Microsoft Teams Essentials: All You Need To Know

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 to Statista, Teams has a 32.29% market share in the video conferencing software niche, just after Zoom.

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 an affordable edition of the original Teams 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.

Pros	Cons
Teams is an affordable alternative to Zoom and the full version of Microsoft Teams.	It lacks advanced Microsoft Teams features and isn’t suitable for a large organization.
It has exactly those features you need to run a for-profit business, nonprofit organization, school, church body, etc.	If you move to Teams Essentials once, you lose access to the free plan forever from the same email account.
Teams is a standalone app. No need to install the Microsoft 365 package.	Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription isn’t included.
It’s available for PCs, Macs, and Chromium-based web browsers.	Live caption service is only available in English.
Teams offers extended cloud storage.	The default Outlook calendar view isn’t available.
It also lets you host webinars and virtual conferences for up to 300 participants.	AI-based intelligent writing assistance isn’t available.

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:

• More meeting time: All group and one-on-one video or voice call sessions can last for up to 30 hours.
• Cater to a larger participant base: Up to 300 users can join your video or voice call events.

• Integrate with a digital calendar: It readily integrates with your existing work and personal calendar in Outlook. Microsoft also has plans for rolling out a Google Calendar integration.
• Easy to send and accept invitations: Teams Essentials offers a no-installation, no sign-in, and no sign-up experience for the participants. You only need to click the email link and start listening, speaking, or sharing screens.
• Professional meeting tools: You can use the most advanced virtual meeting features, like screen sharing, meeting lobby, Together mode, virtual backgrounds, live reactions, live closed captions, scheduled meetings, noise suppression, etc.

• More cloud storage: It allows up to 10 GB of online storage space for each user. You can also edit Microsoft 365 documents on the OneDrive web or Teams Essential desktop interface.
• Threaded chats: Teams follow a continued conversation style. It doesn’t delete your chats until you do that manually. Chats in online video and voice calls are also preserved even after the call ends.

• Small business chat templates: It offers ready-to-use group project templates with chat, calling, and file-sharing features.
• Chat dashboard: The Chat Dashboard tool automatically organizes shared content for one-on-one or group chats in sections, like photos, locations, task lists, etc.
• Support from Microsoft: Teams Essential runs on the Azure Cloud platform. Hence, you get the same level of SLA, security, performance, and accessibility as Microsoft Teams enterprise users do.
• Security and compliance​: The Microsoft Azure Cloud platform ensures complete encryption of all data communications.
• Administration: You get exclusive access to the same Microsoft 365 Admin Center as other Microsoft Office subscribers do. From this console, you can manage access for up to 50 users. You can also pay their monthly or yearly subscription fees.

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:

• Unlimited group meetings
• Screen sharing
• Unlimited 1:1 calls
• Group meeting duration 30 hours for up to 300 participants
• Custom backgrounds
• Meeting scheduling
• Live transcription and captions only for English
• Calendar app integration
• Invitees can join without a subscription
• Unlimited group and one-to-one chats
• Polls
• 10 GB OneDrive storage
• Google calendar sync
• Microsoft Teams data encryption.

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 the Microsoft Subscription Plans portal. 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:

• Crayon
• Ingram Cloud
• Pax8
• Rhipe
• TD Synnex
• Telefonica
• Vodafone Business
• Wortmann AG.

The Cons of Transitioning to Teams Essentials

Before you move your text, voice, and video calls to Teams Essentials, consider the following drawbacks first:

• You can’t use the same email address for the Free Teams subscription plan.
• No selective upgradation of users to Microsoft Office 365.
• PayPal isn’t accepted as a payment method.
• Free trial isn’t available in all the regions where Microsoft operates.

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.