Microsoft Teams vs Mitel – Full comparison to help you decide

When it comes to choosing the right business phone system, Microsoft Teams and Mitel are two major players in the UK market. While both offer extensive communication features, each platform has its unique strengths that make it better suited for certain business environments. This Microsoft Teams vs Mitel comparison provides a clear overview of features, costs, integrations, and overall suitability for different types of businesses.

Microsoft Teams vs Mitel

Category	Microsoft Teams	Mitel
Primary focus	Collaboration-focused with integrated chat, video, and calling features	Customisable phone system with strong call handling features
Deployment options	Cloud-based only	Flexible options: on-premises, cloud, or hybrid
Calling features	Basic call handling with PSTN integration, advanced through Teams Phone	Advanced call routing, forwarding, queuing, auto-attendant
Collaboration tools	Extensive: chat, video meetings, file sharing, Microsoft 365 integration	Basic: voice and video only, no built-in file sharing or advanced collaboration
Video conferencing	Up to 1,000 participants with large meeting capabilities	Limited video conferencing options, more focused on voice
Security and compliance	Enterprise-grade security with encryption, GDPR compliance, multi-factor authentication	Strong security features, but may vary depending on deployment model
Integrations	Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, plus extensive third-party app integrations (Salesforce, Trello, etc.)	CRM integrations (Salesforce, Dynamics 365, HubSpot), API for additional business applications
Mobile app	Available with full access to Teams features, ideal for remote and hybrid work	Available, with access to call management features
Pricing	– Basic plan: £4.20/user/month – Business Standard: £9.40/user/month – Teams Phone add-on: £12/user/month – Calling Plan: from £9/user/month	– MiCloud Connect Essentials: £15/user/month – MiCloud Connect Premier: £22/user/month – MiCloud Connect Elite: £29/user/month
Scalability	High scalability, ideal for businesses of all sizes, can easily add or remove users	Scalable for both small and large businesses, but on-premises systems may require more setup for scaling
User experience	Intuitive for Microsoft 365 users but can be complex due to the wide range of features	Focused on call handling, straightforward for telephony-focused businesses
Customer support	Support via Microsoft 365 channels: online help, chat, and phone (plan-dependent)	Phone, email, and online resources; local support available through Mitel certified partners
Pros	– Strong integration with Microsoft 365 – Robust security – Ideal for remote teams – Comprehensive collaboration tools	– Highly customisable for complex call needs – Flexible deployment – Strong support for traditional call handling
Cons	– Requires Microsoft 365 licence – May be complex for those needing only telephony – Limited customisation for calling	– Higher costs for on-premises systems – Limited collaboration tools compared to Teams

Features comparison – Microsoft Teams vs Mitel

Both Microsoft Teams and Mitel offer robust communication solutions, but they approach the business phone system differently.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based collaboration tool integrated within the Microsoft 365 suite, with a strong focus on enabling communication within a unified platform. Its main features include:

• Unified communication: Teams combines chat, video, voice, and file sharing, allowing team members to communicate and collaborate within a single platform.
• Calling capabilities: With the addition of Microsoft Teams Phone, businesses can make and receive calls directly through Teams. Teams Phone integrates with the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to enable call capabilities.
• Video conferencing: Teams supports video conferencing for up to 1,000 participants, making it ideal for large meetings, webinars, or training sessions.
• Team collaboration: The platform’s collaboration features include real-time file sharing, editing, and seamless integration with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Security and compliance: Microsoft’s advanced security measures and GDPR compliance make it a safe choice for handling sensitive business data.

Mitel

Mitel, traditionally a leader in on-premises business telephony, has expanded its offerings with cloud-based solutions to cater to the modern, mobile workforce. Key features include:

• Flexible deployment options: Mitel provides both on-premises and cloud-based systems, allowing businesses to choose a setup that best meets their needs.
• Advanced call handling: Mitel offers a range of calling features such as call routing, call forwarding, call queuing, and auto-attendant, which are ideal for businesses with complex call-handling requirements.
• Unified communication: Mitel’s solutions integrate voice, video, and messaging into one platform, albeit with less emphasis on collaboration tools compared to Teams.
• Customisable phone system: Mitel allows greater flexibility in customising your phone system, offering a wide range of devices and integration options.
• Mobile app: Mitel offers mobile applications that let users manage calls and access voicemails and messages from anywhere, a benefit for remote and hybrid work environments.

Cost comparison – Microsoft Teams vs Mitel

Pricing structures for Microsoft Teams vs Mitel vary depending on the plan and additional features.

Microsoft Teams pricing

For businesses already using Microsoft 365, adding Teams can be relatively cost-effective. However, to access the Teams Phone system, businesses must subscribe to a Microsoft 365 licence and add a phone system licence:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: £4.20 per user per month, includes Teams for chat and collaboration.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: £9.40 per user per month, includes Teams and additional Office applications.
• Teams Phone Standard: Around £12 per user per month, providing calling features and PSTN integration.
• Teams Calling Plan: Starting at around £9 per user per month, offering 1,200 UK minutes or 3,000 minutes for higher plans.

