With a boom in video conferencing software over the past 12 months, there are many options to choose for your personal or business needs. The ‘big two’ remain Zoom and Microsoft Teams, so we will take a look at both for you.
What are they?
Both Zoom and MS Teams are video conferencing platforms which allow users to communicate remotely, which has been perfect both for businesses keeping employees in contact while working remotely and for individuals taking to friends and family while unable to meet in person.
Which should I choose?
There are a number of aspects to consider when deciding which platform suits your needs. Both Zoom and MS Teams provide free versions of their software, with paid plans unlocking features like being able to increase the maximum number of participants and removing time limits on calls.
Zoom
Zoom has a friendly user interface which makes it quick and simple for new or inexperienced users to join calls. Participants can join meetings by simply clicking a link, with no sign-up required, while also allowing a range of customisable options to suit your specific requirements.
After early issues like ‘Zoom bombing’ the company quickly added verification layers, unique meeting IDs, and waiting rooms where hosts can screen incoming participants. There are also options to allow users to share their screens, tweak audio settings, and add virtual backgrounds to either add fun or help attendees to protect their privacy when working from home.
MS Teams
MS Teams, meanwhile, benefits from Microsoft’s ownership of Skype, with Skype for Business Online coming to a close as it shifts users to Teams. It also has a unique chat service which helps people connect quickly and its integration with Office 365 makes for seamless collaboration across businesses.
In fact, MS Teams can not only be viewed as an alternative to Zoom, but also to programmes like Slack, as it mixes businesses’ messaging, file collaboration, and video calling in one bit of software.
In summary
Both Zoom and MS Teams are go-to names for video conferencing for a reason: they do what they promise well. Of course, for businesses functionality and ease of use sit alongside security and accessibility concerns too, so there is no one simple answer. Instead, contact Bells IT Support today to discuss your needs and requirements and one of our team will be happy to talk through the options available to you.