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Google LLC early today made its Google Meet video conferencing service free for all users amid a global surge in use during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Google Meet, previously called Google Hangouts, was available only as part of G Suite. Available for free via meet.google.com and Google Meet mobile apps, it now offers free account holders — those without a G Suite account — to create and host meetings of up to 100 people and access in-meeting features such as screen sharing, real-time captions and expanded tiled layout.

The move is also another shot across the bow of Zoom Video Communications Inc., whose videoconferencing services has boomed during the pandemic. Update: Zoom’s shares were falling almost 7% Wednesday as a result.

There are some limitations for free users, such as meeting limited to 60 minute, although Google said it won’t enforce that time limit until Sept. 30. Users are required to have a Google account to access the free version of Google Meet and viewers are limited to 100,000.

In a time where millions, possibly even billions, of people are forced to work from home because of the coronavirus pandemic, Google Meet has surged in popularity. Since January, Google Meet has seen peak daily usage grow by 30 times, with Meet hosting 3 billion minutes of video meetings while adding roughly 3 million new users daily. According to Google, the service surpassed 100 million daily users as of last week.

In addition, Google announced a new version of G Suite for noncustomers called G Suite Essentials. Pitched as perfect for teams that need access to Meet’s more advanced features such as dial-in phone numbers, larger meetings and meeting recording, the new service includes secure Google Drive access access as well as support for Docs, Sheets and Slides for content creation and real-time collaboration.

“Starting in early May, anyone with an email address can sign up for Meet and enjoy many of the same features available to our business and education users, such as simple scheduling and screen sharing, real-time captions and layouts that adapt to your preference, including an expanded tiled view,” Javier Soltero, Google’s vice president and general manager of G Suite, wrote in a blog post.

The free service will be rolled out in general availability over the coming weeks.

Image: Google Meet/Google Play