Comparing Cisco Webex, Zoom And Microsoft Teams: A Guide For Businesses

In today’s fast-paced digital world, effective communication and collaboration tools are essential for businesses of all sizes. Cisco Webex, Zoom and Microsoft Teams are three of the most popular platforms for unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) and offer a wide range of features to support virtual meetings, webinars and collaboration tools.

When choosing a UC&C platform, it’s important to consider factors such as the specific needs of your business, the features offered and the pricing structure. In this blog, we compare these three platforms based on their components and subscription models—and provide insights into which platform might be best suited for different types and sizes of businesses.*

Cisco Webex

Webex is a robust communication and collaboration platform designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses of all sizes. Known for its reliability and extensive feature set, Webex offers solutions that range from basic video conferencing to advanced enterprise-grade capabilities. Its plans cater to various requirements, providing essential tools for small teams as well as scalable options for large enterprises. Webex stands out with its strong focus on security, high-quality video and audio, and seamless integration with other business applications, making it a versatile choice for enhancing productivity and collaboration.¹

Some of its key features include:

• HD video meetings with customizable layouts, interactive webinars and virtual events
• File sharing, whiteboarding, screen sharing, and integration with various productivity tools such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
• End-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication and compliance with various industry communication standards
• Hot desking, virtual backgrounds and noise cancellation
• Plus, a contact center solution that includes out-of-the-box voice, email, chat, SMS and messaging channels, a modern interface, quick-start reporting and analytics tools, and popular CRM integrations

Pricing Structure

Webex offers several pricing tiers to accommodate various diverse needs:

• Free: Allows up to 100 participants and includes basic meeting features, like a 40-minute meeting limit, chat, screen sharing, whiteboards and local recording.
• Meet: Supports up to 200 participants per meeting and includes advanced features like AI Assistant, meetings up to 24 hours in duration, closed captions, polling and 10 GB of AI-powered cloud recording.
• Suite: Offers all the features of the Free and Meet plans, plus a “Call” feature, which includes a business phone number for each user, visual voicemail, six-way conference calling, unlimited domestic long-distance calling and international long-distance options.
• Enterprise: Provides meetings for up to 1,000 attendees, unlimited cloud recording, FedRAMP-authorized security and optional add-ons like Webex Webinars and Events, all with custom pricing.

Zoom

Zoom is a popular video conferencing platform known for its user-friendliness and versatility, catering to businesses of small to medium sizes. The platform excels in delivering high-quality video and audio, making virtual meetings and webinars seamless and effective. Its robust suite of collaboration tools, including breakout rooms, screen sharing and recording capabilities, enhances remote work efficiency and team connectivity. Additionally, Zoom’s extensive integration options with other business applications further amplify its utility, positioning it as a leading choice for modern communication and collaboration.²

Some of its key features include:

• HD video meetings, webinars and virtual events with breakout rooms and polling features
• Screen sharing, file transfer, whiteboarding, recording, and integration with third-party applications such as Slack and Microsoft 365
• End-to-end encryption, waiting rooms and password-protected meetings
• Customizable video backgrounds
• User-friendly interface
• Advanced administrative tools and analytics options
• Plus, Zoom Contact Center is an omnichannel cloud contact center platform that streamlines communication and augments the customer experience

Pricing Structure

Zoom’s pricing plans are designed to cater to different business requirements:

• Basic (Free): Allows unlimited one-on-one and group meetings up to 40 minutes with a maximum of 100 participants for one licensed user, and includes chat, short clips, basic document sharing and three editable whiteboards.
• Pro: Includes meetings for up to 30 hours, AI Companion, 5 GB of cloud storage, and unlimited Docs and Clips for up to 100 participants, all designed for one to nine users.
• Business: Designed for ten to 250 users, this plan can support up to 300 participants and includes unlimited whiteboards, a scheduler, and advanced security features like SSO and managed domains.
• Enterprise: Intended for over 250 users, Enterprise supports up to 30 hours per meeting, includes unlimited clips, docs and cloud storage, and features full PBX phone services.
• Add-ons: Plans can have individual features from other plans added, like Docs, a Large Meeting extension for up to 1,000 participants, Scheduler, Clips Plus, expanded cloud storage, whiteboards, translated captions, audio conferencing and more.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft applications. With a strong emphasis on security, high-quality video and audio, and a robust feature set, its advanced administrative tools and comprehensive analytics support large-scale meetings and webinars, providing users with detailed insights and control. Known for its reliability, Teams offers a versatile solution for virtual meetings and webinars, accommodating everything from small team gatherings to large conferences.³

