Microsoft Mesh Alternatives in 2026: After the Teams 3D Space Was Retired
On December 1, 2025, Microsoft retired the Immersive space (3D) view in Teams meetings, Microsoft Mesh on the web, and the Mesh PC and Quest apps. Microsoft replaced them with immersive events in Teams: scheduled events for all-hands, showcases, onboarding and training. If you want an always-on 3D office rather than a scheduled event, Katmai is the closest replacement. It's a photorealistic 3D office where your team works together on live video, in the browser with no headset.
This guide is published by Katmai. Competitor details come from each vendor's own site; check them before you buy.
What Microsoft replaced Mesh with
Immersive events in Teams are scheduled from the Teams or Outlook calendar and run on PC, Mac and Meta Quest. Hosting needs a qualifying Microsoft license, so check Microsoft's current requirements. They are events, not an office: there is no persistent 3D space between meetings.
Microsoft Mesh alternatives compared
|
Product |
Persistent space |
What you see |
Published price |
|
Teams immersive events |
No, scheduled events |
3D event spaces |
Needs a qualifying Microsoft license |
|
Katmai |
Yes |
Real people on live video in a photorealistic 3D office |
$25 per user per month, every feature included |
|
Gather |
Yes |
Avatars on a 2D map, with video |
Essential $12 per member per month billed annually ($15 billed monthly) |
|
Kumospace |
Yes |
Avatars in a virtual space, with video |
Free for up to 5 registered members; Business $16 per user per month, paid annually |
|
SoWork |
Yes |
Avatars in a virtual office |
Free for up to 10 members; Basic $5.40, Premium $12 per member per month, billed annually |
Which one fits?
- All-hands and training events inside Microsoft 365: Teams immersive events.
- An everyday office where people see each other as themselves: Katmai.
- An everyday office with avatars: Gather, Kumospace or SoWork.
FAQ
Is Microsoft Mesh discontinued?
Yes. On December 1, 2025, Microsoft retired Mesh on the web, the Mesh PC and Quest apps, and the Immersive space (3D) view in Teams meetings.
What replaced Microsoft Mesh?
Immersive events in Teams: scheduled 3D events for all-hands, showcases, onboarding and training. They are not a persistent office.
What is the best alternative to the Teams immersive space for daily work?
For an always-on 3D office, Katmai. Your team works together on live video in a photorealistic 3D office, in the browser.
Does Microsoft Teams have a virtual office?
Not a persistent 3D one since December 1, 2025. Teams supports scheduled immersive events.
Related: Katmai vs Microsoft Teams · Best 3D virtual office software · All alternatives guides · Book a Katmai demo