Microsoft 365 vs Zoom
Microsoft 365 and Zoom are both team communication tools aimed at small businesses and enterprise. Microsoft 365 costs less, from $1.99/mo versus $16.99/mo for Zoom. Both have a free plan.
Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and OneDrive in one subscription
Video meetings that became a verb
| Pricing | Freemium · $2 | Freemium · $17 |
| Starting price | $1.99/mo | $16.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Built for | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | Small businesses, Enterprise |
| Platforms | web, windows, macos, ios, android | web, macos, windows, ios, android |
| Country | US · 2011 | US · 2011 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Microsoft 365 if
Businesses and households that depend on Word, Excel and Outlook and want email, storage, security and AI under one Microsoft account.
- Industry-standard file formats and the most capable spreadsheet in Excel
- Desktop apps remain more powerful than any browser-based rival
- Business Premium bundles security and device management at a fair price
Look elsewhere if: Browser-first teams that prefer lightweight docs and chat (Google Workspace, Notion or Slack fit better).
Choose Zoom if
Organizations that need reliable external video meetings and are not fully on Google or Microsoft suites.
- Most reliable video quality and familiarity
- AI Companion included on paid plans
- Expanding suite for chat, phone and docs
Look elsewhere if: Teams already on Workspace or Microsoft 365 for whom Meet or Teams is included.
Microsoft 365 vs Zoom pricing
Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 Basic$1.99/mo100 GB OneDrive and ad-free Outlook; no desktop apps or AI
- Personal$9.99/mo$99.99/year; 1 person, 1 TB, desktop apps with Copilot
- Family$12.99/mo$129.99/year; up to 6 people, 2 TB shared, Copilot for owner
- Premium$19.99/mo$199.99/year; Family plus extensive Copilot usage
- Business Basic$7/user/moAnnual commitment; web and mobile apps, Teams, 1 TB, email
Zoom
- Basic$040-minute meetings, 100 participants
- Pro$16.99/user/mo$14.16/mo billed annually; 30-hour meetings, 100 participants
- Business$21.99/user/mo$18.33/mo billed annually; 300 participants
- EnterpriseCustomUp to 1,000 participants
Microsoft 365 · Key features
- Desktop, web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook on paid home plans
- OneDrive cloud storage from 100 GB up to 2 TB on home plans
- Teams chat, meetings and webinars on Business plans
- Exchange business email with custom domains and 50 GB mailboxes
- SharePoint intranet sites and document libraries for teams
Cons
- Plan and add-on licensing is confusing for small buyers
- July 2026 increase raised Business Basic and Standard prices
- Copilot usage limits and features vary by plan and region
Zoom · Key features
- HD meetings with breakout rooms, polls and reactions
- AI Companion: meeting summaries, smart recordings, drafting
- Team Chat, Phone, Whiteboard, Docs and Clips
- Webinars, Events and Rooms
- Scheduler and calendar integrations
- Marketplace with 2,500+ apps
Cons
- Free plan 40-minute limit
- Suite features less mature than Slack or Google
- Multiple add-ons for webinars, phone, rooms
Microsoft 365 vs Zoom: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Microsoft 365 or Zoom?
Microsoft 365 starts at $1.99/mo and Zoom at $16.99/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Microsoft 365 and Zoom have a free plan?
Yes, both Microsoft 365 and Zoom have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.