Comparing Zoom and Teams Features – DeSales University

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⚠️ 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.


πŸ” HIPAA Compliance

  • 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.

  • Teams: HIPAA compliant by default.


🎀 Webinars and Town Halls

Feature Zoom Webinar Teams Webinars / Town Halls
Available without purchase ❌ Add-on required βœ… Included
Captioning & Transcription βœ… Yes (manual/3rd party; machine-generated in non-HIPAA) βœ… Machine-generated
Breakout Rooms βœ… With Events/Sessions license βœ… Webinars only (≀300 participants)
Chat with Attendees βœ… Yes βœ… Yes (limited to 100 in town halls)
Collaborative Tools (In-Meeting) βœ… Yes βœ… Limited (town halls)
File Transfer βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Max Event Duration 24 hrs 30 hrs (town halls)
Max Interactive Participants 500 (expandable with cost) 1,000
View-Only Attendees βœ… Live streaming βœ… 10,000 (up to 20,000 with Teams Premium)
Q&A Tool βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Recording βœ… Local (HIPAA: local only) βœ… Cloud
Registration βœ… Yes βœ… Webinars only
Video Sharing βœ… Yes βœ… Webinars only
Raise Hand Feature βœ… Yes βœ… Yes

πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Virtual Classrooms, Meetings, and Conferences

Feature Zoom Teams
Audio/Video Calls βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Live Captioning βœ… Yes (non-HIPAA) βœ… Yes
Breakout Rooms βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Chat βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
File Transfer βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Guest JoinΒΉ βœ… Yes βœ… Via browser
Lobby / Waiting Room βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Max Event Duration 24 hrs 30 hrs
Max Participants 300 (expandable to 500) 1,000
View-Only Attendees βœ… Live streaming βœ… Up to 10,000
Outlook Integration ⚠️ Limited (add-in available) βœ… Seamless
Phone Conference Bridge βœ… Included βœ… Included
Q&A Tool βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Recording Options βœ… Local/Cloud (HIPAA: local only) βœ… Cloud
Registration βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Remote Control βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Screen Sharing βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Together Mode / Immersive View βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Background Blur βœ… Custom & Blur βœ… Custom & Blur
Video Sharing βœ… Yes βœ… Yes

Note ΒΉ:

  • Zoom defines a guest as someone not signed in or signed in with a non-affiliated email.

  • Teams defines a guest as an external user invited to a meeting or event.


πŸ’¬ Instant Messaging

Feature Zoom Teams
File Transfer via Chat βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Instant Messaging βœ… Yes βœ… Yes
Persistent Chat History 2 years Unlimited
Public Group Chat βœ… Up to 10,000 βœ… Up to 10,000
Screen Sharing βœ… Yes βœ… Yes (max 20 participants)
Screen Share from Chat ❌ No βœ… Yes (max 20 participants)
Whiteboard βœ… Yes βœ… Yes

βœ… 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.


πŸ’‘ 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.