Conferencing: Comparison Chart- Synchronous Communication Tools

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With the need to teach, learn, and collaborate synchronously online, it is recognized there are several tools to get the job done. The information below highlights some of the features, functions, and capabilities of the supported web conferencing tools: Microsoft Teams and Zoom. This list is not exhaustive, but is helpful to show how these tools compare so an informed decision can be made when determining which tool to use for various purposes and audiences.  As you are comparing the tools, please reach out to CETL (CETL@uwec.edu) with any questions.

UWEC Support

  • Teams: Office and administration
  • Zoom: Instruction, office, and administration

Integrated with Canvas LMS

  • Teams: Rich content editor
  • Zoom: Navigation bar

Desktop App (download program)

  • Teams: Yes, for optimal experience
  • Zoom: Yes, for optimal experience

Maximum Simultaneous Webcams

  • Teams: 49 based on internet bandwidth
  • Zoom: 49 based on internet bandwidth

Max. # Simultaneous Audio

  • Teams: 49; Quality varies based on internet bandwidth
  • Zoom: 49; Quality varies based on internet bandwidth

Max. # Participants

  • Teams: Recommends no more than 300; 1000 can join and interact 
  • Zoom: Recommends 300; 1000 can join and interact upon request

Multiple Moderators/Hosts

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: No; one host and unlimited co-host(s)

Supported Browsers

  • Teams: Chrome and Firefox; use desktop application for full features
  • Zoom: Chrome and Firefox;  use desktop application for full features

Mobile App Available

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Session Scheduling

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Open-ended Sessions

  • Teams: No
  • Zoom: No

End of Meeting Behavior

  • Teams: Closes when the host leaves the session or the session is transferred to a new host
  • Zoom: Closes when the host leaves the session or the session is transferred to a new host

Chat Feature

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Chat with everyone

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Chat with individuals

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Share Whiteboard

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Annotation Tools

  • Teams: Yes; whiteboard
  • Zoom: Yes; files and whiteboard  

Polling

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes; downloadable results

Surveys

  • Teams: Yes; using Forms add-on
  • Zoom: Yes; downloadable results

Hand Raising

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Can Record Session

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Recording Format

  • Teams: MP4 Video
  • Zoom: MP4 Video

Save Recording

  • Teams: Saved to Sharepoint; Link available in meeting chat or channel once it is processed
  • Zoom: Cloud; available for 180 days (6 months). Local; available until storage runs out

Download Recording

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Share Recording Link

  • Teams: Yes, but only UWEC users
  • Zoom: Yes

Advanced Recording Features

  • Teams: No
  • Zoom: Yes

Download Chat History

  • Teams: Yes; through Outlook History
  • Zoom: Yes; TXT file

Attendance Report

  • Teams: Yes; CSV file
  • Zoom: Yes; CSV file

Phone Conferencing

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Share Files

  • Teams: Yes; Main room only
  • Zoom: Yes; Main room only; Sent to one participant, a specific predesignated group, or all participants
 

Download Files

  • Teams: No; can be done through SharePoint/OneDrive
  • Zoom: Yes

Screen Sharing Capabilities

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Breakout Rooms (Group Work)

  • Teams: Yes; set up through Teams Channels
  • Zoom: Yes; set up within program

Pre-Set Breakout Rooms

  • Teams: No
  • Zoom: Yes; but not compatible with Canvas integration

Recalls Content

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: No

Closed Captioning

  • Teams: Yes (automated)
  • Zoom: Yes (automated audio transcript, text, manual entry)

Students can Create a Session

  • Teams: Yes
  • Zoom: Yes

Suitable for HIPAA

  • Teams: Yes; Preferred
  • Zoom: Yes; Preferred

AI Capabilities

  • Teams: No
  • Zoom: Yes; meeting summary, chat summary, question enhancer