The 12 Best Slack Alternatives for Every Business in 2026
Alan Chan
Technical Product Marketing Specialist
Aug 5, 2026
Alan Chan
Aug 5, 2026
26 min read
Looking for the Best Slack Alternatives in 2026?
Slack may be one of the most popular team communication apps, but it might not be a good fit for your business. I've tried over 24 most talked about tools and narrowed it down to my top 12 favorites to review their features and pricing in detail.
Many teams switch to other tools because of:
- Pricing: Slack's paid plans start at $7.25/user/month and rise quickly once you add Slack AI or storage
- Collaboration: Chat alone isn't enough; most teams also need docs, meetings and project management in one place
- Project management: Slack lacks native task and project tracking
- Notifications and focus: Constant pings hurt deep work; async-friendly tools (e.g. Twist, Lark topics) help
- Customization and security: Open-source and self-hosted options give regulated teams more control
Top picks for Slack alternatives :
If you're short on time, I highly recommend looking into these top 5 from the list of twelve:
- Lark: Best all-in-one Slack alternative: chat + docs + meetings + PM + AI
- Google Chat: Best for Google Workspace users
- Microsoft Teams: Best for Microsoft 365 users
- Rocket.Chat: Best for open-source and self-hosted needs
- Pumble: Best budget-friendly simple chat
Why pick a Slack alternative?
Slack has a huge following of die-hard fans. But can it meet your team's needs? After testing Slack ourselves and reading real user reviews on sites like G2 and Reddit, we noticed a few recurring issues:
- High pricing: Slack's free plan is limited, and once you upgrade to paid plans—especially if you add features like Slack AI—the costs rise quickly. For small businesses and startups, these expenses can add up, making other platforms more appealing.
- Collaboration frustrations: Slack works well for real-time messaging, but video calls, screen sharing, and document collaboration aren't always seamless. Teams that need smooth, real-time collaboration often look to other tools for a better experience.
- Security and control: For teams handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries, Slack's security features sometimes fall short. Options like end-to-end encryption, detailed access controls, and white-labeling are limited. Many organizations prefer tools that give them more control over how their data is managed.
- Limited customization: Slack's closed system can make it hard to adjust workflows or the interface to suit your team's unique needs. Organizations that rely on tailored processes often find other platforms easier to adapt, which can speed up adoption and improve productivity.
- Notifications everywhere: Finally, Slack can become overwhelming in larger teams. Constant pings can lead to notification fatigue, making it hard to stay focused on meaningful work.
While Slack has a lot going for it, teams looking for better collaboration, enhanced security, or lower costs may be better off exploring alternatives.
Best Slack alternatives at a glance
Pro tips on choosing an alternative based on your priorities:
- Budget: Lark offers the best value with a generous free plan that includes an entire suite of tools for up to 20 users. If you just need a simple messaging app, Pumble and Zoho Cliq are highly affordable options.
- Collaboration: Choose Lark if you want to bring your chats, meetings, documents, and project management into one unified workspace. For specific working styles, try Ryver for built-in task boards or Twist for asynchronous communication.
- Ecosystem: If you're already using Google or Microsoft products, Microsoft Teams and Google Chat are the natural choice.
- Open-source/self-hosted: As an open-source platform, Rocket.Chat allows you to self-host the software on your own servers for complete data control. This is great for highly regulated industries where strict privacy and compliance are non-negotiable.
12 best Slack alternatives in 2026
Here is my in-depth review of the 12 best Slack alternatives you should consider. I covered a wide range of tools to suit different teams' styles and habits, but the one thing they all have in common is exceptional messaging capabilities.
1. Lark — Best all-in-one Slack alternative in 2026
Lark is an all-in-one super app that brings messaging, video calls, document collaboration, file sharing, project management, approvals, and AI-powered workflows into a single platform. Unlike Slack and other tools, Lark's chat feature is not just integrated with productivity apps—it's at the center of the workflow, letting teams complete entire processes without switching between multiple tools.
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This design keeps work and communication perfectly in sync, reduces context switching, and makes search smarter, so you can find messages, events, and even document content instantly. Whether you're a startup or a large enterprise, a tech team or a frontline operation, Lark adapts to the way your business works—delivering everything you need in one unified platform.
Lark benefits:
- All-in-one platform: Lark combines instant messaging, voice and video communication, document collaboration, project management, and more—reducing the need to switch between apps.
- Schedule and start video calls: See your team's schedules and book a free slot in any chat. Start a video call directly and share your screen or document in a click—no extra apps or integrations required.
- Automate your work: Easily configure automations for your workflow or approval processes without any coding to keep work moving forward and meet all your deadlines.
- Mobile-friendly: Optimized for smartphones and desktops, Lark helps teams manage complex workflows and stay productive on the go. Apple users rate it 4.8 out of 5.
