions today.

The Bottom Line: We'd like to see more interactive features built into Conferral, so you're currently better off with another Web conferencing app.

Specs: Free to try, Windows, Mac, Linux, E-mail, Phone

The Bottom Line: Raindance Meeting Edition is fine for small meetings though it lacks some features, such as VoIP audio, found in pricier Web conferencing solutions, Raindance is still a solid, affordable package.

The Bottom Line: Live Meeting 2005, with its Office hooks, one-way VoIP audio, and improved PowerPoint features, is a big step up from its 2003 predecessor. But given its steep price, we'll take WebEx Meeting Center instead.

The Bottom Line: Macromedia Breeze is great for Web meetings, and it's easy to install and use. But its high price makes it less appealing to small businesses, which should consider the more affordable Citrix GoToMeeting.

The Bottom Line: ASAP Pro 2.0 is an aggressively priced and well-designed conferencing program--not perfect, but a solid buy for cost-conscious small businesses.

The Bottom Line: GoToMeeting is a first-rate basic Web conferencing program that's priced right for small to large businesses hoping to minimize travel costs.