Microsoft provides various features to facilitate teamwork. To cover specific entities within the framework of Microsoft that are built for working efficiently in a group are Microsoft Groups and Microsoft Teams.
Both work and operate in different ways and provide distinct features to the users. However, the objective of both the blocks of Microsoft remains the same.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft Groups facilitates collaboration through shared resources like email, calendar, and files, whereas Microsoft Teams focuses on communication via chat, voice, and video calls.
- Microsoft Teams offers more advanced features, like screen sharing and third-party app integrations, while Microsoft Groups has a simpler functionality.
- Microsoft Teams is a standalone app, while Microsoft Groups is a part of various Office 365 applications.
Microsoft Groups vs Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Groups provides shared workspaces for teams to collaborate and communicate in real time, integrating with other Microsoft applications. Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace with persistent chat and third-party app integrations to help teams work more efficiently.
Microsoft Groups has an Outlook-like interface. The addition or removal of people from the group is very easy and simple, like other group-based security objects.
Most of the services provided aim to manage team membership and cater accessibility to a large group.
On the other hand, Microsoft Teams has a dedicated user interface and does not have an Outlook-like interface. There is no allowance for external users.
This provides overall security and minimizes threats and vulnerabilities.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Microsoft Groups | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Works as a platform that allows Azure Active Directory users to share files and collaborate | Works as a platform that allows the users to communicate in different ways and also helps in organizing the files that are shared |
| Interface | Microsoft Group has an outlook like interface | Microsoft Team has a dedicated user interface and does not have an outlook like interface |
| Invitations | Microsoft Groups allows other external users to join as guests through invitations | Microsoft Team does not have any invitation feature and does not allow external users to join as guests |
| Plans required | Microsoft Group needs exchange online plan with Microsoft 365, to access Microsoft group feature | Microsoft Team does not require any such plan with Microsoft 365, to access Microsoft Teams |
| Applications | Microsoft Groups only provides applications in mobile platforms | Microsoft Teams provides applications for desktop as well as mobile platforms |
What is Microsoft Groups?
Microsoft Groups is a part of Office 365. It provides a list of users of the Active Directory who have access to a specific set of tools.
These tools include OneNote, MS Planner, SharePoint, and others. The Active Directory users contain shared mailbox within the Office of Microsoft. They also share a calendar across the list.
The main job of Microsoft Groups is to create a group with a “back-end” action. This allows the user to connect to several different tools that can be accessed and used together.
It provides a team of people who have access to the same files. The cross-application membership service provided by Microsoft in Microsoft Groups can be used for basic to advance level work.
Microsoft Groups acts as an object in the Azure Active Directory. Adding or removing people from the group is very easy and simple, like another group-based security object.
Most of the services provided aim to manage team membership and cater accessibility to a large group. The admin of Microsoft Group can add or remove members easily and let the group access various resources.
All the added members in Microsoft Group can access the resources, and there is no need to assign permission manually.
Microsoft Groups can be private or public depending upon the choice and need of the group.
It can be created from different applications like a planner, teams, outlook SharePoint, outlook on the Web, and several other applications.
What is Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams is an infrastructure that provides collaborative communication among a team or a group of people.
Microsoft Teams has an organized facility of video calls, voice calls, files and documents, teams chat, and several other features. Microsoft Teams is integrated with the Microsoft group.
The team created in Microsoft Groups can also be reflected in the section of Microsoft Teams. Any change brought about in Microsoft Group takes about 12 to 24 hours to reflect in Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Team is a platform for catering to various services, including the services available in Microsoft Groups. The interface of Microsoft Team is not Outlook-type.
Microsoft team does not provide any facility for allowing users from outside. Once the security of the group is decided, it performs according to the requirements.
There is no allowance for external users. This provides overall security and minimizes threats and vulnerabilities. The data and resources are secured, and there is no provision for the entry of an outsider.
Microsoft Teams does not require users to have an online exchange plan. Microsoft Teams is available on all mobile platforms like IOS, Android, or Windows.
It also provides all the desktop apps. The main job of Microsoft Teams is to help in organizing the files and provide various communication features among the group members.
Main Differences Between Microsoft Groups and Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Groups does not provide communication features like calling, while Microsoft Teams provides communication features like calling.
- Microsoft Groups allows users to upload new documents and hold meetings, while Microsoft Teams allows users to hold meetings only about the documents that are uploaded in Microsoft Group.
- Microsoft Groups has relatively less security, as external users can join the group, while Microsoft Teams has stronger security, as there is no allowance for external users.
- Microsoft Groups cannot view planner tasks in Microsoft Teams, while Microsoft Teams cannot access OneNote or the planner of Microsoft Group.
- Microsoft Groups can be linked With Microsoft Teams, while Microsoft Teams are automatically connected when created.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The specific details about the differences in access permissions and interfaces between Microsoft Groups and Microsoft Teams are valuable in determining which platform aligns better with a team’s requirements.
Microsoft Groups and Microsoft Teams are two fundamental tools on the Microsoft platform that are designed to maximize teamwork and communication. Both have unique functionalities that cater to different types of collaboration.
Microsoft Groups offers an Outlook-like interface and allows external users to join as guests, while Microsoft Teams provides dedicated user interface and does not allow external users. These differences in user accessibility are crucial.
Microsoft provides very useful tools for team collaboration. Teams and Groups offer different features and functionalities, all tailored to improve efficiency and communication.
Microsoft Teams serves as an efficient platform for collaborative communication, offering various features such as calling, video conferencing, and organized file sharing. The robust capabilities of Microsoft Teams make it a valuable tool for team coordination and productivity.
The ability to create private or public groups within Microsoft Groups, along with the comprehensive services provided by both Microsoft Groups and Microsoft Teams, demonstrates the versatility of these platforms in catering to different collaborative needs.
Microsoft Groups is a part of Office 365 that provides a set of tools for collaboration and communication, while Microsoft Teams is a standalone infrastructure with unique communication features.
The comparison table provided clearly outlines the differences between Microsoft Groups and Microsoft Teams. These distinctions are vital in understanding which platform suits the needs of each team or organization.