Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform from Microsoft that combines chat, video meetings, calls and file sharing in one application.

What it is

Teams is organised around teams and channels, where conversations, files and meetings for a group sit together. It is part of the Microsoft 365 family and works closely with applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and OneDrive. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux (via the web), iOS and Android, and in a browser.

Strengths

• Deep Microsoft 365 integration. Documents can be opened and edited together inside the app.
• More than meetings. Persistent chat, channels and shared files make it a daily workspace, not just a call tool.
• Administration. Organisations that already use Microsoft's identity and device management can control Teams with the tools they know.
• Extensibility. A large catalogue of apps and integrations can be added to teams and channels.

Weaknesses

• Complexity. Teams, channels, chats and settings can overwhelm new users.
• Heavier application. The full app asks more of a computer than a browser-based meeting tool.
• Best inside its own ecosystem. Organisations not using Microsoft 365 get less of the benefit.

Compare with Google Meet, or see the side-by-side view.