What is Slack?
Slack is a business communication platform built around channels — organized spaces for different teams, projects, or topics. Beyond chat, it includes huddles (voice), video calls, file sharing, and a massive app directory for integrations.
Its core advantage is the ecosystem. Over 2,600 integrations mean Slack becomes the central hub where notifications from every other tool flow into one place.
How We Tested
- Ran Slack as our primary team comms for a month
- Tested channels, huddles, video calls, and workflow builder
- Compared directly against Microsoft Teams and Discord
What We Loved
Pros
- Best-in-class UX and polish
- Massive app/integration ecosystem
- Huddles are excellent for quick calls
- Powerful search across history
- Great mobile experience
Cons
- Message history capped on free plan
- Per-seat pricing adds up
- Can become a distraction source
- Teams bundle may be cheaper for O365 users
Pricing
- Free: Channels, 1:1 calls, 90-day message history
- Pro ($7.25/seat/month): Unlimited history, group calls, integrations
- Business ($12.50/seat/month): SSO, compliance, advanced admin
Slack's free plan is usable but the 90-day message history limit pushes most growing teams to Pro. Pricing is reasonable for what you get, though Microsoft Teams is effectively free with Microsoft 365.
Who Should Use It
Perfect for: startups and companies that value modern UX, external collaboration with clients/partners, and a deep integration ecosystem.
Not ideal for: organizations already deep in Microsoft 365 (Teams is bundled and free), or very cost-sensitive teams that could get by with Discord's free tier.
Slack vs Alternatives
| Tool | Score | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slack | 9.0 | $7.25/seat | Standalone team comms |
| Microsoft Teams | 8.3 | Bundled w/ O365 | Microsoft ecosystem |
| Discord | 7.8 | Free | Budget comms |
| Google Chat | 7.2 | Bundled w/ Workspace | Google users |
FAQ
Is Slack free to use?
Yes, Slack has a free plan with channels, direct messages, and 1:1 calls. The main limitation is 90-day message history. Paid plans start at $7.25/seat/month for unlimited history and integrations.
Is Slack better than Microsoft Teams?
Slack has better UX, integrations, and is generally preferred by teams that aren't locked into Microsoft 365. Teams wins on price (bundled with O365) and native Office integration. Choose based on your existing ecosystem.
Why do people use Discord instead of Slack?
Discord is free with unlimited history, making it attractive for communities and budget-conscious teams. However, Slack is more business-focused with better integrations, search, and administrative controls.