One question I get asked frequently is what is the difference between External Access and Guest Access within Microsoft Teams. Both provide you the ability to communicate with folks external from your organization. External Access is focused on the ability to Chat, Video, and Screen share from Teams Client to Teams Client. Guest Access is focused on allowing someone to be part of a Microsoft Team you have created within your tenant, allowing them to collaborate and communicate on the various conversations and data you have shared within the Team and various channels.
For more details on Microsoft Teams External Access please check out this link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/manage-external-access
For more details on Microsoft Teams Guest Access please check out the following links. The first link highlights the core elements of guest access. The second link highlights the various permissions and capabilities that a guest user will have within the Microsoft Team tha t you have invited the user to.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-access
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-experience
As well see my brief video on the differences between External Access and Guest Access within the Microsoft Teams client.
See the following table for a comparison of external and guest access features.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/manage-external-access#external-access-vs-guest-access
| Feature ………. | External Access…………….. | Guest Access………….. |
|---|---|---|
| User can chat with someone in another company | Yes | Yes |
| User can call someone in another company | Yes | Yes |
| User can see if someone from another company is available for call or chat | Yes | Yes1 |
| User can search for users across external tenants | Yes2 | No |
| User can share files | No | Yes |
| User can access Teams resources | No | Yes |
| User can be added to a group chat | No | Yes |
| User can be added to a meeting | Yes | Yes |
| Additional users can be added to a chat with an external user | No3 | N/A |
| User is identified as an external party | Yes | Yes |
| Presence is displayed | Yes | Yes |
| Out of office message is shown | No | Yes |
| Individual user can be blocked | No | No |
| @mentions are supported | No | Yes |
| Make private calls | Yes | Yes |
| Allow IP video | Yes | Yes |
| Screen sharing mode | No | Yes |
| Allow meet now | No | Yes |
| Edit sent messages | No | Yes |
| Can delete sent messages | No | Yes |
| Use Giphy in conversation | No | Yes |
| Use memes in conversation | No | Yes |
| Use stickers in conversation | No | Yes |
