For the past few weeks, I have let you know about several specific applications that I feel, and by the questions I have received, may help you in the tech world. Today we will look at another one of the many meeting programs out there. The most recognized one out there, since Covid-19, is Zoom. However, there is another contender that you may not have heard much about. Microsoft Teams is a sharing and communication platform that is part of the Microsoft 365 suite. It allows teams to chat, meet, share files, and collaborate on projects in a single unified working area. But do not worry as it is also available for your free Microsoft account with some limits. Read to the end to find out more about the free version.
Microsoft Teams can be installed on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. For Windows or macOS, go to, microsoft.com/teams, and click “Download now”. Follow the prompts to install the desktop app. For your mobile device, download the Microsoft Teams app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Once installed, you sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have an account, go to Office.com and create one.
Teams main features include; One-on-one or group text chats, with options for audio/video calls, file sharing, and screen sharing. Dedicated spaces within teams for specific topics, projects, or departments called, “Channels.” Also, you may host audio, video, and screen-sharing meetings with calendar integration.
If you are working on projects Teams will allow you to share files so that several people may edit and comment on the documents you are working on. Obviously, since it is part of Office 365, it automatically integrates with other Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and some third-party apps.
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With Microsoft Teams, you can communicate with anyone in your contacts that has Office 365, external guests invited to specific teams or channels, or anyone with a Microsoft account (e.g., Outlook.com) for one-on-one chats and calls.
I have learned over time that Microsoft Teams offers a free plan, which is an excellent option for smaller firms or individuals that may frequently or occasionally use video calls. True, it comes with some reduced functionality compared to the paid plans, but it still provides a highly serviceable and reliable video platform.
One of the noteworthy features of the free plan is its capacity to accommodate up to 100 participants in a single meeting. While this might be fewer than what paid options offer, it’s still a substantial number, likely sufficient for most people and smaller companies. The primary limitation is the 60-minute meeting duration, which might disrupt your workflow or appear unprofessional to clients if you need to constantly restart meetings.
Despite these minor limitations, many essential collaboration features are included. For instance, you will get unlimited chat messages, 10 GB cloud storage, you will be able to place files in chats of up to 2 GB, and more features.
In terms of productivity apps, the free plan is basic but functional. It includes web versions of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel—handy, even if they lack the full suite of features found in the paid versions. In summary, while the free plan does come with a few strings attached, Microsoft Teams still manages to deliver a solid, reliable platform that should meet the needs of many individuals, and small businesses.
If you want to purchase the paid plan which includes many extras (like 1 TB of storage) you may purchase it for $69.99 annually at Microsoft.com. However, as usual, you may be able to find a better deal online or in stores when on sale. I, personally, bounce back and forth between Office 365 and Google Workspace, both free and very useful.
