Microsoft Teams vs Mitel – Comparing features and costs to help you choose

As UK businesses navigate the complex world of communication solutions, two prominent players—Microsoft Teams and Mitel—stand out. Both offer comprehensive tools designed to streamline communication, improve collaboration, and support remote working. However, choosing between them depends on a company’s specific needs, particularly in terms of features, scalability, integration options, and costs. This analysis delves into a detailed comparison of Microsoft Teams vs Mitel, helping businesses make an informed decision.

Overview of Microsoft Teams vs Mitel

Category	Microsoft Teams	Mitel
Overview	Cloud-based collaboration platform integrated with Microsoft 365, offering chat, video conferencing, and file sharing.	Long-standing business communication provider offering VoIP, PBX, and cloud/hybrid telephony systems.
Core communication tools	Instant messaging, video conferencing (up to 1,000 attendees), file sharing via OneDrive/SharePoint.	Unified communication with voice, video, messaging, and collaboration through MiCollab.
Telephony	Teams Phone (add-on) for VoIP and PSTN connectivity, standard calling features, integration with softphones.	Advanced VoIP and PBX systems with call routing, analytics, call centre features, and desk phone integration.
Video conferencing	Video calls, webinars, screen sharing, recording, background blur, breakout rooms.	MiTeam Meetings: video conferencing with screen sharing, breakout rooms, and webinars.
Scalability	Easily scalable with cloud-based licensing, ideal for remote/hybrid work.	Scalable across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises systems, with flexibility for legacy infrastructure.
Collaboration features	Strong collaboration tools integrated with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), over 700 third-party apps.	Collaboration via MiCollab with a focus on communication; less extensive third-party app marketplace.
Integration	Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive) and wide range of third-party apps.	Strong CRM and telephony integration, particularly with Salesforce and other telecoms-focused tools.
Customisation	Customisable with apps from the Microsoft marketplace, but limited telephony flexibility compared to Mitel.	High level of customisation, especially for hybrid or on-premises telephony solutions.
Security and compliance	Advanced security features, especially with Microsoft 365 E5 (includes encryption, compliance, and governance tools).	Strong security options with enterprise-grade encryption, particularly in cloud and on-premises deployments.
Call centre features	Basic call management (queues, transfers, voicemail), but lacks the depth of a dedicated contact centre solution.	Advanced call centre functionality, including call routing, analytics, and reporting.
Mobile app	Microsoft Teams mobile app offers all core features (chat, calls, video conferencing, file sharing).	Mitel mobile app provides access to MiCollab communication tools and telephony features.
Deployment options	Cloud-only solution.	Cloud, hybrid, or on-premises options available depending on business needs.
Best for	Businesses already embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, or those prioritising collaboration over telephony.	Businesses needing advanced telephony systems or a flexible, hybrid communications solution.
Cost	Free version available; Paid plans range from £4.50 to £28.10 per user/month depending on Microsoft 365 tier.	MiCloud Connect: £15-20 per user/month; MiCloud Flex and on-premises pricing are custom and vary.

Key feature comparison

Both Microsoft Teams and Mitel provide robust communication tools, but there are significant differences in their feature sets that businesses should consider.

Collaboration and communication tools

Microsoft Teams:

• Instant messaging and group chat: Teams allows users to create and join channels for group chats, direct messaging, and conversations, all integrated with Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Video conferencing: Teams supports video calls for up to 1,000 attendees, with features like screen sharing, background blur, and meeting recording.
• File sharing: Seamless integration with SharePoint and OneDrive allows users to store, share, and collaborate on documents within Teams.
• Integrated apps: Teams offers a marketplace of third-party apps and bots, allowing businesses to customise their experience with over 700 integrations, including Trello, Asana, and CRM tools.

Mitel:

• Unified communication: Mitel’s MiCollab platform integrates voice, video, messaging, and collaboration into a single platform, similar to Microsoft Teams but with a stronger focus on telephony.
• Video conferencing: Mitel provides video conferencing through MiTeam Meetings, offering screen sharing, breakout rooms, and webinar capabilities.
• Advanced telephony: Mitel’s legacy in telephony means that its systems are particularly strong in areas like call routing, auto-attendants, and integration with desk phones and hardware.
• File sharing and integrations: Mitel’s file sharing options are not as advanced as Microsoft Teams, but it integrates with many third-party systems, especially within the telecoms space.

Summary:

For businesses that prioritise collaboration and app integration, Microsoft Teams is the clear winner due to its deep ties with Microsoft 365 and third-party tools. However, Mitel’s advanced telephony features may be more suitable for organisations needing a robust phone system integrated with their communications platform.

