Zoom vs Microsoft Teams: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
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Short answer
In our video conferencing ranking, Zoom Workplace scores 93/100 and Microsoft Teams scores 90/100. Zoom scores higher for recording and its included AI Companion; Teams is far cheaper, with 300-person, 30-hour meetings from $4 per user, and comes free with most Microsoft 365 business plans.
Pick 
Zoom if…
- You meet mostly with clients and partners outside your company
- You want AI meeting summaries included at no extra cost
- You need cloud recording on a monthly plan without an annual commitment
Pick 
Microsoft Teams if…
- Your company already runs on Microsoft 365
- You need meetings of up to 300 people at the lowest price
- You want chat, files and meetings in one place
What it costs
10 users, billed annually, from each vendor's list prices. Taxes, phone and room add-ons excluded.
| Need | Zoom plan | Zoom per year | Microsoft Teams plan | Microsoft Teams per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meetings over the free time limit, with recording | Pro ($14.16) | $1,699 | Teams Essentials ($4) | $480 |
| Meetings of up to 300 participants | Business ($18.33) | $2,200 | Teams Essentials ($4) | $480 |
| Plus business email and Office web apps | Not part of these plans | — | Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($7) | $840 |
| Plus webinars | Enterprise (quote) | Quote | Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot ($23.50) | $2,820 |
Zoom's monthly prices are $16.99 (Pro) and $21.99 (Business). Microsoft's paid plans are annual, auto-renewing subscriptions. Prices from Zoom and Microsoft Teams pricing pages, checked Nov 1, 2026. Vendors change plans often; confirm before you buy.
Plans and features side by side
| Feature | Zoom | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Basic: 40-minute meetings, 100 participants | 60-minute group meetings, 100 participants, 5 GB storage |
| Entry paid plan | Pro, $14.16/user/mo annual ($16.99 monthly) | Teams Essentials, $4/user/mo paid yearly |
| Participants | 100 on Pro, 300 on Business | 300 from Teams Essentials |
| Meeting length | 30 hours on paid plans | 30 hours on paid plans |
| Cloud storage | 10 GB of cloud recording per license | 10 GB of cloud storage per user |
| AI notes and summaries | AI Companion included on paid plans | Copilot an add-on below Business Standard with Copilot |
| Webinars | Listed on Enterprise (500 attendees) | Listed from Business Standard with Copilot |
| Trial | Free plan | Free plan; 1-month trial (card required) |
| G2 user rating | 4.5/5 (56,448 reviews) | 4.4/5 (19,418 reviews) |
| Vettlo score | 93/100 | 90/100 |
"Listed from" means the feature first appears on that plan on the vendor's public pricing page.
Where Zoom is stronger
- AI included. Paid plans include unlimited meeting summaries and in-meeting questions at no extra cost.
- Monthly billing. Pro and Business are available month to month at $16.99 and $21.99 per user.
- Cloud recording on the first paid plan. Pro includes 10 GB of cloud recording per license.
Where Microsoft Teams is stronger
- Price. Teams Essentials is $4 per user paid yearly, about a quarter of Zoom Pro's annual price.
- Bigger meetings for less. 300 participants from the entry plan; Zoom needs Business ($18.33) for 300.
- Longer free meetings. Free group meetings run 60 minutes, versus 40 on Zoom Basic.
- Microsoft 365 bundle. Business Basic ($7) adds business email and Office web apps to the same license.
How to decide
- Check whether your company already pays for Microsoft 365; if so, Teams costs nothing extra.
- Size your largest regular meeting: over 100 people needs Zoom Business but stays on Teams Essentials.
- Decide whether you need AI summaries included or will pay for Copilot.
- Run a week of real external calls on both free plans and see which your guests join faster.
Zoom vs Microsoft Teams FAQ
Is Zoom or Microsoft Teams cheaper?
Teams. Teams Essentials is $4 per user per month paid yearly, versus $14.16 for Zoom Pro billed annually, and it allows 300 participants instead of 100.
Which has the better free plan?
Teams' free plan allows 60-minute group meetings for 100 participants; Zoom's Basic plan allows 40 minutes for 100.
Does Zoom or Teams include AI meeting notes?
Zoom includes AI Companion summaries on paid plans at no extra cost. Microsoft lists Copilot as an add-on on Teams Essentials and Business Basic, and includes it in Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot ($23.50).
Can I pay monthly?
Zoom offers monthly billing ($16.99 for Pro). Microsoft's Teams plans on its business comparison page are annual subscriptions that auto-renew.
Other options
If neither fits, see our full ranking of 6 video conferencing tools, with who each one is for and what it costs. Or see our guide to the Zoom alternatives.