Waffle vs Microsoft Teams
Waffle vs Microsoft Teams
Waffle is a lighter team chat with a built in AI teammate that works with the tools developers actually use, no separate Copilot license.
Last updated July 2026
The short answer
Microsoft Teams is deeply tied to Microsoft 365 and its Copilot AI needs a separate paid license, typically around 30 USD per user per month billed annually and layered on top of a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription (TechTarget, 2026). Waffle is lighter, includes a built in AI teammate from the free plan, and connects to GitHub, Linear, and any MCP server, not just Office.
Both are solid ways to keep a team talking. The difference is weight and reach. Microsoft reported that Teams reached 320 million monthly active users (Microsoft, 2023), and it brings deep Microsoft 365 integration and broad enterprise features, so it is a natural fit if your company already runs on Microsoft. Waffle keeps the surface small and puts a working AI teammate in your channels from day one.
Side by side
A quick capability map. Competitor details reflect Microsoft Teams and Copilot as of 2026 and may change.
| Capability | Waffle | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Built in AI teammate | Included, from the free plan. | Copilot requires a separate paid license (as of 2026). |
| Writes documents | PDF, Word, slides, Excel, CSV, attached in chat. | Copilot works across Office apps with a license. |
| Reads your GitHub code | Yes, natively in chat. | Through integrations, not a built in chat assistant. |
| Connect any tool (MCP) | Yes. Linear, Atlassian, and custom MCP servers, scoped per channel. | Strong Microsoft 365 integration, less so outside it. |
| Weight and setup | Light. A team takes about two minutes to create. | Enterprise oriented and heavier to set up. |
| Voice and screen share | One click voice channels with audio and screen share. | Meetings and calls with audio, video, and screen share. |
| Best fit | Startups and product and engineering teams. | Organizations standardized on Microsoft 365. |
When Microsoft Teams is the better choice
Microsoft Teams is the better choice for organizations already standardized on Microsoft 365. Its deep Office integration, broad enterprise compliance and governance features, and wide reach across large companies are real strengths, especially where Word, Excel, and SharePoint are the daily center of work.
If your documents, identity, and administration already live in Microsoft 365, Teams removes friction that a separate product would add. It also carries the enterprise controls that big, regulated organizations expect. We would rather tell you that plainly than pretend otherwise. Waffle is aimed at a different team.
Why teams choose Waffle
Teams choose Waffle when they want a lighter chat app and a real AI teammate in one place, without a separate Copilot license or a Microsoft 365 dependency. The AI reads files, writes documents, reads your GitHub code, and connects to the tools your team already uses.
- A built in AI teammate included from the free plan, with no separate license.
- You mention Waffle AI like any teammate, and its reply lands once, finished, with any files attached.
- It reads attachments you share, such as PDFs and spreadsheets, and answers with specifics.
- It writes real files and attaches them: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CSV, and text or markdown or HTML.
- It reads your GitHub repositories and can open a draft pull request an admin approves before it can merge.
- It connects to Linear, Atlassian, and any custom MCP server, scoped per channel, read only or read and write.
- Channels, direct messages, threads, and one click voice channels with screen share.
- Web, desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux, and a real mobile web layout.
- A team takes about two minutes to create, and Waffle AI is ready the moment it does.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a lightweight alternative to Microsoft Teams?
- Waffle is a lighter alternative. It is team chat with channels, direct messages, threads, and voice, plus a built in AI teammate, and a team takes about two minutes to create. Microsoft Teams is enterprise oriented and heavier to set up, and it is centered on the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
- Does Waffle need a Microsoft 365 license?
- No. Waffle is a standalone product from Friskly AB and does not require a Microsoft 365 license or any Microsoft account. You sign up with an email, and the free plan includes team chat with Waffle AI. Paid plans start at 12 USD per user per month billed annually, with a 14 day free trial.
- Is Waffle AI like Copilot?
- Both are AI assistants, but they differ. Copilot is oriented around Office documents and requires a separate paid license, as of 2026. Waffle AI is a real member of your team chat: you mention it, it reads attachments, writes documents, reads your GitHub repositories, and connects to tools through MCP. It is included from the free plan.
- Does Waffle work with GitHub and Linear?
- Yes. Waffle AI can read your GitHub repositories, browse directories, read files, search code, read pull requests, and open a draft pull request an admin approves before it can merge. It also connects to Linear, Atlassian, and any custom MCP server, and admins scope which connectors each channel may use.
Keep reading
Sources
Statistics cited on this page, for reference. Competitor figures reflect the sources as of their publication and may change.
Give your team its extra member.
Waffle is in early access. Creating a team takes about two minutes, and Waffle AI is ready the moment you do.