Microsoft Teams Reviews

Pros

It has all the avaliability of azure cloud
Several ways and options to schedulle a meeting
Api avaliable to programatically create meetings
Record of conferences
Rooms and groups
Integrations with third party apis

Cons

Need to have a microsoft acount
Some options are only avaliable withs pecific microsft license level
The live conference Just let an specifc amount of hosts
The api for creating live meetings is limited.

Alternatives Considered

BigBlueButton

Reasons for Choosing Microsoft Teams

We had uncontable problems with the meeting recording of this tool

Switched From

BigBlueButton

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

The record conferences feature

Pros

Some of the advantages of Microsoft Teams include its versatility, ease of use, and integration with other Microsoft products. Microsoft Teams provides a comprehensive platform for communication and collaboration, allowing users to access a wide range of features and tools, from chat and video conferencing to file sharing and task management. The platform is intuitive and user-friendly, with a familiar interface that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and OneDrive. Additionally, Microsoft Teams offers robust security and compliance features, ensuring that data and information are kept secure and private.

Cons

Some drawbacks of Microsoft Teams, such as a high learning curve for some users, occasional glitches or technical issues, and limited customizability of the user interface. Additionally, some users have found the platform to be overwhelming due to the sheer number of features and tools available, which can make it difficult to navigate and use effectively. However, Microsoft is continually working to improve the platform and address user feedback, so these issues may be addressed in future updates.

Pros

We like teams because it's simple. You can easily have a place to quickly send and receive information for a small, mid, or large business. It operates very simply and saves time and money with how easily it integrates the office suite of products.

Cons

Teams, like other office products, has it's quirks. On a daily basis things to work they way you'd like. Boxes that should collapse remain full page. It seems buggy and a search online reveals no easy way to fix these bugs. It lacks the sophistication of similar programs like slack.

Pros

Microsoft Teams is an incredibly useful tool for collaboration and communication. It offers a great platform for teams to connect and share files, ideas, and projects. The user interface is also easy to use and navigate.

Cons

While Microsoft Teams is very useful, it can be quite slow at times, making it difficult to use when trying to collaborate in a timely manner. Additionally, there is a limited range of customization options available, making it hard to tailor the platform to the individual needs of a team.

Pros

The platform offers a variety of features such as video and audio conferencing, file sharing, task management, and chat functionality that can help increase productivity and streamline workflow.Another popular feature of Microsoft Teams is its integration with other Microsoft applications, such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Outlook, which allows for seamless collaboration and sharing of files and information.Overall, Microsoft Teams is widely used and appreciated by many organizations and individuals for its robust features, intuitive interface, and ability to facilitate remote work and virtual meetings.

Cons

Complexity: Some users have found the platform to be overwhelming and difficult to navigate, especially when first starting out.Glitches and bugs: Like any software, Microsoft Teams is not immune to bugs and technical issues, which can cause frustration for users.Limited integration with other tools: While Microsoft Teams does integrate with other Microsoft products, such as Outlook and OneDrive, it may not integrate as seamlessly with other tools that users may be accustomed to.Notification overload: With so many channels and notifications, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and miss important messages.Lack of customization: Some users have noted that Microsoft Teams does not offer as many customization options as they would like, which can limit its flexibility for certain use cases.

Pros

easy software for communication, chatting, teams notes, folders, files, easy available for all people in team

Cons

sometimes problem with headphones/speakers, giving control during meeting, choose right screen for screening

Pros

I like all the features i have used in Ms teams, for instance i would say: Screen sharingScreen recording File sharing Chats Audio and video Presentation Scheduling meetings. And many more features which i may have not used yet.

Cons

From my POV i see no cons and defect in Ms Teams to count it as something to like least about it. Its so much secure for sharing confidential Ms Office docs and many more.

Pros

Fairly easy to use and set up, with multiple channels and even the option for breakout rooms (e.g., in a class setting).

