Microsoft Teams Meeting
Ideal for real-time collaboration and conversation between a group of peers. Attendees can display their video, create a whiteboard, or share content. Meeting invitations can be sent to individuals or groups of people directly in Microsoft Teams, or via Outlook.
Due to the various attendee participation tools available, Teams Meetings are best suited for smaller, collaborative efforts, rather than a structured one-to-many presentation.
Teams live events
Designed for presentation-style meetings, where most attendees may “view only”. Attendees are sent a link to join the event, but can only participate via text-based Q&A. The standard live event mode allows multiple virtual presenters to share audio, webcams and their screens to present content. There are some limitations to presenter controls, and all presenters must be invited before the event starts as no individuals can be added while the event is underway.
Alternatively, schedule a town hall, which offers additional features.
Microsoft Teams webinars
Webinars bring together the best of both meetings and live events' features, so that you can successfully host large events. Additionally, the event can also be broadcasted to a further 10 000 individuals, as you would with a live event. These additional people will, however, only be able to participate via the chat functionality.
Comparison guide
Features |
Meetings |
Live events/ town halls |
Webinars |
Maximum number of participants
|
Up to 1000 |
10 000 |
1000 interactive (i.e. interact the way you would in a standard team meeting) |
Use video and audio
|
Yes |
Roles-based in that only presenters can use these features |
Yes |
Share content |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
Roles-based in that only presenters and producers can use these features |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Privately view shared content
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Take control of a shared presentation |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
No |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Mute participants
|
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
Producers control when presenters may speak. Attendees can only listen. |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Remove participants |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
No |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Admit people from lobby |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
No |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Change participant roles |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
Yes, but is role-based |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Recordings |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions
|
Yes |
Yes, but depends on meeting permissions |
Communicate via chat? |
Yes, using the meeting chat functionality |
Yes, using the Q&A functionality, if enabled
|
Yes, using the meeting chat functionality |
Invite guests
|
Yes |
Yes, by sharing the event link and requiring no authentication
|
Yes |
Restrict to UCT staff and students only
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Work for online and blended (a combination of online and face-to-face) meetings
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Ideal for classroom style teaching
|
Yes, but it is recommended using either a headset or a separate set of mic and speakers
|
No |
Yes, but it is recommended using either a headset or a separate set of mic and speakers |
Keynote addresses |
Yes
|
Yes |
Yes |
Audio/video delay |
None, as participants communicate in real-time
|
About 20-30 seconds |
None, as participants communicate in real-time |
Breakout rooms | Yes | No |
Yes
|