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With the COVID-19 pandemic surging, governments worldwide have implemented quarantine measures, leading to increased demand for video calling services and apps. As more people work from home, virtual interactions have become the norm.
Should you opt for Microsoft Teams or Zoom for your remote video conferencing needs?
While there are numerous teleconferencing tools available for organizing online classes or hosting meetings, Zoom and Microsoft Teams are the two most popularly used online learning applications. This article will help you compare Zoom and Microsoft Teams to choose the better app for conducting video chats while working from home by comparing their features.
1. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: Key Features
Firstly, let's quickly go through some key features of these two collaboration tools.
Zoom
Zoom stands out as a pioneering figure in the field of teleconferencing. While other similar tools focus heavily on features like instant messaging and content sharing, Zoom emphasizes the importance of easily accessible video calling. Despite still offering content sharing and instant messaging capabilities, the ability to join a video meeting with just a click is what has propelled this company into the limelight. You can join a meeting from anywhere, on any device, and access video for both internal and external communications.
Some notable features of Zoom include:
- High-quality audio and video.
- Support for up to 1000 participants.
- Up to 49 videos displayed on screen.
- Advanced encryption for conversations.
- Schedule integration with Outlook and Gmail.
- Role-based security.
- Screen sharing and co-annotation.
- Group chat with teams.
- Searchable chat history.
- File sharing.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is perhaps the most popular collaboration tool for businesses on the market. What sets it apart from the crowd is its seamless integration with the rest of the Microsoft Stack. You can initiate meetings from Outlook or Exchange Calendar and collaborate on documents couldn't be easier. Microsoft consistently rolls out new features to make the Microsoft Teams experience more engaging.
Some notable features of Teams include:
- Integration with Office 365.
- Join video meetings with blurred backgrounds.
- Excellent audio with inline transcription.
- Screen and file sharing.
- Private and group messaging.
- Accessible from any device.
- Searchable chat channels.
- End-to-end security.
- Numerous bots for additional functionality.
- Tabs to facilitate easy information retrieval.
- Meeting recording.
2. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: Communication Solutions
One thing that sets both Microsoft Teams and Zoom apart in the collaboration space is that both tools have sought to provide a more comprehensive 'all-in-one' environment. Adding Unified Communications (UC) technology to the feature list for Microsoft Teams or Zoom means you have everything you need to conduct conversations internally and externally in one place.
Zoom's solution is the Zoom Phone experience. While still a relatively new concept, it has garnered a lot of attention with features like intelligent call routing, IVR, and integrated voice interactions.
On the other hand, Microsoft Teams offers enterprise calling solutions through the Microsoft environment or Direct Routing. While Microsoft's enterprise calling environment still has some shortcomings, it may be suitable for small companies. Fortunately, the direct routing solution means users can continue to use their service provider's services through Microsoft Teams.
3. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: User Experience
User experience plays a crucial role in selecting the right collaboration solution. One of the main reasons Zoom customers are so enthusiastic about the company is its ease of access. You can press a single button and start a Zoom meeting within seconds without needing assistance.
Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, takes a bit more time to get used to due to the plethora of channels and file-sharing components to consider. However, you'll be able to get your entire team up and running quickly. Microsoft Teams also integrates with all Microsoft tools your employees are using.
Each provider comes with a range of their own tools to set up the perfect conference space. Zoom Rooms offers Plug-and-Play technology for users to design the perfect meeting room in minutes. Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams offers a plethora of endpoint devices, from cameras and conference phones to headsets from companies like Jabra with their dedicated Teams button.
4. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: Integration
Integration has quickly become a top concern for all collaboration platforms. The good news is that both Zoom and Microsoft offer plenty of integrations to leverage. Microsoft Teams stands out for its deep integration with the Microsoft environment. However, you can also find some additional utilities available through the Microsoft Store for Teams.
On the other hand, Zoom also comes with a range of additional utilities available for browsing through. The most popular way to integrate Zoom with other tools is by using Zoom technology as an accessory to your other applications. For example, you can bring Zoom into Slack, so all your video meetings go through Zoom instead of Slack's built-in solution.
5. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: Which App is Better for Video Calling?
Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom have their strengths and provide users with effective and straightforward collaboration tools. You can use each platform to build a comprehensive communication environment, complete with integrations and even telephony technology. What's more? Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer free versions, so users can experience them before investing.
Microsoft Teams is the perfect choice for internal collaboration, thanks to its strong integration with the Office 365 environment. It offers easy chat solutions and channels, great for bringing your team together on the same page. Additionally, Zoom is more appealing to those who often work with external collaborators, such as contractors and suppliers, with excellent one-click meeting join options.
6. Microsoft Teams vs Zoom Download Links
Microsoft Teams Download Link
Zoom Download Link
