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In recent years, remote work has become the new norm, particularly in creative industries where flexible schedules and global clients are the standard. For freelance designers, this shift has made video communication tools an essential part of their work. But it’s not just about holding meetings anymore. Today’s designers rely on video platforms to present their work, onboard new clients, walk through portfolios, and gather feedback on visuals in real time.
While Zoom has long been the go-to choice, it isn’t always the best fit for creative workflows. Designers often need tools that are more visual, less formal, and better suited for one-on-one presentations or async updates. Fortunately, a wave of new platforms is stepping in to fill those gaps, offering features that cater specifically to the way creatives work.
Let’s explore the top video conferencing tools that are shaping designer-client communication in 2025.
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For many clients, Zoom is the default—and for good reason. It’s widely used across industries, runs reliably across devices, and offers all the basic features you’d expect: screen sharing, breakout rooms, cloud recording, and calendar integrations. As a freelance designer, frequently using Zoom can reduce friction, as your clients probably already have it installed and are familiar with it.
Pros:
But Zoom’s strengths can also be its limitations. Its interface can feel stiff and overly corporate, especially for creative presentations. It’s not designed with aesthetics in mind, and it doesn’t offer much flexibility in terms of personalization or visual storytelling. For designers who care about how things are shown—not just what—Zoom can feel uninspired.
Best use case:
Zoom still shines when you’re dealing with formal presentations, large-team meetings, or working with more traditional or corporate clients. But if you’re aiming for a more creative, visual-first experience, it might be worth exploring alternatives.
Around was designed with creative teams in mind—and it shows. Unlike traditional video conferencing platforms that dominate your screen, Around uses small, floating video bubbles that stay out of the way, allowing you to focus on the content you’re sharing. Whether you’re showing a design in Figma, sketching ideas in real time, or just having a quick catch-up, Around makes the experience feel light, modern, and unobtrusive.
Key features:
Best for:
Casual team check-ins, creative brainstorms, or asynchronous collaboration where visuals matter more than formality.
Why designers love it:
Around doesn’t try to take over the room. It gives your work center stage and supports conversations without overwhelming the interface. It’s especially helpful for sessions where visuals and co-creation tools (like whiteboards or design files) are the focus, not faces or formality.
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Sometimes, live meetings aren’t practical—different time zones, packed schedules, or the need to deliver a polished explanation without interruptions. That’s where Loom shines. It allows you to record your screen along with your camera and voice, so you can walk clients through a design or concept at your own pace, then send them a shareable link to watch on their own time.
Use case:
Record yourself presenting a new logo, website layout, or branding guide—complete with your face, voice, and cursor movements—so the client gets a personal, guided experience without needing to schedule a call.
Great for:
Bonus:
Loom offers useful analytics like who watched your video, how much they watched, and whether they rewatched specific sections. This makes it easy to track engagement and follow up accordingly. Plus, clients can leave time-stamped comments directly on the video for seamless asynchronous collaboration.
Why designers love it:
Loom lets you present your work with context and clarity, without the pressure or friction of a live meeting. It’s especially powerful for solo freelancers who want to appear professional and organized, even when working async.
As a freelance designer, you won’t always get to choose the video platform, especially when working with larger or more traditional clients. Many corporate teams are deeply integrated with Microsoft or Google ecosystems, which means Teams or Google Meet will often be the default (and sometimes the only) option for communication.
Professional advantage:
Even if these tools aren’t tailored for creatives, being flexible and fluent in using them shows professionalism and makes collaboration smoother with enterprise clients. Refusing to use them can introduce friction or delay projects.
Best practices:
Pro tip:
Even if Teams or Meet isn’t your personal favorite, knowing how to navigate them efficiently gives you an edge when working with clients who operate in a more structured, enterprise-driven environment.
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For freelance designers working with enterprise clients or sensitive design assets, Gem Team offers a secure, all-in-one collaboration platform. It combines messaging, video conferencing, file sharing, and workflow organization into a single encrypted workspace, making it especially useful when professionalism, security, and structured communication are priorities.
Key Features:
Best for:
Why designers love it:
Gem Team creates a distraction-free environment where everything—from your design files to client conversations—lives in one secure place. It’s particularly useful when working across departments (e.g., design + dev + marketing) or when you need to share designs under strict compliance requirements. Unlike more informal tools, Gem Team projects professionalism from the first call to final delivery.
Things to consider:
While Gem Team shines in security and organization, it’s less focused on creative flourishes—there are no virtual whiteboards or floating video bubbles here. It’s built for clarity and control, not visual flair. Also, pricing may be enterprise-focused, so check whether a freelancer-friendly plan is available.
With so many video platforms available, the key isn’t just knowing what’s out there—it’s knowing when to use what. Instead of defaulting to Zoom for every meeting, freelance designers should choose tools that align with the purpose and tone of each interaction.
Use this quick decision matrix to guide your choice:
Situation | Best Fit |
Async or time-shifted communication? | Loom (for recorded walkthroughs and proposals) |
Live but informal check-ins? | Around (for casual team syncs or creative discussions) |
Formal or large-group presentations? | Zoom or Google Meet (for structured, multi-person calls) |
Small 1-on-1 with visual collaboration? | Gem Team (for focused, client-facing work) |
Instead of relying on habit, match the tool to the moment. A client onboarding call may require clarity and professionalism, while a quick feedback round with a developer might benefit from speed and flexibility. Choosing an appropriate platform helps you communicate better—and ultimately, deliver better work.
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Selecting an effective video conferencing tool can make all the difference, helping you present your work with clarity, run smoother client calls, and collaborate more effectively across time zones and teams. As a freelance designer, choosing the platform that fits your style, workflow, and audience isn’t just convenient—it’s part of delivering a professional experience.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Many of these tools offer free tiers, trials, or demo recordings, so you can find the one that truly matches your needs.
Pro tip: Want a deeper look at the best platforms out there? Check out this updated guide to Zoom alternatives for 2025 to find the perfect fit for your creative workflow.
If you found this post useful you might like to read these post about Graphic Design Inspiration.
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