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The 10 Best Slack Alternatives

Jannik Lindner
Jannik Lindner
  • Last Updated: November 21, 2023

The 10 best Slack alternatives provide various options for team communication and collaboration, featuring platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, Chanty, Flock, Mattermost, Discord, Zoho Cliq, Ryver, Rocket.Chat, and Twist.

Learn more about our top picks for: Slack Alternatives

Slack alternatives refer to different communication and collaboration tools similar to Slack, used for team interfacing, task management, and project coordination. These include applications like Microsoft Teams, which offers a more holistic integration within the Microsoft suite; Asana, primarily used for project management; Flock, which offers similar functionalities as Slack but with an enhanced user interface and task management features; Discord, leaning more towards the gaming community but often used for non-gaming purposes, and Trello, renowned for visual-based task management. Other alternatives are Telegram, Mattermost, and Twist, each offering unique functionalities alongside standard messaging features, based on different user requirements.

The Best Products

Our Recommendations: Slack Alternatives

  1. Microsoft Teams
  2. Trello
  3. Asana
  4. Discord
  5. Google Chat
  6. Mattermost
  7. Chanty
  8. Zoho Cliq
  9. Ryver
  10. Twist

Pick #1

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaborative communication platform offered by Microsoft, serving as a feature-packed alternative to Slack. It forms part of the Office 365 suite and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, facilitating efficient workflow. Microsoft Teams offers messaging, calling, video meetings, and file sharing features, just like Slack. It comes with added benefits like extensive file storage, superior video quality, full Office integration, and advanced security measures. The platform is an ideal choice for businesses already using or planning to use other Microsoft services.

Integration with Microsoft 365 - Microsoft Teams integrates fully with Microsoft 365 products like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. This comprehensive integration allows for seamless collaboration and productivity within a familiar ecosystem.
Video Conferencing - Microsoft Teams offers robust video conferencing capabilities, with options for scheduling, screen sharing, recording meetings, and even blurring backgrounds.
Hierarchical Structure - Teams have a more organized hierarchical structure for channels and groups, making it easier for larger organizations to structure their communication and collaboration in a way that mirrors their organization.
File Storage - Microsoft Teams provides more file storage capacity than Slack, which can be particularly beneficial for businesses and enterprises with substantial data storage needs.
Microsoft Ecosystem Integration - Teams is not just integrated with Microsoft 365, but it also allows for easy connectivity with other Microsoft ecosystems like Dynamics 365, Azure, and Power BI. This can make Teams more appealing to businesses heavily invested in Microsoft's platform.
Integration Limitations - Microsoft Teams has impressive integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365, however, it doesn't support as many third-party integrations as Slack does. This could make Teams less appealing to those who rely heavily on non-Microsoft applications.
Complexity - Microsoft Teams tends to have a steeper learning curve than Slack. Teams' user interface, though feature-rich, can be overwhelming for new users. It may take time and training for users to become proficient.
Guest Access - While Microsoft Teams offers guest access, it is a bit more complicated than Slack's. Guests need a Microsoft account and organizations often face issues setting permissions and access for guest users.
Channel Overload - In Microsoft Teams, once a channel is created, it can't be deleted (only hidden). With increased use, this can lead to a cluttered workspace with numerous inactive or unnecessary channels which can be confusing for users to navigate.
Performance and Speed - Users have reported that Microsoft Teams tends to be slower than Slack. It uses more system resources which can lead to the app running slowly, especially if multiple other softwares are in use at the same time.
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Pick #2

Trello

Trello is a popular project management tool that serves as an alternative to Slack, primarily focusing on task organization and team collaboration. Unlike Slack which is centered around instant messaging, Trello utilizes a board-and-card system to track projects, assign tasks, and monitor progress. It offers a visual, flexible, and easy-to-use platform for teams to manage tasks across multiple projects, making it an ideal option for those who prefer a more structured, task-oriented approach to collaboration and communication. While it does include a chat feature for communication, discussions are linked directly to tasks or projects, keeping a clear line of relevance and focus on the work at hand.

