Microsoft Teams (Teams) and Webex offer a well-rounded set of features that drives business communication and productivity. Teams is Microsoft's collaboration tool that allows users to call, video conference, message, and share files, among other capabilities. Similarly, the Webex suite is Cisco’s collection of collaboration software that includes calling, meetings, messaging, polling (Slido), and events, all driven through a unified experience.

Although each platform facilitates collaboration, you might select one tool over the other based on existing licenses, software in place, areas of availability, or security needs. The following table shares a high-level overview of how Teams and Webex compare. Read on for key features and functionalities available via each platform.

VoIP Calling

Teams

As chat and video communication have become increasingly important resources for business collaboration, voice still remains an essential component of interactions. If you need calling as part of your Teams solution, you can access cloud-based telephony through a Microsoft Calling Plan, Direct Routing, and Operator Connect. These calling features connect the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to Teams. If you want to embrace calling through your collaboration app, you can count on Teams since you can deploy these calling options without any on-prem hardware.

Webex

Enabling calling with Webex is more straightforward. Unlike Teams, Webex includes built-in calling for those using the Webex app and PSTN connection options through Intrado. In addition, calling through Webex doesn’t require additional calling plans or routing setup like Teams calling does, making it the better option if you want a more seamless deployment experience.

Productivity Tools

Teams

Using Teams makes a lot of sense for businesses that already rely on Microsoft 365 because it seamlessly integrates with the other collaboration, sharing, and storage tools that employees are already using. These tools are already included within Microsoft 365 for easy integration. For example, when editing files, users can open and revise documents directly within Teams, saving a few steps and easing common pain points such as document management and version control.

Webex 

Webex, by contrast, was built as a strictly communication-based resource and thus relies more on third-party partners for its productivity tools. If you’d like to use Webex as your communication hub, you will still need Microsoft 365 or G Suite tools to create documents. In addition, some common tasks like file editing aren’t as streamlined—Webex only allows users to view a document within the app. 

Cost Comparison

Teams

Microsoft offers plans that cater to a variety of business needs, so decision makers can deploy Teams in the way that works best for them. Microsoft also offers add-ons to support calling, conferencing, security, compliance, and productivity.

• Basic Teams Plan: This plan is best for businesses that need to get up to speed quickly with online meetings, chat, and cloud storage. Businesses can have up to 100 meeting participants for a maximum meeting duration of 60 minutes. This plan does not offer administration and support.

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic Plan: This plan is well suited for businesses that need easy remote solutions, Teams, secure cloud storage, and Office Online. It includes online versions of Teams, Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint, as well as web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Microsoft 365 Business Standard Plan: This plan is a good fit for businesses that need full remote work and collaboration tools. Users gain access to online and desktop versions of Teams, Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access.

Webex

Like Microsoft, Webex offers a handful of plans decision makers can choose from. While Webex already includes PSTN calling, it doesn’t come with automatic access to the suite of tools and resources included in Office 365 for Business. As a result, you’ll need to weigh your company’s calling and collaboration needs to determine if you will need additional tools or subscriptions. Webex also offers add-ons such as domestic or international calling and real-time translation.

• Basic Plan: This plan features HD meetings up to 100 people, screen sharing, and a personal room.

• Call Plan: This plan includes a cloud-based phone number for each license, phone menus, extensions, screen sharing, breakout rooms, visual voicemail, and chat.

• Meet Plan: This plan enables HD meetings with up to 200 people, screen sharing, recordings, breakout rooms, chat, recording transcriptions, file sharing, toll dial-in, and end-to-end encryption.

• Meet + Call Plan: This plan combines the calling and meeting plans so company teams get the best of both worlds, for a lesser price than if the company bought both plans separately.

• Enterprise: This plan is customizable based on individual business needs. Decision makers can work directly with Webex experts to develop their ideal plan.

Global Availability

Teams

Having the right communication tools in place is essential, especially as more companies and industries embrace hybrid working. In addition, enterprises with international footprints need to ensure that their productivity tools are available in every country they operate. Microsoft offers Teams voice calling in more than 180 countries, which is a wide net of coverage compared to other offerings.

Webex

Webex is available in over 200 countries. PSTN and local gateways are supported.

Security

Security is a top concern in today’s business environment, especially with information and data being exchanged at an ever-increasing rate. When choosing a collaboration tool, take into consideration which security solutions you have in play and what may need to be added to protect your entire network.

Teams

Microsoft provides data security for Teams subscribers but at a slightly lower level than Webex provides. Specifically, Teams is encrypted with TLS, a lesser encryption policy than others in the industry. If you’re thinking about using Teams, consider whether TLS is enough to meet your company’s needs. Microsoft also maintains an additional layer of device security through Intune, their mobile device management tool. 

Webex

Webex includes an upgraded level of security compared to Teams. In fact, the National Security Agency (NSA) recognized Webex as the most secure collaboration app. Webex also provides end-to-end data encryption within the tool, meaning encryption is active during data transport (but does not apply to data stored on devices). Teams currently does not support end-to-end encryption, but it announced plans to do so later in 2021. For now, Webex is the more secure choice to protect sensitive conversations.

Let Intrado Help You Navigate the Right Decision for Your Business

Both Teams and Webex are well suited to meet communications needs. However, each tool has notable benefits that you should keep in mind when evaluating collaboration options.

Intrado can help in assessing your business’s needs and then procuring and implementing the right solutions. We recognize there is no one-size-fits-all tool. Our professional services are here to help you decide which platform is best for your business. Whether you’re looking for an assessment, reviewing integration options or even want to transition from one tool to the other, our team offers seamless support throughout the process.

Visit our Webex or Microsoft Teams pages for more information.