Client Comparison Tables

 

Topic Last Modified: 2012-12-05

The following tables compare the features and capabilities of Microsoft Lync Server 2010 clients in the following categories:

  • Enhanced presence

  • Contacts and contact groups

  • Instant messaging (IM)

  • Conferencing

  • Telephony

  • External users

  • Archiving and compliance

Note

To compare the features available in Lync 2010 mobile clients, see Mobile Client Comparison Tables.

Enhanced Presence Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

Publish and view status

View status based on calendar free/busy information

View status notes and Out of Office messages

Add a custom location

Add a custom note

Contacts and Contact Groups Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

View Contacts list

Modify Contacts list

Tag contacts for status change alerts

Control privacy relationships

Search the corporate address book

Search Microsoft Outlook contacts

Manage contact groups

Expand distribution groups

Search for Response Groups

Display recent contacts group

Display current conversations group

Display alternate contact views (for example, tile)

IM Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

Initiate IM with a contact

Navigate among multiple IM conversations

Log IM conversations in Outlook

Saved in Communicator for Mac

Saved in Lync for Mac

Initiate an email to a contact

Use prepared conversation templates

Spell check

Skill search (with SharePoint Server integration)

Conferencing Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

Add computer audio

Add video

Use in-meeting presenter controls

Access detailed meeting roster

Participate in multiparty IM

Share the desktop (if enabled)

(requires plug-in)

●*

●*

Share a program (if enabled)

(requires plug-in)

View only

Add anonymous participants (if enabled)

Use dial-in audio conferencing

With third-party audio conferencing providers

Initiate a meeting

Add and present Microsoft PowerPoint files

View only, annotations not available

Use a whiteboard

Conduct polls

Share files

Schedule a meeting or conference

* Participants cannot control desktops that are shared by Lync for Mac 2011 or Communicator for Mac 2011 users. Lync for Mac 2011 and Communicator for Mac 2011 users can control desktops shared by Windows users.

Telephony Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

Initiate a voice call

●*

Click to call a contact

●*

Transfer a call

●*

Manage call forwarding

Manage team call settings

Manage delegates

Initiate a call to a Response Group

Support emergency services (E9-1-1)

●**

Connect to voice mail

●**

Make calls on behalf of another contact (manager/delegate scenario)

Handle another's calls if configured as a delegate

Manage a high volumes of calls

* PC to PC Lync calls are supported. PSTN calls are supported with Lync to phone mobile partners.

** Supported by Microsoft partners.

External Users Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

Initiate IM with a public contact

Initiate IM with a federated contact

Conduct two-party or multiparty calls with external users

Archiving and Compliance Support in Lync Server 2010 Clients

Feature/capability Lync 2010 Lync Web App Lync 2010 Attendee Lync 2010 Attendant Lync Phone Edition Online Meeting Add-in for Lync 2010 Communicator for Mac 2011 Lync for Mac 2011 Lync Online

Provide client-side archiving

Provide client-side recording