Cons

Sometimes the features are either hard to utilise or find, for example, the "Take Control" feature is good for users to control another user's screen while screen sharing, but does impose a little bit of lag.

Pros

It has great conference, I'm using it since 2022 in the serving drives for my remote work and meeting. It has great features. Such as every message can be converted into thread so we can discuss on any one single topic.

Cons

Sometime notification is distracting, and settings section is not so good, it's not easy to find setting that I want.

Pros

I would have to say that some of the pros of Teams are that it's easy to use, easy to set up, and also a great way to connect with others.

Cons

Some of the cons I would have to say for Teams are that, at times it freezes or shuts off. Updates don't come immediately or during calls.

Pros

We starting using Microsoft Teams after deciding to change from Zoom. We communicate with staff all over the globe centralized in China, India & Azerbaijan. We found that while Teams worked well overall it just felt like it was behind other services. I think that is because we use Google Docs as our primary office suite, and Teams is really designed to integrate with Microsoft Office 365.

We did love how simple the meetings ran once you were in and the caption feature worked really well for us. We loved the idea of a whiteboard, although we found that we never really used it. Other abilities like turning meeting notes into action items is really cool, but again seemed to need Office 365 to really work.

Cons

Teams really needs to be paired with Microsoft Office 365 to work well in our opinion. Because we used Google Docs we found that many of the features like creating meetings and inviting other users were not as easy as other software we had used in the past. We also felt the overall video quality was a bit lacking at times and didn't seem to keep up with Zoom or Google Meet.

Alternatives Considered

Google Meet

Reasons for Choosing Microsoft Teams

Zoom had known security issues that caused us some real concerns. In the end we couldn't host meetings that we were not 100% sure were truly secure.

Switched From

Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

We ended up going with a hybrid of using Google Meet for our overall internal meeting structure and using Microsoft Teams for outside groups and vendors that preferred them. It is a solution that works well for us.

Pros

> The speed of the connection is really super fast compared to any of the other software.
> The main thing which I have seen this doing best is screen share and video calls. Normally the software take some time to connect to the channel or meeting, but the teams exceeds them all. The lag-less connection anywhere around the world is really mind-blowing.
> The ease of use (one of the primary needs during this lock-down) is really fantastic.
> The flexibility in chat, meeting and groups is really good.
> The file sharing and the encryption which I personally use the most is better in front of its peers.

Cons

The main thing is audio connection. As compared to other software, this should explore the options which I personally found lacking in the teams. As soon as we connect to any meeting, there should be an option to connect outside audio connection like mobile phone to join. That would be a better solution as I found perfect.
Other than that, this is perfect.

Alternatives Considered

Telegram and Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Choosing Microsoft Teams

Mainly because of the versatility and connection speed, I have chosen the teams now.

Switched From

Webex

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

As already mentioned, the price, easiness and speed are appreciative.

Pros

Teams has a useful mobile feature that allows me to answer questions on the go. Individual chats as well as "teams channels" for multiple users are meant to streamline collaboration, including live document editing by multiple users. Similar to Zoom, the platform also allows for video calling that integrates with Outlook and integration with Sharepoint means that documents that are difficult to find in Teams are still backed up on the cloud.

Cons

Teams is a bit clunky. Editing documents within the platform is glitchy, especially when using a Mac - PowerPoint content looks as if it's bleeding off the page, and fonts are automatically substituted if one user hasn't installed the correct fonts, meaning that it's still often necessary to download PowerPoints and word docs for finalization. It's also easy to become overwhelmed.

Users must receive extensive training - creating a chat for multiple people is one thing, while creating a Teams channel is entirely another (although their functions are on the surface level, the same). When a new teams channel is created, so is a new email address. My enterprise conducted months of training and many users, especially those who are less confident with tech, still expressed frustrations or made mistakes that necessitated IT involvement to fix. We've also experienced issues with video call feedback and dropoff.

