Microsoft Teams Standard vs. Microsoft Teams Premium

03/10/25 Wavenet
teams basic vs premium

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration and communication platform developed by Microsoft. It combines chat, video meetings, file sharing, and app integration into a single workspace, allowing teams to work together efficiently - whether in the office, remotely, or across the globe.

In today’s digital-first workplace, collaboration platforms are essential for driving productivity and maintaining secure communication across teams and organisations. Microsoft Teams has emerged as a leading solution, offering robust capabilities for meetings, messaging, and content sharing. To meet the varying needs of businesses, Microsoft provides two tiers:

Understanding the distinctions between the two is critical when determining the right investment for your organisation.

Key differences at a glance

Category Teams Standard Teams Premium
Core Collaboration Tools ✓ ✓
AI Meeting Recap ✗ ✓
Live Translation ✗ ✓
Meeting Templates ✗ ✓
Security & Compliance Baseline Advanced
Custom Branding ✗ ✓
Virtual Appointments Basic Advanced
Webinar Management Basic Enhanced

What is Microsoft Teams Standard?

Teams Standard is included with most Microsoft 365 and Office 365 business and enterprise plans. It delivers the core functionality organisations need for collaboration, including:

  • Messaging: Persistent 1:1 and group chat.
  • Meetings: Video calls, scheduling, screen sharing, recording.
  • File Sharing: Seamless storage and co-authoring via OneDrive and SharePoint.
  • App Integrations: Native with Microsoft 365 and third-party apps.
  • Security: Baseline compliance and data protection.

Pros and cons of Teams Standard

Pros Cons
Included with Microsoft 365 (no added cost) No AI-powered recap or automation
Comprehensive collaboration tools No live translation
Strong integration with Microsoft apps Limited branding/personalisation
Reliable baseline security Basic compliance/security controls
Widely adopted, easy user experience Minimal advanced customer-facing features

What is Microsoft Teams Premium?

Teams Premium is an add-on license that enhances collaboration, security, and productivity with AI-driven features and advanced controls.

Capabilities Beyond Standard

  • AI Notes & Insights: Automated note taking, action items, and personalised highlights.
  • Personalisation: Engagement analytics to tailor meetings.
  • Enhanced Security: Encryption, watermarking, and recording control.
  • Advanced Webinars: Waitlists, approval workflows, branded experiences.

Benefits

  • Insight: Analytics for more engaging meetings.
  • Security: Advanced protections for sensitive content.
  • Productivity: AI reduces manual admin tasks.
  • Collaboration: Real-time translation for global teams.

Pros and Cons of Teams Premium

Pros Cons
AI tools boost productivity Additional license cost
Live translation for global teams Features may be unnecessary for small firms
Advanced compliance & security Some branding features are cosmetic
Branded, professional experiences Complexity in mixed Standard/Premium use
Strong webinar & appointment tools ROI depends on frequent, high-value meetings

How we can help

At Wavenet, we are a trusted, verified, and accredited Microsoft Solutions Partner. Specialists in cloud management and cyber security, we bring a wealth of expertise across the Microsoft ecosystem, including: Microsoft 365 for Business, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Defender & Microsoft Sentinel.

We can help you evaluate, implement, and optimise the right solution to achieve your business goals.

Ready to unlock more value from Microsoft Teams?

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