- AI-powered platform: Access AI features at no extra cost, including AI search, translation for messages and documents, content generation, and data analysis.
- Global collaboration: Real-time translation in chats, documents, and live meetings helps teams communicate clearly across languages, countries, and time zones.
- Significant cost savings: Lark replaces multiple subscriptions, offering all of Slack's features—and more—while saving up to 47% of your budget. Check how much you can save with Lark's pricing calculator.
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Lark limitations:
- Learning curve: For some advanced features, new users may need to explore the Lark Help Center or YouTube channel for more guidance.
Lark is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Lark vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Lark and Slack have different approaches to collaboration. Slack focuses on communication, (messages, channels, and notifications), leaving you to rely on third-party tools for documents, meetings, and project management. Lark brings every essential feature together in one superapp.
Here's what makes Lark different:
- Centralizes communication and collaboration with chat, video calls, and cloud docs, keeping your team connected.
- Lets your team handle CRM, project management, and other business operations together in one platform, so you don't need to pay for third-party systems or tools.
- Enables you to build and manage custom workflows and systems with no-code automation, streamlining tasks and approvals.
For many teams, this unified approach is exactly what they need to eliminate app fatigue and reduce software costs. Here's what one CEO experienced after making the switch from Slack to Lark:
"Coming to Lark from Slack and DingTalk, we were amazed at just how everything we needed was there in one simple to use app. Lark has helped our regional teams work better, has saved us time, money and makes working more joyful."
Mulyono Xu
Co-Founder & CEO
Lark reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
- Capterra rating: 4.4/5
Lark pricing:
- Starter plan: Free forever plan that includes 11 powerful tools for up to 20 users. It also comes with 100GB of storage space, 1000 automation runs, AI translations, and more. No credit card is needed.
- Basic plan: $6/user/month (billed annually) for up to 500 users. It includes everything in Starter, plus unlimited message history, 5TB of storage space, 1,000 automation runs, and more. Some users may need to contact sales to purchase this plan.
- Pro plan: $12/user/month (billed annually) for up to 500 users. It includes everything in Basic plus group calling for up to 500 attendees, 15TB of storage space, 50,000 automation runs, and more.
- Enterprise plan: Contact sales for custom pricing. Supports unlimited users and includes even more automation runs and advanced security, compliance, and management features.
Starter
Pro
Enterprise
Starter
For small teams with simple communication needs
$0
/ user / month
20 users max
18 months message history
1-on-1 video meetings
100 GB storage
Lark Docs & Mail
1000 Base automation runs/month
2000 rows per table in Base
Pro
For companies with comprehensive collaboration and management needs
$12
/ user / month
500 users max
Unlimited message history
500-participant video meetings
15 TB storage
Lark Docs & Mail
50k Base automation runs/month
20k rows per table in Base
Enterprise
For large companies with advanced security and organizational management needs
Get a personalized demo and pricing
Unlimited users
Unlimited message history
500-participant video meetings
15 TB storage + 30 GB storage/user
Lark Docs & Mail
500k Base automation runs/month
50k Base automation runs/month
Single sign-on (SSO)
Pro
For companies with comprehensive collaboration and management needs
$12
/ user / month
500 users max
Unlimited message history
500-participant video meetings
15 TB storage
Lark Docs & Mail
50k Base automation runs/month
20k rows per table in Base
2. Google Chat — Best Slack alternative for Google Workspace users
Image source: google.com
Google Chat is a great choice for teams already using Google Workspace (Formerly G Suite). It provides a unified workflow, tightly integrating with Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, and other Workspace apps, so your team can collaborate seamlessly without switching between multiple platforms like you would with Slack.
With threaded conversations, group chats, and shared spaces, Google Chat makes it easy to stay organized, share files, and keep projects moving—all within a familiar and intuitive interface.
Google Chat benefits:
- Tight integration with Google Workspace apps, including Google Drive, Google Docs, and more, for unified workflows
- Built-in Google AI features
- Robust security and strict data privacy
- Easy-to-use interface for users already familiar with other Google services
- Unlimited message history
Google Chat limitations:
- Limited third-party integrations compared to Slack's vast app ecosystem
- Less customization and fewer advanced features than Slack
- Not ideal for large organizations with complex communication needs and intricate workflows
Google Chat is available on:
- Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Google Chat vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Google Chat may not match Slack feature-for-feature, but it does offer a simple, no-cost solution within the Google Workspace ecosystem. For Google customers looking for a communication tool, it eliminates the need to pay for a tool like Slack.
Here's what makes Google Chat different:
- Connects your team to Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meet, so most of your work lives in one ecosystem.
- Organizes your conversations into Spaces and group chats, making it easy to collaborate without switching tools.
- It doesn't have a simple calling interface like Slack does. When you start a call, it opens a separate, more powerful Google Meet application.
