How to join a Zoom meeting as a guest: What works and what doesn't.

Imagine you receive a Zoom link for a meeting, but you don’t have a Zoom account. No problem: You can join a Zoom meeting without registering.

1. Joining Without an Account

When you get a meeting link, click on it. The Zoom window opens, you enter your name, and you're in.

Important: The host (i.e., the meeting organizer) can choose to allow participants without registration. In most cases, though, it works without any issues.

2. Starting Meetings Without an Account?

That’s a different story. If you want to start or host a meeting yourself, you do need a Zoom account.

Without registering, you can’t send invites or schedule meetings on your own.

3. What You Can Still Do Without an Account

Even without signing up, you can:

• Join meetings (if allowed by the host)
• Enter your name freely
• Use your camera and microphone
• Send messages in the chat

But you can’t:

• Start recordings
• Mute other participants
• Use breakout rooms

For these features, an account is required.

Conclusion

• Join a meeting without registering: Yes
• Host a meeting without registering: No

Zoom is accessible and guest-friendly. But if you want to do more, like hosting or managing meetings, you’ll need an account.

P.S.: If you want to automate meeting summaries and task tracking to enhance your productivity, transcription software might be worth a look.