Outlook plugin and add-in comparison in zoom App

This document compares the features of the Outlook add-in and plugin side by side. Installing the plugin from Outlook on your desktop allows you to use it. The Outlook add-in is developed using the Microsoft API and can be used from either the desktop or the web version of Outlook. You can decide which app is best for your organization by comparing its features.

Note: Microsoft has announced that they will no longer support injection-based native plugins on Macs with Outlook. Zoom will also cease to develop and support its Mac Outlook plugin at this time. Although the June 2020 deadline has been postponed, Microsoft is still working with Apple to block certain plugins. In light of this, organizations are still advised to migrate their users to the Zoom Outlook add-in.

Scheduling meetings comparison

I want to…	Add-in	Plugin
Select meeting options while scheduling event	✔	✔
Hide meeting options while scheduling event	✔	✔
Schedule on behalf of someone	✔ Delegate user must have access in Zoom. Delegate user must have Office 365 store permissions.	✔ Delegate user must have access in Zoom.
Schedule with one-time meeting ID (also known as a non-recurring meeting ID)	✔	✔
Schedule using Personal Meeting ID (PMI)	✔	✔
Ensure scheduled event has join URL	✔	✔
Ensure scheduled event has phone number/s	✔	✔
Ensure scheduled event has SIP address	✔	✔
Ensure scheduled event has H.323 address	✔	✔

Why is the schedule on behalf of experience different for each?

To schedule on behalf of someone, a delegate user must be given scheduling privileges on Zoom.us. After a user grants the delegate user scheduling privileges, the delegate user will be able to schedule on the user’s calendar.

• Due to the Outlook plugin, the delegate user does not need further access and can choose the main user when scheduling.
• With the Outlook add-in, the delegate user must have access to the Office 365 store in order to see the main user’s calendar. Zoom is unable to change this limitation because it is within the control of Outlook.

Joining meetings comparison

Features	Add-in	Plugin
One click/ tap to join meeting via URL	✔	✔
One tap to join meeting via audio	✔	✔
Join by SIP address	✔	✔
Join by H.323 address	✔	✔

Will Zoom Rooms and CRC be compatible with the add-in?

Certainly. The join URL will be retrieved from the location field and/or the event description box in both of these products. Using the Outlook for web add-in, you will only see the join URL populated in the description box.

Managing app comparison

Features	Add-in	Plugin
Customize account-level settings	✔ Available at Zoom web portal.	✔ Available at Zoom web portal.
Customize group-level settings	✔ Available at Zoom web portal.	✔ Available at Zoom web portal.
Customize user-level settings	✔ Last-saved settings are used.	✔ Last-saved settings are used.
Centrally install calendar integration	✔ Done through MS O365 Admin Portal.
Centrally deploy calendar integration	✔ Done through MS O365 Admin Portal.
Centrally manage updates	✔ Done through MS O365 Admin Portal.

What On Premise versions of Outlook/Exchange does the add-in work with?

The add-in is compatible with both On Premise Exchange 2016 and 2019, as well as Office 365 Outlook versions (i.e. Outlook on web, Outlook 2013+ for PC, and Outlook 2016+ for Mac).

What is different about the install-deploy-manage cycle with the add-in?

Using the Office 365 admin portal, you can install apps centralized and manage them from there. Previously, administrators had to ensure that the plugin was incorporated into each build, and after deployment, they had to ensure that updates were enforced individually.

Recommended deployments

 

• Deploy the Zoom Outlook add-in for both macOS and Windows environments in Office 365.
• Office 365 – Windows only: Deploy the Zoom Outlook add-in since it provides a better user experience and simplifies admin management. However, using the Zoom Outlook plugin will still work.
• On Premise Office – macOS and Windows: If using Exchange 2016 or 2019, deploy the add-in. If using an older version of On Premise Office, deploy the plugin and keep Mac OS to Mojave or below, as Mac OS Catalina does not support plugins.
• On Premise Office – Windows only: If using Exchange 2016 or 2019, deploy the add-in. If using an older version of On Premise Office, deploy the plugin.