Slack has been the go-to communication tool for teams around the world. It brings chat channels, file sharing, and app integrations all into one place, making teamwork smoother and faster. Its friendly interface and real-time messaging have earned it a top spot in the collaboration market.
But as great as Slack is, it’s not perfect for everyone.
With the rise of Web3 and decentralized work environments, many teams seek more flexible, secure, and cost-effective tools. If you’ve ever felt locked into expensive plans, frustrated with limited message history, or wished for better security or features tailored to your team, these are signs it might be time to check out Slack competitors.
More options are popping up all the time, offering exciting new features that could fit your workflow better or save you money. In this article, you’ll get a clear look at Slack competitors. Whether you’re part of a small startup or a large enterprise, exploring these options could change how your team gets work done—for the better.
Ready to find a collaboration tool that works just right for you? Let’s dive in!
What is Slack?
Image source: slack.com
Key features of Slack
Direct messaging: Allows private one-on-one or small group conversations for quick communication.
Channels: Organize conversations by topic, team, or project, making it easy to keep discussions focused and accessible.
File sharing: Easily upload and share documents, images, and other files within chats.
Integrations: Connects with hundreds of third-party apps like Lark, Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom to boost productivity.
Search function: Powerful search capabilities to quickly find messages, files, or conversations.
Video and voice calls: Supports voice and video calls directly within the platform for meetings and brainstorming.
Notification controls: Customizable notifications keep users updated without overwhelming them.
Who uses Slack?
Slack is ideal for any organization aiming to enhance communication, increase productivity, and foster teamwork.
Startups and tech companies: Prefer Slack for its fast, flexible communication and real-time collaboration.
Product development teams: Use Slack to coordinate tasks, share updates, and manage projects efficiently.
Sales and marketing teams: Collaborate on campaigns and communicate quickly across departments.
Remote and distributed teams: Stay connected and productive regardless of location with Slack’s cloud-based platform.
Enterprises: Benefit from Slack’s extensive integrations with business tools, enabling seamless workflows.
Creative agencies: Use Slack to brainstorm, share ideas, and work collaboratively on projects.
Slack’s limitations and user pain points
Slack is a popular tool loved for its real-time messaging and tons of app integrations. But it’s not perfect, and many teams start looking at Slack competitors when Slack doesn’t quite fit their needs anymore.
Security and privacy matter a lot
If your team deals with sensitive info, Slack’s cloud setup might not meet all your security needs. Some Slack competitors offer stronger privacy options or let you host your own data, which can be a big plus.
Costs can add up quickly
The free version of Slack has limits on message history and integrations. For growing teams, these limits can get in the way fast. And the paid plans aren’t always easy on the budget, especially for small businesses or startups.
Too many notifications, too little focus
Slack is great for real-time chat, but that can sometimes mean a flood of notifications. Teams working remotely or across time zones often want tools that support slower, more thoughtful conversations — something many Slack competitors do well.
Automation can get messy
Slack relies on external apps for automation, which can make things tricky to manage. Some Slack competitors come with built-in automation features that keep everything smoother and simpler.
These are some of the common reasons teams start thinking about Slack competitors. Finding the right fit can really change how your team works, collaborates, and stays secure.
Key criteria to evaluate Slack competitors for your team
As more teams consider alternatives, understanding how to evaluate Slack competitors becomes essential. Choosing the right collaboration platform is about more than just swapping one tool for another – it’s about finding one that fits your team’s culture, security needs, and work style. Here are key factors to keep in mind:
1. Feature set and usability
Look for a platform that offers all the core features your team depends on—such as messaging, file sharing, voice and video calls, and app integrations. Equally important is how intuitive and user-friendly the interface feels. If the tool isn’t easy to navigate, adoption and ongoing use might be tough.
2. Pricing model and scalability
Different Slack competitors vary widely in pricing and the way they charge. Some are better suited for small teams with simple plans, while others scale easily to large organizations but at a higher cost. It pays to compare the value you get at each price point and consider future growth.
3. Security and compliance
With increasing cyber risks, security can’t be an afterthought. Make sure the platform supports encryption, data control preferences, and compliance certifications relevant to your industry. This is especially critical if your organization handles sensitive or regulated information.
4. Collaboration style support
Slack’s real-time messaging is great, but not all teams thrive on that speed. Some Slack competitors offer better support for asynchronous communication, threaded conversations, and integrated document collaboration, helping reduce overload and boost focus.
5. Integration and automation
A robust integration ecosystem is vital to streamline workflows. Check if the Slack competitor connects well with the other tools your team uses. Also, native automation features can save time and reduce reliance on third-party apps.
6. Customization and control
For some organizations, customization — such as branding, user roles, and notification controls — is key. Some Slack competitors allow more flexible setups to match your specific needs and culture.
