Slack
Slack is the messenger for teams: communicate in channels instead of drowning in email, with over 2,600 app integrations.
Slack is the most well-known team messenger and has been part of Salesforce since 2021. It replaces internal emails with channels: conversations are organized by topics, projects, or teams instead of being buried in inboxes.
Teams use Slack to coordinate daily operations, spontaneously jump into audio calls via Huddle, and have bots report deployments, support tickets, or CRM updates directly in channels. Its strength lies in its ecosystem: over 2,600 apps, from HubSpot to Zapier, integrate without developer effort.
Microsoft Teams is already included in Microsoft 365, making it virtually free; Slack costs extra, and the free version only shows 90 days of message history. However, Slack is faster, more organized, and clearly ahead when it comes to integrations. Even with 50 employees, we're quickly talking about four-figure annual costs.
Ideal for companies that work extensively with external tools and value ease of use. If you're already deeply integrated into Microsoft 365 and just want to chat, Teams will be more cost-effective.
Functions
- App Directory with over 2,600 integrations from HubSpot to Zapier
- Slack Connect for shared channels with customers and partners
- Slack AI for summaries of long threads and channels
- Guest access for external project partners
- Platform APIs for custom bots and internal tools
Core Functions
- Channels for topics, projects, and teams instead of email distribution lists
- Huddles for impromptu audio and video calls
- Canvas and Lists for notes and light task management
- Workflow Builder for no-code automations
- Search across messages, files, and connected apps
Alternatives to
Slack
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a work management platform with a spreadsheet-style interface that combines familiar tables with powerful automation.
Wrike
Wrike is a work management platform designed for mid-sized and large teams, with a focus on marketing and professional services.
Trello
Trello is a simple Kanban board from Atlassian: just drag and drop cards across lists, get up and running in minutes, and use it for free.
monday.com
monday.com is a colorful Work OS toolkit that lets teams manage projects, processes, and tasks on vibrant boards.