Microsoft Teams vs Google Meet: Comparing video conferences

Choosing the right Platform for online meetings and collaboration is critical to your team's productivity and effectiveness. Both Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are among the leading solutions on the market. But which platform is better suited to your company's needs? In this post, we compare the features, pricing, and privacy aspects of both tools to help you decide.

Microsoft Teams vs Google Meet: Comparing Features

Microsoft Teams: More than video conferences

Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and offers not only video conferencing features, but also tools for teamwork, such as chat, file storage, and integration with other Microsoft services.

Key Features:

• Chats and channels: For internal & cross-team communication during and after meetings.
• Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamless integration and direct access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Video conferences: Up to 300 participants (more in Enterprise plans).
• File sharing and storage: Seamless real-time collaboration and centralized storage of documents and files.
• Telephony: With a telephone connection, landline phone calls can be made and received by teams.
• Collaboration: Collaborate on documents in real time during the meeting.

Google Meet: The slim all-rounder

Google Meet, a part of Google Workspace, is easy to use and seamless integration with Google products such as Gmail and Google Calendar.

Key Features:

• Number of participants: Up to 100 subscribers in the free version, up to 500 in premium packages.
• Live Subtitles: AI-powered transcriptions in real time.
• Screen sharing: Ideal for presentations and training.
• Simplicity: No software installation required, meetings run directly in the browser.
• Google integration: Add meeting links directly to calendar invitations.

Conclusion:
Microsoft Teams is ideal for companies looking for a comprehensive collaboration platform. Google Meet impresses with its ease of use and integration into Google Workspace.

Ease of use: How easy are Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to use?

Microsoft Teams: Versatile but with a learning curve

The variety of features of teams is a plus, but it can be overwhelming for new users at first. However, with some training, teams benefit from an all-in-one solution for communication and collaboration.

Google Meet: Intuitive and quick to use

Google Meet scores points with a sleek, clear user interface. Especially convenient for Google users, as meetings can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows.

Conclusion:
Google Meet is easier to access for beginners. However, Microsoft Teams offers significant added value when your team is ready to learn about the platform.

Pricing model: How do Microsoft Teams and Google Meet differ in price?

Microsoft Teams prices:

• Free version: Meetings with up to 100 participants, basic features.
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: €5.60/month per user — Includes advanced meeting features and 1TB of OneDrive storage.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: €11.70/month per user — With additional access to Office apps such as Word and Excel.

Google Meet prices:

• Free version: Up to 100 participants without time limits.
• Google Workspace Business Starter: €5.20/month per user — additional meeting features and 30GB cloud storage.
• Google Workspace Business Standard: €10.40/month per user — For up to 150 participants and extended cloud storage.

Conclusion:
Both platforms offer comparable prices, although the choice depends on whether your company has already invested in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.

GDPR: How secure are Microsoft Teams and Google Meet?

Microsoft Teams: Security based on Microsoft 365

Microsoft Teams benefits from the established Microsoft 365 security infrastructure, which offers a trustworthy solution for companies worldwide. The platform places great emphasis on data protection and compliance, particularly for customers in Europe.

Key safety features:

• Data encryption: All data is encrypted both during transmission and at rest. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an additional layer of protection that prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to accounts.
• GDPR compliance: Microsoft provides comprehensive tools and reports to ensure compliance with the GDPR. Companies can store data in data centers within the EU, which reduces the risk of data transmission to the USA.
• Admin controls: IT administrators can set detailed security policies, such as who has access to meetings, which devices are allowed, and how long data is stored.

Concerns:
Despite the robust security measures, Microsoft Teams, as a US product, is also under the legal scope of the CLOUD Act. This means that, in theory, US authorities could request access to stored data under certain circumstances. For European companies with high compliance requirements, this is a potential risk factor.

Google Meet: Security through Google Workspace

Google Meet is based on Google Workspace's proven security architecture. The platform uses cutting-edge technologies to ensure data integrity and data protection.

Key safety features:

• Data encryption: Like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet encrypts all data during transmission and at rest. This ensures that information is protected during a meeting.
• Control mechanisms: Google Workspace offers admins extensive security options, such as allowing or preventing screen sharing, muting participants, and adding security codes to meetings.
• GDPR compliance: Google is committed to full compliance with the GDPR. European customers can store their data in the EU, which provides additional security.
• AI-powered security: Google uses machine learning to identify and block security threats in real time, such as phishing attempts or suspicious login activity.

Concerns:
As with Microsoft Teams, there is also the challenge that Google, as a US company, must comply with the CLOUD Act. Even though Google pursues a transparent data protection policy, this remains a potential disadvantage for companies that process particularly sensitive data.

Microsoft Teams: GDPR-compliant and secure

Microsoft places great value on privacy and security. Data centers within the EU ensure that data is processed in accordance with the GDPR. Features such as end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication provide additional security.

Google Meet: Trust in Google's infrastructure

Google Meet offers encrypted data transfer and security controls as standard. Admins can flexibly manage permissions such as allowing participants or blocking screen shares. Google Workspace is also GDPR-compliant and allows data to be stored in the EU.

Conclusion:
Both platforms meet high security standards. However, companies with sensitive data could benefit from Microsoft's deep GDPR integration.

Conclusion: MS Teams or Google Meet - Which should you choose?

• Microsoft Teams is ideal when:
  • Are you looking for a comprehensive platform for meetings and teamwork.
  • Your company is already using Microsoft 365.
  • Advanced features such as breakout rooms and document management are important.

• Google Meet is ideal when:
  • You need an easy and quick solution for video conferencing.
  • Your team is already using Google Workspace
  • A browser-based platform without software installation is preferred.

The decision between Microsoft Teams and Google Meet depends heavily on your company's needs. While Google Meet specializes in simple and reliable video conferencing, Microsoft Teams provides a more comprehensive platform for collaboration and communication.

When choosing, consider aspects such as range of functions, the ease of use, the costs And the Options for integration into existing work processes.

A trial period can help you find the right solution for your company. Try out both platforms to decide which best meets your needs.