Video conferencing tools have become a must-have asset in recent years due to the rise of remote work, global collaboration, and the need for flexible communication. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their adoption as businesses, schools, and individuals relied on virtual meetings to stay connected. As hybrid work models continue to grow, video conferencing remains an important communication tool across different locations.
Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are two of the most widely used video conferencing platforms, offering a range of features for virtual meetings, collaboration, and communication. If your business is deciding between the two, it's important to understand how they compare in terms of usability, features, integrations, and pricing.
When selecting a video conferencing tool, one of the most important aspects to consider is its feature set. Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer high-quality video and audio, and they also include additional functionalities that can improve the meeting experience:
There are also some differences in the available features. Let’s take a closer look.
The choice between Microsoft Teams and Google Meet can also depend on the software your organization already uses.
Microsoft Teams is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 suite tools. If your business relies on Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and other Microsoft tools, Teams offers a convenient way to manage communication and document sharing in one place. For example, meeting participants can collectively edit the document within the app during the call.
It also offers integrated dial-in numbers through Microsoft’s Audio Conferencing service, which requires an additional license. Additionally, the Teams Phone System enables full VoIP and PBX integration, allowing businesses to replace traditional phone systems.
Google Meet works best within the Google ecosystem, integrating directly with Google Workspace. If your company uses Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs, Meet fits naturally into the workflow without the need for additional software.
Both platforms support third-party integrations, allowing businesses to connect with other tools like Slack, Trello, and Salesforce. However, Microsoft Teams provides more extensive third-party app support through its App Store.
The application is integrated and stored within Microsoft Teams, demonstrating how users can access and collaborate on tools directly within the platform.
Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer modern, user-friendly interfaces, but they use different approaches.
Microsoft Teams is designed as a comprehensive collaboration hub rather than just a video conferencing tool. Its interface reflects this, integrating chat, file sharing, and meeting functionalities into a unified workspace. Applications that can be integrated into the platform increase the functionality even more, from adding a Kanban board to buying a coffee for a colleague. The downside of the all-in-one approach is that new users can feel overwhelmed due to the variety of features packed into the application.
Google Meet, on the other hand, offers a simpler, more focused approach. Designed for quick and easy meetings, it offers a minimalist UI with easier navigation. Users can join a meeting with a single click, and there are fewer distractions from extra features. This makes Google Meet a great choice for those who prefer a simpler video conferencing solution.
The image displays the Google Meet interface during a live video call. It showcases multiple participants in a grid layout, along with on-screen controls for muting, screen sharing, and ending the call.
In terms of cybersecurity, both solutions offer enterprise-grade security with features like multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and compliance with different regulations such as HIPAA, ISO 27001 and GDPR. The difference is that Teams provides advanced security controls for administrators to manage access and permissions. For example, you can configure encryption requirements, guest access levels, external meeting participants, and so on.
This image displays the guest access configuration panel within the Microsoft Teams Admin Center. It highlights various administrative controls that allow IT teams to manage how external users interact with internal Teams’ resources.
External access settings in the Teams Admin Center allow administrators to manage how users interact with individuals outside the organization.
One more factor to consider when selecting a video conferencing tool is pricing. Those who already use Google Workspace can use Meet, while Microsoft 365 subscription owners can benefit from Teams. Meanwhile, those who own neither have an option to use free versions of these tools. Free editions lack many features (such as recording and encryption) and have duration limits.
For those who don’t want to purchase the whole suite but need premium features, Teams offers a standalone subscription for 4$/user.
An overview of Microsoft Teams pricing plans, highlighting different subscription tiers, included features, and the cost per user for accessing premium conferencing tools.
Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are excellent choices for video conferencing, offering enterprise-level quality and modern features. The best option depends on your business needs and existing IT infrastructure.
Choose Microsoft Teams if your company relies on Microsoft 365 and requires a comprehensive collaboration suite that includes chat, file sharing, and meeting management - all in one platform. It can also serve as a phone system replacement and offers a desktop application for those who prefer not to use a web-based interface.
On the other hand, Google Meet is ideal if your business values a simple, user-friendly video conferencing tool that integrates existing with the Google Workspace environment and requires minimal additional features.
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