With remote work setup predicted to prevail post-pandemic, there is a greater need to deploy reliable and secure collaboration tools that will ensure remote workers are on the same page. For most business owners, the choice of which communication platform to use boils down to two: Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Both offer audio and video conferencing, chat, call, and other functionalities that are essential to keeping remote teams connected. To find out which one is a better fit for your organization, take a closer look at their similarities and differences.
Pricing
Both platforms offer free services. But if you need more features, such as the ability to add up to 1,000 participants in a channel or host hour-long meetings, then you can upgrade to a plan that’s more suitable to your business needs.
Do note, however, that you cannot purchase Teams as an individual product: you have to sign up for a Microsoft 365 subscription of which Teams is a part. Not only will you get Teams with your subscription, but you will also get access to the whole Microsoft 365 suite. Conversely, if you already have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you no longer have to purchase Teams separately as it is already included in your package.
Capacity
The highest plan tiers of both Teams and Zoom allow you to host meetings with up to 300 participants. Lower-tier plans let you have fewer attendees: 250 for Teams and 100 for Zoom. There’s not much difference between the two platforms’ capacity in terms of the number of teams a user can create or the number of members allowed in a channel. Whichever communication solution you choose will ultimately depend on your business needs.
Quality
- Teams: HD 1080p by default
- Zoom: HD 720p by default
Clear communication is critical to a successful collaboration. Microsoft Teams is arguably better suited to meet this need as it puts an emphasis on delivering the best video quality to its users. After all, talking to a pixelated version of your colleague can make it difficult for you to have seamless video calls.
Meanwhile, Zoom explains that while users could previously adjust video quality to 1080p via the app’s settings, the feature is currently unavailable. Due to the platform’s increased usage, the company has decided to lower the default video quality to ensure the stability of meetings.
Both Team and Zoom adjust accordingly to the user’s internet speed and bandwidth, increasing the resolution when the connection is steady and reducing it when the connection is unstable.
Security
With Teams, you get the Microsoft 365 security guarantee. This means end-to-end encryption, data encryption at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication, Rights Management Services support, and Secure Real-time Transfer Protocol technology. It’s also compliant with different regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
On the other hand, Zoom is protected by two strong encryption techniques: 256-bit TLS encryption and AES-256 encryption. You can also add security features like screenshot watermarks or audio signatures — you can even passcode-protect your meetings! Despite these protections, however, Zoom has been involved in various security controversies. Partnering with a cybersecurity specialist like Complete Technology can help you minimize organizational cybersecurity risks through routine security audits and multilayered protection.
Integration
Existing Microsoft users will be delighted to find that Teams seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft 365 software stack. You can create teams linked to your Microsoft 365 apps, easily share files from Microsoft apps via Teams, or connect Teams to your calendar so you never miss a meeting. What’s more, Teams also offers an extensive library of third-party apps that can help you be more productive.
By contrast, Zoom may offer far fewer features and integrations, but that’s exactly what makes it simple and easy to use. It takes relatively less training to set up and use, which means your remote teams can start collaborating immediately.
Complete Technology will ensure that you make the most of your technology investment, whichever communication platform you choose. We also offer proactive management and a 24/7/365 help desk to ensure that your business is always up and running. For any tech concerns, don’t hesitate to call us at 816-398-7322 or send us an email.