Powerful Visual Project Management - Trello uses the Kanban system, which allows a greater visual representation of the task workflow. Everything is clearly seen via boards, lists, and cards.
Task Management and Tracking - Trello allows tasks to be broken down into smaller parts, assigned to team members, and tracked until completion. It helps in keeping team members accountable for their responsibilities.
Integration Capabilities - Trello can seamlessly integrate with various other tools such as Google Drive, GitLab, Evernote, etc. making it easy for teams to access and consolidate information in one place.
User-Friendly Interface - Trello has an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making adoption easier even for non-technical team members. This lowers the learning curve and eliminates the need for extensive training.
Flexibility and Customization - Unlike Slack, Trello offers customization options. Boards, lists, and cards can be tailored according to the needs of the project or team members, providing greater organizational flexibility.
Lack of Real-Time Communication: Trello is more of a project management tool than a real-time communication platform. Unlike Slack, it doesn't support instant messaging, which means team members cannot have real-time conversations or discussions.
Limited Integration: While Trello does allow for some integration with other applications, it's not as wide and varied as Slack. Slack has a vast array of chatbots and integrated apps, allowing it to be customized to a much higher degree.
Fewer Collaboration Features: Unlike Slack, Trello does not provide rich-text formatting, threaded conversations, and user-friendly file sharing within chat. This can make it less conducive for collaborative work.
Poor Performance with Large Teams: As team size and project complexity scale up, Trello can become slower and more cumbersome to use. In comparison, Slack is better equipped to handle large teams and broader informational structures.
No Video or Voice Chat: While Slack provides built-in video and voice chat options, Trello does not offer such functionalities, making it less desirable in situations where face-to-face communication is crucial.
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Pick #3

Asana

Asana is a highly acclaimed alternative to Slack that focuses more on project management than on communication. It helps teams to organize, track, and manage their work with tools like to-do lists, reminders, and status updates. Also, it offers features for task assignments, timelines, file attachments, and calendars for scheduling. While it does provide some communication tools such as comments and conversations, its primary strength lies in managing projects and tasks, making it essential for teams that require a more rigid and structured approach towards managing their work.

Project Management: Asana is fundamentally a project management tool. Unlike Slack, it possesses a robust project management structure that enables users to see a project from their preferred view, be it a list, board, calendar, or timeline.
Goal Tracking: Users can keep track of their individual or team goals directly within the platform. This aligns workflows to the overall objectives, a feature Slack does not have natively.
Integrated Reporting: Asana provides users with project update capabilities where they can consolidate updates into a single, comprehensible report. Slack, on the other hand, is mainly for communication.
Task Hierarchies: Asana allows creating subtasks within tasks, providing a clear and detailed task breakdown structure which is not a built-in feature in Slack.
Customizability: To meet the unique needs of each project or task, Asana offers custom fields, allowing users to track critical project details right from the platform. Slack mainly focuses on chat history and data integration.
Lack of Direct Communication: Unlike Slack, Asana does not provide real-time chat features. While comments can be left on individual tasks, it does not support live chat or private messaging, which can slow down communication.
Complexity: Asana can be complicated and overwhelming for team members not familiar with project management tools. It has a considerable amount of features that can be difficult to learn and utilize fully. Meanwhile, Slack has a cleaner and more intuitive interface which is easier to adapt to.
Limited Customization: In comparison to Slack, Asana offers limited customization options. Slack allows users to personalize their experience with custom emojis, themes, and notifications. In contrast, Asana's interface and layouts are less customizable.
Task Overload: Asana's strength lies in its task management capabilities, but this can also be a downside for teams looking for a simple communication tool. The strong emphasis on tasks and projects can sometimes overshadow simple communication.
Struggle with large teams: Asana could be less efficient to use when working with larger teams. The visibility of individual tasks can get messy when there's a large number of team members, causing important tasks or communications to be missed, while Slack’s channels can accommodate and organize larger teams more efficiently.
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Pick #4

Discord

Discord is a highly versatile communication platform originally designed for gamers, but it has evolved to become a viable alternative to Slack for various communities and businesses. It supports text, voice, and video communications, with added functionality for community building such as dedicated servers, channels, bots, and various customization features. Discord also boasts robust moderation tools to ensure a safe and respectful environment for user engagement. Furthermore, its basic features are free to use, making it a cost-effective solution for smaller teams or groups looking for collaboration software.