Pros

Microsoft Teams is great for one Team to stay in touch for instance or to conduct daily tasks via this Software. I use it daily to check on the possible next steps for some tickets, to help someone or to ask someone for help when I am not sure on the proper next steps. I also had meetings via it and also some trainings, for which I had option to download the videos, which is very good option. Also during those trainings, which were done via Meeting option, we were able to share our screens and compare our findings, which another great function of Teams.

Cons

Sometimes all of my Teammates appear as offline, even though we hear seconds ago and my internet was working normally ( for which I am extremely sure, because I have one Software which is extremely sensitive to the quality of the network on which it is being used and it didn't go down when Teams did ). Also, sometimes I am unable to share screenshots with my colleagues, as my pictures get corrupted during the upload.

Pros

The biggest strength, by far, is the integration with other Microsoft applications, and in particular messaging and Sharepoint. Whilst the video function is probably the part I use the most, I especially like the fact we can work together, share files and chat all in one place.

Cons

The interface is a little too basic, but my biggest gripe is the lack of customisation, especially on simple things like video. For example, why can't I move the video windows around? Why can't I enlarge one, and reduce another? If you look the competitors, they all offer a bit more of a customised user interface. My second grumble is the disconnect between a team, a chat, and video call....why can they not be combined?

Alternatives Considered

Webex, Zoom Meetings and Slack

Reasons for Choosing Microsoft Teams

License cost, and integration with other Microsoft apps

Switched From

Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

The user interface, the price, and also love the additional functions like polls, votes, and how to share. Also quote like the blurred background option!

Pros

I would not be able to function in my role without the consistent, daily use of Microsoft Teams. I use Teams to easily chat with my team, host online Team events, share important data, private message, host video meetings, make quick and easy phone calls, etc. I also love that there are so many add-ons that I can utilize (like the Praise feature) to engage with my team and reward productive output.

Cons

The only con that I would list would be that the emoji menu should have a recently used section. But, this is super minimal, as the selection for emojis to brighten up my team chat and engage with my team is vast!

Pros

Teams is a very user-friendly application that facilitates communication between individual users and whole departments. IM capabilities mean that users can message one another to collaborate on projects and share ideas. Files and documents can be shared with others, and Teams also has audio/calling conferencing capabilities (part of Microsoft's vision to deprecate Skype for Business in favour of Teams) meaning users can meet and share ideas even if they are at home or away from the office. The mobile app allows you to chat to colleagues when you aren't at your desk. If users are part of a departmental team, they can view these teams within the app; they can message other team members, share files, and use other Microsoft-specific apps such as Planner or SharePoint if they have been set up. Meeting scheduling is also available from within Teams, linking up with your Outlook calendar. For administrators, it is easy to deploy and maintain the Teams application using GPOs, and the application itself is self-updating on startup.

Cons

Teams currently installs to the user's 'AppData Roaming' folder, which means that it is installed separately for every user that logs into the computer. It is quite resource intensive to run the applications compared to other communications apps. However, both of these issues have been flagged for review on the Microsoft Teams suggestions and feedback website, suggesting they will be rectified in a future release.

Alternatives Considered

Slack and Google Meet

Switched From

Slack and Google Meet

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

Teams was chosen as our communications application over other products as it was bundled with Office 365, which we currently use within the organisation and have multiple active subscriptions for. As Teams is provided under the E1 licence (which all of our users receive), this made it the obvious choice to deploy as our communications app as we were already paying for it. The fact it was part of the Office 365 eco-system made it easier to deploy alongside other Microsoft apps that we currently use.

Pros

What I like most about this software is the ability to have a team site where you can communicate with members of the team and store/share documentation. I like that we can create a "meeting" with notes/tasks, etc within it. I work on many different projects and we are using the "Teams" sites as a way to organize our documentation for each project - have meetings that contain our notes- have team chats and even a "board" for posting items on that the whole team can view and comment on. The biggest advantage comes with the fact that we have many people working remotely and this way everything can continue as if everyone is on site.

