Why can’t I join Zoom from a browser without downloading the software?

According to Zoom, in the “web client” or browser-based version of Zoom, “the meeting experience from the browser is limited.” For example, audio/video quality may also be reduced, some features are missing, and not all browsers work well.

We recommend that all teachers and students download the zoom software or the install the phone app (see Get Zoom).

Zoom say that their web client is only intended as is only “a workaround for participants who are unable to download, install, or run applications.” For full details, see the guide to the Zoom web client on their website.