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Microsoft Teams Essentials: All You Need To Know
6 min. read
Published onSeptember 27, 2024
published onSeptember 27, 2024
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Microsoft Teams Essentials is the most affordable small-business communication and collaboration solution for non-Microsoft 365 users.
It’s one of the leading online communication apps for work, school, and home use. According toStatista,Teams has a 32.29% market sharein the video conferencing software niche, just afterZoom.
However, gig owners, freelancers, and small businesses faced a challenge when transitioning from easier options like Zoom and Google Meet, as they had to subscribe to the entire Microsoft 365 productivity suite. Here, Microsoft Teams Essentials steps in with a standalone solution.
Also, there are other useful and fun features. I’ve tested the app in various ways from an end user’s perspective, so you don’t have to. Let’s see if it truly fits your work or business style.
What Is Microsoft Teams Essentials?
Microsoft Teams Essentials is anaffordable edition of the originalTeams app.You can install the standalone app for your PC or access the web version. Also, it lets you access all the standard online communication and virtual collaboration tools that the original Microsoft Teams has except for apps and other enterprise features.
Teams Essentials is perfect for small teams, small businesses, small not-for-profit organizations, schools, and group freelancers.Since you might already be using another workspace solution and might not be willing to shift everything to the Microsoft 365 environment for a steep price, you can just go for this one.
Furthermore, it extends the features of the free Teams edition with increased cloud storage, longer video call durations, support for more participants, and more. Additionally, you don’t need any specialized IT training to use it. Anyone can join a Teams meeting just as easily as a Google Meet call.
Get Microsoft Teams Essentials for free for one month!
Microsoft Teams Essentials Features
Microsoft has designed these functionalities keeping in mind the requirements of small businesses, gig owners, NGOs, church bodies, schools, and freelancers:
Microsoft Teams Essentials Pricing
Teams Essentials will cost you$4.00/ user/ month. It comes with an annual contract. The subscription auto-renews if you don’t cancel manually.
Here are the services included with this subscription:
You can claim a one-month free trial before getting an annual subscription. However, it’s available in limited regions, like the US, UK, Canada, etc.
How To Get Teams Essentials
You can get Teams Essentials directly by visiting theMicrosoft Subscription Plansportal. If you buy from Microsoft, you get additional services, like automatic organization of shared content, files, photos, and more.
Alternatively, you can subscribe through Microsoft’s cloud service partners:
The Cons of Transitioning to Teams Essentials
Before you move your text, voice, and video calls to Teams Essentials, consider the following drawbacks first:
Summary
If you like the Teams interface, Microsoft Teams Essentials is a great way to get started. You pay less for a great user interface and experience, not to mention the incredibly easy file sharing through OneDrive.
Would you try Teams Essentials? Are you already using it? Comment below to share your thoughts and suggestions.
More about the topics:Microsoft 365,Microsoft Teams
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
