Why Microsoft Teams Vs Google Meet For Businesses UK Matters

Choosing the right video conferencing platform is one of the most important decisions a UK business can make in today’s digital-first workplace. The debate of Microsoft Teams and Google Meet For Businesses UK continues to be central to this decision, especially as companies shift toward hybrid and remote work models. Both platforms have grown exponentially in popularity, but their pricing, features, and overall value differ in ways that can impact your business’s bottom line.

Understanding the pricing breakdown of Microsoft Teams Vs Google Meet For Businesses UK is not just about knowing which platform is cheaper. It’s about evaluating which service delivers the most value, fits your business size, integrates with your existing tools, and complies with UK regulations. This article is designed to give you a clear, unbiased pricing comparison and highlight the key considerations every UK business should make before choosing.

Whether you are a startup, a medium-sized company, or a large enterprise, this comprehensive guide will help you understand what you’re paying for, what features you can expect, and how to decide which platform suits your unique communication needs best.

Overview Of Microsoft Teams And Google Meet

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams was launched in 2017 as part of the Microsoft 365 suite and has since become a cornerstone for business collaboration worldwide. It is more than just a video conferencing tool; it is a comprehensive communication hub that integrates chat, meetings, file sharing, and productivity apps all in one interface.

Teams is especially popular among organisations already using Microsoft 365 products like Word, Excel, and SharePoint, as it seamlessly integrates with these tools. It offers features such as persistent chat rooms, threaded conversations, and collaborative document editing, making it ideal for teams looking for an all-in-one communication and collaboration solution.

Its security credentials are robust, meeting compliance standards relevant to UK businesses, including GDPR and ISO certifications, which is essential for regulated sectors like finance and healthcare.

Google Meet

Google Meet, formerly Hangouts Meet, is Google’s answer to the growing demand for simple yet effective video conferencing. It is tightly integrated with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), providing businesses with a clean, easy-to-use platform for video calls and meetings.

Google Meet is appreciated for its straightforward interface, fast deployment, and reliability. It offers essential features for video conferencing such as screen sharing, real-time captions, and meeting recording (on certain plans). Google Meet benefits businesses that are already embedded in Google’s ecosystem, taking advantage of seamless integration with Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Docs.

Its security model also meets high standards, with end-to-end encryption for video calls and compliance with major regulations applicable in the UK and EU.

Detailed Pricing Breakdown Of Microsoft Teams Vs Google Meet For Businesses UK

Microsoft Teams Pricing

Microsoft Teams is offered primarily through subscription plans bundled with Microsoft 365:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: £3.80 per user per month
  Includes access to Teams, Exchange email, OneDrive (1TB storage), and web/mobile versions of Office apps. It supports meetings up to 300 participants but lacks desktop Office apps.

• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: £9.40 per user per month
  Adds fully installed Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) on PCs and Macs. It supports advanced features in Teams including webinar hosting and meeting recordings.

• Microsoft 365 E3: £28.20 per user per month
  Designed for enterprises with enhanced security, compliance tools, and analytics. It also includes phone system features and more extensive meeting capabilities.

Additional Costs to Consider:

• Audio Conferencing add-on (£3.70 per user per month) to allow dial-in numbers for meetings.

• Microsoft Phone System add-on for enterprise telephony capabilities.

• Extra OneDrive or SharePoint storage beyond 1TB can incur fees.

Microsoft Teams also offers a free version, but it has significant limitations like a 60-minute meeting cap and no admin controls.

Google Meet Pricing

Google Meet is packaged with Google Workspace plans:

• Business Starter: £4.60 per user per month
  Supports meetings with up to 100 participants, 30GB cloud storage per user.

• Business Standard: £9.20 per user per month
  Allows meetings with up to 150 participants, 2TB cloud storage, and meeting recordings.

• Business Plus: £15.20 per user per month
  Supports up to 250 participants, 5TB cloud storage, and enhanced security and compliance features.

• Enterprise plans offer even more extensive capabilities and storage.

Additional Costs to Consider:

• Storage upgrades through Google One, if required.

• Advanced security and management features typically only on higher-tier plans.

Google Meet’s free tier also exists but limits meeting length and participant numbers.

Value for Money

For Microsoft Teams Vs Google Meet For Businesses UK conversations, Microsoft Teams is better suited for organisations heavily reliant on Microsoft 365 tools, providing deeper integrations and collaboration features. However, it can be more expensive depending on the plan.

Google Meet offers a competitive pricing model, especially attractive to businesses already using Google Workspace, with solid conferencing capabilities at a lower price point.

When comparing pricing, businesses should consider the full suite of tools and services they need, not just video conferencing.

Features Comparison: Collaboration, Security, And Integration

Collaboration Tools

Microsoft Teams offers comprehensive collaboration beyond video calls. Persistent channels, threaded conversations, built-in task management, and integration with apps like Planner and OneNote allow seamless teamwork.

Google Meet focuses on video conferencing excellence with real-time captions, screen sharing, and straightforward chat integration, while collaboration happens mainly through Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides outside the video interface.

Security And Compliance

Microsoft Teams provides enterprise-grade security with data encryption at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001, and other standards.

Google Meet encrypts video meetings, supports two-factor authentication, and complies with GDPR and HIPAA, making it suitable for sensitive industries.

Integration

Teams integrates deeply with Microsoft 365 apps and supports hundreds of third-party apps and bots, enabling workflow automation.

Google Meet integrates natively with Gmail, Calendar, and Drive, offering smooth scheduling and file sharing within Google Workspace.

Which One Is Best For Different UK Business Types?

• Small Businesses and Startups:
  Google Meet offers simplicity and affordability, ideal for companies with limited IT resources or those already using Google Workspace.

• Medium-Sized Businesses:
  Microsoft Teams delivers a fuller collaboration platform with advanced features, fitting mid-sized businesses requiring integrated productivity tools.

• Large Enterprises:
  Teams’ security, compliance, and management features make it the preferred choice for large organisations, government bodies, and regulated sectors.

• Hybrid and Remote Teams:
  Both platforms support remote work well; choice depends on existing software ecosystem and feature requirements.

Making The Right Choice With Little Big Tech’s Help

Deciding between Microsoft Teams Vs Google Meet For Businesses UK means balancing price, features, integrations, and business needs. Both platforms offer strong video conferencing capabilities, but your choice should reflect your existing tools, company size, and budget.

At Little Big Tech, we help UK businesses evaluate these factors and implement the right solution. Our experts provide tailored advice, smooth deployment, and ongoing support to ensure your communications are efficient and secure.

Contact Little Big Tech today on 03333 055 331 for a free consultation. Let us help you select the perfect communication platform that drives productivity and growth.