Replace MS Teams – keep M365
Using Microsoft 365? Sparks replaces the Teams app: same features, familiar interface – but built and hosted in the EU with no CLOUD Act exposure. Calendar, Teams chats, channels and Planner continue to run via M365. Switch without a big bang, at low migration cost. AI with your own control instead of Copilot surcharge.
What Sparks connects with M365
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Teams calendar & chats
Calendar from Microsoft 365 and Teams chats/channels directly in Sparks. One interface for meetings, chat and collaboration – without constantly switching apps.
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To-Do-Lists
Use tasks, lists and boards from To-Do-Lists in Sparks. Ideal for teams already on M365 who want to add Sparks for video, Matrix chat and open standards.
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Small hosting variant
Minimal effort: Run only the Matrix server yourself – keep using video, calendar, files and identity via Microsoft 365 including IAM. Start with Sparks without a big bang.
Keep M365 – do without MS Teams
With Sparks you continue to use Microsoft 365 for email, Exchange, SharePoint, Planner and identity. For video meetings, chat and channels you use one interface: Sparks. The data (calendar, Teams chats, Planner) still comes from M365 – you no longer need the Teams app for that.
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One app for meetings and chat
Meetings, 1:1 chats and channels run in Sparks – with the same calendar and chat data as before in Teams. No dual client, no parallel Teams installation for day-to-day use.
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M365 remains the source
Exchange calendar, Teams channels and Planner stay in Microsoft 365. Sparks displays and uses them. So you keep your existing licence and admin structure and gain an alternative interface with E2EE and EU hosting.
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Phased rollout
You can run Sparks and Teams in parallel for a while. Many switch gradually: first meetings in Sparks, then chat and channels – without a big bang.
AI in Sparks compared to Microsoft Copilot
Sparks includes a configurable AI agent with context from calendar, contacts, channels and chats. Compared to Microsoft Copilot you keep control over provider, model and data.
| Aspect | Sparks AI agent | Microsoft Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Context | Calendar, contacts, channels, unread messages (Matrix, optional Teams) | M365 data in the Microsoft cloud |
| Features | Meeting prep, scheduling, contact search, project reports from channels/chats | Summaries, search, content creation across M365 apps |
| Provider & model | Your choice (e.g. OpenAI, Azure, local models), your own API key | Microsoft models, tied to M365/Copilot licence |
| Data & location | Your own API key, optional self-hosted AI, EU hosting of the app | Processing in Microsoft data centres, contract with Microsoft |
| Pricing | No AI surcharge in SMB plan; you provide API key or own infrastructure | Additional Copilot licences per user/month |
With Sparks and M365 you keep familiar data sources, do without the Teams app for day-to-day use, and can use AI with your own control instead of Copilot – in the same interface.
Also using Google Workspace or Nextcloud? Sparks connects all backends simultaneously →
Using your own or hosted Exchange and SharePoint without Microsoft 365? Exchange & SharePoint (without M365) →