Comparison: Microsoft Teams meetings vs. town halls vs. webinars

There are multiple ways to meet in Microsoft Teams: meetings, town halls, and webinars. This table allows you to compare key features of the different ways to meet within Microsoft Teams. 

  Teams meeting Teams town hall Teams webinar
Number of participants Up to 300 Up to 10,000 Up to 1,000. Registration is required.
Audio/video delay No delay: Participants interact in real-time 20-30 seconds No delay: Participants interact in real-time
Can participants share audio/video? Yes, with additional capabilities depending upon Teams meeting role Yes, but only users invited as co-organizers and presenters. Yes, but the default meeting options disable this ability.
Can you communicate via text chat? Yes, in the meeting chat Yes, in a Q&A Yes, but the default meeting options disable this ability.
Can you create a poll for participants?  Yes Yes Yes
Can you allow non-OHIO users to join? Yes Yes Yes
Can you restrict it to OHIO-only users? Yes Yes Yes
Can it be recorded for later playback? Yes, with the option to restrict it to OHIO-only users Yes, with the option to restrict it to organizers only Yes, with the option to restrict it to OHIO-only users
Is it good for conference calls and hybrid in-person/virtual meetings? Yes No Yes
Is it good for webcam-only meetings? Yes No Yes
Is it good for classroom use, including guest speakers? Yes, though a separate camera and microphone is highly recommended No No, registration is required to attend the webinar
Is it good for events such as keynote speeches or events with multiple cameras or microphones? No Yes Yes

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