AI-powered transcription and meeting summary tools are becoming increasingly popular, with third-party solutions like Read.ai offering AI-driven transcription, summaries, and analytics. However, businesses relying on Microsoft 365 may find that these external tools introduce security risks, additional costs, and unnecessary complexity.
Microsoft Teams Premium provides a fully integrated, secure, and cost-effective alternative that eliminates the need for third-party transcription services while enhancing productivity and collaboration.
At Netcare, we help businesses maximise productivity, collaboration, and security through technology. In this article, we explore why Microsoft Teams Premium is the better alternative to third-party solutions like Read.ai.
1. Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365
Unlike third-party transcription tools, Microsoft Teams Premium is built within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, ensuring:
- Meeting transcriptions and summaries are stored directly in Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint—eliminating the need for external storage solutions.
- Users can access meeting insights alongside emails, calendars, and shared documents in Outlook and other Microsoft 365 tools.
- No additional software installations or integrations are required—Teams Premium works seamlessly within your existing business environment.
In contrast, third-party apps like Read.ai require additional setup, external data storage, and manual file transfers, adding extra steps to your workflow.
2. Enhanced Security and Compliance
Data security is a critical concern when handling sensitive business discussions. Microsoft Teams Premium ensures:
- End-to-end encryption and compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other industry standards to protect sensitive meeting data.
- Full control over meeting transcripts and summaries, ensuring they remain within Microsoft’s trusted cloud environment.
- No reliance on external vendors, eliminating third-party data-sharing risks.
Read.ai and similar third-party services store meeting data externally, increasing the risk of security breaches, compliance violations, and unauthorised access.
For businesses operating in regulated industries, Teams Premium provides a more secure and compliant solution.
3. AI-Powered Meeting Summaries Without the Extra Cost
Both Microsoft Teams Premium and third-party apps like Read.ai use AI-powered transcription and summarisation, but Teams Premium offers additional advantages:
- Automated meeting summaries capture discussion points and action items without manual effort.
- Speaker identification improves accuracy in meeting minutes.
- Personalised meeting highlights help attendees find key moments quickly.
While Read.ai offers AI-driven transcription, it requires manual exporting and integration with Microsoft 365, adding extra steps for businesses that already rely on Microsoft tools.
4. Lower Costs by Eliminating Third-Party Subscriptions
Third-party transcription apps operate on separate pricing models, meaning businesses must pay for an additional service on top of their Microsoft 365 subscription.
With Microsoft Teams Premium, businesses can:
- Reduce software costs by consolidating transcription and meeting summary tools within Microsoft 365.
- Simplify licensing and billing, reducing administrative complexity.
- Streamline IT management by eliminating the need for multiple third-party applications.
Read.ai offers multiple pricing tiers, with higher costs for businesses needing enterprise-grade features. By consolidating meeting transcription within Teams Premium, businesses can eliminate unnecessary costs while gaining enterprise-level security and functionality.
5. Customised Meeting Experiences for a Professional Touch
Microsoft Teams Premium offers more control over meetings than third-party transcription tools, including:
- Branded meeting templates with company logos, backgrounds, and structured layouts.
- Advanced meeting options for webinars, town halls, and large-scale events.
- Custom meeting policies to ensure compliance and consistency in internal and external meetings.
Third-party apps like Read.ai focus solely on transcription, meaning businesses miss out on branding, structure, and additional meeting enhancements.
6. Reliable Performance and Dedicated Support
Microsoft Teams Premium benefits from Microsoft’s enterprise-grade infrastructure, ensuring:
- Minimal downtime and reliable performance.
- Scalability for businesses of all sizes.
- Dedicated Microsoft support for troubleshooting.
ai and similar third-party apps rely on external providers, meaning businesses depend on third-party service uptime, support quality, and ongoing software development.
At Netcare, we help businesses optimise their Microsoft 365 setup, ensuring smooth deployment and ongoing support.
7. Full Data Ownership and Compliance
One of the biggest concerns with third-party transcription services is data ownership.
- Microsoft Teams Premium ensures that all meeting transcriptions are stored within Microsoft 365, giving businesses full control over their data.
- Third-party apps store transcriptions externally, requiring businesses to trust an external vendor with their confidential conversations.
For businesses with strict compliance requirements, Teams Premium ensures meeting data remains within their control.
8. Continuous Innovation and Future-Proofing
As part of Microsoft 365, Teams Premium receives regular updates, security patches, and new AI-powered features, ensuring businesses:
- Always have access to the latest collaboration tools.
- Don’t have to rely on external vendors for software updates.
- Future-proof their investment without additional costs.
Third-party vendors may discontinue services, change pricing, or introduce limitations, creating long-term uncertainty for businesses.
Why Microsoft Teams Premium is the Best Alternative to Third-Party Transcription Apps Like Read.ai
For businesses looking for a secure, cost-effective, and integrated meeting transcription solution, Microsoft Teams Premium is the clear winner over third-party apps.
See Microsoft Teams Premium in Action
Want to learn more about how Microsoft Teams Premium can replace third-party meeting transcription services? Watch this video overview:
Take the Next Step with Netcare
At Netcare, we specialise in helping businesses get the most out of Microsoft 365. If your organisation is currently using Read.ai or another third-party transcription tool, now is the time to bring meeting transcriptions in-house for better security, lower costs, and a fully integrated experience.
Give us a call (02) 9114 9747 or to learn more about our Microsoft 365 services to help you be more productive.