Advanced Voice Quality: Discord offers crisp clear audio communication, which is a priority feature for teams that require constant and efficient communication. It supports VoIP, and there are options for audio quality and bandwidth usage.
Streaming Support: Discord supports video and audio streaming, making it a good option for teams who do a lot of live demonstrations or presentations. It lends itself well to non-business purposes like gaming or streaming sessions.
Server Flexibility: Discord users have the ability to create their own communities and invite others to join. They also have the power to moderate and control these communities themselves. Each server can have multiple channels, both text, and audio, and users can switch between these channels instantly.
Direct Messaging: Unlike Slack, Discord offers direct messaging without the need for a shared server. This ensures privacy in communication and convenience when reaching out to individuals outside of your team.
Rich Presence Features: Discord offers Rich Presence, which allows you to display detailed information about the current activity of users. This can be helpful for teams who want to share what project or task they're currently working on.
Discord's primary focus is on video game communities, which means it lacks some professional features that are found in Slack. For instance, Slack offers rich integrations with other business tools like Google Docs, Trello and Asana which are not as prolific in Discord.
Discord doesn't have a feature like Slack's 'Threads.' This allows for conversations within the chat to stay collated and organized. Without this, Discord chats can get cluttered and chaotic quickly, making it tough to track and keep up with important conversations.
While Discord includes voice channels, it lacks video conferencing and screen-sharing capabilities for more than 25 users at once. Large companies or teams may find this limiting compared to Slack, which can accommodate larger groups for video calls.
Discord does not have an extensive and searchable message history like Slack does. This can make it difficult to find previous conversations or decisions.
Discord lacks the robust administrative controls and user management features that Slack offers. An admin cannot manage user permissions, nor moderate content as effectively as they can in Slack. This may result in unproductive or inappropriate usage of the platform by members.
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Pick #5

Google Chat

Google Chat is a communication software developed by Google as part of its Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) offering. As an alternative to Slack, it provides robust features for direct messaging and team discussion, making it easier for team members to collaborate no matter where they are located. On top of text messaging, it supports voice and video calls, file sharing, and integration with other Google Workspace apps such as Calendar and Drive, permitting seamless synchronization and productivity within your team. What makes Google Chat a viable Slack alternative is the fact that it’s included with Google Workspace subscriptions, which many businesses already utilize for email, document collaboration, and other productivity tools.

Seamless Integration with Google Workspace: Google Chat is directly integrated with Google Workspace (previously Gsuite). This means you can easily share and collaborate on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar directly from the chat.
Deep Search Capabilities: Google's strength in search is also evident in Google Chat. You can quickly find past conversations and files with its powerful search function, even being able to search within a document shared in a chat.
Built-In AI: Google Chat benefits from Google's AI technology with features like Smart Reply, direct assistance from Google Assistant, and automated scheduling and reminders.
Enhanced Productivity with Room: Rooms in Google Chat are designed to provide a shared space for teams to collaborate on projects from start to finish. These include conversations, files, tasks which significantly enhance productivity.
Universal Google Accessibility: Google Chat chats can be accessed from Gmail on web, which makes it ubiquitous and handy for those already using Google's services. No need to switch between apps.
Less integration capabilities: Unlike Slack, Google Chat does not support a wide array of third-party integrations. Slack allows for integrations with over 1,500 different services, which significantly boost its functionality such as GitHub, Trello, and many others.
Limited user management: Google Chat lacks advanced user management options found in Slack. For instance, it does not provide as many user roles and you don't have as much control over members' permissions.
Disadvantage 3: Narrow customization options: Google Chat falls short in terms of customization when compared to Slack. Slack allows for more personalization when it comes to themes, layout preferences, and notification settings.
Lacks polished feel: User experience on Google Chat can feel less intuitive and satisfying compared to Slack. The interface is minimalistic and lacks the polish and aesthetic appeal that makes Slack enjoyable to use.
Confusing Threaded conversations: Threaded conversations in Google Chat can be a bit confusing and less intuitive than in Slack. It becomes challenging to track and manage multiple discussions concurrently.
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Pick #6

