Google Meet vs Zoom

The main difference between these tools is usually not the brand itself but how people use the meeting stack: camera time, participant count, and screen sharing.

Google Meet

Work

45g

CO2 / HOUR

Zoom

Work

50g

CO2 / HOUR

Higher emissions

Video meeting comparison

Summary

When comparing Google Meet and Zoom, Zoom generates significantly more CO2 emissions per hour (50g) than Google Meet (45g). Both applications rely on devices, networks, and server infrastructure, which all contribute to their environmental impact.

Why the gap happens

Video on versus off changes the network and device burden quickly.
Meeting duration and number of participants dominate small platform-level differences.
Background multitasking can quietly raise the device-side load.

What to act on first

For work tools, the strongest reduction tactic is almost always turning unnecessary video off and shortening low-value meetings.

Zoom is currently modeled at 5g CO2 more per unit of use than Google Meet.

Deep dive into their footprints

Read the full Google Meet report Read the full Zoom report

Comparison takeaways

Video on versus off changes the network and device burden quickly.

Meeting duration and number of participants dominate small platform-level differences.

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