Choosing a video conferencing tool? It’s an important and potentially confusing decision to make. But for businesses looking to improve their collaboration tools and communication, it’s a pick that’s important to get right.

That’s because there are many video conferencing solutions available on the market. The last thing you want to do is have to choose between them every single time you meet. Instead, you want one well-integrated system that does what you need, when you need it.

That’s why we’ve made this guide comparing Microsoft Teams vs Google Meet. They’re two of the most popular options, each with benefits, unique features and potential downsides. Let’s take a look and choose the one that best suits your business needs.

Is Microsoft Teams the same as Google Meet?

At a glance, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet both have similar video conferencing features. Both have features like real-time video calls, screen sharing and integrations.

However, they have different roles within their respective ecosystems:

• Microsoft Teams is part of Microsoft 365. It integrates with massively popular apps like Outlook, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive.

• Google Meet is part of Google Workspace. If you’re already in the Google ecosystem, it’s got seamless access to tools you’ll use every day, like Gmail, Google Calendar, Docs, Google Drive and Sheets.

To put it simply, if you’re already using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, you’ll probably be best using its corresponding video conferencing app. This will give you a smooth integration across project management tools, file sharing and communication platforms that you already use.

But if you’re looking for a new solution or don’t currently have one, you’ll want to dive deeper into each. Let’s get started.

What is the difference between Google Meet and MS Teams?

Both MS Teams and Google Meet have free plans and paid plans. The features and limitations vary depending on your business size and workflow needs.

Small teams and individuals can use both for free as a basic video conferencing platform:

• Google Meet’s free plan allows meetings of up to 100 participants for 60 minutes.

• The Microsoft Teams free version also allows for 100 participants over 60 minutes, and includes chat functionality and other fundamental tools.

However, most businesses require more features - meaning an upgrade to paid versions. That’s where the real comparison begins.

Google Meet vs Microsoft Teams comparison

Pricing plans

When it comes to paid plans, both Google Meet and Microsoft Teams offer tiered business plans. This means everyone - from small businesses to huge enterprises - can enter at a price that suits their needs and budgets.

• Google Meet is available with a Google Workspace subscription. Prices from £5.90 to £18.40 per month, including other features like Google Cloud storage, eSignature functionality and Gemini AI assistant.

• Microsoft Teams is available between £3.10 and £16.90 per month. The cheaper plans include extended limits on Teams meetings, while enterprise plans come with extras like Office apps, live captions and advanced security, including two-factor authentication.

Video conferencing

Fundamentally, both platforms offer high-quality video meetings. They’ve also got fairly similar layouts and controls. For some, Google Meet is known for being more user-friendly - especially if you already use Google Chrome. However, neither requires a massive learning curve.

Google Meet’s video conferencing provides tools including:

• A minimalist interface that makes it quick to join meetings

• One-click access from Google Calendar and Gmail

• Live captions and AI-powered transcription tools.

Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, offers:

• A meeting dashboard with Teams chat, apps and file sharing all in one place

• Breakout rooms for smaller group discussions

• Simple integration with Microsoft apps such as OneDrive, SharePoint and Whiteboard.

Security features

Both platforms have advanced security. But depending on your plan, both offer different levels of protection:

• Microsoft Teams includes multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption and enterprise-grade security at higher price tiers.

• Google Meet relies on Google’s built-in security, which is great, but also lacks the compliance controls of Teams.

If you require advanced security and compliance for enterprise plans, Teams definitely offers the more robust option.

Communication tools

Both Google Meet and Microsoft Teams have strong collaboration features. Though as part of the Microsoft 365 suite, Teams has a broader range of team chat, file sharing and project management capabilities.

Both tools include:

• Screen sharing

• Whiteboards

• Meeting recordings

• Breakout rooms

• File sharing.

Teams also includes more built-in team chat and communication tools.

Third-party integrations

If you’re looking to use your video conferencing solution with third-party integrations, Microsoft Teams may have the upper hand. It integrates with hundreds of popular apps, including Trello, Zoom and Slack. Google Meet typically has more limited integration options.

What is better, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet?

As we’ve seen, both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer a huge range of excellent collaboration tools at many different price points. It’s for that reason that choosing between them can be so tricky.

However, there are some general signs that one might be a better fit for your business:

Microsoft Teams may be best if you:

• Are using Microsoft 365 apps (Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive)

• Need things like team chat, file collaboration and project management

• Want advanced security and authentication features.

Google Meet might suit you if:

• You use Google Workspace for things like Gmail, Google Drive and Google Calendar

• Just need a simple video conferencing solution without extra collaboration tools

• Want a web-based platform.

Let’s find the right video conferencing solution for your business

At Bridgehampton, we’ve helped many companies find the right communication tools. If you're unsure whether to choose Microsoft Teams vs Google Meet, our expert team can guide you. We’ll weigh up your requirements, spaces and budget to help you make the best choice for your unique needs.

Contact us today to find the right video conferencing solution for your business.

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