Microsoft Teams has evolved from chat and meetings into a unified communications platform that brings messaging, voice, video, telephony and apps together. Below we highlight the key Microsoft Teams features and benefits you should be using in 2025.
Whether your business is remote, hybrid or office-based, understanding the latest Microsoft Teams features can transform productivity and user experience. This updated guide blends the essential capabilities with new innovations such as AI and Copilot, advanced telephony, and improved webinar tools.
Top 20 Microsoft Teams features (updated 2025)
1) Chat & channels
Organise conversations by project or department, use private or group chats, and share files inline. Rich formatting, reactions and @mentions keep work moving.
2) Meetings & video conferencing
HD video, screen sharing, breakout rooms, collaborative notes and whiteboards make meetings engaging. Intelligent recap helps everyone catch up quickly.
3) Microsoft Teams Copilot (AI)
AI assistance to summarise meetings, extract actions, draft chat replies and surface relevant content - reducing noise and saving time.
4) Mesh avatars & immersive meetings
Create 3D avatars and meet in immersive spaces for more dynamic sessions and reduced video fatigue - great for hybrid collaboration.
5) Teams phone (telephony)
Replace legacy PBXs with cloud calling: PSTN calling, call queues, auto attendants, voicemail transcription and tight integration with Teams clients.
6) Direct routing & operator connect
Bring existing numbers and carriers into Teams or connect via certified operators. Flexible options for Teams telephony features at scale.
7) File sharing & co-authoring
Real-time collaboration in Word, Excel and PowerPoint with SharePoint/OneDrive storage, permissions and version control built in.
8) Webinars & town halls
Host large-scale events with branded registration pages, email reminders, Q&A and post-event analytics to measure engagement.
9) Teams Premium
Unlock advanced features like AI meeting recaps, translated captions, meeting templates, and enhanced controls for security and branding.
10) Deep Microsoft 365 integrations
Outlook, OneNote, Planner, Power Automate and Power BI integrate natively - making Teams the central hub for daily work and reporting.
11) Security & compliance
Enterprise-grade controls: end-to-end encryption (where supported), DLP, retention, eDiscovery and compliance policies to protect data.
12) App integrations & extensibility
Connect third-party tools (e.g., Salesforce, ServiceNow) and build low-code automations with Power Platform to streamline workflows inside Teams.
13) Tasks & approvals
Manage personal and team tasks with Microsoft To Do and Planner, and route approvals directly within chats or channels.
14) Intelligent search
Find messages, files and people fast with context-aware search and filters across chats, channels and connected storage.
15) Microsoft whiteboard
Visual collaboration with sticky notes, shapes and inking - ideal for brainstorming in meetings or asynchronously.
16) Mobile app
Join meetings, chat and collaborate on the go. Mobile-first features like quick reactions, file previews and secure notifications keep users productive anywhere.
17) Hybrid work features
Hot desking, intelligent speakers, and certified room devices deliver great experiences for in-office and remote attendees.
18) Recording & transcription
Record meetings, capture transcripts and search them later. Share securely to keep knowledge discoverable.
19) Analytics & insights
Monitor adoption, call quality and meeting performance. Use insights to optimise user experience and ROI.
20) Continuous innovation
Teams is updated frequently, adding new capabilities in AI, telephony, events and app integrations to keep your organisation moving forward.
Note: Feature availability may vary by licence, tenant configuration and region.
Why these Microsoft Teams features matter
- Boost productivity: streamline communication and document collaboration.
- Reduce costs: consolidate tools with Teams Phone and integrated apps.
- Strengthen security: protect data with enterprise-grade controls.
- Improve experiences: better meetings for employees and customers.
Microsoft Teams features FAQs
What are the key features of Microsoft Teams?
Key Microsoft Teams features include chat and channels, video meetings, file sharing, AI Copilot, Teams Phone telephony, webinars, and integrations with Microsoft 365 and third-party apps.
What are the benefits of Microsoft Teams for businesses?
Microsoft Teams helps businesses boost productivity, reduce costs, and improve collaboration. Features like Copilot, integrated telephony, and secure file sharing streamline communication.
Does Microsoft Teams replace a phone system?
Yes, with Teams Phone, Microsoft Teams can replace traditional phone systems. It provides PSTN calling, call queues, auto attendants, voicemail, and flexible options via Direct Routing or Operator Connect.
Can Microsoft Teams be used for webinars and large events?
Yes, Microsoft Teams supports webinars and town halls with features such as branded registration, attendee analytics, Q&A, and post-event reporting.
Is Microsoft Teams secure?
Microsoft Teams includes enterprise-grade security features such as end-to-end encryption, data loss prevention, compliance policies, and advanced meeting controls to keep data safe.
We help UK organisations maximise Microsoft Teams features and benefits with managed UC services, Teams telephony and 24/7 support.
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