Telephony and VoIP

Both platforms offer VoIP capabilities, but the depth and flexibility of their offerings vary.

Microsoft Teams:

• Microsoft Teams Phone: With an add-on licence, Teams can serve as a full telephony system, offering calling plans, Direct Routing for PSTN connectivity, and integration with existing phone systems. Teams Phone can be used with compatible handsets or as a softphone on desktops and mobiles.
• Calling features: Teams offers standard features like call forwarding, voicemail, call transfers, and call queues, but it may lack the depth of a dedicated telephony solution when compared to Mitel.
• Scalability: Teams Phone scales easily with cloud-based licensing, making it ideal for businesses that are growing or require remote and hybrid work flexibility.

Mitel:

• VoIP and PBX systems: Mitel is a leader in VoIP and PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems, offering businesses both on-premises and cloud-based telephony options. This flexibility allows Mitel to serve businesses with specific regulatory or operational needs that may require more customisation.
• Advanced call features: Mitel’s telephony features are more advanced than Teams, with options like call analytics, call recording, detailed reporting, call centre functionality, and integration with CRM systems like Salesforce.
• Scalability: Mitel offers excellent scalability, but businesses that choose on-premises or hybrid systems may need to account for the additional hardware and maintenance required as they expand.

Summary:

For businesses that require advanced telephony features, Mitel’s offering is more comprehensive, especially for contact centres or businesses with complex telecom needs. However, Microsoft Teams provides sufficient telephony capabilities for many businesses, especially those that are already part of the Microsoft ecosystem and prioritise cloud-based solutions.

Integration and customisation

Microsoft Teams:

• Microsoft 365 integration: As a Microsoft product, Teams integrates seamlessly with the broader Microsoft 365 suite. This means instant access to Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, and more, making it a natural choice for businesses already using Microsoft’s tools.
• Third-party apps: Teams also supports a wide range of third-party app integrations, which can be easily added through its app marketplace.

Mitel:

• CRM and telephony integration: Mitel integrates with many CRM systems and telephony hardware, making it a good fit for businesses needing a more customised communications infrastructure.
• Customisability: Mitel’s flexibility extends to its hybrid and on-premises solutions, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their needs, including integrating legacy phone systems or hardware.

Summary:

Microsoft Teams offers more seamless integration with office productivity tools, making it ideal for businesses reliant on Microsoft 365. Mitel is a stronger choice for companies with complex telecom needs or those using specialised CRM systems.

Microsoft Teams vs Mitel cost comparison

The cost structure of both Microsoft Teams and Mitel depends on the specific features a business requires.

Microsoft Teams pricing:

• Free version: Offers limited features, including basic chat, video calls, and integration with Microsoft apps.
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: £4.50 per user/month – Includes Teams, Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint, but without desktop apps.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: £9.40 per user/month – Adds desktop versions of apps like Word and Excel and advanced security features.
• Microsoft 365 E5: £28.10 per user/month – Includes advanced calling capabilities, Teams Phone, and additional security and compliance features.

Mitel pricing:

Mitel offers more bespoke pricing based on a business’s specific needs, but the general pricing structure includes:

• Mitel MiCloud Connect: Starts from £15-20 per user/month for basic VoIP functionality and cloud-based features.
• Mitel MiCloud Flex: Custom pricing – Offers more flexibility, hybrid options, and advanced features like contact centre functionality and CRM integration.
• Mitel on-premises solutions: Pricing varies depending on the size of the business and the customisation required, but businesses need to account for hardware costs and ongoing maintenance.

Final thoughts – Which is best for your business?

Choosing between Microsoft Teams vs Mitel depends on your business’s priorities:

• For businesses that already rely on Microsoft 365 or want a cloud-first, collaborative platform with integrated chat, video, and file sharing, Microsoft Teams is the better choice. Its simplicity and seamless integration with Microsoft’s broader suite make it an excellent all-in-one solution, particularly for remote or hybrid teams.
• For businesses with complex telephony needs, including contact centres, or those needing hybrid or on-premises systems, Mitel’s advanced features and flexible deployment options make it the more suitable choice. Its deep focus on VoIP and telephony infrastructure ensures robust support for voice communication.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to the specific requirements of your business, the complexity of your communication needs, and your preferred deployment model. While Microsoft Teams offers a more modern, cloud-based approach with strong collaboration features, Mitel’s deep expertise in telephony and flexible systems make it a strong contender for businesses seeking a comprehensive communications solution.

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