Mattermost

Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted online chat service that serves as an excellent alternative to Slack. It presents a platform that offers workplace messaging for web, phones, and PCs with archiving and search capabilities. Being self-hosted, Mattermost allows businesses to maintain control over their data and flexibly use the software to fit a company’s specific needs. It supports multi-channel communication, private messaging, file and image sharing, and offers robust integration capabilities with other tools, much like Slack but with added benefits of security and customization.

Self-Hosting: Mattermost, unlike Slack, offers the ability for users to host their own servers. This enables more control over data, its location, and the overall system configuration.
Integration Capabilities: Mattermost has a robust API and supports a wide variety of integrations, allowing users to build and automate custom workflows that align with their unique operational needs better than Slack's standard integrations.
Open-Source Nature: Being an open-source tool, Mattermost is highly customizable in terms of functionality and user interface. You can modify its code to suit your specific needs, which isn't possible with Slack.
Compliance and Audit Features: Mattermost offers better compliance and auditing features, allowing organizations to comply with data retention policies and governance requirements more effectively than when using Slack.
Multilanguage Support: Mattermost supports different languages allowing for better inclusivity and global usability. In comparison, Slack has more limited language options.
Lack of built-in video and audio calling: Unlike Slack that has built-in video and audio calling, Mattermost relies on plugins or integrations with other software for this feature which adds another layer of management and potential issues.
Limited integrations: When compared to Slack, Mattermost has a visible lack of integrations with other tools. This limits the versatility and convenience it can provide to a company that uses a variety of software solutions for its operations.
Self-hosting complexities: While self-hosting can be an advantage for companies wanting complete control, it can also be a disadvantage for companies without the technical expertise required to manage and maintain a self-hosted solution such as Mattermost.
User Interface: Mattermost’s user interface is not as interactive and intuitive as that of Slack, this may potentially result in a longer learning curve for new users.
No freemium version: Unlike Slack, which provides a free option with limited features, Mattermost only offers a trial run. After the trial period ends, organizations must pay to continue using the service.
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Pick #7

Chanty

Chanty is a team collaboration and communication software that offers a viable alternative to Slack. It is renowned for its simplicity and practicality in providing a streamlined platform for team messaging, file sharing, task management, and video calls. It features unlimited message history and supports integrations with numerous third-party applications, thereby enhancing its functionality. Further, Chanty is praised for its affordability and user-friendly interface, engineered for teams seeking an efficient and cost-effective communication solution.

Unlimited Message History - Unlike Slack, which limits the free version users to the most recent 10,000 messages, Chanty provides unlimited message history even on its free tier plan.
Integrated Task Management - Chanty allows users to convert conversations into tasks. This feature can help streamline workflows and avoid switching between different platforms, unlike in Slack where you need to integrate a separate task management app.
AI-Powered Features - Chanty makes use of AI to provide smart suggestions and present an adaptive, intuitive interface. It can suggest responses, help find older messages, and more. While Slack also uses AI, Chanty's implementation makes these features more accessible and user-friendly.
Superior Audio/Video Calling Quality - While both Chanty and Slack offer audio and video calling, many users find Chanty's feature to be more stable and of higher quality, providing a better experience, especially for larger teams.
TeamBook Function - Chanty provides a TeamBook feature, which is a single hub for team conversations, tasks, projects and files. This keeps everything organized in one place which is something that Slack doesn't have natively.
Limited Integrations - Unlike Slack, which supports a plethora of third-party integrations, Chanty currently has limited integration capability. This could limit the usability for teams using a wide array of tools.
Lack of Video Conferencing - Chanty does not have built-in video conferencing capabilities. Although it integrates with Zapier, it lacks the ease of use that Slack’s integrated video calling feature offers.
Lack of Direct Messaging Arrangement - Chanty does not provide the possibility to organize direct messages unlike Slack, which may lead to a cluttered and disorganized interface, especially for large teams.
Absence of Workflow Builder - Slack provides a tool to automate routine actions and processes within the application, but currently there is no such feature in Chanty.
Insufficient Advanced Features - Chanty lacks some advanced features for project management, such as to-do lists or reminders, which are found on Slack. This could add extra steps in the workflow or demand the integration of another tool.

