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Meditation teachers often recommend practicing with others, but I personally have a love-hate relationship with group meditation. I remember how my first experience left me upset by the behaviour of others. Then on reflection, I realized I hadn’t been meditating successfully. I’d been caught up in judgment rather than sitting in mindful awareness. More on that in a minute. First, the benefits.
Group meditation might encourage you to practice. Some people are more likely to sit in the company of others than they are to meditate alone. And, if you promise to meet with others, you might be more likely to follow through than to disappoint them. Regularly sitting with others can also give you a sense of belonging or community. And, in other people you might find a mentor or someone to talk to about meditation challenges and experiences. 
I’ve heard some meditators say that, when they sit with others, they can feel a positive, calm energy in the room. I personally have not experienced this phenomenon, although I have witnessed this kind of energy when meditating with some highly experienced practitioners (Thich Nhat Hanh and the abbot of my local Buddhist monastery, for example).
Peaceful Moment of the Week: Hydrangea in Monica's Mom's Garden

But, group meditation also presents challenges. The first time I sat with a group was a little intimidating. I wasn’t sure how to behave. Thankfully, the group was welcoming and helpful. The minute I set foot in the door, I was greeted with a smile, and offered a little tour and introduction. When I meet with a group now, I keep that first day in mind and watch for newcomers so I can welcome them.
Also, while observing other meditators can give you guidance, it can be detrimental if you begin to compare yourself with them or silently set yourself up to compete with them. One of my students confessed he thought he wasn’t as good at meditation as others. He could see them all sitting quiet and still while he was struggling not to fidget. He concluded that, unlike them, he just wasn’t able to clear his mind.
If you ever begin to feel this way, remind yourself of two things. First, you’re wrong, they’re not all sitting with clear minds. Internally, their minds might be just as busy as yours (and remember, meditation isn’t about getting rid of thoughts, anyway). 
Second, mindfulness is a skill built with practice. Some of the people in your group are probably more skilled than you are. Of course it’s easier for them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. The only way to get to their skill level is to sit and practice. Instead of berating yourself, chat with them about your struggles. You’re very likely to discover that you’re not alone, and they might have some helpful pointers.
The other challenge in group sitting is the one I mentioned at the start - some people’s behaviour can interrupt your meditation. The people who arrive late, those who fidget constantly, the ones who forget to turn off their phones, and those who fall asleep and snore can all be distracting. Once I even had someone stand right in front of me and ask me whether we were all going to have tea together after practice!
Here’s the thing, though. Distractions are your issue to manage, not theirs. Distractions, in and of themselves, are just things that happen in the present moment. It’s how you manage them that counts. 
You can react negatively to them, judging them and the people who cause them,