--- title: HCL Sametime Reviews meta_title: 'HCL Sametime Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 126 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how HCL Sametime works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.0 review_count: 126 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-07-17' parent_category: name: Collaboration & Productivity url: https://www.g2.com/categories/collaboration-productivity --- # HCL Sametime Reviews **Vendor:** HCL Technologies **Category:** [Meeting Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/meeting-management) **Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 126 ## About HCL Sametime HCL Sametime provides real time communication through instant messaging, online meetings, audio and video. Communicate virtually instantly Share files, save time and avoid exceeding mail size quotas. Also manage message history using date and time stamps, people and date searches and a log of sent links and files. Improve online meetings Access online meetings from your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Share files, applications and screens with people internally or externally using security-rich features. Get the mobile advantage Use high-definition Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) audio and video for instant messaging and meetings and softphone with PSTN-dialing support. ## HCL Sametime Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users praise the **ease of use** of HCL Sametime, highlighting its fast performance and intuitive interface. (7 reviews) - Users appreciate the **real-time communication** capabilities of HCL Sametime, enhancing connectivity and messaging experiences. (5 reviews) - Users value the **seamless integration** of HCL Sametime with various tools, enhancing overall communication efficiency. (5 reviews) - Users appreciate the **high-quality video experience** of HCL Sametime, enhancing communication and collaboration across teams. (5 reviews) - Users value the **seamless instant messaging** capabilities of HCL Sametime, enhancing real-time communication within their teams. (4 reviews) - Security (4 reviews) - User Interface (4 reviews) - Video Conferencing (4 reviews) - Easy Integration (3 reviews) - Reliability (3 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users experience frequent **connectivity issues** with HCL Sametime, leading to communication breaks and delays during weak networks. (4 reviews) - Users experience significant **performance issues** with HCL Sametime, including frustrating lags and stability concerns. (4 reviews) - Users find the **user interface challenging** and not user-friendly, impacting their overall experience with HCL Sametime. (3 reviews) - Users experience **glitches** in HCL Sametime, causing frustrating lags and communication disruptions during use. (2 reviews) - Users note a **steep learning curve** with HCL Sametime, making it hard for newcomers to navigate effectively. (2 reviews) - Users find the **limited features** of HCL Sametime lacking in intuitiveness, requiring significant effort to configure. (2 reviews) - Audio Issues (1 reviews) - Complexity (1 reviews) - Difficult Navigation (1 reviews) - Group Management (1 reviews) ## HCL Sametime Reviews ### 1. IBM SameTime - Great for business chats **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 25, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM sametime having a great feature of taking screenshots and send to other chats in a single click. Groups chats is very easy and friendly. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Hangs some times **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using IBM sametime for my business and project chit chats to other colleges. ### 2. Have a good experience while using it. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** UDIT A. | Assistant System Engineer, Information Technology and Services, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 26, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** It's accessibility to different features and also the faster transfer of text and images with low compression. Along with that faster connectivity to friends and colleagues. Calling facility is quite good but video lags sometime. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Lagging during video conferencing. Interface is not that much user friendly. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** It's quite a good software related to transfer files and to texting too. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** For collecting data and transfer files as per the requirement and for transferring prototype model plans. ### 3. The best chatting system ever! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Adebola K. | Area Manager, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 20, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Sometime is software we use at work to communicate between all of us from the very top to the last person on the company ladder. Everyone sees your message and try to help you instantly. It is lovely! **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Nothing. I think it work perfectly and kudos to IBM for developing such a message technology. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** It's the best instance communication technology around. You should get it. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Customers inquiries that requires immediate answer or solutions. Instead of waiting for someone to come to your station to help you, you receive help instantly on your system without moving an inch. ### 4. IBM Sametime Review **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 28, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Day to day use is good while communicating with other teams. Searching people through their id is nice. Grouping users in a particular group is a good feature. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** User Interface is not very intuitive I feel. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Good for Internal communication and grouping of different users based on their domain are some good features. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Use it for day to day use with other teams for support. This is the only messaging platform available in office , so it helps a lot in saving time while communicating. ### 5. In my opinion it's average business communication tool **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 01, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I liked the best is it holds message till the receiver comes online where I observed in other apps it'll show as receiver not online. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** TBH I didn't like the UI of the IBM Sametime. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Mostly Sametime makes communication very easy either for internal or business purpose. ### 6. IBM sametime **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM sametime is a very reliable communication software used primarily within the organization. Employees can quickly share information related to their work. They can do formal as well as informal chat with the colleagues. A very good feature is that you can exchange data files and setup voice and video meetings with the latest upgrade. It saves your conversations upto 365 days. One of the best communicaton software in terms of privacy & security of all the data. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** The voice and video meeting setup feature needs to be improved. Sometimes during multi-person meeting the voice and video quality deteriorates. During continuous use the software seldom crashes. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Effectively communicate between project team. Geographical limitations are solved interms of information sharing. Helps managers in quick decision making as soon as feedback is sent through IBM sametime. ### 7. Good tool **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ananthanarayanan V. | Vice President - Business Insights, Insurance, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 25, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Immediate collaboration and response solicitation **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Can’t send attachments, can’t share screen **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** An awesome tool and excellent for collaboration **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collaboration and immediate response ### 8. IBM Sametime Review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mark J. V. | Lieutenant, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 14, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM Sametimes makes it easy to collaborate with other employees. I'm able to share ideas, documents, and catch up with colleagues with whom I do not see on a daily basis. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** IBM Sametime loses connectivity quite frequently. I have also experience Sametime not saving important conversations. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** It is a useful product that aids in fostering team collaboration and improving communications. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** We are trying to improve internal communications between teams not located in the same environment. The benefits have been significant. I am able to share important documents and ideas with colleagues virtually. ### 9. Sametime Old-time **Rating:** 1.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kara B. | Risk Assurance, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 28, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I like the ability to easy take and send screenshots, turn off the pop up notification, and the ease of use. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Lotus notes email is very slow and clunky so to open that up to access Sametime is a burden. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** We are using google chat and hangouts more than Sametime because it is easier to use. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easily communicating internally and sharing content with coworkers. ### 10. SameTime is good for communicating in Office network **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 12, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** 1 Great for communicating with office team members 2. Has Office directory so we can add people working in same office 3. Can use This to chat remotely **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** 1. No Audio / video features supported 2. Connectivity issue observed few times where user goes offline **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Office Communicator **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Communicating with team members ### 11. Overall satisfaction with IBM Sametime **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 20, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Helps in many ways Simple chat Audio video integration Chat integration with diff platforms **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Audio video setup is tricky Features are complicated to use **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Small environments can be fit onto a single server and run quite well ### 12. Needs a lot of improvement on performance **Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 20, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM sametime is easy to use for messaging and file transfers. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Performance is very poor, not so many features as in other competitor products. Very heavy memory usage. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Using as the enterprise messaging tool. ### 13. No more lost messages between coworkers, or files **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Cristian A. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 11, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** It's integration with IBM Cloud, its group management, its capacity to share files and most of all its range of personalization. Some widgets are also nice and of course the use of gifs in some conversations during a tense day of job is always something to thank. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I would like a more eficient environment with IBM Notes, if you use the mail, the connections and the sametime it can take a couple of minutes to load and in old hardware it is too slow sometimes, even in newer hardware it takes his time to load. When sharing files it has size limit that is a problem sometimes, but zipping also works to avoid those problems. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** If you use the whole IBM package for your job issues this is a no brainer program, it works with all of the others and when you use it it's hard to not use it again, simple and very convenient. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** We can plan business jobs, we can communicate each other and share instant files and messages, any doubt can be instantly solved with just a few words without reaching out the coworker, but sharing your files and sometimes groups to share ideas and have an instant input of all it's priceless compared with mail or other message options. ### 14. Compliance Professional **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Banking | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 09, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Ease of use and speed. The product let’s you misnaming if co-workers are readily available ensuring faster responses for urgent request. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** There is not always mobile access so you have to be logged into your pc. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Fast communication for things that don’t require a full email. Also knowing whether a co worked is actually available is important ### 15. I really liked working with Sametime! **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 14, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Easy to use and several options. You could even add other companies emails that used Sametime. I also loved the voice option that we could make calls and use remote access in meetings to avoid using our own phones. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I did not like the version inside Lotus Notes due to the issues with Notes crashing and you'd also lose your chat. Although the group contact addition was a good feature, it wasn't always easy to do. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** It was my everyday communication software at IBM and I wish more companies would use it. ### 16. The best work chat program by itself **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Logistics and Supply Chain | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 04, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Easy to use, great tabbing functions, lots of options inside of chat. Easy to log past chats. