Which platform is better: Microsoft Teams or Zoom?
- gabrielakvisionfac
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Previously, video conferencing, video calls between colleagues, and online learning were not as popular as they are now. In view of the circumstances, communications had to be restructured. Everyone understood the convenience and practicality of holding online meetings. For example, saving time on the road, the ability to gather many participants without the need to rent a room, and other advantages. Since March 2020, the number of users of video services has increased hundreds of times. As a result, Microsoft Teams and Zoom became market leaders.
What are their similarities and differences between platforms?
Zoom is a cloud-based platform for video and audio conferencing, calling, mobile collaboration, and simple online meetings. Also, Zoom still offers a freemium option that primarily attracts new customers. Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that brings together chat, online meetings, conferences, and Microsoft 365 services. That is, Microsoft Teams is not only for video or audio communication. Also, this is a hub that combines various services for work: from calls to a planner for large projects. In addition, both apps are available in mobile and desktop versions. Also, the basic set for calls and chat may seem the same.
Functional
Background overlay, multiple screens of participants at the same time, and the ability to mute the microphones of other participants. For both applications, this set is almost the same. Also, applications can display up to 49 video images of conference participants. In addition, in Microsoft Teams, it is possible to “seat” all participants in one audience – Together Mode. The ability to chat is provided by both Teams and Zoom. For example, as a standalone feature or as part of a conference. Considering the chat as a service, in both applications, it is possible to split into channels, groups, search, and personal correspondence. If we talk about chat as part of the conference, then there are differences. When the meeting in Teams is over, the event chat remains and continues to “live”. Also, you can write a message, publish a file, and send an emoji at any time. So, the chat is among your other correspondence, and it will be easy for you to find it. Zoom’s autosave system automatically saves the meeting chat locally to your computer. As a result, when initiating local or cloud recording, you have the option to manually save your chat. That is, you are only reviewing existing information, without the ability to add new information.
How long will your conference last?
Microsoft Teams allows you to start working with colleagues even BEFORE you start broadcasting. For example, you can do so through chat messages, files for collaboration, and questions for speakers and moderators. What’s more, during the meeting, it is possible to take notes in the corresponding tab, and your chat lives on. On the contrary, a meeting in Zoom starts by clicking on the link, entering the video meeting ID and password at the specified time. Then you have a chat function (if the organizer turns it on). Yet conference recording (video) is possible for both services. Microsoft Teams cloud recordings are stored in a secure corporate Microsoft Stream and are available to members of the organization. So, Microsoft Stream includes basic storage. This means that, Microsoft Stream customer gets a fixed 500 GB of dedicated storage and an additional 0.5 GB of storage per licensed user. And Zoom Cloud Recordings are stored in the Zoom Cloud and, depending on your plan, your recording storage may vary in size (0.5 GB, 1 GB).
Integration with other applications
In this matter, both services provide a wide range of possible integrations. For example, calendars, task monitoring systems, planners, and more. A significant difference in integration with office suites of applications (Microsoft Office, G Suite, OpenOffice, etc.). For example, Zoom has a connector with G Suite, but the number of users of this service is significantly less than that of Microsoft Office users. But Teams, in turn, is part of the Microsoft Office ecosystem, which allows you to use Office applications in Teams itself. As a result, the set of services for integration is different. So, before choosing Teams or Zoom, check out the list of applications on the manufacturers’ websites.
Conclusion
If we compare the Teams and Zoom services only in terms of video and audio calls, then there are no serious differences. However, if you need a platform for more than just online meetings and conferences, Microsoft Teams is unmatched in organizing workflow and communication. Integration of office programs, mail services, calendar synchronization, instant calls, and chats – this is not a complete list of Microsoft Teams features. Also, Microsoft Teams is included in Microsoft 365 plans. This means that you purchase the Office Services suite and Microsoft Teams together. While using the Zoom license, you have only the Zoom service at your disposal.