Microsoft Teams vs. Cisco Webex: Which Communication Platform is Best for You?

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, communication solutions such as Webex compete with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and many other huge platforms. As part of social distancing parameters, face-to-face talks have been replaced by video conferencing. So, which communication solution best fits your needs?

Cisco Webex

Although Cisco does not have the same popularity in the consumer market as Microsoft or Google, the company is undoubtedly well-known in the business sector. Because of this, the company’s video conferencing software, Cisco Webex, quickly gained a significant user base in just a few years.

Microsoft Teams

During the pandemic period, one of the platforms that saw the most significant surge in popularity and use was Microsoft Teams.

Thanks to the platform, users can easily switch between chatting, video calls, and messaging, providing a robust native connection with the Microsoft 365 set of applications.

What are the Differences Between Microsoft Teams and Webex?

So, how is Microsoft Teams different from Webex? Here’s a breakdown showcasing the differences between Microsoft Teams and Webex so you can decide which fits your needs best.

Plans and Costs

While Microsoft Teams’ free service will appeal to a wide range of small organizations and individuals, Cisco Webex is targeted primarily at paying customers.

Cisco Webex offers a free plan, although it is limited to a single host and includes limitations on several functions. The monthly cost of the Starter plan is $15 per host, while the Business plan is $25 per host. Lastly, the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing based on the features and number of hosts you need.

Teams’ free edition has a better 60-minute conference time restriction, 2GB of private cloud storage, and an unrestricted chat feature. For paid plans, Microsoft 365 offers three plans:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic – $6.00 per month per user
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard – $12.50 per month per user
• Microsoft 365 Premium – $22.00 per month per user

Features

The functionality of Webex is classified into three categories: meetings, conferencing, and chat. Customizable screen layouts and high-quality HD sound and video for up to 1,000 conference attendees are among the in-meeting functions. Webex users have a variety of sharing options as well. Even when not in a conference, group and private texting are available, and there are a handful of integrations.

Screen sharing, call recording, live transcripts, background blur tech, and chat functionality are available in Teams. But its most significant advantage is its ability to interface with other Microsoft apps.

Security

Cisco Webex is secure. All cloud recordings are encrypted, and meeting passwords prevent uninvited attendance. Also, Webex’s paid versions are HIPAA and GDPR-compliant.

Teams encrypt all data in Microsoft data centers. Moreover, Microsoft Teams mandates multi-factor verification to prevent account hacking.

Support

Microsoft Teams offers a solid official support service, but one of the most praised services is not from Microsoft. Due to Teams’ large user base, Microsoft developed a large user community that assists each other in resolving issues.

Webex offers video courses, online training, regular demos, and live broadcasts. The free service offers online help, but the Enterprise package has a personal rep, so issues are fixed promptly.

Conclusion

Webex is a well-established video conferencing platform. Enterprises will enjoy Webex’s high-level capabilities, while personal users typically prefer well-known brands like Microsoft.