Some of its key features include:

• HD video meetings, webinars, live events and breakout rooms
• File sharing, co-authoring and integration with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and OneDrive
• End-to-end encryption, data loss prevention and compliance with various industry standards
• Dedicated channels for different projects and teams, facilitating organized communication
• Integration with a wide range of third-party applications to enhance productivity
• Detailed insights and control for managing large-scale meetings and webinars

Pricing Structure

Microsoft Teams offers pricing plans tailored to various business needs:

• Free: Best suited for personal use, with group calling for up to 60 minutes and 100 participants, unlimited chat with friends and family, tasks, polling, 5 GB of cloud storage, and data encryption.
• Essentials: Includes unlimited meetings for up to 30 hours and 300 participants, 10 GB of cloud storage per user, real-time collaboration with file sharing and polling, recordings with captions, and standard data encryption.
• Business Basic: Provides user management for up to 300 employees, a custom business email, web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, 1 TB of cloud storage per employee, and automatic spam and malware filtering.
• Business Standard: Allows licenses for desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, webinars with registration and reporting, collaborative workspaces, and video editing and design tools from Clipchamp.
• Business Premium: Includes advanced security, access and data control, and cyberthreat protection.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot: Add this advanced AI-powered tool to integrate AI assistance in 365 apps.

Summary: Webex Vs. Zoom Vs. Teams

Quickly compare features, support options, integrated programs and more for Webex, Zoom and Teams in this comparison chart.

Which UC&C Platform Is Right For Your Business?

Choosing the right platform depends on various factors, including the size of the business, its specific needs and budget, and any existing technological infrastructure. Webex, Zoom and Teams offer features and pricing structures to cater to different business requirements so businesses can select the platform that best aligns with their goals and enhances their communication and collaboration capabilities.

For small businesses looking for a cost-effective solution, Zoom Basic or Pro plans or the Webex Free plan are excellent choices. These plans offer essential features and reliability without breaking the bank. Microsoft Teams Essentials is also suitable, especially if the business is already using other Microsoft 365 services. The free Teams plan may be too limiting depending on the size of your business.

Midsize businesses that require more advanced features and administrative controls might find Webex Meet or Suite appealing. Zoom Pro and Business also provide a good balance of features and cost, supporting larger meetings and offering advanced administrative tools. Teams Business Basic or Standard are great options for those already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, providing seamless integration with other Office apps.

For large enterprises with extensive needs, Webex Enterprise offers customizable solutions and dedicated support, making it ideal for complex requirements. Zoom Enterprise supports large-scale meetings and provides comprehensive analytics and support. Finally, Teams Business Premium is perfect for organizations needing robust security, compliance and integration with other Microsoft services.

How Lumen Solutions For Webex, Zoom Or Teams Can Optimize Performance

Opting for Lumen UC&C solutions for Webex, Zoom and Teams offers significant advantages over working directly with the original companies. One of the most substantial benefits is the availability of dedicated support, helping ensure that any issues are resolved swiftly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. Moreover, with a direct connection to the Lumen Network, users experience enhanced performance and reliability, which is crucial for seamless communication and collaboration. Lumen also provides maximum flexibility and choice, allowing businesses to tailor their solutions to meet specific needs, thereby optimizing their operations and enabling better results.

Furthermore, migrating to the cloud with Lumen is cost-effective since it helps you avoid the complexities and expenses associated with dealing with multiple vendors. This streamlined approach simplifies the process, minimizing administrative overhead and enabling IT departments to focus on strategic initiatives rather than operational tasks.

The convenience of using a single vendor for network, security and collaboration cannot be overstated, as it provides cohesive integration and consistent service levels across all platforms. Leveraging Lumen UC&C solutions empowers businesses to enhance their communication infrastructure comprehensively and efficiently.

Why not make the journey toward modern UC&C easy? Integrate your existing Lumen services with your platform of choice and enjoy the benefits of single-vendor network, security and collaboration management.

To learn more about how Lumen can support your UC&C services, contact a representative today.

¹Webex, Choose your Webex plan, 2024.
²Zoom, Plans & Pricing, 2024.
³Microsoft, Find the right Microsoft Teams for your needs, 2024.

*All pricing tiers and features are accurate as of the time of publication based on information readily available. Contact representatives at Lumen, Cisco, Zoom or Microsoft for further details.

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