Google Meet has become available for free, offering a tight integration with Google Calendar and real-time captions with a profanity filter. The app provides several key features not found in Google Hangouts, including support for up to 250 participants, real-time captions, better screen sharing options, more layout choices, and built-in recording capabilities. However, the free version of Google Meet has limitations, such as meeting time limits, restricted call-in by phone, and a lower participant cap compared to paid Google Workspace users. Despite these limitations, Google Meet offers an attractive alternative to Zoom for those looking for a reliable video conferencing solution.