Choosing Slack competitors should be driven by thoughtful evaluation against these criteria. This approach ensures that the tool you pick truly supports your team’s productivity and collaboration goals, rather than just being “another chat app.”
Quick glance at top Slack competitors in 2025
With the growing demand for powerful and flexible collaboration tools, many Slack competitors are stepping up in 2025 to offer compelling alternatives. Below is an overview of the top 11 Slack competitors to help you get a clear picture of what’s available and which might fit your team best.
Lark: Best for fast-growing teams needing integrated chat, documents, and video collaboration
Microsoft Teams: Best for enterprises leveraging Microsoft 365 for seamless office productivity
Twist: Best for remote teams focused on distraction-free, asynchronous communication
Mattermost: Best for organizations wanting secure, self-hosted messaging solutions
Discord: Best for small groups seeking real-time voice and chat community features
ClickUp: Best for teams combining project management with built-in messaging tools
Google Chat: Best for users deeply embedded in the Google Workspace ecosystem
Rocket.Chat: Best for developers needing customizable, open-source collaboration platforms
Flock: Best for budget-friendly small teams requiring essential communication features
Chanty: Best for teams looking for simple, AI-enhanced chat and task management
Zoho Cliq: Best for businesses using Zoho apps wanting integrated team communication
Lark
Lark is an all-in-one collaboration platform that integrates databases, messaging, video calls, collaborative documents, calendars, and tasks into a single, secure workspace. Built to support teams of any size, it streamlines communication and project management while maintaining strong security with features like access control.
Standout features:
Real-time collaborative documents and databases: Multiple team members can work together on Lark Base and Lark Docs simultaneously. Built-in commenting, version history, and detailed permission controls help keep everyone in sync and contribute transparently.
Unified messaging and video conferencing: You can switch between instant messaging on Lark Messenger and high-quality video calls on Lark Meetings easily, ideal for teams that need quick and smooth communication.
AI-powered productivity tools: Use AI features to enhance searching, content creation, and data analysis, helping boost efficiency while respecting user privacy.
Secure file and asset management: Store and share files safely across all devices, ensuring your team can access important content anytime, anywhere.
Task management with automation: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and automate routine workflows to keep projects on track and stakeholders aligned.
Interactive dashboards: Visualize project progress, team performance, and key data with customizable dashboards, supporting smarter decision-making.
Smart calendar and scheduling: Sync meetings, milestones, and reminders effortlessly on Lark Calendar to help teams stay organized and aligned.
Mobile-optimized collaboration: Enjoy full collaboration features on mobile devices, allowing productivity on the go.
Limitations:
Lark has a wide variety of advanced features, which may take time to learn. However, you may need to visit Lark's YouTube channel and the Lark Help Center to master all the features.
Rating
Free plan: includes 11 powerful products, supporting up to 20 users, 100 GB storage, 1,000 automation runs and unlimited AI translation in chats, docs and email.
Paid plans: starts at $12/user/month, supporting up to 500 users, offers unlimited message history, 50,000 automated Base workflow executions per month.
Enterprise plan: custom pricing.
👉Try Lark’s Savings Calculator: Switching to Lark’s Pro plan can lead to significant cost savings— for example, a 100-employee company using Slack, Google Workspace, and Airtable could save approximately $25,200 annually by consolidating their tools with Lark.
Best for:
Small to medium teams: Streamlines communication and project management with easy-to-use tools.
Remote and hybrid workforces: Provides seamless video, chat, and cloud collaboration in one platform.
Businesses needing integration: Offers robust app integrations to unify workflows and boost productivity.
Microsoft Teams
Image source: microsoft.com
Standout features:
Tight Microsoft 365 integration: Works well with Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
Versatile communication: Supports instant messages, threaded conversations, video calls, webinars, and live events.
Enterprise-grade security: Strong compliance controls, data encryption, and detailed admin settings.
Extensive app ecosystem: Hundreds of third-party integrations, bots, and workflow automations.
Scalable for large teams: Comfortable handling thousands of users and complex organizational structures.
Customization: Offers extensive workflow automation through Power Automate.
Limitations:
The interface can feel complicated and overwhelming for new users.
Some advanced features require premium Microsoft 365 subscriptions, increasing costs.
Pricing:
Home plan: Free
Essentials plan: starts at $4/user/month
Enterprise plan: starts at $5.25/user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan: starts at $6/user/month
Ratings:
G2: 4.4/5
Capterra: 4.5/5
Apple app store: 4.8/5
Google Play: 4.6/5
Best for:
Large organizations already invested in Microsoft 365.
Teams requiring secure, scalable communication with extensive collaboration features.
