Microsoft Teams video chat app review
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Recommended
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We recommend video conferencing apps that score at least 80% overall.
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Overall score
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This overall score is made up of performance (audio and video) score (50%), ease of use score (40%), first use score (5%), and cancelling account score (5%).
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Performance score
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The triallists used each of the apps in a video chat and provided feedback on audio and video quality, ease of use and general comments. The results for audio and video determine the performance score. Triallists used a mixture of desktop and mobile devices.
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Ease of use score
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Our tester looks at the various aspects that help make a video chat hassle free, including the ability to easily mute yourself, mute others in the video chat, use the app while working on something else and change the video layout grid.
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First use score
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How good the experience is when using this app for the first time. Are you left confused and stressed or can you instantly click on the video chat and start enjoying your meeting straight away?
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Cancel account score
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How easy it is to wipe the app off your computer and out of your life when you're finished with it. Some apps keep bugging you with notifications begging you to come back.
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Data usage for 30 minutes in MB
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The amount of data consumed for a 30-minute video chat session. Our tester was unable to measure the data consumed on WhatsApp.
- 1200
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Pricing model
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Free and freemium (paying for more features) are typically the available models of popular software. We test the free versions.
- Freemium
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Participant limit
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The maximum number of people you can have in the chat.
e - 100
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Maximum on screen participants
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While some apps allow many people to join, all have a limit as to how many you can show on the screen at one time. Most will rotate between participants and automatically bring them up when they're speaking.
- 49
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End to end encryption
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While we indicate which apps have stronger protection with end to end encryption, this feature may become available for each app in future updates.
- Yes
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ID required
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The ID sign-in may be the same as another app you use, such as Facebook, Apple or Google.
- Microsoft ID
- Minimum required Android version
- Last 4 versions of Android
- Minimum required iOS version
- Last 2 versions of iOS
- Minimum required Mac OS
- Last 3 versions of MacOS
- Minimum required Windows OS
- 8.1
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Hosting location
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Indicates where the site is hosted which could affect performance and security.
- Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, UAE, United Kindom, United States
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Privacy policy
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This link will take you to the company privacy policy for using the app.
- privacy.microsoft.com/en-US/privacystatement
- Website
- microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software
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Android
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Whether the app can be used on Android devices.
- Yes
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iOS
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Whether the app can be used on Apple devices.
- Yes
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iPad OS
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Programs with a tick provide a version optimised for the iPad, rather than a direct port of the iPhone app.
- Yes
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Software for Windows
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Whether there is desktop software for the app (rather than just accessing the service via a website).
- Yes
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Software for Mac OS
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Whether there is desktop software for the app (rather than just accessing the service via a website).
- Yes
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Linux
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Whether there is desktop software for the app (rather than just accessing the service via a website).
- Yes
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Web browser support
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This is handy if the video chat app doesn't have a dedicated desktop version or if you can't/don't want to install it (e.g. if you're using a public computer).
- Yes
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Supporting app
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Some conferencing apps can integrate with other programs to offer more features.
- MS Office
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Speaker highlighting
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Some apps provide a highlight bar or frame to let you know who's speaking, which can be handy when several people are in a group video chat.
- Yes
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Share screen
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This is useful for presentations or when sorting out tech issues.
- Yes
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Virtual backgrounds
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The option to set a still or moving image as your background. Most apps provide a selection of presets and the option to upload your own.
- Yes
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Fun filters
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This feature lets you overlay your face and surroundings with fun or silly features such as sunglasses and puppy ears. Pick your audience when using these.
- No
- Games
- No
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Layout control
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Some apps have a simple static video tile layout while others allow you to move the screens around.
- Yes
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Share files
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The ability to share files among participants.
- Yes
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Transcripts
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A copy of the meeting can be downloaded as text.
- Yes (paid version)
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Record meetings with permission
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Some apps can let the host to record the meeting without it being obvious to the other participants.
- Yes (paid version)
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Host capabilities
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Some apps allow the host to control the mute button on participants as well as remove people from the session.
- Mute, exclude attendees
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Hand off to other device
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This feature lets you move from one device to another (e.g. laptop to smartphone) without leaving the chat.
- Yes