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Reliant upon having IBM Lotus Notes program running, which means you are cut off in the likely instance Lotus Notes is bugged down. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Sametime is great, but if video conferencing is to be heavily utilized, Skype is superior. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Simple easy instant communication. ### 17. IBM Sametime - a messenger with a lot of scope for improvement **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 25, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Its a simple to use instant messanger for office purpose, with all basic features like one to one chatting, group chat, media share etc. The best this about this messenger is its integrated with IMB lotus notes allowing continuous synchronization of contacts. Also its a robust and secure platform, which makes it ideal for office use. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** This scores very low in performance. You would often face frequent crashes and slow message exchanges. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Inter office communication is made really effective with the help of this instant messenger. ### 18. Sametime is a great instant message service **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Wholesale | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** With Sametime you can immediately contact a coworker in your building. You can also see if they are available or not before you send a message. It's also a great way to tell if someone is likely at their desk. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I have been using Sametime for so long I can't think of anything I dislike. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** if you're looking for an easy way to contact your internal team, this is it. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** it solves the problem of communication. You can contact someone even if they are on the phone. ### 19. Review for same time **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Business Supplies and Equipment | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 16, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** It is rich of features ,reliable software from IBM and quite famous software **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** It is clumsy and did not improve itself with time and too costly compared to other messaging software **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Make it less resource consuming and affordable. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Interacting with team members at distant offices. Sharing files and documents with in team. Conducting conference calls. ### 20. IBM Sametime **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 05, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM SAMETIME is an instant messaging tool. It provides instant messaging, video conferencing, chat rooms, and voice calling. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** IBM SAMETIME is a desktop application. The application is a bit slow. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Internal communication ### 21. Sufficient **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Accounting | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 02, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** It was a good messaging system and got the job done. I don't think of it as amazing, but it didn't have any major issues. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Kind of nitpicky, but the automatic emojis were really ugly. Other than that, it worked well. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** There are better platforms out there, in my opinion. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** It provided a decent communication platform. ### 22. Great for collaboration! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I like the ability for people to be in multiple locations and work seamlessly as if they are sitting next to each other; the ability to give & take control of documents makes this an easy platform to use. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** sometimes the screen view is not the best. it can be a little quirky if scrolling through or resizing a document. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** working in different locations & not being able to work on the same document. ### 23. Love the idea **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Business Supplies and Equipment | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 23, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I like that I can communicate with my co workers without leaving my desk. This helps solve problems quickly and with minimal effort (getting up and finding said employee) especially in a big building with lots of employees. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I dislike that I have to add a new employee as a contact rather than just having them automatically added when they are put in to the pool of offices. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Sametime is a great way to communicate and collaborate with teammates. I would recommend companies use this more often. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have realized that with sametime I can work on one issue with a coworker, while also multitasking to get another task done. I can wait on an answer to a question that I might not know, without hovering over my team mates desk. This product has multiple benefits. I feel that it also helps keep talking to a minimum because if you have something to say, you can just sametime them. ### 24. Sametime **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 18, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** It has a mobile app as well as a desktop app for both windows and Mac **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Somewhat of a clunky tool, and needs a face lift **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Coworker collaboration and productivity ### 25. IBM Sametime **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Accounting | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 28, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Ability to connect w/ coworkers and get questions answered immediately, able to tell someone's status. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I thought it was a pretty good tool not much to dislike. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Great tool for quick communications and multitasking! **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Ability to connect w/ coworkers and get questions answered immediately, able to tell someone's status. ### 26. Good intra-company communication tool **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Law Practice | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Being able to quickly connect with someone like a phone call, but even when they may be tied up on a conference call. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** There's nothing I currently do not like about it. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** I've used Skype for Business as well. I think any quick-communication tool is a benefit to company-wide communication. