Microsoft Teams vs Zoom, which is better? This is a question we are getting asked regularly?

And the conclusion we have come to…

We actually think there is a place for both.  Generally we are recommending Microsoft Teams be used for internal use (i.e. within your own business) and Zoom for working externally.

Each of these relatively new solutions has seen rapid development over the last couple of years, developing an impressive list of features.  So how do you decide between Microsoft Teams and Zoom? First, lets look at each platform, and then dive in to compare them.

What is Zoom?

​ Zoom is a market leader in the video communications industry with their cloud platform for video, audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars. Check out the brief clip below for an overview.

What is Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is Microsoft’s all-encompassing collaboration and communications platform – combining meetings, chats, calls, and file sharing with the Office 365 applications to bring everyone together in a shared workspace.

Microsoft Teams vs Zoom Breakdown

Features

When it comes to features, both Zoom and Teams enable online meetings, chats, calls, screensharing, and file sharing. The difference between the two is really Microsoft’s integration between Teams and the Office suite. This enables Microsoft Teams to truly be a one-stop-shop for many businesses. This also allows for seamless collaboration, backups, and file search. However, going some way to balance out Microsoft’s Office365 integration, Zoom features a wide-ranging set of integrations.

User Interface

The user interface and experience is where Zoom excels. Zoom users all rave over its simple interface and the ability to get end-users up and running with little to no training or support.

Microsoft Teams poses a bigger challenge as users need to get up to speed on how to interact in different channels and Teams, incorporate file sharing, and also all of the other Office 365 applications baked into Teams.  Although the full set of collaboration functionality built into Teams requires more planning and training during the onboarding process, it offers a far more functional tool (and hence a better value) than Zoom.

Pricing

Microsoft Teams and Zoom each offer a free version of the platform, with more advanced features offered with paid plans.

However many current Office 365 users are unaware that their current subscription already includes full Teams functionality, so there will be no additional ongoing costs of moving to Teams.

For employees that don’t currently have a Office 365 license Microsoft is providing a free 6 month license with full functionality.

Zoom’s free version includes meetings that can host up to 100 participants (with a 40-minute limit on group meetings), unlimited 1:1 meetings, online support, as well as video and web conferencing features, group collaboration features.

Security

This is where Teams shines and wins hands down.  It has very rich security capabilities with the flexibility to lock down as required. On the other hand a number of questions have been raised around the security and encryption within Zoom.

Conclusion

Clearly, there’s no obvious answer or winner – the final choice depends on your own business needs and requirements. In many cases, Microsoft Teams and Zoom actually combine to work well together, rather than forcing an either-or situation.

We are promoting the Microsoft Teams for internal collaboration, whereas Zoom is often preferred for quick and easy communications externally – whether that’s with customers, contractors or suppliers.

Interested in finding out more?

Contact Steve to find out how you can implement Zoom and / or Teams to help manage your new Remote Working environment.