Google Chat reviews:
- G2 rating: N/A
- Capterra rating: 4.5/5
Google Chat pricing:
- Google Chat is free with any Google account. Google Workspace pricing starts at $7/user/month and offers additional features through the app library.
3. Microsoft Teams — Best Slack alternative for Microsoft 365 users
Image source: microsoft.com
Microsoft Teams is an obvious Slack alternative for your team if you're already working within Microsoft's ecosystem. It combines messaging, real-time virtual meetings, and calls in a single platform, making team collaboration seamless.
For companies deeply integrated with Microsoft 365, Teams is a natural choice, offering tight integration with apps like Word, Excel, and SharePoint. On top of that, its pricing provides excellent value, with higher-tier subscriptions including access to the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools.
Microsoft Teams benefits:
- Easy to learn for teams using the Microsoft ecosystem
- Higher-tier bundled pricing makes it cost-effective as you scale
- Excellent video conferencing capabilities
- Allows teams to structure group conversations around projects
- Apps enable teams to collaborate and edit work within Teams
Microsoft Teams limitations:
- The free version significantly limits file storage space and customization features
- Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming compared to alternatives
- Users report slow load times and notification delays
Microsoft Teams is available on:
- Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Microsoft Teams vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Microsoft Teams and Slack reflect different philosophies. Slack acts as an open hub, connecting to 2,400+ third-party apps, while Teams is a closed, all-in-one suite within Microsoft's ecosystem. To put it simply, you choose Slack for flexibility, and you choose Teams for consolidation.
Here's what makes Microsoft Teams different:
- Deeply connected to other Microsoft 365 tools such as Word and Outlook. However, you need to make sure you choose the right plan. Some Microsoft plans only include Microsoft Teams without other products.
- Powerful video conferencing, which replaces Skype and is capable of hosting large meetings, not just quick chats.
- Threads group replies to messages, creating a focused conversation that's organized, but this may feel more rigid than Slack for some users.
Microsoft Teams reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
- Capterra rating: 4.5/5
Microsoft Teams pricing:
- Free plan available for personal use only. Paid plans at $4 per user per month. For more details on pricing, see Microsoft Teams Pricing.
4. Rocket.Chat — Best for teams that need an open-source Slack alternative
Image source: rocket.chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source alternative to Slack that offers numerous possibilities for organizations interested in self-hosting their communication platforms. It's especially recognized for its on-premise deployment, a distinct difference from Slack's cloud-centric approach.
Companies with strict data privacy policies or those who prefer on-premise solutions may find Rocket.Chat is a more suitable alternative to Slack. It's advantageous for organizations that lean towards open-source solutions, as it allows for customization and control that Slack may not provide.
Rocket.Chat benefits:
- Strong emphasis on security for data-focused organizations
- Highly customizable solution
- Very intuitive user interface
- Unlimited chat history
- It's very affordable
Rocket.Chat limitations:
- Self-hosting requires technical expertise
- Users report quirks and bugs in its mobile app
- Smaller community and fewer integrations than some competitors
Rocket.Chat is available on:
- Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Rocket.Chat vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Rocket.Chat doesn't target the mainstream market like Slack does. It focuses on high-security, compliance-heavy sectors. In addition, it's open-source, so your organization can take care of data and security using its own private servers.
Here's what makes Rocket.Chat different:
- Open-source means you can install it on your own servers (on-premise) instead of using the cloud.
- Self-hosting lets you have 100% control of your data, which makes it ideal for industries like government, healthcare, or finance.
- You can access the source code to customize anything, making it a truly personalized chat app.
Rocket.Chat reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.2/5
- Capterra rating: 4.3/5
Rocket.Chat pricing:
- Rocket.Chat has a free plan and paid plans start at $8 per user/month.
5. Pumble — Best alternative to Slack for budget-friendly communication
Image source: pumble.com
Pumble brings together team messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing into a simple, easy-to-use platform for collaboration. It's a cost-effective solution, especially suited for small to mid-sized teams looking for a reliable communication tool.
With an interface and workflow similar to Slack, teams transitioning to Pumble can quickly adapt, making it an appealing alternative for businesses that want Slack-like functionality without the higher cost.
Pumble benefits:
- Budget-friendly alternative to Slack
- Fast and responsive, even with large team discussions
- Includes task management and user survey features
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Free starter plan with affordable paid options
Pumble limitations:
- Restricted feature set compared to more robust platforms
- Primarily suited for small to medium-sized teams
- Limited integrations as it's still developing
Pumble is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Pumble vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Pumble tries to compete with Slack through its generous free plan and cheap prices. It offers a familiar interface without much innovation, mainly targeting users frustrated with Slack's cost.
Here's what makes Pumble different:
- The free plan saves your entire message history, while Slack's hides everything older than 90 days.
- Paid plans cost significantly less per user than Slack.
- Customer support 24/7 is available for all users. This includes those on the free plan.
