⚠️ Important Update: Transition to Microsoft Teams
DeSales University is in the process of discontinuing the use of Zoom as a supported platform for video conferencing, webinars, and virtual collaboration. Moving forward, the university will standardize on Microsoft Teams as the official platform for meetings, virtual classes, events, and chat.
This transition ensures greater integration with Microsoft 365 tools, increased security, and simplified support across the university. This article is intended to help users compare Zoom and Teams features during the transition period and prepare for full adoption of Microsoft Teams.
If you currently rely on Zoom, we encourage you to begin transitioning your scheduled meetings, webinars, and events to Teams.
Overview
Zoom and Microsoft Teams are both powerful platforms that support real-time chat, content sharing, and videoconferencing. Each offers unique features that cater to different meeting and collaboration needs.
Use the comparison tables below to determine which tool best meets your needs as you migrate toward using Microsoft Teams for university-supported communication.
🔐 HIPAA Compliance
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Zoom: The standard environment is not HIPAA compliant. However, DeSales offers access to a separate HIPAA-compliant Zoom environment for telemedicine or meetings involving Protected Health Information (PHI). Refer to the Zoom and HIPAA Compliance page for more info.
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Teams: HIPAA compliant by default.
🎤 Webinars and Town Halls
| Feature |
Zoom Webinar |
Teams Webinars / Town Halls |
| Available without purchase |
❌ Add-on required |
✅ Included |
| Captioning & Transcription |
✅ Yes (manual/3rd party; machine-generated in non-HIPAA) |
✅ Machine-generated |
| Breakout Rooms |
✅ With Events/Sessions license |
✅ Webinars only (≤300 participants) |
| Chat with Attendees |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (limited to 100 in town halls) |
| Collaborative Tools (In-Meeting) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Limited (town halls) |
| File Transfer |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Max Event Duration |
24 hrs |
30 hrs (town halls) |
| Max Interactive Participants |
500 (expandable with cost) |
1,000 |
| View-Only Attendees |
✅ Live streaming |
✅ 10,000 (up to 20,000 with Teams Premium) |
| Q&A Tool |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Recording |
✅ Local (HIPAA: local only) |
✅ Cloud |
| Registration |
✅ Yes |
✅ Webinars only |
| Video Sharing |
✅ Yes |
✅ Webinars only |
| Raise Hand Feature |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
🧑🏫 Virtual Classrooms, Meetings, and Conferences
| Feature |
Zoom |
Teams |
| Audio/Video Calls |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Live Captioning |
✅ Yes (non-HIPAA) |
✅ Yes |
| Breakout Rooms |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Chat |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| File Transfer |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Guest Join¹ |
✅ Yes |
✅ Via browser |
| Lobby / Waiting Room |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Max Event Duration |
24 hrs |
30 hrs |
| Max Participants |
300 (expandable to 500) |
1,000 |
| View-Only Attendees |
✅ Live streaming |
✅ Up to 10,000 |
| Outlook Integration |
⚠️ Limited (add-in available) |
✅ Seamless |
| Phone Conference Bridge |
✅ Included |
✅ Included |
| Q&A Tool |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Recording Options |
✅ Local/Cloud (HIPAA: local only) |
✅ Cloud |
| Registration |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Remote Control |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Screen Sharing |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Together Mode / Immersive View |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Background Blur |
✅ Custom & Blur |
✅ Custom & Blur |
| Video Sharing |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Note ¹:
💬 Instant Messaging
| Feature |
Zoom |
Teams |
| File Transfer via Chat |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Instant Messaging |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Persistent Chat History |
2 years |
Unlimited |
| Public Group Chat |
✅ Up to 10,000 |
✅ Up to 10,000 |
| Screen Sharing |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (max 20 participants) |
| Screen Share from Chat |
❌ No |
✅ Yes (max 20 participants) |
| Whiteboard |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Summary
While both platforms offer rich collaboration tools, Microsoft Teams is now the recommended and supported solution at DeSales University. It offers deeper integration with Office 365, built-in security, and broader support for academic and administrative needs.
💡 Need Help?
If you need assistance transitioning to Teams or have questions about Zoom deprecation, please contact the DeSales IT Help Desk or visit the Knowledge Base homepage.