Cisco Webex vs Microsoft Teams Comparison Guide

Comparing Microsoft Teams vs Webex is not going away.

As we regularly check the net and social media for interesting happenings in the collaboration world, you can't help but find a new article comparing Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex.

It's natural.

As human beings, we seem to crave a single solution for our problems.

Maybe it's because we were bought up on "two wrongs don't make a right" that our mentality is to source a single solution.

In this post, we help you uncover the differences between Microsoft Teams and Webex.

Cisco Webex vs Microsoft Teams: Is Webex the same as Microsoft Teams?

Cisco Webex is the instant messaging and persistent messaging service from Cisco. 

Webex is part of the Webex portfolio, which also includes Webex Meetings and Training. 

With the right selection of Webex tools, teams can work better together. You can share webinars, conduct meetings, and communicate in real time. 

People love Cisco Webex for its:

• Screen sharing features with annotation options
• Virtual whiteboarding for sharing visual ideas
• Call recording and transcriptions
• Third-party integrations with apps like Salesforce and G-Suite
• Enterprise-grade security
• AI enhancements like People Insights

So, how does Microsoft compare?

Microsoft Teams is an alternative for Cisco Webex. The two apps even have comparable names. Both options come with messaging, file sharing, calling, video conferencing, and screen sharing features as standard.

Both tools can connect into your UC system with business phone features. Cisco and Microsoft even share similar video and audio conferencing capabilities. 

But Microsoft Teams also has a few bonus features up its sleeve.:

• Direct routing features for business voice
• Integrations with Microsoft 365 and third party apps
• Built-in authentication protocols for security
• Advanced video tools like virtual backgrounds
• Active directory for single sign-on
• Calendar and email tools

Features of Cisco Webex vs Microsoft Teams

Let’s put Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex head to head. 

There's a lot to digest and a lot of tick boxes exercises that end up being "Yes they are the same in this category" so we've outlined some headlines differences before we do the checklist exercise for you.

For a blow by blow comparison, we've also compiled this table for you to copy and paste wherever you need it to end up.

You can also compare a host of Teams and Webex features in this video where we teamed up with Let's Do Video Founder, David Maldow, to review the most popular team collaboration apps:

Webex vs Microsoft Teams security

When comparing Webex vs Microsoft Teams, it's easy to get weighed down with video and messaging features. Don't forget one of the most important aspects, especially in large enterprises, is security.

Rather than compare Webex vs Microsoft Teams security out of the box, it's important to ensure the security features that are most appropriate to you are catered for.

Is Webex secure?

According to the National Security Agency (NSA), Webex is the most secure team collaboration app it recognizes.

In a study dated November 2020, the NSA ranked team collaboration apps based on the following criteria:

• End-to-end encryption
• Testable encryption
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Invitation controls
• Minimal third-party sharing
• Secure deletion
• Public source code
• Certified service (FedRAMP/NIAP)

Which is more secure: Teams or Webex?

According to the NSA report, Webex ranks more secure than Microsoft Teams due to it's end-to-end encryption.

You can see from the rest of the report that the rest of the criteria is like for like.

In March 2021, it was reported that Microsoft Teams is getting end-to-end encryption soon.

Microsoft Teams vs Webex coexistence

When it comes to Microsoft Teams vs Webex, I found it staggering how many comparison articles have now cropped up.

People outside the industry, inside the industry and heck, even I have written a comparison article.

A common theme across these articles was the call for integration across platforms.

Other key topics included why Microsoft is better than Cisco and vice versa.

But, the most frequent search was which is right for my business?

In my article, I asked:

"Which will be the natural choice for UC&C in the Enterprise?"

I didn't have the answer.

I didn't expect to get an answer.

Now, 11 months on, I finally have the answer.

You can have both!

Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex can co-exist.

Microsoft and Cisco interoperability

When delving deep into each of these solutions, it's hard to pick them apart. You could spend the best part of a year extensively evaluating the good and bad of Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex.

However, the result will likely be that you stay with your most common instance, and you've wasted a great amount of time and resource.

But, it's not all doom and gloom. You no longer need to compare these services.

When multiple messaging platforms exist in your organization, Mio can provide messaging interoperability by connecting the platforms of your old and new employees across the platforms of their choice.

This means you can finally stop comparing Microsoft and Cisco, and let your users interact across platform.

Stop comparing Microsoft Teams vs Webex and use Mio

With Mio, your Webex users don’t need to change platforms and will still be able to chat with colleagues on Microsoft Teams, and vice versa.

Mio supports:

• Channels, group chats, and direct messaging
• Sending, editing, and deleting messages
• Rich text formatting
• File sharing
• Emojis
• GIFs
• Reactions
• Threaded messages

To learn how Mio can sync multiple messaging platforms, vist our site and get in touch!

Learn more at m.io