Effective team communication is the lifeblood of collaboration and productivity. To encourage strong communication in the workplace — especially with so many people working remotely these days — many organizations turn to team communication apps.
Two of the most prominent contenders in this space are Microsoft Teams and Google Meet.
In this article, we’ll compare these platforms in terms of features, pricing, and integrations to help you decide which might be the better fit for your team.
Microsoft Teams VS Google Meet: Features
Regarding features, both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer robust tool sets for team communication, but they cater to slightly different needs, with Microsoft Teams being the more well-rounded team communication app.
Microsoft Teams Features
Team Chat: Microsoft Teams boasts an extensive chat functionality, making it the preferred team chat app of many enterprises. You can have one-on-one conversations, group chats and even create different channels for specific projects or topics. The threaded conversations make it easy to keep track of ongoing discussions.
Video Conferencing: Teams allows for video and audio meetings with various features like screen sharing, meeting recording, and even live events.
File Sharing and Collaboration: Teams integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, enabling easy sharing and co-editing of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. You can also store files directly within Teams.
Integration with Microsoft 365 Apps: As we touched on above, the deep integration with Microsoft’s suite of applications and services ensures that Teams can be a central hub for all your work-related activities.
Google Meet Features
Video Conferencing: Google Meet is primarily a video conferencing tool (it replaced the now-defunct Google Hangouts). It provides high-quality video and audio calls for teams, which is great for meetings and presentations.
Integration with Google Workspace: If your organization uses Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), Meet offers a seamless experience with integrated apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Screen Sharing and Recording: Google Meet allows screen sharing and meeting recording, making it easier for teams to collaborate during remote meetings.
Microsoft Teams VS Google Meet: Pricing
Naturally, pricing is a crucial factor in choosing a team communication app.
While both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer free versions, pricing for either of these apps can vary significantly based on the specific needs of your organization.
Microsoft Teams may be more cost-effective if you’re already using Microsoft 365, while Google Meet can be a budget-friendly option for smaller teams.
Here’s how Microsoft Teams and Google Meet compare in this department in terms of what free and paid plans get you:
Microsoft Teams Pricing
Free Version: Teams offers a free plan with limited features, including team chat and video conferencing for up to 300 participants.
Paid Plans: Microsoft offers a range of paid plans under Microsoft 365, with Teams included. Pricing varies based on the level of functionality and the number of users. Plans like Business Basic, Business Standard, and Business Premium provide access to Teams, along with other Microsoft applications.
Google Meet Pricing
Free Version: Google Meet provides a free plan that includes video conferencing with up to 100 participants, screen sharing, and recording.
Paid Plans: For more advanced features and integration with Google Workspace, you’ll need to subscribe to a Google Workspace plan, which comes in various tiers with different pricing.
Microsoft Teams VS Google Meet: Integrations
Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer proprietary and third-party integrations, but their extent and focus differ.
Microsoft Teams Integrations
Teams has a rich ecosystem of third-party integrations and apps available through the Microsoft App Store. It’s especially well-suited to organizations that rely heavily on Microsoft’s suite of applications, as it seamlessly integrates with tools like Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
Google Meet Integrations
Google Meet is designed to work seamlessly with Google Workspace. It integrates smoothly with apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar. While it has fewer integrations than Teams, it excels at what it does and may be more than enough for organizations that are predominantly Google-centric.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between Microsoft Teams and Google Meet largely depends on your specific needs and existing tech stack.
If you’re already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem and need a comprehensive team chat app, Microsoft Teams is a strong contender.
On the other hand, if you primarily use Google’s tools and require a reliable video conferencing solution, Google Meet may be your best bet.
Consider your team’s requirements, budget, and current software environment to make an informed decision on which platform suits your organization’s needs best.
