As it has become the age of remote and mobile work, team collaboration applications or tools are gaining popularity that can provide access to crucial features for employees to work together virtually, from instant messaging to video conferencing.
Zoom and Microsoft Teams are two of the key competitors in the market that vows to offer an excellent solution to the demand for collaboration.
Key Takeaways
- Zoom is a video conferencing platform specializing in one-on-one meetings, webinars, and virtual events. At the same time, Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool that allows users to communicate, share files, and work on projects.
- Zoom offers virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, and breakout rooms, while Microsoft Teams offers document collaboration, channel-based communication, and integration with Microsoft Office applications.
- Zoom is more user-friendly and easier to navigate, while Microsoft Teams offers more comprehensive features for businesses and larger teams.
Zoom vs Microsoft Teams
The difference between Zoom and Microsoft Teams is that Zoom is a web conferencing software that provides high-quality video and audio conferencing internally and externally. On the other hand, Microsoft Team is a collaboration tool designed to improve internal communications.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Zoom | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | It is primarily used for video conferencing. | It is primarily used for team collaboration. |
| Interface | It is easy to use. | It is slightly difficult to navigate. |
| Participants | It enables 100 participants at a time. | It enables 250 participants at a time |
| Time | It gives 40 minutes for a free account and 24 hours for a pro account. | It has no time limit. |
| Access | Allows the use of meeting passwords. | It doesn’t provide the feature of setting a password. |
| Screen Sharing | Multiple people can share their screens at the same time. | The meeting owner/host can configure it. |
| Background Blur | It does not provide the feature of background blur. | It gives the feature of background blur. |
| Integration | It is Integrated with Gmail. | It is fully integrated with Microsoft 365. |
| Meeting Control | It allows muting all participants by providing the option to prevent the participants from unmuting them. | It allows muting all participants but does not give the option to prevent the participants from unmuting them. |
What is Zoom?
Zoom is currently the leading cloud-based videoconferencing application that enables people to set up audio and video chats.
Businessmen primarily use it to conduct meetings and webinars internally and externally. However, other fields have also started preferring Zoom calls.
Classes of schools and colleges, press conferences, etc., also occur via the platform.
Zoom has a few benefits that make it handy to its users.
Its application is available for desktop or PC (Windows and macOS) and mobile (Android and iOS). This flexibility is one of its plus points for its users: they can do their work from wherever they want with their comfort.
Talking about using it via smartphone doesn’t make its users sacrifice key features like screen sharing, virtual background, etc.
The application also gives one-on-one videoconferencing features like other normal video call apps.
What Is Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams is a platform dedicated to business communication fully integrated with Microsoft 365 products.
Released in 2016, Microsoft Teams is a chat-based collaboration tool enabling an organisation to collaborate and share information despite geographical boundaries.
Here, its users can utilise features like document collaboration, team chat, one-on-one chat, etc.
As aforementioned, it is integrated with Microsoft 365 services, so it is also linked with Skype, Exchange, Yammer and SharePoint.
Like every other normal chatting application, it also has a feature to interact with emojis or GIFs over the chat section. Messages can be sent privately to a specific user, not to the group.
Its Live Events feature allows its users to broadcast to 10,000 participants on Teams.
Microsoft Teams is available on Android and iOS with texting, voice conversation or video meeting facility.
Main Differences Between Zoom and Microsoft Teams
- Zoom can be integrated with Google Calendar. At the same time, Microsoft Teams is integrated with Outlook Calendar.
- Zoom can be used for both external and internal meetings. On the other hand, Microsoft Teams only conducts internal meetings.
- Zoom’s interface is easy. At the same time, Microsoft Teams is a bit complex.
- Zoom supports Google Chrome browsers, whereas Microsoft Teams supports MS Edge and Google Chrome browsers.
- With a free package, Zoom provides 40 minutes of the time limit and with a paid package, it takes 24 hours. On the other hand, Microsoft Teams has no time limit.
- Zoom allows 100 participants at a time, whereas Microsoft Teams allows 250 participants at a time.
- On Zoom, multiple people can share their screens online simultaneously. Whereas on Microsoft Teams, this feature can be configured by the host.
- In Zoom, the meeting host gets a feature to mute all the participants and prevent them from unmuting them. At the same time, Microsoft Teams allows the host to mute all the participants l but does not give the option to prevent the participants from unmuting them.
- Zoom provides the feature of a password to get access to the meeting. At the same time, Microsoft Teams does not provide this option.
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01587919.2020.1821607
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01587919.2020.1821607
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.
I found Zoom to be more user-friendly and easier to navigate compared to Microsoft Teams. It’s been very convenient for my team.
I agree with the comparison. Zoom is great for small teams and Microsoft Teams for larger corporations.
Microsoft Teams offers comprehensive features for larger teams, though. It’s really efficient for businesses.
The flexibility of using Zoom from anywhere makes it the go-to choice for many people. It’s a clear advantage.
Even on mobile, it doesn’t sacrifice important features. It’s really convenient for remote work.
I agree, the ability to use Zoom on any device without hindering the experience is what makes it so popular.
I really appreciate the ability of Microsoft Teams to interact with Microsoft 365 services. It’s a seamless experience.
You’re right, the integration just makes it so much more cohesive and powerful. It’s a distinct advantage.
I have been using Zoom for a long time now and it has really made remote work a lot easier. It’s great that it offers virtual backgrounds and screen sharing.
I prefer Microsoft Teams for its integration with Microsoft 365 products. It really enhances the collaborative experience.
I think the interface of Microsoft Teams might be initially challenging, but once you get the hang of it, the features are really powerful.
Honestly, getting used to the interface was a small price to pay for so many useful features in Microsoft Teams.
That’s true, it’s the learning curve at the beginning that might put some people off, but it’s worth it.
The integration of Microsoft Teams with Microsoft 365 is really the game-changer here. Zoom might be more user-friendly, but that integration is crucial for a lot of businesses.
Absolutely, the seamless integration is what gives Microsoft Teams the upper hand in certain scenarios.
But for quick one-on-one meetings or small team collaboration, Zoom is hard to beat.
The comparison between Zoom and Microsoft Teams is quite clear. They both have their strengths and can be very valuable depending on the team’s needs.
I completely agree. It’s important to evaluate the features and see which aligns better with what the team needs.
Absolutely, it’s really about the specific requirements of the organization that should determine the choice. Both are great platforms.
Zoom’s application being available on desktop and mobile is what really sets it apart. The flexibility is unmatched.
Both Zoom and Microsoft Teams seem to cater to different needs. A clear understanding of what’s required is vital for choosing the right platform.
Microsoft Teams’ Live Events feature is really impressive. The ability to broadcast to 10,000 participants is a big deal for large organizations.
That’s a lot of power. It makes Microsoft Teams ideal for large scale events and meetings.
It’s definitely a feature that makes Microsoft Teams stand out. The scalability is important.