Microsoft Teams vs Zoom
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Integrated collaboration vs dedicated video — which is better for meetings? — pricing, features, and our verdict.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Microsoft Teams | best Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | See website | $0/mo (Free) |
| Free trial | Check website | Free plan available (40 min meetings, 100 participants) |
| Best for | Various use cases | Video conferencing for businesses of all sizes |
| Pricing | See website | — |
| Free plan | Check website | 40 min meetings, 100 participants |
| Starting paid price | — | $13.33/user/mo (Pro), $18.32/user/mo (Business) |
| Max participants | — | 100 (Free), 100 (Pro), 300 (Business), 1000 (Enterprise) |
| Meeting duration | — | 40 min (Free), 30h (Paid) |
| Screen sharing | — | ✓ |
| Breakout rooms | — | ✓ |
| Recording | — | Local (Free), Cloud (Paid) |
| Whiteboard | — | ✓ |
| API access | — | ✓ |
| Support | — | Chat (Pro), 24/7 (Business+) |
Microsoft Teams Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good feature set
- Active user community
- Regular updates
Cons
- Learning curve required
- Some limitations on lower tiers
Zoom Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most reliable video platform — stable even on poor connections
- Feature-rich: screen sharing, whiteboard, breakout rooms, polls, reactions
- Excellent recording and transcript features
- Zoom AI Companion for meeting summaries and action items (paid plans)
- Integrates with everything (Google Calendar, Outlook, Slack, Zapier)
Cons
- Free plan limited to 40 minutes for group meetings
- Pro plan $13.33/user/mo — per-host pricing gets expensive
- Webinars require separate add-on pricing
- Security concerns historically (Zoom bombing) — improved but reputation lingers
- Desktop app can be resource-heavy
Final Verdict
Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom are solid choices in the Communication space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: Zoom
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: Microsoft Teams or Zoom?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. Zoom generally offers better value for money, while Microsoft Teams has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. Microsoft Teams offers a trial, and Free plan available (40 min meetings, 100 participants) also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from Microsoft Teams to Zoom (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.
Ready to try?
Start with a free trial and see which tool fits your workflow.