All the major video conferencing features a typical user would need are available with this Zoom alternative, including desktop sharing, instant messaging, and file transfers during video calls. As with Zoom, the background can be adjusted during a meeting. Telephone dial-in during a meeting is also possible. Technically, however, Microsoft Teams can only display four video feeds on one screen at a time. In the paid version of this Zoom alternative, whiteboards can be used for interactive collaboration and video chats or conferences can be recorded.
Up to 10 gigabytes of cloud storage are available per account when sharing file attachments. Currently, video conferencing for up to 250 people is possible with the free version. To avail of the service permanently, a cloud-based Microsoft account is recommended for fixed teams and guests. If guests do not have a Microsoft account, they will have to go through a one-time registration process. Guests can also participate in group or individual chats without a Teams account via an invitation link.
One of the key features of this Zoom alternative is its comprehensive integration with the Microsoft 365 cloud. Work processes benefit from these integrated features and productivity can increase significantly. Files can easily be synchronized and edited together in the cloud, an interface for the SharePoint online tool makes it easy to save, share, and manage digital information in your organization. A more comprehensive user management with different roles completes the range of services.
In reality, users report that with a bad internet connection, video calls often end abruptly. As a result of the Coronavirus crisis, this alternative to Zoom has also experienced bottlenecks and performance degradation, which led to limited image and sound quality. Microsoft prioritizes that online and cloud services are maintained around Microsoft 365. This means that stress peaks can be detrimental to free users with a focus on video conferencing features.
Microsoft Teams also faces some criticism concerning data protection. Despite having Privacy Shield certification, and being committed to high data protection standards, the US company is still required to comply with the terms of the Cloud Act which conflicts with the GDPR for European users.