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Communication

Gather vs Microsoft Teams: Pricing Comparison 2026

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

Bottom line: Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo, making it $26/mo cheaper than Gather ($30/mo). Gather offers a free plan.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

Gather vs Microsoft Teams: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureGatherMicrosoft Teams
Starting Price$30/mo$4/mo
Number of Plans23
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelfreemiumper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Microsoft Teams is the more affordable option, starting at $4/mo compared to Gather's $30/mo. Both are Communication tools with 5 combined pricing plans and 29 features compared.

Gather stands out with a free plan for getting started. Gather 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
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams
Try it free
Tier 1
Free Trial
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Add up to 50 members
  • 5 Meeting Transcription Hours
  • 3 Meeting Recording Hours
  • 20 Guest Hours
Start with Free Trial
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
Essential Plan
$30/month
$30 / year
Includes
  • Custom Virtual Office
  • Add up to 100 members
  • Unlimited Meetings & Chat
  • Host Guests
  • Meeting Recordings
  • Google Calendar Integration
  • Meeting Transcriptions
  • Github & Spotify Integrations
Start with Essential Plan
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
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 →

Gather

Virtual office spaces with proximity-based video chat

View all Gather plans

Microsoft Teams

Team collaboration hub with chat, meetings, and file sharing

View all Microsoft Teams plans

What Reviewers Say

Our Pick

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams starts at $26/mo lower ($4/mo vs $30/mo), offers 3 tiers vs 2.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Microsoft Teams

Try Microsoft Teams free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Gather if:

  • You need a free plan with Add up to 50 members, 5 Meeting Transcription Hours—Gather offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • Gather's freemium pricing lets you match exact team size without tier gaps
  • You value Gather's specific feature progression from free to advanced tier levels

Choose Microsoft Teams if:

  • You want lower per-user costs—Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo, saving $26/mo compared to Gather at $30/mo
  • You need 3 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • You want more features built-in—Microsoft Teams offers 5 additional features across its plans

Gather offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Microsoft Teams requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Gather a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Gather's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $30/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. Gather's 2 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, Gather 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: Gather vs Microsoft Teams

Which is cheaper, Gather or Microsoft Teams?
As of March 2026, Microsoft Teams starts at a lower price point. Gather starts at $30/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 Gather have vs Microsoft Teams?
Gather offers 2 pricing plans, while Microsoft Teams offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Gather or Microsoft Teams offer a free plan?
Gather offers a free plan, while Microsoft Teams does not. If budget is a concern, Gather lets you get started at no cost.
Can I save money by paying annually for Gather or Microsoft Teams?
Both Gather and Microsoft Teams offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
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 Gather and Microsoft Teams use?
Gather 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 Gather and Microsoft Teams compare for Communication?
Both Gather and Microsoft Teams are Communication tools. Gather offers 2 plans starting at $30/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. Gather Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Microsoft Teams Official PricingVendor pricing page

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