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Faster response time on time-sensitive issues than going through the email train. Ability to save conversations to have a paper trail, which is the general benefit of email. ### 27. IBM Sametime **Rating:** 1.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2019 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Easy to use, familiar interface and functionality **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Outdated, looks like AIM. So many other modern chat options we could use **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Available across the enterprise is best benefit ### 28. Decent **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Luis G. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** That it works. I think that the stuff really works. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Nothing it works well and is very helpful for all of us. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Nothing and all of them. ### 29. Sametime review **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Accounting | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 03, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Sametime promotes more efficient communication in the business environment when a quick instant message can be quicker than an email! **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Can be difficult to figure out how to change your profile picture. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Sametime can solve miscommunication problems. A benefit is being able to connect to colleagues virtually instantly to get information quicker. ### 30. Sametime **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Insurance | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Easy to use, let’s you know when people are busy, faster than email **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Don’t think you can send files to other contacts **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Not interrupting colleagues when they’re busy, getting quick immediate responses to questions especially if on a call already ### 31. Helpful! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Retail | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 12, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM Sametime has been very helpful in communicating with colleagues across our organization. I'm constantly utilizing for questions that I need a quick response on. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** The password can get a little wonky sometimes whenever you're updating your IBM Lotus Notes Password. I wish it was more instantaneous with password updates. Also, to update your Sametime Header can be a little challenging if you do not have the exact instruction. Making this process more seamless would be helpful. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** I'd be aware that when you change passwords, Sametime can be a little wonky until it full syncs with your IBM Lotus Notes Password. Furthermore, it can be a bit challenging to update your Sametime Header without instructions. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Quick Questions regarding business, vendors, challenges, updates, etc. It is the fastest form of communication when have especially when people are busy. ### 32. just a way to communicate like slack or skype **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Hospital & Health Care | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 31, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Best one is you can share screenshot with no tension of whether it will load on other end or not. This is something which makes same time better or different then other right now i am using Skype and have to upload simple screenshot as well and it transfers that does not go well always. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** it freezes in between the chat several times, take much time to get message delivered, attachments uploading takes forever. Have different challenges while system hang ..need complete reboot and you will loose another 15 - 20 minutes. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** please be ready for slow service, its not something you will enjoy ..... takes time to get attachment loading and then transferring from one source to another. sometimes its really frustrating when you keep waiting for long time and it hangs the whole application and you have to reboot the system all the way. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** communication with in the team ### 33. Sametime Easy Communication **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Military | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 10, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Sametime is easy to use and allows you to be notified when a colleague is available. Furthermore it makes collaboration easier when co-workers are spread over a wide area. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Stacking options are somewhat limited. Additional options would be beneficial. Additional notification options of newly received messages would also be appreciated/ **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Quickly communicate and share files with co-workers. Consult on current issues and provide additional answers to community or directed question. ### 34. Sametime **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Wendy S. | Senior Consultant, Financial Services, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 23, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Communicate with coworkers regarding work **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Limited features. Can’t hold meetings through this instant messenger system. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Add meeting capability, share screen options, group meetingd **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Communications ### 35. makes life so much easy in office **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 25, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** chat with people everywhere in office to make life easier **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** the settings to be made are on so user friendly **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** great for official purpose **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** chatiing and solving problems with business parteners ### 36. It wasn’t an okay messager **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Maritime | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 27, 2018 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** The gif saving capabilities could have been better organized, but that was my favorite part anyways **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** How many steps there are to log in, had to open lotus and waiiiitt for that to load, and then log in to Sametime. Skype auto loads. Much better **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Internal communications ### 37. Waste attempt to create a chat messenger **Rating:** 0.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** ankit k. | Technical Lead, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 26, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** The only thing i like about this is yes IT CAN BE USED TO SEND THE MESSAGES ACROSS. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I dislike everything about this say from its design its interface its incapability to handle most of the stuff that Skype can do very easily. Its slow. Its not worth of calling itself a messenger. not at all compareable to Skype **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** i ll not recommend **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** I work for a bank so they needed some secure thing. I feel that is where this IBM sametime came in ### 38. Needs improvement **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 24, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I started using sametime as part of Lotus notes package and new company. This is one the good things which comes with Lotus Notes and helps you to connect to your contacts. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Not very user friendly when compared to MS products like Skype. even sharing of files, storing conversations etc is not so great. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Instant contact/chat with your colleagues makes it indispensable if you are in Lotus notes environment ### 39. Perfection! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 04, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM Sametime is the ideal communication space for solving corporate tasks, automation, and optimization of business processes **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Could have better support and better connect at times. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Its a great bridge to connect across work environment. In today's world where communication is Key something like Sametime is a life saver. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Enables control of all business instant messaging system. It really facilitates greatly when you are able to see who all are online and logged in whenever needed. ### 40. Restricted use in IBM server **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Soumi B. | Volunteer , Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 18, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I like very professional, like the option to see what time someone gets online and offline **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Very formal, do not have much option to be creative **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Good communicator within company ### 41. The best for communication! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Insurance | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 18, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Group chatting and collaboration are so easy with Sametime! **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** It's not as functional as some other Instant Messaging programs. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collaboration, Team Meetings, Conference Calls, etc. ### 42. Basic no-frills messaging system **Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 05, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** It's integrated with IBM Notes (displayed in the same window) so it makes it easy for me to see if someone is online and I can send them a sametime message, or if I should email them instead. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** For younger generations that are used to detailed graphics, clean lines, and a more "modern" look, they will cringe when they open this app. It looks like a Windows 95 program that never got updated. There is limited functionality with this app, and certain functions that should be intuitive are actually much harder to perform. At least it supports gifs! **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Since our organization has to use IBM Notes, it makes sense to have a messaging system integrated with our email. We often communicate with colleagues in different offices (across North America as well as internationally) and this is great for those times you just really don't want to pick up the phone (or you're stuck on the phone and need to let someone else know). ### 43. IBM Sametime **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bobby W. | Centralized Application Support Supervisor, Insurance, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 01, 2016 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Love IBM Sametime in our company, it has become a staple in communicating throughout our company instead of email. Instant access, presence awareness, file sharing, screen sharing. it has it all. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** we have found that upgrading the desktop version of this product does not like "upgrading" from one version to the next. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** I think with the robust combination of Sametime Instant messaging and the Sametime Meeting and Conferencing services it would be a perfect fit in any environment. Especially for users who are paying outside companies like Webex or GoTo Meeting for their services. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** the business problems that we are solving is the ability to get a response from someone quickly, and the ability to share files quickly with a remote user. ### 44. Sametime Review **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Accounting | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 26, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I like that a number of plug-ins have been produced for sametime and this really helps make the application more user friendly. It's easy to use when changing timezones and I like the very modern emotions. I also like the screen share feature. This is one of the most userfriendly screen share settings I have use **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Sametime still comes across as slightly old fashioned and I think this is mainly as a result of it being produced by IBM- it has that uncool factor. In addition, Sametime is used primarily for business purposes and this is a deterrent from using it outside of the office (unlike Google applications). **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Worth taking a look. In addition, its reliabe so it wont have gone bankrupt in a couple of years so many employees with have used it in previous employments. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Any activity that occurs on my computer, is automatically backed up to the community server so there is no loss of information should a machine fail as once you log back in Sametime is practical and user-friendly and in a way it is better that it is used less for personal purposes as it keeps people focused on work. ### 45. Sametime **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Retail | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 31, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Ability to quickly message coworkers or trans documents to them. Group chats to keep multiple people informed during projects, Ability to chat quickly with overseas office using our own server. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** occasional lag time with transferring documents. Issue with auto spell check not staying on after reboot. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Defiantly worth adding to you software. Great way for chat within your companies as it uses your Domino Notes Server so its secure no outside access makes communication with offsite offices easier and quicker. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** open communication with various departments within company including overseas office ### 46. nice add-on tool for Lotus Notes **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Security and Investigations | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 26, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** The ability to quickly and easily take and share screen shots or snips **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** the lotus notes platform overall - Sametime was one of the bright spots **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** realtime communication with colleagues, ability to see who is available/online ### 47. Sometime is a useful online chat tool in the workplace. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Erin G. | Assurance Associate, Accounting, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2016 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** My favorite thing about Sometime is the ability to copy and paste screenshots and pictures directly into the chat without having to save the photos to my desktop. Not all chats can do this. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I think the overall layout and physical appearance looks too plain and needs to be updated. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Sametime is a useful communication tool and is definitely a program to consider using when choosing among collaboration hubs. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am working for a multi-national company that works in online real time with people around the world, so it is very important to be able to have a quick and informal chat space which helps cut down on email traffic. ### 48. Sametime.... so cool! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 13, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** I am new to Lotus Notes, but I really like Sametime! I like how quickly I can message a coworker. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** I would love more emojis included. : ) Also, I wish that coworkers who aren't in the office could have access to Sametime. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Have fun with it! **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** I work in the Development Department for the Salvation Army. I work with several colleagues whose offices are not close by, and SameTime allows us to talk in real time. ### 49. A versatile moddable instant messaging client with excellent collaboration features **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kester F. | Analytics Solutions & Asset Manager, Outsourcing/Offshoring, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 02, 2016 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** IBM sametime can be used as a stand-alone desktop client, web browser client, embedded client within Lotus Notes so it's very versatile. Many many plug-ins and mods have been produced for sametime which really add to the extensibility given is how it has been built on the Eclipse Java platform. For example you can easily add time zone support, fancy emoticon packs, integration with other tools, fancy alerting features, automation features, the list goes on and it's very impressive. Additionally the sametime protocol can be used out with IBM's clients. So for example one can configure and log on to the same time community using generic messaging client like Pidgin. Different community icons are automatically shown for contacts from different communities and favourite contacts can be added into a separate queue for ease of access. One can share screen with colleagues and schedule web conference meetings also using platform. File sharing is also implemented very well and works extremely quickly. In fact this is my preferred method of transferring large files quickly and easily peer-to-peer. Lastly like Skype one can use same time to voice chat over VoIP as well as the usual messaging. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** Sometimes the mods or plug-ins can cause same time to run very slowly and IBM have made it difficult to use the same time protocol with third-party generic clients like Pidgin. Also using the sametime embedded notes version dramatically increases memory usage on any machine and therefore is not recommended for low-end machines. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** Do not add too many contacts to same time because it can slow down the usage of the client especially when there are issues with synchronisation with the server. In any case, any user can be searched for on the server live every time you want open a chat. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Mainly sametime can be used very well for the following activities Instant messaging, collaboration, screen sharing, web conferencing, voice VoIP calling, screenshot grabbing. Any activity that happens on a local machine is automatically backed up to the community server so there is no loss of contacts should a machine fail as once you log back in with a fresh reinstall it downloads all your contacts again. The modelling and plug-in library for sametime is very impressive and one can really configure this messaging client to one's exact specification which is very rare with other messaging clients. ### 50. Functional but not intuitive **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Banking | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 09, 2017 **What do you like best about HCL Sametime?** Support of .gif files. Interaction with coworkers. **What do you dislike about HCL Sametime?** It's clunky and not intuitive. Crashes a lot. **Recommendations to others considering HCL Sametime:** My company is actually getting rid of Sametime. **What problems is HCL Sametime solving and how is that benefiting you?** Chatting with coworkers is always helpful. ## HCL Sametime Discussions - [What is HCL Sametime used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-hcl-sametime-used-for) - [View HCL Sametime pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/hcl-sametime/reviews?page=2§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-07-31+14%3A42%3A51+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=d9c390e9-e561-43b8-bcac-55c92260230b&secure%5Btoken%5D=faf496c8c18dda115c0288d4023037d527963e465578877bdff2f2b94a4c800c&format=llm_user) ## HCL Sametime Features **Collaboration Tools** - Screen Sharing - Presentations - Whiteboarding - Live Chat - Hand Raising **Pre-Meeting Tools** - Templates - Scheduling - Agenda **Meeting Coordination** - Scheduling - Recording - Participant Permissions - One-Click Join **Meeting Tools** - Minutes - Notes - Digital Workspace - File Sharing **Software Type** - Mobile - Browser Application - Desktop Application **Post-Meeting Tools** - Task Delegation - Participant Email - Meeting Analytics **Agentic AI - Video Conferencing** - Autonomous Task Execution - Proactive Assistance - Decision Making **Agentic AI - Meeting Management** - Autonomous Task Execution - Cross-system Integration - Proactive Assistance ## Top HCL Sametime Alternatives - [Microsoft Teams](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-teams/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (17,624 reviews) - [Zoom Workplace](https://www.g2.com/products/zoom-workplace/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (53,550 reviews) - [Webex Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-webex-suite/reviews) - 4.2/5.0 (17,665 reviews)