Pumble reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.5/5
- Capterra rating: 4.7/5
Pumble pricing:
- Pumble has a free basic plan. Paid plans start at $2.49 per user per month.
6. WhatsApp Business — Best Slack competitor for customer engagement
Image source: whatsapp.com
While WhatsApp is widely known for personal messaging, it also offers a dedicated business app designed for small businesses and local enterprises. WhatsApp Business allows companies to engage customers directly, handle inquiries, and provide support through interactive conversations.
For teams looking for a free, easy-to-use Slack alternative to communicate with customers, WhatsApp Business offers a straightforward way to stay connected and manage interactions.
WhatsApp Business benefits:
- It's free to use for basic features
- Allows you to connect and interact with customers
- Automates tasks such as customer conversations for faster service
- Encrypted and secure
- Enables automated communication
WhatsApp Business limitations:
- Lacks important features, like threaded conversations and document collaboration
- Compared to Slack, there are limited integrations to streamline workflows
- Not designed to handle internal communication
WhatsApp Business is available on:
- Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
WhatsApp Business vs. Slack: What's the difference?
WhatsApp Business focuses specifically as a tool for sales and support teams to communicate with customers, which is a feature offered by Slack through Slack Connect. While they may not be direct competitors, WhatsApp Business is a great alternative if you're not satisfied with how Slack lets you communicate externally.
Here's what makes WhatsApp Business different:
- It's designed for businesses to talk with customers, vendors, and partners rather than for internal team-to-team.
- Conversations are organized by phone numbers in a single chat list, not separate channels like in Slack.
- Run ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram that link directly to a WhatsApp chat with your business.
WhatsApp Business reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.6/5
- Capterra rating: N/A
WhatsApp Business pricing:
- WhatsApp Business is free to start. There are also custom pricing options for larger businesses.
7. Zoho Cliq — Best Slack alternative for Zoho users on a budget
Image source: zoho.com
Zoho Cliq is a strong option for businesses already invested in Zoho's suite of applications that are looking for an alternative to Slack. It offers multi-panel chat, built-in automation, and seamless integration with other Zoho tools, making it easier for teams to communicate and collaborate efficiently.
For small and mid-sized teams, Zoho Cliq helps streamline workflows, manage projects, and stay connected—all within a familiar and unified platform.
Zoho Cliq benefits:
- Affordable pricing compared to Slack
- Strong security with end-to-end encryption
- Unlimited message history on all plans
- Excellent integration with Zoho's ecosystem
Zoho Cliq limitations:
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to Slack
- The interface may feel cluttered for new users
Zoho Cliq is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Zoho Cliq vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Zoho Cliq offers Slack-like team chat with built-in task management and workflow automation. It's a cost-friendly alternative for small and mid-sized businesses, though Slack remains stronger in third-party app integrations.
Here's what makes Zoho Cliq different:
- Deep, native integration with the entire Zoho ecosystem (like Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, etc.). If your company already uses other Zoho apps, Cliq is the natural, built-in choice.
- Significantly cheaper plans if you just need communication tools.
- Features built-in that Slack lacks, such as a "multi-chat view" to see several conversations at once and search that can read text inside uploaded images and documents
Zoho Cliq reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
- Capterra rating: 4.6/5
Zoho Cliq pricing:
- Zoho Cliq offers a free plan with essential features and paid plans starting at $1.80/user/month, making it one of the most budget-friendly Slack alternatives.
8. Telegram — Best Slack competitor for enhanced chat security
Image source: medium.com
Telegram, known for its speed and strong security features, is emerging as a solid Slack alternative. It's especially appealing for teams that prioritize privacy and encrypted communication in their business workflows.
With robust group and channel management, file sharing, and advanced privacy settings, Telegram provides a versatile platform that goes beyond simple messaging, making it a strong option for teams seeking secure communication.
Telegram benefits:
- End-to-end encryption to secure secret chats
- Very fast, reliable message delivery
- Large groups and channels make it ideal for broadcasting to large communities
- It's open-source and ad-free
Telegram limitations:
- Users complain that the interface is less intuitive than other tools
- Limited functionality for complex team chats
- Requires a phone number to sign up
Telegram is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Telegram vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Telegram is better for broadcasting your messages with the ability to reach thousands of people in a way Slack can't. While Slack does let you communicate with customers through its features, Telegram makes it much easier. If you need to communicate internally, Slack wins. But if you need to communicate externally, Telegram is a better choice.
Here's what makes Telegram different:
- Built for mass communication, allowing supergroups with up to 200,000 members.
- It's used primarily as a public broadcast platform or social network for your business rather than a private workspace for company projects.
- The secret chat feature allows you to send messages that can't be forwarded to other users and have a self-destruct timer.
Telegram reviews:
- G2 rating: N/A
- Capterra rating: 4.7/5
Telegram pricing:
- Telegram is a free group chat app that promises no ads, subscription fees, or tracking. Telegram does offer a Premium plan that costs $4.99 per month, though the exact price will vary depending on what country you are in.
