Effective communication tools have become essential for small businesses aiming to stay competitive. Whether it’s hosting video meetings, collaborating on projects, or keeping teams connected, platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom have become go-to solutions.
Yet, with a variety of features and pricing options, choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. For instance, Microsoft Teams is celebrated for its integration with Office 365, offering a complete collaboration suite. At the same time, Zoom stands out with its user-friendly interface and exceptional video conferencing capabilities.
However, in this blog, we’ll explore the 3 differences between Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom, including comparing their features, usability, strengths, and pricing to help you choose the one that fits your small business best. Let’s begin!
Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom for Small Businesses
To decide between Microsoft Teams and Zoom for small businesses, let’s take a closer look at the features and functionalities of each platform.
What are Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams is a versatile collaboration and video conferencing tool offered by Microsoft. It has emerged as one of the leading platforms for business communication, widely recognised for its smooth integration with other Microsoft services.
With Microsoft Teams, you can effortlessly schedule meetings directly from Outlook or Exchange Calendar, and team collaboration on shared documents is remarkably efficient.
Key Features of Microsoft Teams:
- Comprehensive integration with Office 365
- Video conferencing with background blur options
- High-quality audio with real-time transcription
- File sharing and screen-sharing capabilities
- Instant messaging for one-on-one and group chats
- Searchable conversation threads for easy reference
- Compatibility with multiple devices
- Strong end-to-end security
- A wide range of bots for added functionality
- Customisable tabs for quick access to key information
- Meeting recording options
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a platform that has been built around video conferencing as its core feature. While it also offers instant messaging and content-sharing tools, its primary focus on video capabilities sets it apart.
By prioritising simplicity and ease of use, Zoom introduced one-click video meetings ahead of its competitors, gaining popularity for its intuitive interface and user-friendly design. These factors have made it a preferred choice for many businesses worldwide.
Key Features of Zoom:
- High-definition video and audio quality
- Capacity to host up to 1,000 participants
- Display up to 49 video feeds simultaneously
- Advanced chat encryption
- Integration with Outlook and Gmail for streamlined scheduling
- Role-based security features
- Screen sharing and collaboration tools
- Meeting recording and transcription options
- Team chat with group messaging
- Searchable chat history
- File sharing for collaborative work
3 Differences Between Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom
Both platforms have their strengths, but their usability for video conferencing can vary significantly. Let’s take a closer look at the main 3 differences between Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom
Which Platform is More User-Friendly for Small Businesses?
Zoom
Zoom is known for its hassle-free setup, allowing participants to join meetings without the need to create an account. By clicking the meeting link, users can enter directly, with an optional app download for improved functionality.
The app, available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS, offers advanced controls and an optimised experience.
To host meetings, users need to create an account, which provides them with a personal meeting ID and unique meeting link. This makes it easy to schedule or start meetings on short notice, ensuring a smooth experience.
Microsoft Teams
In Microsoft Teams, the video conferencing feature is part of a broader collaboration suite. To start a call, users can click the “Meet Now” button under the chat window.
The platform operates within a “team” structure, where calls are primarily made to team members connected within the system. External users can join meetings, but permissions and setup steps are required, which can be less intuitive for new users or external collaborators.
Winner: Zoom
For simplicity and ease of use, Zoom takes the lead, particularly for external meetings or quick video calls.
Which Platform Offers Superior Functionality for Small Businesses?
Microsoft Teams and Zoom for small businesses, which offer better functionality for small businesses, let's figure it out quickly.
Zoom
Joining a Zoom meeting is straightforward, taking mere seconds if the app is already installed. The waiting room feature improves security, allowing the host to admit participants selectively.
Additional functionalities include muting all participants to minimise background noise and enabling/disabling individual video or audio during the call. Hosts can also record meetings effortlessly.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams excels in facilitating calls within organisations and integrating video calls smoothly and continuously into chat threads. Meetings can be recorded and tied to projects, making it easier for team members to revisit key discussions.
However, inviting external participants involves a few extra steps, which may not be ideal for businesses frequently interacting with external stakeholders.
Winner: Zoom
Zoom’s focus on video conferencing gives it a plus for quick, external, and internal meetings.
What Are the Costs of Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom?
When it comes to affordability, these platforms have distinct approaches. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Zoom
Zoom offers a range of pricing plans:
- Basic Plan: is free
- Pro Plan: €13.99/month/host, supporting up to 100 participants with 24 hours of meeting duration limit.
- Business Plan: €18.99/month/host for a minimum of 10 hosts, accommodating up to 300 participants.
- Enterprise Plan: €18.99/month/host for a minimum of 50 hosts, supporting up to 500 participants per meeting.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams offers both free and paid options. The paid versions come bundled with Office 365 subscriptions:
- Microsoft Teams: Free version supports up to 300 team members.
- Office 365 Business Essentials: $5/month/user.
- Office 365 Business Premium: $12.50/month/user.
- Office 365 E3 (Enterprise): $20/month/user.
These plans require annual commitments and include advanced integrations, security features, and 24/7 support.
Winner: Microsoft Teams
For businesses already using Microsoft 365, Teams offers exceptional value with its tight integration and additional features.
Additionally, Microsoft Teams offers a free version with limited features and integrates smoothly with Office 365 subscriptions, providing added value for existing users. Zoom also provides a free tier with basic functionalities, but its advanced features are available in paid plans.
Conclusion
Choosing between Microsoft Teams and Zoom ultimately depends on your business’s unique needs. Microsoft Teams excels in collaboration and integration with Office 365, making it ideal for businesses seeking an all-in-one solution. Zoom, on the other hand, shines with its simplicity and exceptional video conferencing features, perfect for meetings and webinars.
If you’re still unsure which platform suits your small business best, IT Support 4U can help. Our experts provide personalised guidance and smooth setup for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or both.
Contact IT Support 4U today to optimise your communication tools and boost your business productivity effortlessly.
Get an IT Plan Today!