Pick #8

Zoho Cliq

Zoho Cliq is a business communication software that serves as an affordable alternative to Slack. Functioning as a part of the larger suite of Zoho applications, it provides a seamless platform for organizations to collaborate and communicate via text, audio and video chat across departments, locations, and time zones. Apart from unlimited message storage and search, it features advanced file sharing, task management options, and integration capabilities with numerous external applications. Its unique provision for custom functionalities using commands and bots further elevates its standing as a competent Slack substitute.

Integration with other Zoho Apps: Zoho Cliq allows seamless integration with other Zoho applications like Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, Zoho People etc., providing a more comprehensive and streamlined business solutions suite than with Slack.
Built-in File Viewer: Zoho Cliq has a built-in file viewer that enables users to view shared files directly within the chat window, which is not as fluid in Slack.
Unlimited Message History: Unlike Slack's limitation on message history in its free plan, Zoho Cliq offers unlimited message history, giving you unfettered access to your old messages anytime you need them.
Task Management: Zoho Cliq provides a task management functionality where users can create and assign tasks directly from chat windows, a feature not as prominent in Slack.
User Role Customization: Zoho Cliq is designed to allow user role customization, which provides control over permissions. This can grant certain users more capabilities than others based on their roles within the organization, a feature that may not be as customizable with Slack.
Limited App Integrations - Unlike Slack, Zoho Cliq does not have the same level of third-party app integration. While it integrates well with other Zoho apps, it might not sync as smoothly with your other work apps.
User Interface - Zoho Cliq's interface isn't as intuitive or user-friendly as Slack's. This can lead to a steeper learning curve for team members who aren't as tech-savvy.
Limited Workspace Customization - Slack provides more opportunities for workspace customization than Zoho Cliq. This can make Slack a more flexible choice for businesses with specific workspace preferences.
File Sharing Capabilities - Zoho Cliq has more restrictions on file size and type for sharing within the platform. This can limit the types of information that can be shared quickly and easily within the team.
Stability Issues - Zoho Cliq has been reported to have more technical glitches and stability issues than Slack. This could affect productivity if the software regularly struggles with crashes or downtime.
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Pick #9

Ryver

Ryver is a team communication and task management platform, often cited as an alternative to Slack. Ryver combines the free, unlimited team communication model that Slack introduced and adds an open, collaborative Task Manager on top of it. This means you not only get the powerful chat and team messaging features but also task management capabilities like creating, assigning and following tasks right within your chats, thereby making it more versatile and comprehensive for team collaboration. An additional advantage is that Ryver offers unlimited users and chat capabilities in its free version, making it an appealing and budget-friendly choice for many businesses.

Unlimited Message History - Unlike Slack which stores 10,000 of your team’s most recent messages, Ryver offers unlimited message history which is essential in terms of documenting or backtracking information.
Embedded Native Task Manager - Ryver has built-in task management, with a full Kanban board within each team. Slack, on the other hand, relies on integrations for this kind of functionality.
Forum Creation- Ryver enables users to easily create forums, or public discussion spaces. This is a unique feature to maintain organized group discussions that aren't available on Slack.
All-in-one Communication Platform - Ryver integrates team communication, task management, and workflow automation in one platform, unlike Slack which primarily focuses on team communication.
Easy Transition From Private to Public Chats - Using Ryver, users can seamlessly switch between private and public conversations, while crutial information can be selectively transferred over. Slack doesn’t have this feature.
Limited Third-Party Integrations - While Slack provides integrations with a plethora of third-party applications out of the box, Ryver's integration options are more limited, which can be a problem for teams relying on certain tools.
UI/UX Maturity - Comparatively, Ryver's user interface and user experience are less refined than Slack. Users often report that navigation within the platform can be perplexing and messy.
Slower Search - Ryver's search functionality is not as robust or as efficient as that of Slack. Searching for past conversations, files or links may take more time and can affect productivity.
Limited Task Management - While Ryver promotes itself as having built-in task management, it's relatively simple and might not provide all the functionality that a team might need for project management. Teams may still need to utilize an external project management tool alongside Ryver.
Audio/Video Conferencing - Ryver's in-built audio and video conferencing feature may not be as reliable or clear as one would prefer. Although Slack also relies on third-party integrations for its own conferencing capability, its integrations often perform better than Ryver's native tools.
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Pick #10

