COVID-19 pandemic made us all in need of an online meeting environment and Microsoft team alternatives are expanding their features. Since we lost our opportunity to meet face to face for a while, and many organizations switched to an online or hybrid model permanently, a good platform for online meetings became a necessity. Microsoft Team is one of the convenient platforms one may want to use, but it has many downhills, which make people search for alternatives. Luckily, there are many alternatives for Microsoft Teams, which can give you everything it can give plus more.
Some of the disadvantages of Microsoft Teams that lead people to look for alternatives are insufficient notification, limited storage, limited channels, insufficient flexibility, and redundant tools. So, why stick with Microsoft Teams when you can find alternatively better applications and tools? If Microsoft Teams is sufficient for you, that’s great; we are not saying that it is the worst platform for online meetings. However, there might be people who are looking for practical alternatives, and we are here today to share with you the top 8 Microsoft Team alternatives for the best online meeting experience that can be given to you.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Zoom
Zoom can be one of the most commonly used platforms in 2021, and for a good reason. Just like Microsoft Teams, you can participate in online meetings, calls, chats, file sharing, and screen sharing, so all the basics for a meeting application are present. But, what are the differences and valuable features of Zoom that make it a good Microsoft Team alternative? The following are the features of Zoom:
- The simple and efficient user interface, which requires little to no training and minimum customer support necessity.
- Simple integration with other channels, which includes over 1000 different platforms.
- Room systems. Zoom enables breakout rooms in any given call.
- The free version includes up to 100 participants and 40 minutes, unlimited one-to-one meetings, and conferencing features.
- Easy integration with other applications.
- Cross-platform messaging.
- Calendar scheduling.
- Waiting rooms for security.
- Meeting recording.
- 720p video resolutions.
- No software download is needed.
- Personalized background options and virtual appearance.
- Whiteboarding.
2. Google Meet
Google Meet, or as previously known Google Hangouts Meet, is another alternative for Microsoft Teams, offering valuable and efficient features. As the platform itself claims, it “makes it easy to start a secure video meeting.” Indeed, there is everything you may need from a meeting platform in Google Meet. Moreover, anyone with a Google account (so basically everyone) can use Google Meet and benefit from its features. The following are Google Meet features that make it a good Microsoft Teams alternative:
- A free version where a meeting with up to 100 participants and a duration of 60 minutes per meeting can be arranged.
- Live streaming with up to 10.000 viewers.
- Participating in meetings directly from a calendar event.
- Screen sharing.
- Real-time taking notes with live captions.
- iOS and Android applications.
- Perfectly integrates with other Google applications and platforms, especially those under the scope of Google Workspace products.
- Multiple screen layouts.
- Simple user interface offers easy to use and navigation.
3. Slack
By being more than just a video conferencing application, Slack can provide many things that Microsoft Teams provide. Many businesses, classes, study groups are using Slack to communicate and keep in touch. In fact, there are various studies made with regard to Slack’s influence on productivity, and the results are promising. The following are Slack features that make it a good alternative for Microsoft Teams:
- Audio and video calls.
- Screen sharing.
- Screen annotation.
- Advanced search features.
- Different channels within the app.
- Slack threads.
- Slack scheduled messages.
- Integration with various applications.
- Tracking and managing documents.
- Easy navigation.
- Scheduled reminders.
- Collaboration tools.
- File sharing.
4. Webex
Another top-rated meeting platform and one of the most commonly used applications of 2021, being a promising Microsoft Teams alternative. Like Slack, Webex offers more than online meetings to its users. The following are Webex features:
- Video and audio calls.
- File sharing.
- Scheduling meetings and integration with the calendar.
- End-to-end encryption.
- Simultaneous translation with over 100 languages.
- Breakout rooms.
- Gesture recognition.
- Screen sharing and easy presentation tools.
- Changing meeting roles.
- Shape recognition in whiteboards.
- Summary notifications after meetings.
- Integration with different channels and applications.
5. RingCentral Video
Another Microsoft Teams alternative you might want to try is RingCentral Video. The reviews of RingCentral Video are quite promising, and most of the users seem to be satisfied with it. There is a paid version of RingCentral Video, but the free version is entirely satisfactory, and if you do not need very advanced features, you can use the free version as well. The following are the features of RingCentral Video that makes it an excellent Microsoft Teams alternatives:
- Built-in task management.
- Video and audio calls.
- Advanced search features.
- Meeting recordings.
- Integrating with other channels and applications.
- Editing or annotating documents.
- No credit card is required during payment.
- Unlimited message history.
- Available in different devices, and you can switch devices in the middle of a conversation.
- Clear audio and HD meeting quality.
- No annual commitment is required.
- Unlimited number of participants in private chats.
- Unlimited file attachments.
6. 8×8
If you need a meeting platform on a budget, then 8×8 might be the right option for you by being an affordable and convenient Microsoft Teams alternative. 8×8 can be a great deal, especially if you are working with a small team and do not need many advanced features. Just like Microsoft Teams, 8×8 has desktop and mobile applications to be in touch with your team regardless of where you are. The following are 8×8 features that make it a good Microsoft Teams alternative:
- An all-inclusive platform for team tasks and meetings.
- Unlimited audio and video calls and conferences.
- Scalable services.
- Affordable and convenient pricing.
- Over 50 video conference and chat features in all plans.
- Cloud storage capacity for the shared files and recordings.
- Business phone system.
- Collaboration tools.
- Available in 46 languages.
- Unified communications, which enables video, message, and audio conversations simultaneously.
- Advanced call management for voicemails, auto participation, and dialing by name features.
- Video meetings for up to 100 participants.
7. Rocket.Chat
Another affordable alternative for Microsoft Teams is Rocket.Chat. Just like RingCentral Video, you can prefer Rocket.Chat if you do not want to pay for features you will not use. Moreover, if your team is a small team, it can be better to use a platform like Rocket.Chat to not get too distant with each other. Besides, you are getting a cloud service once you get Rocket.Chat can be very useful, especially if you do not have a budget to pay for other cloud services. The following are features of Rocket.Chat that makes it a good Microsoft Teams alternative:
- One of the least expensive meeting platforms out there.
- An on-site installation helps for more control over your data and security.
- Entirely customizable interface.
- Easy use for external and internal collaborations.
- Rocket.Chat is open-source, meaning that you can see and modify the code.
- Simultaneous translation is available for over 50 languages.
- Various pricing plans for different needs and requirements.
- Omnichannel messaging.
- Integration with various channels and platforms.
- Engagement dashboard.
8. Crewdle
Allowing extra protection of personal data with peer-to-peer communication technology, Crewdle highlights the innovation: Every user’s device becomes the server of the relevant video conference. This means that there is no need for central servers used in traditional network structures. The fact that it works with a peer-to-peer network system without having to consume that much energy also makes the platform environmentally friendly.
If you want to use the platform, which you can register completely free of charge, with various advantages in addition to the Basic version, you can purchase the Standard Package for only 4 dollars per month. Unlike the Basic package, this package also offers user management and recording meetings options to users.
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Originally posted on November 29, 2021 @ 6:46 pm