9. Discord — Best alternative to Slack for community development and engagement
Image source: discord.com
Originally built for gamers, Discord has grown into a versatile platform for both community building and team communication. It supports casual conversations as well as more structured workplace discussions, making it a flexible choice for companies of all sizes.
With reliable performance across multiple devices and platforms, Discord is ideal for engaging with communities or connecting internal teams. Businesses can use it to quickly build and nurture communities, interact with customers, or even manage team projects.
Discord benefits:
- Strong community-building and engagement features
- Ideal for informal and formal workplace communication
- Easy to join and organize voice channels to simplify voice calling
- Excellent screen-sharing functionality and easy to send voice messages
Discord limitations:
- Reports of malware in some of the applications
- Becomes overwhelming for complex team structures
- Its focus on gaming communities might not suit all industry sectors compared to Slack
Discord is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Discord vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Discord is a Slack alternative focused on communities and real-time voice/video. Its free plan is generous compared to Slack's. However, Slack excels in professional B2B integrations and enterprise workflows. If you're a startup, gaming company, or focused on community-driven groups, Discord is worth considering.
Here's what makes Discord different:
- High-quality, "always-on" voice channels that you can pop in and out of, which are widely considered better than Slack's Huddles
- The free plan keeps your message history forever compared to Slack's 90 day limit.
- Built for managing large communities and has powerful moderation tools, like assigning roles and permissions, that Slack lacks.
Discord reviews:
- G2 rating: N/A
- Capterra rating: 4.7/5
Discord pricing:
- Discord offers a free version with the option to upgrade to two different Nitro plans (starting at $2.99/month), which provide additional quality during streaming, larger uploads, custom emojis, and more.
10. Flock — Best Slack replacement for a fun and engaging interface
Image source: flock.com
Flock focuses on making team communication enjoyable and engaging. With gamified features, emoji reactions, and custom themes, it creates a lively environment that encourages interaction and collaboration.
For teams looking for a fun yet organized alternative to Slack, Flock offers an interactive platform that keeps everyone engaged while maintaining productivity.
Flock benefits:
- Fun, engaging interface with customizable dashboards
- Intuitive design works well for beginners
- Feature-rich mobile app for on-the-go communication
- Basic plan comes with all its core features
- Integrated calendar functionality to streamline scheduling
Flock limitations:
- Gamified elements might not align with all professional environments
- Advanced features have a steep learning curve
- Fewer native integrations than more established platforms
Flock is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Flock vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Flock challenges Slack's hub model by bundling chat and basic task management, offering small businesses a simpler, cheaper, and more playful alternative with a gamified interface.
Here's what makes Flock different:
- Built-in productivity tools like to-do lists and polls, so you don't need to add as many third-party apps.
- Its free plan limits you to the most recent 10,000 messages instead of Slack's 90-day time limit, which may be better for teams that don't chat a lot.
- The paid "Pro" plan costs significantly less than Slack's plan and has a solid collection of team communication and collaboration features.
Flock reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
- Capterra rating: 4.5/5
Flock pricing:
- Flock has a free basic plan for up to 20 users, with a paid plan at $4.50 a month.
11. Ryver — Best Slack alternative for project communication
Ryver helps teams manage projects by bringing together chat, file sharing, and built-in task management into a single platform. This creates a centralized hub where project discussions, task coordination, and collaboration all happen in one place.
With Kanban boards for visualizing workflows, Ryver makes it easy to track progress, assign tasks, and keep everyone aligned—offering a practical alternative to Slack for teams that want project management integrated directly with their communication tools.
Ryver benefits:
- Centralized project management to combine task organization and communications
- Visual dashboards for easy project tracking
- Several ways to communicate synchronously and asynchronously
- Reporting and analytics to track communications and progress
- Robust mobile app for managing team communication on the go
Ryver limitations:
- It's expensive for larger teams
- Not suitable for highly complex projects with intricate dependencies
- Complex to set up integrations
Ryver is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Ryver vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Ryver combines communication and task management in a single tool, whereas Slack only handles the communication side unless you connect third-party apps. Another thing to notice is that Ryver's flat-rate pricing model removes the per-user friction that some businesses may have with Slack.
Here's what makes Ryver different:
- Combines team chat with a built-in Trello-style Kanban board for managing tasks.
- You pay a set price for a group of users instead of paying for each individual user.
- Includes a feature which works like a forum for long-form discussions that need to be more organized than a chat thread or channel.
Ryver reviews:
- G2 rating: 4.4/5
- Capterra rating: 4.4/5
Ryver pricing:
- There's a free plan with limited features. Paid plans start at $34.50 a month for 12 users.
