Regular Microsoft Teams is the app a person runs on their own laptop or phone, under their own user license. Microsoft Teams Rooms is a dedicated meeting-room system: a certified video bar or room PC runs the Teams Rooms app, signs in with a room resource account, and has a touch console on the table so anyone can join with one tap. "Teams meeting equipment" can mean either a full Teams Rooms system or just a Teams-certified USB camera and speakerphone that someone plugs a laptop into.
The three ways a room meets in Teams
| Teams on a laptop (BYOD) | Laptop + Teams-certified USB gear | Microsoft Teams Rooms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who signs in | The person | The person | The room (resource account) |
| License | User's Teams license | User's Teams license | Teams Rooms Basic or Pro per room |
| Hardware | Laptop camera/mic | USB video bar, camera or speakerphone | Certified bar or PC + console |
| Start a meeting | Open laptop, connect cables, join | Plug in, pick devices, join | Tap Join on the console |
| Calendar | Person's calendar | Person's calendar | Room calendar shows bookings |
| Management | Laptop's IT tools | Device maker's tools | Teams admin center, Pro Management Portal |
| Best for | 1-2 people | Small rooms, low budget | Shared rooms used all day |
What makes Teams Rooms different
- Always ready. The room is signed in 24/7. Book the room in Outlook and the meeting appears on the console.
- One-tap join. No cables, no picking the right camera.
- Room features. Proximity join and HDMI content sharing on any license; with Pro, Front Row, dual screens, content cameras, IntelliFrame and AI features. See Teams Rooms Basic vs Pro.
- Central management. IT can monitor and update rooms remotely.
- Content sharing. HDMI or wireless casting from a laptop. See sharing content in Teams Rooms.
Teams Rooms on Windows vs Android
Teams Rooms comes in two flavors:
- Windows: a certified room PC with a touch console, connected to USB cameras and audio. Example: Poly Studio 5 Room Compute with a Poly Studio V52.
- Android: an all-in-one bar that runs Teams itself, such as a Logitech Rally Bar Mini + Tap IP or a Poly Studio X52.
See Teams Rooms on Windows vs Android.
"Teams room" vs "Teams equipment"
When people say "Teams equipment," they often just mean Teams-certified peripherals. A Logitech MeetUp 2 or a Jabra Speak2 75 is certified for Teams, but used with a laptop it's still regular Teams, not Teams Rooms. Many video bars can do both: USB mode for laptops, or appliance mode as a full Teams Room.
Licenses in short
- Regular Teams: included in most Microsoft 365 business plans, per user.
- Teams Rooms: a separate per-room license on a resource account. Basic is free for up to 25 rooms (single display, core features); Pro is paid. Check current pricing in Teams Rooms license cost.
- A personal user license on a room device isn't the right approach. See Teams Shared Device vs Teams Rooms license.
Which do you need?
- Focus room or small huddle used occasionally: BYOD with a Teams-certified USB camera or speakerphone.
- Shared room booked every day: Teams Rooms.
- Mixed Teams and Zoom guests: Teams Rooms can join Zoom and Google Meet calls too. See join Zoom or Meet from a Teams Room.
Full details are in Microsoft Teams Rooms: hardware, licenses and setup and Teams Rooms vs BYOD.
Deciding between BYOD and a Teams Room? Send us the room details and we'll price both.
Related guides
- Microsoft Teams Rooms Review: Is It Worth It?
- Best Conference Cameras for Microsoft Teams Rooms
- How to Set Up a Conference Room for Microsoft Teams
- Join Zoom or Google Meet from a Microsoft Teams Room
- Microsoft Teams Rooms vs Zoom Rooms: Which Is Better?
- Microsoft Teams Rooms: Hardware, Licenses and Setup
Outfitting several rooms, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
