Microsoft Teams vs Zoom (a side-by-side comparison)

When it comes to video conferencing software, Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) and Zoom are two of the most popular options for remote work, online meetings, and team collaboration.

While both platforms offer essential features for virtual meetings and video calls, they each excel in different areas.

Let’s explore the key differences and find out which one might be the better choice for your business needs or personal use.

1. Ease of Use & User Interface

• Zoom: Known for its ease of use and intuitive user interface, Zoom makes joining and hosting Zoom meetings simple. Its home screen and navigation are straightforward, making it ideal for quick video meetings.

• Microsoft Teams: As part of the Microsoft Office suite, Teams integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products. While the user experience is polished, new users might need time to adapt due to its feature-rich design and multiple different channels for communication.

2. Collaboration Features

• Zoom: Offers screen sharing, breakout rooms, file sharing, and Zoom chat for communication during video conferences. It’s ideal for large group calls and offers a shared workspace for collaboration.

• Microsoft Teams: Goes beyond video conferencing tools by offering document collaboration with Google Docs, Google Drive, and Microsoft apps like Word and Excel. Its group chat, file storage, and ability to create different channels make it a robust collaboration platform.

3. Security Features

• Zoom: Offers end-to-end encryption for meetings, a waiting room for verifying participants, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). It has improved its data protection after past security breaches.

• Microsoft Teams: Provides robust security with two-factor authentication, advanced threat protection, and strong data protection policies. It’s ideal for handling sensitive information in corporate environments.

You may also want to see How to add members to a team in Microsoft Teams.

4. Video & Audio Quality

• Zoom: Known for high-quality video and audio, even with large group calls. Zoom meetings are reliable with minimal lag, making it suitable for daily meeting participants.

• Microsoft Teams: Offers excellent video quality, but performance may vary depending on the integration of other Microsoft apps. It supports real-time audio calls and voice calls.

5. Pricing Plans

• Zoom:

  • Free Plan: 40-minute time limit on group meetings.

  • Paid Plans: Options include Zoom Business, Zoom Enterprise Plan, and Zoom Rooms with additional advanced features like an AI companion, meeting recordings, and integrations with the Zoom Marketplace.

• Microsoft Teams:

  • Free Version: Includes basic video chat, teams meetings, and file sharing.

  • Paid Versions: Business Basic and Microsoft Teams Rooms offer more advanced features like live events, multi-factor authentication, and integration with other Microsoft products.

6. Unique Features

• Zoom: Popular for its virtual backgrounds, Zoom Rooms, and breakout rooms. Great for external meetings and businesses needing a quick and reliable video conferencing tool.

• Microsoft Teams: Best for those deeply integrated into the Microsoft Office ecosystem. Features like collaboration tools, team members management, and integration with Powerful Tools make it a better option for businesses with complex workflows.

7. Best For

• Zoom: Ideal for small businesses, personal use, or organizations needing a simple, reliable video conferencing tool with an easy user interface.

• Microsoft Teams: The better choice for companies needing robust collaboration features, team collaboration, and seamless integration with Microsoft apps.

You may also want to see How to make a group video call in Microsoft Teams.