12. Twist — Best Slack competitor for asynchronous communication
Twist addresses the challenges of coordinating across different time zones and schedules. Its threaded conversations and organized channels let team members follow discussions at their own pace, fitting collaboration around their calendars.
By supporting asynchronous communication, Twist allows teams to contribute and stay informed on their own terms, fostering focused, productive discussions while reducing the constant notification overload often experienced in Slack.
Twist benefits:
- Higher focus and less communication overload
- Searchable repository streamlines knowledge sharing
- Ideal for coordinating remote teams
- Easy to learn, even for less tech-savvy users
Twist limitations:
- Not designed to handle instant, real-time communication
- Advanced features can be complex to learn
- Limited personalization options
Twist is available on:
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Twist vs. Slack: What's the difference?
Twist offers an async-first alternative to Slack, designed for remote and distributed teams seeking focus and balance. While Slack enables fast, real-time collaboration, it can unintentionally encourage an ‘always-on' culture, which Twist seems firmly against.
Here's what makes Twist different:
- It's built for asynchronous work, meaning there is no expectation to be online at the same time or reply immediately, which is different to how Slack focuses on real-time communication.
- You can't send a message in a general channel. Every conversation must start as a thread with a subject, similar to an email.
- Twist intentionally hides the green dot that indicates whether you're online.
Twist reviews:
- G2 rating: 3.9/5
- Capterra rating: 4.3/5
Twist pricing:
- Twist offers a free plan for up to 5 users. Paid plans start at $5 per user per month.
Best Slack alternatives in 2026: Video
Prefer video instead? Watch our top picks for Slack alternatives below:
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Other tools and apps like Slack
Here are some more great Slack alternatives that didn't make the top 12:
- Chanty: Designed to boost team productivity, Chanty combines high-quality messaging, video conferencing, and task management in one platform.
- Zoom Workspace: Zoom Workspace integrates meetings, chat, whiteboarding, and calendar tools, making it ideal for teams that rely heavily on video communication. For more on Zoom products, see Zoom vs Zoom Workplace: Beginner Guide with Full Comparison.
- Element: Element focuses primarily on providing end-to-end encrypted conversations, making it perfect for teams that prioritize security and data privacy.
- Zulip: Zulip uses a threaded chat model to keep discussions clean, focused, and easy to follow, helping teams stay organized.
- Mattermost: Mattermost offers secure messaging and collaboration tools tailored for technical teams, with self-hosted infrastructure and robust access controls.
Slack alternatives by use case
Best all-in-one workspace
Recommended tools: Lark
Why it fits: Lark combines all essential work tools, including chat, AI, video calls, docs, project management, and no-code automation into one unified platform. The result? No more data silos and smoother communication and collaboration within and across teams.
Main trade-off: Your team may already be using a chat app, so they might need a little time adapting to a new platform. Ample support resources, like detailed help center articles and video tutorials, could ease the transition.
Best free team chat
Recommended tools: Pumble, Lark
Why it fits: Pumble offers a free plan that includes an unlimited, searchable message history within a user-friendly interface. Lark has a great free plan as well, with over 11 powerful tools, built-in AI features, and 100GB of storage for up to 20 users.
Main trade-off: These tools are only free up to a certain point. You'll need to pay for third-party app integrations (Pumble) or upgrade to a paid plan if your team grows to over 20 members (Lark).
Best tool for asynchronous communication
Recommended tools: Twist
Why it fits: Twist is intentionally designed to eliminate the "always-on" pressure of modern workspaces. By organizing all chats into strict, email-like threads and hiding online indicators, it allows remote teams across multiple time zones to focus on deep work and reply on their own schedules.
Main trade-off: You gain deep focus and reduced notification fatigue, but you sacrifice real-time agility. Because it is specifically built for async work, it is much harder to have rapid, back-and-forth syncs when urgent issues require immediate answers.
Best tool for enterprise collaboration
Recommended tools: Microsoft Teams, Lark
Why it fits: Microsoft Teams natively inherits the enterprise-grade security, compliance protocols, and governance of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, making it a safe choice for large corporations. Lark fits enterprise needs exceptionally well by offering unlimited user scalability, global real-time translation for international offices, and advanced no-code automation to build custom corporate workflows without relying heavily on IT.
Main trade-off: To achieve enterprise-level scale and security, you'll become more ingrained into your chosen ecosystem. For example, you'll need to commit deeply to Microsoft's closed ecosystem to get the most out of Teams, or switch to using all essential work tools on Lark, although you have options to integrate third-party tools as well.
Best open-source collaboration tool
Recommended tools: Rocket.Chat
Why it fits: Rocket.Chat allows for on-premise, self-hosted deployment, which gives organizations 100% control over their data. This is vital for highly regulated industries (like government, healthcare, or finance) where strict privacy and compliance are non-negotiable.
Main trade-off: You achieve absolute control over your privacy and data, but you trade away the convenience of cloud hosting. You must also absorb the technical responsibilities and ongoing resource costs required to deploy, secure, and maintain your own server infrastructure.
