Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams: Which One Should You Choose in 2023

In 2022, the worth of the global video conferencing market was around 10.6 billion. So, it is safe to say that today, video conferencing tools have become one of the most popular means of communication. They simplify workforce management and bring greater convenience that improves collaboration among team members. 

Among all the available conferencing tools, Microsoft and Zoom are two of the most widely used video conferencing solutions. Both of the platforms have been in a battle for a long time since they both have their pros and cons. So, if you are confused about which video conferencing platform to use, give this blog a good read. 

About Zoom

Zoom is a virtual video conferencing platform that allows people to host virtual conferences and webinars. The meeting setup includes one host who can share the link with the members. Simply put, it is an amazing and user-friendly video conferencing platform with interesting features.

Advantages of Using Zoom 

Some of the advantages of using Zoom are listed below. 

Ease of Use

Zoom is quite simple to use! You can either download its mobile app or host meetings on your web browser. No specialized IT support is needed to help people figure out how to host or record meetings. 

Screen Recording

As a host, you can share your desktop screen with the attendees to collaboratively work on the projects, and explain solutions in a better way. In addition, if someone is unable to join the live session, Zoom allows the participants to record meetings and share the video file. 

Low Cost

Compared to other video conferencing platforms, Zoom is quite affordable. It offers several plans, including a free plan, which allows you to use all the basic features of a video conferencing platform. So, if you are a student or a remote employee who cannot spend much on video conferencing platforms, then choose Zoom.  

Virtual Backgrounds

Most of the time, you do not want to show your background or let the participants know where you are, right? This is the reason that Zoom allows users to choose virtual backgrounds during meetings. With this feature, you can display an image or some video in a live meeting. 

Cross-Platform Support

Using Zoom is not a hassle because it is available on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. 

Participants Capacity 

Zoom offers five different plans, so the number of attendees that can join the conference depends on your chosen plan. For example, with the free plan, a regular Zoom meeting can host up to 100 participants in a single meeting. 

About Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based collaboration tool that is a part of Microsoft 365. It allows users to host video conferences with a variety of add-ons to make their meetings more engaging. And it has become of the fastest-growing video conferencing platforms. 

Advantages of Using Microsoft Teams 

Some of the benefits of using Microsoft Teams are listed below. 

Integration with Microsoft Office

One of the key advantages of Microsoft Teams is its integration with Microsoft 365. This speeds up the workflow as you do not have to switch applications to fetch the data. This means that users can easily access and collaborate on documents during the session. This saves significant time as you have immediate access to all the required documents and applications. 

Security

Microsoft Teams offers high security and encryption to ensure that meetings and data remain secure. The platform is built in accordance with the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Security Development Lifecycle (SDL), which is a key component of data security. 

Integration with Several Applications

The major benefit of using Microsoft Teams is that it can be integrated with Trello, Asana, Jira, and so on. Making it easier for the teams to collaborate and get more work done in less time. 

Large Participant Capacity

Microsoft offers four different plans, so the number of attendees that can join the conference depends on your chosen plan. 

Offers Several Advanced Features 

Apart from just sharing and recording screens, it supports online chats, a whiteboard option, real-time file sharing, and so much more. 

Quick Comparison between Zoom and Microsoft Teams 

Below is a quick comparison between both of the platforms. 

User Interface

There is a bit of a learning curve with Microsoft Teams since it offers plenty of advanced features. However, Zoom's interface is generally considered to be more user-friendly and easier to navigate since it doesn’t offer many features. Any novice internet user can use Zoom without any hassle. 

Pricing

Zoom is cost-effective, and its pricing structure is between $149.90 and $199.90 per year. In contrast, the paid plans of Microsoft Teams range from $4 to $22 per month, which is quite expensive. 

Video and Audio Quality

Both Zoom and Microsoft Teams offer high-quality video resolutions of 1080p at 30fps. Just ensure you have a steady and high-speed internet connection like Windstream. The provider offers an incredible fiber internet connection, and that too with unlimited data, so you can conduct your meetings seamlessly. You can visit its website for more information regarding its packages and plans.

Screen Sharing and Recording

Both of the platforms offer the feature of screen sharing and recording meetings. However, Microsoft Teams offers features that can make the meetings more effective. For instance, when the meetings have been recorded, it is automatically uploaded to One Drive.  

Security

Both platforms offer encryption and security features, but Microsoft Teams is known for offering excellent security to users. It offers multi-factor authentication, which Zoom does not. 

Final Verdict: Which Platform Should You Choose? 

Well, it is safe to say that both Zoom and Microsoft Teams have unique features. So, it depends on your specific needs and preferences. But if you frequently use Microsoft Office and several other Microsoft products, then we suggest you choose Microsoft Teams. However, if cost is a major concern and you do not want to use advanced features of video conferencing platforms, then Zoom is a better option for you.