Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams became essential when the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to work from remote locations. The pandemic created an opportunity for organizations to reconsider how they conduct meetings. Many businesses have chosen to keep some of their staff members working remotely.

If you plan to continue – or start – relying on remote meetings, you need a platform that matches your unique needs. You will likely run into names like Zoom and Microsoft Teams as you research your options.

Which of these video conferencing tools works best? Let’s compare them so you can make an informed decision.

Zoom

Zoom released its first telecommunication and online chat solution in 2011. Since then, it has expanded into four separate products:

• Zoom One
• Zoom Spaces
• Zoom Events
• Zoom Contact Center

More likely than not, you have used at least one of the first three telecommunications services.

Zoom Features

The features you get from Zoom depend on the specific product you choose.

Zoom One

Zoom One is a collaboration platform that supports:

• Virtual meetings.
• Online whiteboards.
• Virtual workspaces.
• Team chat and one-on-one chat.
• Screen sharing.

If you’ve attended a virtual meeting with Zoom, the host probably used Zoom One.

Zoom Spaces

Zoom Spaces attempts to replicate the experience of working together in the office. It has:

• Virtual workspaces.
• Connected conference rooms.
• Conference room systems. .

Most people use Zoom Spaces when they want to bring a small number of people together to collaborate on a project.

Zoom Events

Zoom Events creates hybrid experiences with in-person and virtual attendees. It lets you create:

• Single-session events (although you can record and save your recordings).
• Online webinars where viewers can participate via text.
• Community events that don’t let viewers interact with the presenters. .

Zoom Events tends to work well when someone wants to speak to an audience without interruption but also wants the opportunity to get feedback through text-based messages.

Using Zoom

Zoom has app versions you can download and use with most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. You can also use Zoom as a web app through most internet browsers.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. However, you don’t necessarily need a paid Microsoft 365 account to use it. Teams has more robust features than Zoom. For instance, its text-based chat supports GIFs and personalized stickers, whereas Zoom only supports emojis. Of course, not everyone will want to use this and other features.

Features for Microsoft Teams

Some of the most impressive Microsoft Teams features include:

• Group and one-on-one chat.
• Channel and team segmentation.
• Screen sharing.
• File sharing.
• Easy integration with other Microsoft 365 products.
• Virtual workspaces.
• Breakout rooms. .

Where to Use Microsoft Teams

You can download the Microsoft Teams app for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Microsoft Teams supported most web browsers but discontinued support for Internet Explorer 11 in 2020.

Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams: The Pros and Cons of Each

Now that you know some of the essential features that come with Zoom and Microsoft Teams, let’s look at each solution’s pros and cons.

Zoom Pros

Zoom’s benefits include:

• End-to-end encryption and data management features that comply with major regulations, such as HIPAA, SOC, and GDPR).
• No account required to join an event.
• A free plan (although it doesn’t offer access to all features).
• User analytics for paid plans.
• Custom video backgrounds.
• Relatively simple integration with thousands of third-party apps. .

Microsoft Team Pros

Choosing Microsoft Team gives you access to:

• Room for up to 1,000 meeting participants.
• Multiple forms of encryption, including end-to-end, AES-256, and 256-bit TLS encryption.
• Custom video backgrounds and filters.
• No account required to join an event.
• Easily integrates with more than 250 Microsoft solutions. .

Microsoft Teams also offers per-month plans, so you only pay for services when you use them.

Zoom Cons

Every product comes with disadvantages you should know about before making any commitments. You might not like Zoom because it:

• Has a 40-minute meeting limit for free accounts.
• Charges slightly high prices for paid accounts (about $150 per year for Zoom Pro and $250 per year for Zoom Business Plus).
• Hides notifications when minimized, which can make it hard to let in participants as they arrive. .

Microsoft Teams Cons

Some disadvantages Microsoft Teams users might encounter include:

• No access to OneDrive’s file storage and sharing for free accounts.
• Groups can share names, making it difficult to schedule meetings.
• Limited access control that lets any member of a Team browse files used during the meeting. .

Should You Choose Zoom or Microsoft Teams?

Whether you choose Zoom or Microsoft Teams will largely depend on your expectations. If you want to host a small group for a short meeting, you might prefer Zoom. If you want enterprise-level software that can host webinars for thousands of viewers, you should probably choose Microsoft Teams.

Regardless of the telecommunication and collaboration app you pick, you’ll need reliable videoconferencing equipment that gives you clear images and sounds. Find the right equipment for you by browsing the products or contacting the Hello Direct customer care team for help.