What’s the difference between Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams?
For businesses looking to implement a new collaboration tool, it can often feel like a clash between two titans; Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams. Understanding the differences between Webex and Teams is crucial in deciding which one is the best for your unique requirements. Whether you’re a local business or a global conglomerate, communication is essential for all of your day-to-day operations.
Whilst communication might not be a problem in traditional offices, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that collaboration software plays a crucial role in maximising productivity and teamwork across your workforce. Whether you’re in the office or working from home, everyone needs the means to communicate and collaborate effectively. During the pandemic, lots of businesses took the leap and adapted to working with Webex and/or Teams.
If you’re still trying to decide, or you’re not happy with your current platform, we’ve gathered as much information as possible to help you make a decision. Take a look at the pros and cons for yourself. Plus, we’ve added a list of useful features you can find when using each piece of software.
Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is a collaboration and video conferencing program that aims to provide a seamless communication experience. It’s a combination of Cisco’s Webex suite of programs – Webex Teams, Webex Meetings and Webex Devices. Cisco combined all their separate software into one centralised collaboration program in 2018.
Webex is designed for online meetings, file sharing and messaging. During 2020, Webex broke its own record of users by reaching 600 million users worldwide. They’ve carried that momentum into 2022 with 650 million monthly participants in Webex meetings.
Features:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Background noise removal and voice enhancement. | Lacking in some personalisation features, such as virtual backgrounds, colour schemes and window layouts. |
| Automatic transcriptions, notes and highlights. Plus, real-time translation into over 100 languages. | The mobile app that’s available doesn’t compromise on video and audio quality, however this can make it slower on some mobiles. |
| Excellent security, especially since Cisco is a All data that you send or receive in Webex is encrypted, no matter which plan you purchase. | Although Cisco Webex can be integrated with Microsoft Office, it isn’t quite as seamless as Microsoft Teams. After all, Teams is a Microsoft product. |
| Webex is fully featured, meaning you’ll have all the collaboration tools you’ll need. This includes video and audio calling, instant messaging and seamless file transfers. | |
| Lots of integration capabilities including Google Cloud, Microsoft Tools (Teams and SharePoint), Google Workspace and Outlook sync with calendars. | |
| Multiple ways to connect on desktop, whether this is by Webex Teams, Webex meetings or your own conference bridge. | |
| Webex can easily integrate with Cisco hardware too! | |
| Multiple clients for desktop, mobile and tablet. |
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is another giant in the collaboration platforms world. It includes chat features, online meetings and document sharing. Teams is known for having multiple areas where people can post, create and share. The platform itself is quite young, coming out in 2017. However, the popularity of Teams has snowballed since its release, making it one of the most popular collaboration platforms used in business.
In October 2021, the daily amount of users who were active on Microsoft Teams reached 145 million across 500,000 unique organisations. As the cherry on top of this collaboration cake, 91 of the Fortune 100 companies utilise Microsoft Teams as their primary method of internal communication.
Features:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of collaboration features under one roof, including video and audio calls, scheduling meetings, sharing tasks and working on files. | Storage consumption can sometimes be an issue with Microsoft Teams, since anyone can make a channel. However, this can be mitigated by adding restrictions to creation abilities. |
| Call2Teams – Use this addon to make and receive phone calls via Teams. | There can be a chance of increased security risks, as with any program where files are shared. This risk can be mitigated by restricting access to people who need it. |
| There’s no additional cost to access Teams if you already have a Microsoft 365 license. | The amount of limited channels may cause an issue with larger companies. There’s a maximum of 200 public channels and 30 private ones. |
| Enhance the collaboration experience by adding third party tools. For example Trello, Google Drive and Dropbox. | |
| File search and backup storage can make collaboration even easier. Every chat has its own file storage, so if you delete a file it’s still backed up to a SharePoint site. | |
| Create your own or add existing, handy, bots to your chats. |
Should you choose Microsoft Teams or Cisco Webex?
Unfortunately, that’s not a decision that we can make for anyone. Teams and Webex, whilst both being collaboration platforms, are designed for slightly different purposes. If you have regular meetings with large groups, like to head up conferences, or require phone system integration, then Webex is a handy tool. If you’re wanting to get more personal, or have seamless integration with Microsoft Office, then Teams may be the platform for you.
That being said, both platforms are suitable for most organisations, it’s mainly a matter of personal preference. Don’t think that you’re restricted to investing in Webex just because you have large meetings (or Teams because you have lots of departments), both apps are great for enhancing collaboration and promoting seamless communication.
Find out more about how you can collaborate in 2022.
Free review of your business’ communications
We care about the future of your business’ communications, and with the 2025 switch off looming, we want to make sure you avoid any unnecessary disruption to your services. That’s why we’re offering a free, no obligation review of your existing setup. Our team will help you prepare for the switch off and recommend a future proof solution that works for your business, should you need one. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
