# Microsoft Teams review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/microsoft-teams
Website: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

Chat, meetings and file collaboration inside Microsoft 365

Microsoft Teams is Microsoft's workplace app for chat, video meetings, calls and file collaboration, included in Microsoft 365 business plans and available with a free version, on desktop, mobile and the web.

Teams combines persistent team channels, direct chat, video meetings and shared files in one app, tied closely to the rest of Microsoft 365: documents open and co-edit from inside a channel, and meetings link to Outlook calendars. Organizations already on Microsoft 365 often use it by default.

A free version exists with limits, and fuller features come with business plans. It is a hosted product, so it cannot be self-hosted, and its breadth makes it heavier than single-purpose chat tools such as Slack or Zulip.

- Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
- Price: Free version with limits; included in Microsoft 365 business plans
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Chat, meetings and files in one app
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 and Outlook
- Free version available

## Limits

- Hosted only, with no self-hosting
- Heavier than dedicated chat tools

## Rankings

- #2 of 8 in [best Video conferencing software](https://listme.name/best/video-conferencing-software), score 90.5: Meetings, webinars and chat in one app for people who already use Microsoft 365. It is hosted only and less flexible for outside guests than Zoom or Jitsi Meet.
- #3 of 7 in [best Team chat software](https://listme.name/best/team-chat-software), score 89.0: Chat, meetings and shared files in one app, tied into Microsoft 365 and Outlook, which is why many organizations use it by default. It is hosted only and heavier than Slack or Zulip.

## Alternatives

- [Slack](https://listme.name/software/slack), score 93.0
- [Zoom](https://listme.name/software/zoom), score 92.0
- [Zulip](https://listme.name/software/zulip), score 90.5
- [Jitsi Meet](https://listme.name/software/jitsi-meet), score 89.0
- [Mattermost](https://listme.name/software/mattermost), score 88.5
- [Google Meet](https://listme.name/software/google-meet), score 86.5
- [Zoho Cliq](https://listme.name/software/zoho-cliq), score 85.0
- [BigBlueButton](https://listme.name/software/bigbluebutton), score 84.5