Overview
Zoom Videoconferencing and Microsoft Teams are both powerful tools that combine real-time chat, content sharing, and video. Each has its unique strengths. (If you're new to Zoom, these training resources will help you get started quickly.)
Review the tables below to help determine which solution best meets your needs.
Detail
HIPAA Compliance
The University of Pittsburgh’s standard Zoom environment is not HIPAA compliant. However, the University provides access to a separate HIPAA-compliant Zoom environment for those who are conducting tele-medicine appointments or are hosting meetings that discuss protected health information. To use Zoom for HIPAA-related meetings, please see the Zoom and HIPAA Compliance page.
Teams is HIPAA compliant.
Virtual Classroom and Training Webinars/Town Halls
| Function |
Zoom |
Teams |
| Automated/Live Captioning |
Yes (manual or 3rd party vendor options available) |
Yes |
| Breakout Rooms |
Yes (requires additional Events or Sessions license purchase through Zoom) |
Yes (webinars with less than 300 participants only) |
| Chat with Classmates/Attendees |
Yes |
Yes (town halls limited to 100 participants) |
| Collaborative Tools (In-Meeting) |
Yes |
Yes |
| File Transfer |
Yes |
Yes |
| Live Transcription |
Yes (non-HIPAA only) |
Yes |
| Maximum Event Duration |
24 hours |
30 hours (town halls) |
| Number of Participants |
500 (larger webinars are available at a cost through Zoom) |
10,000 (up to 20,000 at a cost through Teams Premium) |
| Q&A Tool |
Yes |
Yes |
| Recording |
Yes (local only with HIPAA) |
Yes |
| Registration |
Yes |
Yes |
| Video Sharing |
Yes |
Yes |
| Virtually Raise Hand |
Yes |
Yes |
Virtual Meetings and Conferences
| Function |
Zoom |
Teams |
| Audio/Video Calls |
Yes |
Yes |
| Automated/Live Captioning |
Yes (manual or 3rd party vendor options available) |
Yes |
| Breakout Rooms |
Yes |
Yes |
| Chat |
Yes |
Yes |
| File transfer |
Yes |
Yes |
| Guest join* ** |
Yes |
Via browser |
| Live Transcription |
Yes (non-HIPAA only) |
Yes |
| Lobby / Waiting room |
Yes |
Yes |
| Maximum Event Duration (live events) |
24 hours |
30 hours |
| Number of Participants |
300 (larger meetings are available at a cost through Zoom) |
1,000 (20,000 listen) |
| Outlook Calendar integration |
Limited, Outlook Calendar add-in available |
Yes |
| Phone Conf Bridge Included |
Yes |
Yes |
| Recording |
Local or Cloud (local only with HIPAA) |
Cloud |
| Registration |
Yes |
Yes |
| Remote Control |
Yes |
Yes |
| Screen Sharing |
Yes |
Yes |
| Together Mode/Immersive View |
Yes |
Yes |
| Video Background Blur |
Blur, Custom Background |
Blur,
Custom Background
|
| Video Sharing |
Yes |
Yes |
* Zoom defines a guest is identified as someone who is not signed in to a Zoom account or is signed with an email address that is not in the same account as the host.
** In Teams, a 'guest' is defined as someone from outside the tenant, in this case outside the University community, that has been invited to join a meeting or live event.
Instant Messaging
| Function |
Zoom |
Teams |
| File transfer via chat |
Yes |
Yes |
| Instant Messaging |
Yes |
Yes |
| Persistent Instant Messaging |
2 years |
Unlimited |
| Public Group chat |
Yes (limited to 10,000 participants) |
Yes (limited to 10,000 participants) |
| Screen Sharing |
Yes |
Yes (limited to 20 participants) |
| Screen Sharing from Chat |
No |
Yes (limited to 20 participants) |
| Whiteboard |
Yes |
Yes |
Related Information
Help Resources