Video Conferencing Comparison Chart

Comparison Chart of Video Conferencing Platforms 

 

Activity/Resources

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Microsoft Team Meetings

Zoom

Description of Product

Web conferencing 

Communication & web conferencing

Web conferencing 

Attendee limit

  • 250 users for normal sessions.
  • 500 user limit when selecting "Large scale session"
  • 300 simultaneous users in a meeting.
  • 1000 people can participate in a webinar.
  • 10,000 people can participate in a Live Event.

300 simultaneous users in a meeting.

Browser Recommended

Chrome/Firefox

Chrome/Firefox/APP

Zoom App (recommended)/ Web Browser

Screen Views

25

9 via Gallery
49 via Together Mode

25

Phone Bridge Access 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Record Lectures 

Yes

Yes

Yes
(local recording only)

Student Recordings 

Yes

No

Yes
(local recording only)

Guest speakers

Yes

Yes

Yes

Polls/Surveys 

Use built-in polling system, can also download polling report

Uses MS Forms

Yes

Group Work 

 

Utilizes Breakout Groups

*Breakout groups are available when selecting a webinar.

Utilizes Breakout Groups

Virtual Office Hours with instructor

Yes

Yes

Yes

Attendance

Yes
(direct gradebook tie-in)

Yes, when using a webinar and registration

Downloadable report

Remote viewing of participant's screen

Yes

Yes

Yes

Webcam/Desktop/Software Application sharing 

Sharing of more than one camera is allowed
Desktop/Application Sharing is allowed

One camera allowed
Desktop/Application Sharing is allowed

One camera allowed
Desktop/Application Sharing is allowed

Whiteboard

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chat

Yes

Yes

Yes

Mobile App 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Accessing Recordings

Recording accessible in Blackboard Collaborate Recordings within a Course

Cloud (Stream)/Host Computer

Recording made to local computer
(For web viewing upload to streaming server. Example: Uploading Videos to Panopto (How-to))

Waiting Room

No, course access determines session access unless guest URL is shared.

Yes for guest access.

Users at Drake can access directly with invite.

All non-drake.edu accounts go into the waiting room otherwise waiting rooms are not available.

Annotation

Content and whiteboard

Whiteboard

Content and whiteboard

Scheduling a Session

Via Blackboard Learn

In Teams/Outlook

Via Blackboard Learn

Connecting to a
Session

In BB Collaborate Ultra Session/or a Link

Using emailed/posted link

In Blackboard Learn course/or a link

Full screen content

Yes

Yes

Yes