In short: Webex Calling vs Teams is mostly about ecosystem. Webex Calling is Cisco's cloud phone system in the Webex App, licensed as Professional, Standard or Workspace. Microsoft Teams Phone is a per-user add-on that puts calling in Teams. Both offer several PSTN routes, and Cisco's Teams integration lets Teams users call through Webex Calling.
Two ecosystems, similar core features
Both platforms provide the PBX features organisations rely on: numbers, extensions, hunt groups, call queues, auto attendants, voicemail and transfer, all run from the cloud.
- Webex Calling sits in the Webex App alongside Webex messaging and meetings, works with Cisco desk phones and devices, and is managed in Cisco's Control Hub.
- Microsoft Teams Phone sits in the Teams app alongside Teams chat and meetings, works with Teams-certified devices, and is managed in the Teams admin centre.
So the question is less 'which has more features?' and more 'which fits the way we already work?'
Side-by-side comparison
| Webex Calling | Microsoft Teams Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence model | Per-user Professional or Standard licences, plus Workspace licences for shared and common-area phones | Per-user Teams Phone Standard on a qualifying Microsoft 365 or Teams plan (included in E5); Teams Shared Space for common-area phones |
| PSTN options | Cisco Calling Plans (available in the UK), Cloud Connected PSTN, or premises-based PSTN through a local gateway | Microsoft Calling Plans, Operator Connect, Teams Phone Mobile or Direct Routing |
| Mixing PSTN options | Choose per location | Mix in one tenant |
| Meetings and messaging | Webex meetings and messaging in the Webex App | Teams meetings and chat in the Teams app |
| Devices | Cisco desk phones, Cisco room devices and analogue adapters | Teams-certified phones, Teams Rooms, and compatible SIP phones through Microsoft's SIP Gateway |
| Administration | Cisco Control Hub | Teams admin centre and PowerShell |
| Contact centre paths | Webex Calling Customer Assist to upgrade call queues; Webex Contact Center for a full contact centre | Call queues; Queues app with Teams Premium; Teams Phone Agent; Dynamics 365 Contact Center or certified third parties |
| Call recording | Depends on licence type; check before you buy | Automatic recording for call queues; compliance recording through certified third-party products |
| Using the other side | Webex Calling integration for Microsoft Teams on Professional (User) and Standard licences | Teams can connect to other platforms through Direct Routing |
| Pricing | Ask us for a quote | Ask us for a quote |
For the detail, see Webex Calling, Teams Phone licensing and Direct Routing vs Operator Connect vs Calling Plans.
Connecting to the phone network
Both vendors give you a choice, from fully managed to bring-your-own-carrier.
- Vendor as carrier. Cisco Calling Plans and Microsoft Calling Plans both make the vendor your phone carrier, with numbers ordered or ported in the admin portal.
- Provider in the cloud. Cisco's Cloud Connected PSTN and Microsoft's Operator Connect both let an approved provider connect cloud to cloud, with no equipment on your site.
- Your own carrier. A Webex local gateway and Teams Direct Routing both connect existing carriers, SIP trunks, PBXs or analogue devices through equipment on site or a provider's SBC.
The local gateway route suits organisations moving gradually from an on-premises Cisco call manager. Direct Routing does the same job for organisations with a third-party PBX.
Using both: Webex Calling inside Teams
You do not have to replace one ecosystem to use the other. Cisco's Webex Calling integration for Microsoft Teams lets users place and receive Webex Calling calls from inside the Teams client, while Webex Calling remains the phone system. Cisco includes the integration with Professional (User) and Standard licences, not with Workspace licences.
This suits organisations that use Teams for chat and meetings but want Cisco calling, for example because they run Cisco desk phones and a Cisco network, or are moving from an on-premises Cisco PBX. We check what each user needs on both the Cisco and Microsoft sides before you commit.
Who each one suits
| Webex Calling often suits | Teams Phone often suits |
|---|---|
| Organisations standardised on Cisco networking, Meraki or Cisco collaboration devices | Organisations whose staff already live in Microsoft 365 and Teams |
| Webex meetings users who want calling, messaging and meetings in one app | Teams meetings users who want calls in the same app as chat |
| Moves from an on-premises Cisco PBX through a local gateway | Organisations wanting Microsoft 365 compliance tools to cover calls |
| Teams users who still want Cisco calling, through the Teams integration | Organisations that want to mix Calling Plans, Operator Connect and Direct Routing |
If neither ecosystem drives the decision, compare them with hosted 3CX and Forever UC on our cloud phone system comparison.
How we help
We supply Webex Calling, Microsoft Teams Phone and Forever Teams, so we can compare them on your real licences, devices and call flows. We check your network for voice, plan PSTN options per site, port numbers and set up devices. For contact centre needs, our cloud contact centre page compares the options on both sides.
Contact us for a side-by-side recommendation.
Why choose your cloud phone system with Forever Systems
We are vendor-neutral. Forever Group supplies and supports several cloud phone platforms, so we recommend the one that fits how your organisation works rather than the one we happen to sell.
- Side-by-side comparison of hosted 3CX, Microsoft Teams Phone, Forever UC, Forever Teams and Webex Calling for your users
- Contact centre and call recording options matched to your call volumes and CRM
- Number porting, handsets and set-up handled for you, including the move off analogue and ISDN lines
- Connectivity checked so call quality is right from day one
- UK support for moves, adds, changes and faults
- For BT Cloud Voice, see our BT Business Partner site cloudvoice.cloud
We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations. We do not sell consumer phone services.
Want a vendor-neutral cloud phone system comparison and quote?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
Is Webex Calling better than Microsoft Teams Phone?
Neither is better in every case. Webex Calling often fits organisations built around Cisco devices, networking and Webex meetings. Teams Phone often fits organisations that already work in Microsoft 365 and Teams. We compare them on your licences and call flows.
Can I use Webex Calling with Microsoft Teams?
Yes. Cisco's Webex Calling integration for Microsoft Teams lets users make and receive Webex calls from the Teams client. Cisco includes it with Professional (User) and Standard licences.
Can I keep my existing carrier with Webex Calling or Teams Phone?
Yes, on both. Webex Calling can use a local gateway to your existing carrier or SIP trunks, and Teams Phone can use Direct Routing through a certified SBC. Both also offer cloud-to-cloud provider options.
Is Webex Calling available in the UK?
Yes. Cisco lists the United Kingdom among the countries for Cisco Calling Plans, where Cisco supplies the phone service and numbers, and Webex Calling can also use Cloud Connected PSTN or a local gateway to your own carrier. Each location must have a correct emergency address.
Which is easier to manage, Webex Calling or Teams Phone?
Both are managed in a web portal: Cisco Control Hub for Webex Calling, and the Teams admin centre for Teams Phone. The easier one is usually the one that matches the tools your IT team already uses.