What to consider when picking a Slack alternative
Choosing a Slack alternative isn't just about picking a messaging app—it's about finding a platform that truly fits your team's workflow. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:
- Centralized workspace: Look for a tool that goes beyond messaging. The best platforms let your team communicate, collaborate on projects, and manage documents all in one place. Reducing app switching keeps everyone focused and boosts productivity.
- Ease of use: A clean, intuitive interface makes adoption easier. Switching to a new tool can be challenging, so pick one that your team can start using effectively from day one.
- Integration capabilities: Your collaboration tool should work well with the apps your team already uses—project management software, POS systems, or business intelligence platforms—so workflows stay seamless.
- Global collaboration: For global teams spread across time zones and languages, features like real-time translation, time-zone awareness, and meeting recordings can save hours and prevent scheduling headaches.
- Cost-effectiveness: Affordability matters, but don't sacrifice essential features. The right tool should scale with your organization without breaking the budget.
By keeping these points in mind, you can find the right Slack alternative that truly supports your team and keeps work running smoothly.
12-step Slack migration checklist
- Audit your current workspace: Review your active users, channel count, and essential third-party integrations to understand exactly what needs to be moved.
- Set a timeline and communicate: Choose a migration date (preferably over a weekend) and announce the transition plan to your entire team so they know what to expect.
- Clean house before moving: Archive dead channels and deactivate former employees' accounts so you don't bring digital clutter into the new platform.
- Save your custom assets: Download any favorite custom emojis or specific assets your team loves so you can re-upload them later.
- Export your Slack data: Run a full data export from your Slack settings.
- Structure the new workspace: Recreate your essential company-wide and departmental channels (e.g., #general, #marketing) in the new tool.
- Configure security and permissions: Set up your user roles, administrative access, and channel privacy settings to match your company policies.
- Reconnect core integrations: Link your most important daily apps (like Google Workspace, Jira, or your CRM) to the new platform.
- Import and map your data: Upload your Slack export file into the new tool, ensuring that past messages correctly map to the right users' email addresses.
- Verify the transfer: Spot-check a few channels to confirm that historical messages, threads, and files are imported successfully.
- Onboard the team: Send out the invites, provide a simple "quick-start" cheat sheet, and establish clear guidelines on how to use the new tool.
- Freeze and decommission Slack: Turn your old Slack workspace into "read-only" mode to force the switch. Once everyone is settled, cancel your subscription.
Final thoughts on the best Slack alternatives
There are many Slack alternatives, each designed for different team needs—some prioritize privacy, while others focus on project management or community collaboration. But if you want a unified platform that has everything you need for productive work, there is no better Slack alternative than Lark. With its complete suite of tools, intuitive interface, flexible features, and affordable plans, Lark helps teams of all sizes work faster, smarter, and more efficiently.
Our track record speaks for itself: Lark is consistently top-rated on G2 and trusted by industry leaders in over 125 countries, including Xiaomi, POPMART, GoTo, and many more.
FAQs about Slack alternatives
Is there a free version of Slack?
Yes. Slack offers a free tier, which includes unlimited users and direct messaging. However, it's important to note that this plan includes major restrictions such as limited integrations, data exports, and minimal security and collaboration features.
Is there an open-source alternative to Slack?
Rocket.Chat, Mattermost, and Zulip are open-source solutions that include some of the same features as Slack, making them ideal for internal communication. We recommend you test out these tools to ensure they have the features you need.
Which Slack alternatives are best for small teams or startups?
For small teams and startups, Lark is the best choice because it seamlessly combines chat, video calls, cloud storage, and project management—all in one platform, with no extra integrations required. Its free plan includes 11 built-in products and supports up to 20 users, allowing your entire team to collaborate effortlessly without needing third-party software.
What is a free Slack alternative?
There are several free alternatives to Slack that offer team collaboration tools for messaging, file sharing, and video calls. Popular options include Lark, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp Business, and Discord, which provide these features without a paid subscription for small teams.
What is the best Slack alternative?
The best Slack alternative depends on your team's needs. For an all-in-one platform that combines messaging, file collaboration, project management tools, and a built-in task manager, Lark is a strong choice. Other alternatives like Microsoft Teams or Google Chat may suit teams that prioritize integration with existing tools or ecosystems.
How do Slack notification settings and channel structures translate to a new platform?
Notification rules rarely carry over automatically. Most alternatives (Lark, Teams, Pumble) let you recreate Do Not Disturb schedules, per channel mute, and keyword alerts, but you will need to reconfigure them manually. Channel structures translate best to platforms that support both open and private channels; tools like Twist (thread focused) or Discord (category based) require rethinking your information architecture before migration.
Can external partners and vendors still collaborate after switching from Slack?