Twist

Twist is a communication app that prioritizes focused, meaningful work over being always-on. Designed as an alternative to Slack, Twist offers an organized, threaded conversation model that keeps discussions on-topic and easily searchable for future reference. Unlike Slack’s real-time chat, which can be disruptive and overwhelming, Twist encourages asynchronous communication allowing team members across time zones to contribute without missing the context. It also integrates with popular tools like Todoist and GitHub and offers robust options for guests and external collaborators. Twist’s emphasis on mindful communication makes it an attractive Slack alternative, especially for remote and distributed teams.

Organized Communication: Unlike Slack where messages can get lost in a stream of conversation, Twist keeps communication organized in threads. These threads can be about different projects or topics and this feature makes it easier to keep track of and revisit previous discussions.
Asynchronous Communication: Twist encourages asynchronous communication by design, meaning that unlike Slack, there is no pressing expectation of instant reply. This can be particularly useful for distributed teams who work in different time zones.
Enhanced Focus: Twist avoids the continuous interruptions and distractions that often surround Slack's usage. Instead, it promotes an environment of focused work with clearly segmented conversations.
Durability of Content: In Twist, the content is designed to stick around and be referenceable for a long time. On the other hand, in Slack, the content can be lost after a certain limit unless you are on a paid plan.
Integrated Mindmapping: Twist has integration with MindMeister, which allows for real-time collaborative brainstorming and mind mapping. This feature isn't available with Slack and it can be beneficial for organizing thoughts, plans and strategies collaboratively.
Slower real-time communication: Twist primarily promotes asynchronous communication. While this can reduce distractions, it can also slow down immediate, real-time communication which is sometimes crucial in team collaboration.
Limited integrations: Twist doesn't offer as many integrations as Slack does. Slack’s app directory is filled with thousands of integrations, while Twist offers support for a limited number of apps. This can reduce the software's effectiveness in some work environments.
No video meeting feature: Unlike Slack, Twist does not have a built-in video call or meeting feature. Users must incorporate a third-party tool which can be an inconvenience.
Limited chat formatting options: Slack has rich text formatting with options to include bullet points, bold text, colored fonts and more within chat. Twist, however, lacks these formatting options which can make longer or more complex messages less readable.
Less intuitive user interface: While subjective, some users have cited Twist's user interface as less intuitive when compared to Slack. This can impact user-adoption rates, with new users potentially struggling to get acquainted with the platform.
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FAQs

What is a notable Microsoft alternative to Slack?

Microsoft Teams is a direct rival to Slack. It’s a collaboration platform that provides chat, meetings, video conferences and integration with other Microsoft 365 products.

What is a Slack alternative that focuses on project management?

Asana is a Slack alternative that shines in terms of project management. It offers features like task assignments, timelines, mailing app, and reports.

Can you recommend a free Slack alternative for small teams?

Yes, Zoho Cliq is a good alternative for small teams. It offers unlimited users, storage and channels even on its free plan.

Is there a Slack alternative suitable for companies heavily invested in Google Workspace?

Yes, Google Chat, formerly Hangouts Chat, is a great alternative for companies already using Google Workspace. It integrates seamlessly with Google’s other tools like Docs, Sheets and Meet.

Which Slack alternative is best for visual collaboration?

Trello, with its board-and-card system, is a fantastic visual collaboration tool. It’s great for managing projects and tasks, and it offers integration with many other tools.

Top 10: Best Slack Alternatives