Depending on the organisation’s needs, total costs can range from £16 to £25 per user per month, plus any additional fees for international or toll-free numbers.

Mitel pricing

Mitel’s pricing varies significantly based on deployment type (on-premises or cloud) and feature requirements. Mitel offers the following packages:

• MiCloud Connect Essentials: Starting at around £15 per user per month, suitable for small businesses.
• MiCloud Connect Premier: Starting at around £22 per user per month, with advanced call handling and collaboration tools.
• MiCloud Connect Elite: Starting at around £29 per user per month, offering complete unified communications, call centre functionality, and advanced integrations.

While on-premises systems require higher upfront costs for equipment and installation, they may prove cost-effective over the long term for larger enterprises. Cloud-based plans provide flexibility and scalability for growing businesses, with pricing primarily based on the number of users.

Integrations and compatibility

Integrations are critical when it comes to making a phone system work seamlessly within your existing software ecosystem.

• Microsoft Teams: Teams integrates naturally with the Microsoft 365 suite, making it a perfect choice for businesses already invested in Microsoft products. Additional integrations include third-party apps like Salesforce, Trello, Zoom, and hundreds more available in the Teams App Store.
• Mitel: Mitel integrates with a wide array of CRM platforms, including Salesforce, Dynamics 365, and HubSpot. Its flexible API makes it easy to connect with other business applications, although setup may require more customisation than with Teams.

User experience and ease of use

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams’ interface is familiar to those who use Microsoft 365 products, with an intuitive design that makes it easy for teams to chat, call, and collaborate in one place.

However, as Teams continues to evolve as a comprehensive collaboration platform, its breadth of features can present a learning curve for users who primarily need a basic phone system.

Overall, Teams is highly adaptable but may be overwhelming for smaller businesses with simpler needs.

Mitel

Mitel’s user experience is tailored more specifically to call handling, making it easy to manage complex call workflows.

The platform is particularly well-suited for companies that rely heavily on traditional business phone system features and have high call volumes. Mitel’s phone systems tend to be straightforward, reliable, and easy to navigate, even for non-technical staff.

Scalability and flexibility

• Microsoft Teams: Teams is highly scalable and suitable for businesses of all sizes, especially those with remote or hybrid workforces. As a cloud-based system, Teams can easily scale with your business, adding or removing licences as needed.
• Mitel: Mitel offers excellent scalability options, with flexible on-premises, hybrid, and cloud deployment. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for companies looking for customisation in their communication infrastructure. However, scaling may be more complex for on-premises systems compared to Microsoft’s cloud-only solution.

Security and compliance

• Microsoft Teams: Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security measures include multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and compliance with GDPR and other industry regulations. Regular updates ensure that Teams remains secure and compliant, making it a robust choice for industries with stringent data protection needs.
• Mitel: Mitel also prioritises security, particularly for its cloud-based services, with encryption and regulatory compliance. However, the level of security may depend on the deployment model, with cloud options generally providing more regular security updates than on-premises systems.

Customer support

• Microsoft Teams: Support for Teams is available through Microsoft 365 support channels, with options for online help, chat, and phone support depending on the plan. Microsoft also provides extensive self-help resources, including tutorials, forums, and knowledge bases.
• Mitel: Mitel offers various support levels based on the deployment and service plan. Customers can access technical support via phone, email, or Mitel’s online resources. For businesses using on-premises systems, Mitel’s certified partners often provide on-site support, which may be advantageous for organisations that prefer local support.

Pros and cons

Microsoft Teams

Pros:

• Seamless integration with Microsoft 365
• Powerful collaboration tools in addition to calling features
• Scalable and suitable for remote workforces
• Robust security and compliance measures

Cons:

• Can be complex for businesses that need basic phone functionality
• Requires Microsoft 365 licence, adding to the cost
• Limited customisation for traditional call-handling features

Mitel

Pros:

• Customisable, flexible phone system solutions
• Suitable for high-call volume businesses and call centres
• Flexible deployment options (on-premises, cloud, hybrid)
• Strong customer support network with local partner assistance

Cons:

• May lack advanced collaboration tools found in Teams
• Higher upfront costs for on-premises deployments
• Cloud-based solution may still require more customisation for integrations

Microsoft Teams vs Mitel – Which is right for your business?

Choosing between Microsoft Teams vs Mitel ultimately depends on your business’s specific needs.

If your company values a unified collaboration platform and already uses Microsoft 365, Teams could be a natural fit, especially for remote or hybrid environments.

On the other hand, if your business requires a customisable phone system with advanced call handling, or operates in a call-centre-style environment, Mitel’s flexible offerings may be more suitable.

Both solutions offer unique advantages, but a key difference lies in their approach: Teams focuses on integrated collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem, while Mitel provides customisable telephony solutions geared toward call handling.

FAQ – Microsoft Teams vs Mitel