Cons

The most frustrating part of this software is the fact that it is a single window only- you cannot open more than one item at a time. So, if I am in the middle of editing a document and someone sends me a chat message- I have to exit the document to look at the chat message (and respond) then go back into the Teams file folders and traverse back to the specific document location (because it reverts back to the main page) and once I find the correct document again- I have to re-open it to continue (unless I am editing it outside of the Teams app - which I do sometimes for this very reason). This makes it very confusing to keep track of what I was doing - I end up waiting to check a chat message until I am able to reach some point in my editing that is a logical place to save and stop. Which then kind of negates the whole timeliness advantage of using a chat over email.

Pros

The ability to share specific applications, or your whole screen are both great features. Video along with screen share makes it easy to not only share the information but also see the person you are talking to at the same time.

Cons

Sometimes it can be hard to find the right meeting to join, end up chasing people around on multiple calls if they don't click the right meeting link the first time. Should be able to merge calls.

Alternatives Considered

Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Choosing Microsoft Teams

Many more features & tied into Active Directory user database.

Switched From

WhatsApp

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

Already integrated with Office365

Pros

I am using Microsoft Teams for more than a year now every day with my students, colleagues, and others. There's a little learning curve with colleagues in using the application. I could share, manage and build team spaces. This is pretty useful in creating different school/business activities and seamlessly integrates other MS products. With integrated Voice and Video Messaging Services, Calendar scheduling, we can communicate according to the availability of users at any time. Also, I can configure my availability with various options or even modify it to determine that I am offline/not at the desk right now for other users to know. The best part is that I can use 3rd party integration application right inside MS Teams.

Cons

Sometimes Microsoft Teams get hanged because of network or Heap Memory problems, but this could happen with any communication software as we use multiple installed software on our machines to meet the distance education requirements. There is a minor delay between receiving a text on your laptop and your mobile device. Many times, it happens that I have to go out or take a break for some time, and I receive a message but with a delay on my configured mobile device.

Alternatives Considered

Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

In the beginning, we may have opted for ZOOM, but then we all know that ZOOM is not that safe, not effective, and not to mention expensive. Everything looks nice with the usage of Microsoft Teams now. Our admin is so happy with our decision.

Pros

Chatting instantly with Teams members adds the “down the hall” feeling of being in the office. Being able to see and hear improved collaboration!

Cons

Switching between accounts is too cumbersome and Teams meetings created from desktop Outlook result in no one being able to start the meeting when you have multiple accounts. I NEED this to work with Office365-Bookings, but for multiple accounts! Prospects that sign up for a meeting under one user name try to log in to the meeting with their business account inly to never arrive.

Alternatives Considered

Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Choosing Microsoft Teams

Already paying to the product

Switched From

Zoom Meetings

Reasons for Switching to Microsoft Teams

Included in Office365

Pros

Since we began implementing Teams, I particularly have appreciated the effort the developers have invested in making notifications manageable. My favorite uses for this are one-on-one chats with colleagues and team conversations around an issue or document. Being able to link in a SharePoint file rather than creating a new copy of it is an essential feature that makes this work.
I find the interface more pleasant and understandable than that of Stack, even though the latter is a more efficient layout.

Cons

Teams is apparently envisioned as the one place where work can happen, combing communication, file editing, and file management features. (Plus lots of other apps that have Teams extensions.) In reality, Teams is not nearly as fast or as efficient as using the Windows Explorer and desktop apps for managing and creating files.
The integration with Planner is less powerful than I wish, but I believe that's due more to Planner's technology than Teams'.

Alternatives Considered

Slack

Pros

This is one of the most useful and useful software in the entire office package. After the implementation of this software in the companies where I worked, I realized that the tasks related to meetings and to be more practical and easy to perform, as it was no longer necessary to perform integrations or accesses in other environments or configure the infrastructure equipment manually.

In the scenario in which we currently live (currently pandemic) this software proves to be something really useful and functional, solving with elegance and practicality a communication problem that most people were using, from corporate meetings to classes in an educational environment.

