Zoom vs Microsoft Teams
Zoom and Microsoft Teams are the two dominant video conferencing platforms. Zoom is the gold standard for video call quality and ease of use. Teams offers comparable video with the bonus of deep Microsoft 365 integration. Zoom wins on video experience; Teams wins on value for Microsoft users.
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Video-first communications platform vs Chat, meetings, and files in one hub.
| Feature | Zoom | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing from | Free, paid from $13.33/user/mo | Free; paid from $4/user/mo via Microsoft 365 |
| Primary use case | Video-first communications, webinars, and virtual events | Video meetings integrated with Microsoft 365 |
| Pricing | Free (40-min limit); Pro at $13.33/user/mo | Included in Microsoft 365; standalone from $4/user/mo |
| Ease of use | Easiest video platform; one-click join; universal familiarity | Familiar for Microsoft 365 users; more features to navigate |
| Key strength | Best video quality, reliability, and simplicity; Webinars and Zoom Phone | Microsoft 365 integration, chat, SharePoint, and lower cost |
| Key weakness | Expensive compared to Teams for Microsoft 365 users; no built-in team chat | Video quality can vary; complex admin for non-Microsoft IT teams |
| Team features | Meetings, webinars, Zoom Team Chat, admin controls | Teams, channels, guest access, admin controls, compliance |
The third option most teams miss
Picking between Zoom and Microsoft Teams isn't the only choice.
Zoom leads on video quality and ease of use; Teams leads on Microsoft 365 value - Appaca builds the custom workflow apps your team needs alongside either platform.
- No code, no deployment, no devops
- Built-in database, dashboards, team access
- Refine with chat as your needs change
- Free to start, no per-seat pricing surprises
Common questions
Zoom generally has better video quality and more reliable performance. Teams has improved significantly but still trails Zoom for large meetings and webinars.
If you are a Microsoft 365 organisation, Teams is usually better value as it is included. If video quality and simplicity are critical, Zoom is worth the extra cost.
Zoom has added Team Chat and collaboration features, but Teams is more comprehensive for day-to-day work with SharePoint, Office, and persistent channels.
Appaca is a third option for teams that don't want to choose between two existing tools. Instead of forcing your workflow into someone else's product, Appaca builds a custom app from a description - with built-in database, hosting, and team access. Try it free at appaca.ai.