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Fathom vs Microsoft Teams: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Fathom and Microsoft Teams. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo, making it $15/mo cheaper than Fathom ($19/mo). Fathom offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026
Try Fathom freeTry Microsoft Teams free

Fathom vs Microsoft Teams: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureFathomMicrosoft Teams
Starting Price$19/mo$4/mo
Number of Plans33
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelfreemiumper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Microsoft Teams is the more affordable option, starting at $4/mo compared to Fathom's $19/mo. Both are Communication tools with 6 combined pricing plans and 33 features compared.

Fathom stands out with a free plan for getting started. Fathom uses freemium pricing while Microsoft Teams uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Communication needs.

Pricing Plans
Fathom
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams
Try it free
Tier 1
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Unlimited recordings + transcriptions
  • Instant AI call summaries
  • Clips, playlists, + search across calls
Start with Free
Microsoft Teams EssentialsPopular
$4/month
Includes
  • Chat, call, and video conferencing
  • Real-time collaboration with file sharing, tasks, and polling
  • Team meeting recordings with transcripts and live captions (English)4
  • 10 GB of cloud storage per user
  • Data encryption for meetings, chats, calls, and files
  • Anytime phone and web support
Start with Microsoft Teams Essentials
Tier 2
Team
$19/month
Includes
  • Everything from Individual Plans
  • Global search across shared calls
  • Playlists of highlights from meetings
  • Collaboration using comments, folders, keyword alerts, +more
  • Customized transcription vocabulary
  • Single sign-on (SSO)
Start with Team
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
$6/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Identity and access management for up to 300 users
  • Web and mobile versions3 of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook apps
  • Custom business email (you@yourbusiness.com)
  • 1 TB of cloud storage per user
  • 10+ additional apps for your business needs (including Microsoft Bookings, Planner, and Forms)
  • AI chat experience with web grounding, writing assistance, data analysis, and access to agents5
  • Automatic spam and malware filtering
Start with Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Tier 3
Business
$34/month
Includes
  • Everything from Team
  • CRM field sync
  • Deal View summarizing insights
  • Coaching metrics and AI scorecards
  • Custom data retention policies
  • Professional services available
  • Looking to learn more? Connect with sales
Start with Business
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
$13/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Desktop, web, and mobile versions3 of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps
  • Webinars with attendee registration and reporting
  • Collaborative workspaces to co-create using Microsoft Loop
  • Video editing and design tools with Microsoft Clipchamp
Start with Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Swipe to compare plans →

Fathom

Free AI meeting assistant that records and summarizes calls

View all Fathom plans

Microsoft Teams

Team collaboration hub with chat, meetings, and file sharing

View all Microsoft Teams plans

What Reviewers Say

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Fathom if:

  • •You need a free plan with Unlimited recordings + transcriptions, Instant AI call summaries—Fathom offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • •Fathom's 3-tier freemium structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
  • •Fathom's feature bundling aligns with how Communication teams actually work day-to-day

Choose Microsoft Teams if:

  • •You want lower per-user costs—Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo, saving $15/mo compared to Fathom at $19/mo
  • •You want more features built-in—Microsoft Teams offers 1 additional features across its plans
  • •You want Microsoft Teams's approach to incremental feature unlocking across its 3 pricing tiers

Fathom offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Microsoft Teams requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Fathom a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Fathom's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $19/mo provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Microsoft Teams' tiering starting at $4/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Fathom's 3 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Microsoft Teams' 3 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Fathom is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Fathom vs Microsoft Teams

Which is cheaper, Fathom or Microsoft Teams?
As of March 2026, Microsoft Teams starts at a lower price point. Fathom starts at $19/mo while Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does Fathom have vs Microsoft Teams?
Fathom offers 3 pricing plans, while Microsoft Teams offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Fathom or Microsoft Teams offer a free plan?
Fathom offers a free plan, while Microsoft Teams does not. If budget is a concern, Fathom lets you get started at no cost.
What is the most popular Microsoft Teams plan?
The Microsoft Teams Essentials plan is Microsoft Teams' most popular tier, priced at $4/mo. Key features include Chat, call, and video conferencing, Real-time collaboration with file sharing, tasks, and polling, Team meeting recordings with transcripts and live captions (English)4.
What pricing models do Fathom and Microsoft Teams use?
Fathom uses a freemium pricing model, while Microsoft Teams uses per-seat pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Fathom and Microsoft Teams compare for Communication?
Both Fathom and Microsoft Teams are Communication tools. Fathom offers 3 plans starting at $19/mo, while Microsoft Teams offers 3 plans starting at $4/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Communication needs.

Sources

  1. Fathom Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
  2. Microsoft Teams Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page

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