Zoom Lifts Free Call Time Limit for the Holidays Chat for hours at no cost this Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's.

By Stephanie Milot

This story originally appeared on PCMag

Getty Images via PC Mag

Whether you're opening presents this holiday, drinking to the new year or just trying to sneak in one final book club meeting, Zoom has your back.

As a "token of appreciation to our users during an extraordinary time," the videoconferencing platform is ditching the 40-minute limit on free calls for this month's special occasions.

The cap will be automatically lifted from the following dates and times:

  • 10 a.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 17 (today) to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 19

  • 10 a.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 23 to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 26

  • 10 a.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 30 to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Jan. 2

Sprinkle some holiday magic on your calls by downloading festive backgrounds and using video filters. Also check out Zoom's ideas for hosting virtual parties and tips for connecting with family and friends. "We're proud to have been a part of your lives in 2020 and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!" the team wrote in a blog announcement.

Related: How Eric Yuan 'Zoom'ed His Way To Build a $50-Billion Business

Zoom offered the same deal over Thanksgiving, inviting basic-plan customers to chat for hours over a slice of turkey and some cranberry sauce. The free plan cuts off after 40 minutes — a good incentive to upgrade to a paid tier. Sure, you can restart the call as many times as necessary, but that can put a real damper on any virtual gathering.

Google Meet also requires users to renew calls after 60 minutes, and most providers charge for removing these restrictions. Which is why it's such a delight to have endless free Zoom sessions this holiday season.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for Her $12 Million 'Palace in the Sky' Penthouse

Corcoran bought the duplex co-op for $10 million in 2015 and spent $2 million renovating it.

Starting a Business

A Cambodian Refugee Paralyzed By Polio Says 'Not Much' Was Expected of Him. He and His Wife Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business That Beat All Odds.

Steve and Brittany Yeng were discouraged from pursuing their unique idea, but they didn't listen to the naysayers.