Zoom vs Microsoft Teams: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Video conferencing and collaboration platform
Chat, calls, and collaboration in Microsoft 365
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Zoom | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $13.32/mo | $4/mo ✓ Cheaper |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| G2 rating | 4.5/5 ↑ | 4.3/5 |
| Capterra rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
Zoom: pros & cons
- ✓Industry standard for video calls
- ✓Reliable performance
- ✓Easy to join (no account needed)
- ✓Broad platform support
- ✗Security concerns historically
- ✗Free plan limited to 40 mins
- ✗Gets expensive with Zoom Phone add-ons
Microsoft Teams: pros & cons
- ✓Included in Microsoft 365
- ✓Deep Office integration
- ✓Strong enterprise features
- ✓Large meeting capacity
- ✗Complex and bloated UI
- ✗Notification management is poor
- ✗Less pleasant than Slack for daily use
- ✗Requires Microsoft ecosystem
Choose Zoom if...
- →You run frequent external meetings where guests join without an account and need a link-and-click experience that just works
- →Your team hosts webinars and virtual events with hundreds of attendees and needs Zoom Webinars' registration, Q&A, and recording tools
- →You want to replace your phone system with Zoom Phone and consolidate calling, messaging, and video into a single app
Choose Microsoft Teams if...
- →Your organisation already pays for Microsoft 365 and wants chat, meetings, and file sharing without adding another subscription
- →Your team works heavily in Word, Excel, and SharePoint and wants to co-edit documents directly inside the communication tool
- →You're in enterprise or education where IT manages device policies and Microsoft 365 licensing is already standardised
Our verdict
Zoom scores higher on G2 (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5), suggesting stronger overall user satisfaction. Microsoft Teams is the more affordable option. The right pick depends on your team size and workflow.
Zoom vs Microsoft Teams: frequently asked questions
Is Zoom better than Microsoft Teams?
Zoom has a higher G2 score (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Zoom or Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams is cheaper, starting at $4/mo.
What is the main difference between Zoom and Microsoft Teams?
Zoom focuses on video meetings, webinars, team chat. Microsoft Teams focuses on team chat, video meetings, file sharing (sharepoint). Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.
Can I migrate from Zoom to Microsoft Teams?
Most teams migrate between Zoom and Microsoft Teams within a day or two. Export your data from Zoom (typically as CSV or via API), then use Microsoft Teams's import wizard to bring it across. Check each tool's help centre for a step-by-step migration guide before switching.