Zoom Rooms is Zoom's software for shared meeting spaces. It runs on a video bar, room kit or computer in the room, and people start or join Zoom meetings by tapping a touch controller instead of using their own laptops. Each room needs a Zoom Rooms license, certified hardware (or a supported PC or Mac), and a display. It's managed centrally from the Zoom web portal.
How Zoom Rooms works
- The room device runs the Zoom Rooms app and signs in as the room, not as a person.
- A touch controller on the table shows the calendar and controls: Join, Share, Mute, Camera.
- Calendar integration with Google or Microsoft 365 puts scheduled meetings on the controller. See Zoom Rooms calendar integration.
- People share content by joining from their laptop with the Zoom app, by HDMI, or wirelessly with a sharing key or proximity.
- IT manages rooms in the Zoom admin portal: settings, updates, alerts.
The Zoom Rooms app is the software on the room device. The Zoom Rooms Controller app runs on the touch panel. These are separate from the regular Zoom Workplace app people use on laptops. See Zoom Rooms vs Zoom Workplace.
Appliance vs PC-based Zoom Rooms
| Appliance | PC or Mac based | |
|---|---|---|
| What runs Zoom Rooms | The video bar or board itself (Android) | A Windows PC or Mac in the room |
| Hardware | All-in-one bar + touch controller | PC + USB camera/bar + controller |
| Setup | Simplest; fewest parts | More parts and configuration |
| Flexibility | Fixed to the bar's features | Any certified USB camera, multi-camera, more display options |
| Best for | Huddle to large rooms | Large rooms, custom AV, special layouts |
PC-based rooms need hardware that meets Zoom's specs; see Zoom Rooms requirements.
Certified hardware by room size
| Room | Seats | Appliance options | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huddle | 2-6 | Logitech Rally Bar Huddle + Tap IP, Poly Studio X32 + TC8 | $2,060-$3,199 |
| Small | 4-8 | Neat Bar Generation 2, Jabra PanaCast 40 VBS | $2,015-$4,790 |
| Medium | 6-12 | Poly Studio X52, Logitech Rally Bar Mini + Tap IP | $3,598-$4,399 |
| Medium-large | 10-20 | AVer VB370A, Logitech Rally Bar + Tap IP | $4,819-$5,199 |
| Large | 16+ | Neat Bar Pro, Poly Studio X72 | $5,456-$5,879 |
| Collaboration | any | Neat Board 50, Neat Board Pro, Logitech Rally Board 65 | $6,390-$8,490 |
Rankings in best Zoom Rooms hardware and the full list in Zoom Rooms certified hardware.
Controllers
Every Zoom Room needs a controller. Options:
- The controller bundled with a kit (Logitech Tap IP, Neat Pad)
- A standalone PoE touch panel, such as Logitech Tap IP, Poly TC10 or AVer CP10 G2
- A supported iPad or Android tablet running the controller app (for budget rooms)
See Zoom Rooms controller and best Zoom Rooms controllers.
Licensing
- Zoom Rooms license: a paid subscription per room, monthly or annual. It covers meetings started from the room.
- Scheduling display: Zoom's current Rooms plan includes scheduling displays and digital signage, so a booking panel outside the door doesn't need its own paid license. See Zoom Rooms scheduling display.
- Trials: Zoom doesn't list a permanent free Zoom Rooms license; evaluations go through Zoom sales.
- Connector: a separate Conference Room Connector lets older SIP/H.323 systems join Zoom meetings (Zoom Conference Room Connector).
Prices change, so check Zoom's current pricing. See Zoom Rooms license cost.
Joining Teams and Google Meet from a Zoom Room
Zoom Rooms can join Microsoft Teams and Google Meet meetings once an admin enables interop. The room joins with core audio, video and content, not every native feature. See join Teams or Google Meet from a Zoom Room.
Zoom Rooms for classrooms
For a hybrid classroom, use a Zoom Room with a PTZ camera that tracks the instructor and ceiling or table mics for student questions. PC-based rooms are common here because they support multiple cameras and content cameras. See classroom video conferencing, Zoom Rooms Intelligent Director and multi-camera and best PTZ camera for conference rooms.
Setting it up
- Buy a Zoom Rooms license and assign it to the room in the Zoom web portal.
- Create the room in the admin portal and connect its calendar.
- Install and mount the hardware.
- Select Zoom Rooms during the device's setup and sign in with the activation code.
- Pair the controller and run a test meeting.
Step by step in how to set up Zoom Rooms, activation codes and Zoom Rooms admin portal. Daily use is in the Zoom Rooms user guide; fixes in Zoom Rooms troubleshooting. Comparing platforms? See Teams Rooms vs Zoom Rooms.
Ready to equip a Zoom Room? Send us the room size and seat count and we'll recommend certified hardware.
Related guides
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