Yes, but the mechanism differs by tool. Slack Connect (cross organization channels) has equivalents in Lark (external contacts and cross tenant chat), Microsoft Teams (shared channels and guest access), and Rocket.Chat (federation). WhatsApp Business and Telegram natively support external communication. Before migrating, audit how many Slack Connect channels you actively use and verify the new tool supports equivalent guest or external flows without per user licensing surprises.
What is Slack comparable to?
Slack is comparable to other team collaboration tools and messaging platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, Lark, Discord, Zoho Cliq, and Twist. These platforms offer collaboration features like public and private channels, group messages, one-to-one conversations, and video chats to help teams maintain seamless communication.
Who are the biggest Slack competitors?
Slack's biggest competitors include Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Lark. Platforms like Microsoft Teams integrate with third-party tools and all the apps your team might already use, while Lark provides real-time chat, workflow automation, enhanced data control, and complete control over your organization's data.
Can project management tools replace Slack?
Yes. Project management tools like Asana, Monday, and ClickUp include built-in communication features like comments, notifications, and mentions. However, they may not offer all of Slack's messaging capabilities. That's why platforms like Lark are ideal—they combine robust project management with full-featured team communication, giving you the best of both worlds.
What is a cheaper alternative to Slack?
With a generous free plan and paid plans starting at $6 per user/month, Lark is the best value choice because it replaces multiple separate subscriptions (like Zoom and Asana), potentially saving your business up to 47% on total software costs. If your team is strictly looking for a basic chat tool with the lowest possible monthly fee, you should consider Zoho Cliq ($1.80/user/month) and Pumble ($2.49/user/month).
What are some challenges to migrating away from Slack?
If you're planning to migrate to a new platform, you'll need to prepare for these challenges:
- Data migration: The transfer of years of message history, files, and complex channel structures without losing context.
- Workflow setup: The reconnection of third-party apps, custom bots, and automated systems within the new platform.
- User adoption: Employee resistance to change and the time required to train your team on a new interface.
- Productivity dip: A temporary drop in efficiency and focus during the initial learning curve.
- Security configuration: The exact replication of user permissions, guest access, and data retention policies to meet your compliance standards.
Can we export our entire message history and files from Slack?
Yes, but it depends heavily on your current Slack plan. Free tiers have restrictions on how much historical data you can export, while paid plans allow for complete workspace data dumps. You also need to confirm that your new platform is capable of importing Slack's specific file format.
Will our custom user permissions and guest accounts transfer over?
No, permission mapping is rarely automatic. You will almost certainly need to manually rebuild your role-based access controls (RBAC) and re-invite external vendors or clients to their designated channels in the new system.
What is a more secure Slack alternative?
Open source and self-hosted alternatives can be more secure options as organizations have more control over their data.
For more details, see Self hosted Slack Alternatives: Top Secure Team Chat Platforms for Modern Teams.
Which Slack Alternative Fits My Team?
Different team types benefit from different tools:
- Startups and SMBs (≤20 people): Lark — free plan covers chat, docs, meetings and PM in one workspace
- Google Workspace shops: Google Chat — zero added cost if you already pay for Workspace
- Microsoft 365 shops: Microsoft Teams — included in most Business plans
- Regulated and data-sensitive teams (finance, healthcare, government): Rocket.Chat (self-hosted) for full data control
- Distributed and async-heavy teams: Twist or Lark topics — designed to reduce notification overload
- Project and ops-heavy teams: Lark or Ryver — both bundle real PM tooling alongside chat. See our project management software guide
- Customer-facing and community teams: WhatsApp Business or Discord — purpose-built for external audiences
How Hard Is It to Migrate Away from Slack, and How Long Does It Take?
For most small-to-mid teams, a Slack migration takes 1 to 4 weeks end-to-end. The hard parts are usually not the data export itself but the surrounding workflows. Plan for:
- Data export (1 to 3 days): Use Slack's built-in export. Free-plan workspaces only export the last 90 days of public channel messages — paid plans (Pro/Business+) can export full history including DMs
- Channel and user mapping (2 to 5 days): Decide which channels stay 1:1, which merge, and which get archived. Map Slack roles to the new platform's permission model
- Importing into the new tool: Lark, Pumble, Rocket.Chat, Microsoft Teams and Twist all ship official Slack importers. WhatsApp Business, Telegram, Discord do not — those are best treated as supplementary, not 1:1 replacements
- Integrations and bots (3 to 7 days): Re-authorize third-party apps (Zoom, GitHub, Jira, etc.) and rebuild Workflow Builder automations in the new tool's equivalent
- Change management (ongoing): Run a 1 to 2 week parallel period, host a 30-minute live demo, post a quick-start cheatsheet, and pin a "where did X go?" channel
Last updated: July 8, 2026. Content and prices are retrieved from the official website and help center of Slack.
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Start using Lark today
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Save up to 70% on software costs
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