Is Microsoft Teams Better Than Zoom?
Video conferencing and team collaboration tools have seen a rapid rise in use in the past two years, as more and more companies and employees switch to remote work solutions. It’s not difficult to see why: these tools are relatively easy to use, allowing you and your team to coordinate tasks and other matters seamlessly.
Of these types of platforms and tools, two have seen the most growth in users: Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Most companies will already have the infrastructure and experience to use one or the other. But if you’re still undecided, which one of them can work better for you?
That depends on the specific needs of your business – and how much time and effort you are willing to spend on integrating these tools into your operations. Here’s a brief guide on what you can expect from each platform.
Zoom
Skyrocketing in popularity a few years ago, Zoom has distinguished itself as an easy-to-use, efficient, and innovative platform used for companies and their employees alike. The platform is highly intuitive, using a simple interface to get to the core of communications.
- Robust free features with even more integrations with paid plans ($15 to $20 per month per user)
- One of the highest participant capacities of any similar platform (around 1000 users)
- Option to record meetings not locked behind a paywall
- Around 1000 different app integrations
- Popularity and low training requirements make it easy to integrate
One of the best reasons why you should use Zoom is that it’s highly likely that everyone else is already either using it or is familiar with the platform. Without the usual hurdle of setting up accounts, conferences can be set up and run within minutes.
But if security is your main concern with your conferencing platform, Zoom’s 256-bit TLS and AES-256 encryption may not be secure enough for your needs. While there is the option to use end-to-end encryption during your meetings, Zoom’s security suite covers the bare essentials for data security and privacy.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a communication suite that’s bundled into the Microsoft 365 subscription. One of the most highly-integrated apps (at least as far as Microsoft’s services are concerned), this platform aims to be a seamless bridge for a company that wants to blend communication with real-time work.
- One of the lowest prices for premium plans ($5 a month)
- High-quality video for streaming at 1080p HD default
- Recordings can be integrated with other Microsoft services for easier access
- Full integration with the different applications in Microsoft 365
- Can be easily customized to the needs of the company with the proper setup
As an addition to Microsoft 365’s suite of applications, the biggest benefit of using Microsoft Teams lies in its ability to integrate with most – if not all – of the different productivity tools that your company may already be using. If you’re already experienced with Microsoft platforms, use them extensively in your operations, and have an active subscription to Microsoft 365, Teams is a smooth and seamless communications platform for your company to use.
However, it’s this integration that can also give Microsoft Teams a bit of a learning curve to master. Because it’s designed to make collaboration and access to the different Microsoft 365 services easier, first-time users may need some time to acclimatize to elements like the dashboard. If you’re using this communication platform for the first time, be prepared to do a little digging into the tutorials on how to use it best.
Which One Is Better For You?
The “best” communication platform will always be the one that answers the needs of your company – and this can be either Zoom or Microsoft Teams in equal measure. While some features can work better for some companies compared to others, the overlap in features between the two can make them excellent collaboration tools with enough time and some training.
But for a simple, rule-of-thumb approach to each software: we recommend using Microsoft Teams if you already have a Microsoft 365 subscription, and Zoom if you don’t.
As mentioned, both platforms already share considerable overlap with the core requirements for video conferencing software. So if you’re looking to make the most out of your investment, it’s the context of how you’re going to integrate each platform into your operations that will make all the difference.
The Case For Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams shines with the rest of the Microsoft 365 suite, since its integrations can allow you to hold, edit, schedule, and otherwise replicate your normal workspace entirely online. While it does require some training to fully utilize, the infrastructure alone can solve many potential bottlenecks in your productivity. Adding robust security, it’s a reliable and safe platform for communication and collaboration.
The Case For Zoom
On the other hand, Zoom excels at its ease of use and accessibility to almost everyone with a working laptop, PC, or mobile phone. It’s a great platform to use if you’re only looking to hold video conferencing and occasional meetings online, as it gets to the core of what makes a video conferencing platform work without too much fluff in the way.
Prevent Potential Security Breaches In Your IT Infrastructure With Abacus
While communication is a crucial part of keeping your company functioning smoothly, security is another crucial area where you need to invest – and Abacus is here to help ensure that your communications and your data are secure.
Our team of experienced IT experts and security specialists can help identify potential vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure with our vulnerability testing services. By using cybersecurity penetration, we’re able to accurately gauge how likely attacks can be successful against your network, and the steps you need to take to fix these flaws.
Learn more about our comprehensive IT solutions by calling us at (856) 505 – 6860 and book a consultation today.