The features are interesting and meet virtually all scenarios, something to highlight is the possibility of recording meetings without the need to install plugins for this action and also the convenience of making presentations, task boards, WIKIs in teams, posts, which it helps me a lot in my day-to-day.

It is certainly a software that is still evolving, but it presents something very interesting and highly recommended.

Cons

It is undeniable to say that this software is not among the best in its category and is also very practical and functional, however, I would like to suggest a few things:

1. It would be interesting to list the documents and links sent in a conversation in a separate window within the chat of the conversation or meeting, so it would be easier to retrieve an old document for example.

2. When holding meetings on different days with the same users, the chat history is messed up because in these meetings different files and / or links can be shared. I suggest that it is possible to group these conversations by date so that the history would be more organized.

3. Have the possibility to expand the task board to be used for conversations with users and not just for teams.

These are some suggestions that I have to contribute but in general I reiterate that this software is one of the best in its category.

Pros

Quick to set up initially, pleasant looking user interface, significant functionality out of the box.

Cons

After we got past our most trivial initial use case, we started to see the less-than-nice guts under the covers of Teams. The actual management of Team members, "projects", chats is convoluted, inconsistent, limited, and far from intuitively obvious. The fact that you're limited to a single UI window while in Teams is awful - I cannot, for example, have one window open for Chats and another open to examine the files that pertain to a team. I must switch what's showing in my one window to move back and forth -- how incredibly primitive!

File storage is stilted and awkward in Teams. The distinction between Internal and External team members complicates this. Giving access to a single file, or to a "folder" in Teams to an external team member wasn't even a possibility a month ago, and I stopped even trying. You'll see the workaround below, but it works due to more architectural weirdness in the product as you'll see (read down)...

The file storage in Teams is actually in SharePoint. From any point in the Teams file hierarchy, you can "view in SharePoint" instead, which takes you to a SharePoint web interface. From there, you can see that Teams is exposing a subset of what has been set up for you in SharePoint. Happily, once in SharePoint, you have far greater control over file sharing, permissions, version control, restoring old versions, etc. Accessing the same files in Teams is like trying to touch type with a pair of winter mittens on -- it's extremely limited.

Pros

1. The most intelligent feature is the link between it's similar platform application i.e. Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer & Microsoft Outlook etc.
2. Compatible to use in any browser, desktop application and mobile (iOS & Android) app.
3. Sync is constant between Microsoft Outlook Calendar and Microsoft Teams Desktop app Calendar.
4. Easy to join meeting through the received link "easily re-direct from browser to installed app" or Join option available under the desktop app.
5. Organization previously used Microsoft Lync and Skype for Business which is with very less feature and after this application integrated then user easily migrated to it in very less amount of time.
6. In-built whiteboard feature is plus-point for using this app over other video conferencing app.
7. Even very impactful in low bandwidth internet connection.
8. During meeting presenter have full control over the meeting attenders which is too good feature.
9. Very easy and user friendly graphical user interface available in app to create or schedule new meeting or Live etc.
10. Raise your Hand feature is good recent integration for the app, if any Quiz contest or seminar conducted in the app then it's very helpful for presenter.

Cons

1. Must work upon the monthly patch / update of the app, due to this every month it required update.
2. If someone joined the meeting as a Guest then there is no any information available / appear in meeting.
3. Meeting Attendance "Analytics & Reports" must be enable for meeting presenter / owner.
4. Raise your hand feature must come up with little sound notification with serial number who clicked first.
5. During remote session most of the feature (specially pop-up option) get out control, which cause issue to solve user issue accordingly.
6. Must add feature to permanently disable web cam for the user profile for privacy.
7. Must remove the option to sync OneDrive to share any attachment with the colleagues.
8. Must add the feature in app to view the monthly calendar in single window like Microsoft Outlook.
9. Add-ins issue is common with most the client , sometimes it's missing in Outlook app.
10. Also enable an option to save recorded meeting in local drive instead of cloud.