Overall Findings
Slack and Microsoft Teams have apps for all operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also access either platform using any web browser. Both support persistent conversation threads, file sharing, and integration with hundreds of third-party apps. Slack is more familiar to workers and offers more themes for customizing the interface; however, Teams supports full integration with Microsoft 365 and has more features than Slack. Both platforms offer flexible premium options, but you can get a full Microsoft 365 license with Teams for the price you’d pay for a Slack Plus plan.
Chat and Video Conferencing: Teams Boasts More Features
Conversations work similarly on both platforms. For example, if you tag a user by adding @name to a message, they will receive a notification. You can use GIFs and stickers, but Teams is better integrated with Giphy and Bitmoji, and it also has a handy tool for creating memes. Most importantly, Teams offers superior voice and video conferencing thanks to built-in integration with Skype. The free version of Teams has fewer restrictions than the free version of Slack, and the handy ability to record meetings.
Apps Integration: Teams Uses Software Slack Doesn’t
With over 800 supported apps, almost any other productivity app you can think of is compatible with Slack. Microsoft Teams is also compatible with hundreds of apps, but there are limits to the number of integrations you can have, even with paid plans. Microsoft Teams and Slack also have helpful bots. For example, you can ask Slackbot questions about how to use Slack and receive updates about new features. While the free version of Teams doesn’t support bots, the premium packages give users access to Microsoft’s WhoBot, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the user experience. There are also bots for Zoom, Trello, GitHub, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other programs.
Pricing: Microsoft Teams and Slack Offer Flexible Plans
For some small businesses, the free versions of Slack and Microsoft Teams may suffice, but both offer premium tiers for larger organizations. In Slack, there’s no limit to the number of users who can access a workspace for free, but free users can only view the most recent 10,000 messages. Slack costs just $6.67 a month per user for the Standard plan, which gives you unlimited app support, increased storage space, screen sharing, and the option to set up guest access. The Slack Plus plan is $12.50 a month per user, while Enterprise plans vary based on the needs of the organization. Microsoft Teams offers free screen sharing and free guest access, but workspaces are limited to 300 users. While the free version of Microsoft Teams supports more apps than Slack, it comes with less free storage space. The Microsoft 365 Business Essentials plan, which costs $5 a month per user, still limits workspaces to 300 users, but it unlocks features like OneDrive integration, screen recording for meetings, and email hosting with Microsoft Exchange. It also comes with technical support from Microsoft. The Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan removes limits on users and storage space while adding advanced features like two-factor authentication.
Final Verdict
Thanks to its superior video conferencing capabilities and robust support, Microsoft Teams is the better choice for online collaboration, especially for organizations that already have an Microsoft 365 subscription. However, Slack has been around for longer, so many people are more comfortable with it. If you’re used to Slack, it may not be worth the effort to make the switch.
