A brief explanation of host types in Zoom
Overview
If you are the original meeting Host, either by setting it up yourself or having it assigned via timetabling, then you will have complete control over the meeting.
Please note that if are made Host in a different way, it might be not be the case.
For more information about the roles in Zoom, please read the following Zoom help material.
Host type meanings
Original host
If you or timetabling created the meeting, you will be the original host.
New host (in meeting)
This is a role given by the Original host during a meeting. Please note that the Original host can reclaim that position. **
For more information about adding a New host during a meeting, for example, when you would leave it but not end it for the other participants, please read the following Zoom help material.
Alternate host (pre-meeting)
This is set up in the web interface, therefore, it cannot be done once the meeting has commenced. Please note that multiple Alternate hosts can be assigned, but only one will have full host powers, based on who is the first to join the meeting. The remaining will join as Co-hosts.
For more information about the Alternate host, please read the following Zoom help material.
Co-host
This is also a role given during a meeting, and multiple attendees can be assigned as Co-host.
For more information about the Co-host, please read the following Zoom help material.
Comparison of the host types
Participating in the meeting
Activity | Original host | New host (in meeting) | Alt host (pre-meeting) | Co-host |
---|---|---|---|---|
Start the meeting | ✔ | ✔ | ||
Mute/unmute | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Start/stop their video | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Share screen | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Request or give remote control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Save in-meeting chat | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Create or edit polls | ✔ | |||
Start poll | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Assign someone to closed captions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Enter closed captions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
End meeting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Managing participants
Activity | Original host | New host (in meeting) | Alt host (pre-meeting) | Co-host |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mute or unmute participants | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Stop participant’s video | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Ask participant to start video | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotlight a video | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Promote participant to host or co-host | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Change who attendees can chat with | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Remove attendees | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Put participants in waiting room | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Rename participants | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Invite others to join | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Mute controls for participants (ask to mute, mute all, mute on entry) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Assign participants to breakout rooms | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Allow multi-pin | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Recording
Activity | Original host | New host (in meeting) | Alt host (pre-meeting) | Co-host |
---|---|---|---|---|
Start cloud recording | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Start local recording | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Allow or forbid a participant to start local recording | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |