HelpLearning TechnologiesCanvasUsing Zoom in CanvasComparison of Synchronous Teaching Tools

Comparison of Synchronous Teaching Tools

Are you interested in comparing Zoom and Teams? See some highlights below.

Note: this detail is subject to change and was last updated on the 1st September 2021.  Always refer to the vendor site for the most up-to-date information.

Comparison of Synchronous Teaching Tools

Features Microsoft Teams
Zoom
Main support website MS Teams help Zoom help
Local support for University of Galway staff
Support for technical/administration (ISS).   Support/advice for use in teaching (CELT).
Support for technical/administration  (ISS). Support/advice for use in teaching   (CELT).
Local support for University of Galway students
Library and IT Service Desk
Library and IT Service Desk
Licence status
Teams is available via the University of Galway Office365 tenancy. Institutional licence for all staff and students.
University of Galway currently has a Zoom licence for 1 year in response to Covid-19. Renewal will   require funding allocation and approval.
Max simultaneous webcams
49 on screen
49  on screen
Max. no of  simultaneous   audio
49 49
Max. no participants

1,000 limit (with up to 10,000 or 20,000 'view only' in teams live type mode)
learn more here
300 limit
(large event, Webinars require an additional licence not   currently in core University of Galway provision for general use)
Large event option
Live   Meeting' up to 20,000 viewers. Essentially a streaming option with Chat for   Q&A. Available in University of Galway licence to all users.
Zoom   Webinar can support 100-10,000 viewers (stream plus text Q&A). Not   available in general licence for University of Galway. Requires additional cost/licence   (depending on size)
Multiple moderators
Yes Yes
Supported browsers. Latest browser versions are recommended
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE Chromium
Chrome, Firefox, Edge Chromium, Safari
Mobile app available
Yes Yes
Desktop app/client available
Yes (Mac, Windows, Linux(X86))
Yes (Mac, Windows)
Chat feature
Yes Yes
Share white board
Yes Yes
Polling (very limited in all cases compared to polling apps)
Yes Yes
Handraising Yes Yes
Can record session
Yes Yes
Recording format
MP4 Video
MP4 Video
Recording downloadable
Yes
Yes
Share/download files
Yes Yes
Screen sharing capabilities
Yes Yes
Breakout rooms (group work)
Yes Yes
Browser based (no download required)
Yes Yes (App recommended)
Automated Live Captions Yes Yes (must be activated on account and only for client/app versions)
Manual Closed Captioning
Yes (captioner role) Yes (captioner role)
*Bandwidth information for audio with video. In general,  when more bandwidth is available, quality and usage will increase to deliver the best experience.                                              Note 1 mbps = 1000 kbps
Up to 2 mbps per second recommended for presenter/participant 
Up to 2 mbps per second recommended for presenter/participant single screen

* Please note that there are a   number of variables that may affect  connectivity, such as the number of users   in a session, bandwidth and  simultaneous video options.