Extra features
What have these programs up their sleeves?
Being one of the oldest tools in this Roundup, Empathy is understandably less feature-full than its peers. That said, you can still use Empathy to transfer files to other XMPP users in addition to making audio and video calls. With multiple connected users, the program enables you to create private chats, for when you have something sensitive to discuss. Unfortunately, the connections are only good for chat communications and little else. Attempts to send a 4MB image file were unsuccessful, as the entire process took over 10 minutes across several tests.
Apart from the useful functions such as putting an ongoing call on hold, muting your microphone and so forth, GNURing also makes it possible for you to record an audio conversation. You can also share files with connected users and even share your desktop with a contact. However, unlike Jitsi and uTox, GNURing only allows one outgoing call at a time.
In a similar manner to GNURing, Jitsi and OpenMeetings enable you to share your desktop with a contact. With Jitsi, you can choose to stream either the entire desktop or a portion of the screen. Unlike the other tools, Jitsi can even grant your contacts the option to remotely control your desktop. Moreover, users at both ends of a call can share their desktops with the other person at the same time.
Both OpenMeetings and Jitsi boast of a number of additional features which will appeal to enterprise users, such as their support for LDAP directories. The whiteboards on OpenMeetings, which provide a useful medium to simultaneously interact and brainstorm with multiple users. The boards can also be saved for next time everyone (virtually) gets together.