Twist
Image source: twist.com
Standout features:
Focused on asynchronous communication: Designed to reduce noise and interruptions by encouraging organized, thoughtful conversations.
Threaded channels: Keeps discussions neatly grouped by topics, making it easy to find important content.
Minimalist, distraction-free design: Helps users focus without constant alerts and notifications.
Integrations: Connects with popular productivity tools to support workflows without disrupting flow.
Built for remote teams: Helps distributed groups collaborate effectively without pressure for instant replies.
Limitations:
No built-in video conferencing or rich real-time chat features.
May feel slow or limiting for teams used to live, synchronous discussions.
Pricing:
Free plan
Unlimited plan: starts at $6/user/month
Ratings:
G2: 3.9/5
Capterra: 4.3/5
Best for:
Remote or distributed teams prioritizing asynchronous communication.
Teams wanting to cut down on notification overload and focus on meaningful conversations.
Mattermost
Image source: mattermost.com
Standout features:
Open-source and self-hosted options: Mattermost lets teams host their own servers for full control over data.
Highly customizable: Flexible workflows and integrations, perfect for tech-savvy teams.
Robust messaging: Supports threaded conversations, searchable history, and rich text formatting.
Built-in security: Enterprise-grade encryption, SSO, and compliance certifications.
Integrations: Connects well with DevOps tools like Jira, GitLab, and Jenkins.
Multi-platform support: Available on web, desktop, and mobile apps for easy access.
Limitations:
Setup and maintenance can be complex, especially for self-hosted versions.
UI feels less modern compared to some competitors, which might affect user friendliness.
Pricing:
Free plan
Professional plan: starts at $10/user/month
Enterprise plan: custom pricing
Ratings:
G2: 4.3/5
Capterra: 4.4/5
Apple app store: 4.8/5
Google Play: 4.1/5
Best for:
Organizations needing on-premise solutions with high security.
DevOps and engineering teams who want deep integrations and custom workflows.
Discord
Image source: discord.com
Standout features:
Voice, video, and text chat: Excellent real-time communication with low latency.
Community focus: Supports large groups with channels, roles, and moderation tools.
Screen sharing and streaming: Great for presentations, gaming sessions, or casual hangouts.
Simple setup: Easy onboarding for new users with intuitive UI.
Rich media support: Easily share images, videos, files, and links.
Limitations:
Not tailored for formal business use—lacks enterprise-grade admin controls and compliance.
Task and project management features are minimal or absent.
Pricing:
Free to use with optional Nitro subscription for enhanced perks like higher quality streams.
Ratings:
Capterra: 4.7/5
Apple app store: 4.7/5
Google Play: 4.3/5
Best for:
Gaming groups, casual or community teams.
Creative teams and remote groups looking for casual, fast communication without heavy process needs.
ClickUp
Image source: clickup.com
Standout features:
Highly customizable views: Lists, boards, calendars, Gantt charts—choose what fits your workflow best.
Automations: Reduce manual work by automating repetitive tasks and notifications.
Collaboration tools: Comment inside tasks, assign comments, and tag teammates.
Integrated docs: Write docs that link to tasks and projects seamlessly.
Mobile and desktop apps: Keep work going wherever you are.
Limitations:
Some users find the vast feature set overwhelming at first.
Advanced functionality can require a paid plan, which might be costly for small teams.
Pricing:
Free plan
Unlimited plan: starts at $7/user/month
Business plan: starts at $12/user/month
Enterprise plan: custom pricing
Ratings:
G2: 4.7/5
Capterra: 4.6/5
Apple app store: 4.5/5
Google Play: 4.1/5
Best for:
Teams wanting a versatile project and task management tool combined with collaboration.
Organizations that need to customize workflows and integrate many different project views.
Google Chat
Image source: blog.google
Standout features:
Seamless Google Workspace integration: Google Chat works smoothly with Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, and Meet, making it easy to collaborate within Google’s ecosystem.
Threaded conversations: Helps keep discussions organized by topic, so you don’t lose track of important messages.
Direct messaging and group chats: Create rooms or group chats for specific projects or teams.
Smart suggestions and bots: Google Assistant bots can help with reminders and quick answers.
Searchable history: Quickly find past messages or shared files using Google’s powerful search.
Security and compliance: Backed by Google’s enterprise-grade security and data protection standards.
Limitations:
Less customizable compared to some competitors.
Limited support for large-scale, complex workflows.
Pricing:
Google Chat is bundled with Google Workspace subscriptions starting at $7/user/month.
Ratings:
Capterra: 4.5/5
Google Play: 4.6/5
Best for:
Teams already using Google Workspace looking for integrated messaging.
Small to medium teams wanting simple, secure, organized communication.
Rocket.Chat
Image source: rocket.chat
Standout features:
Open-source and self-hosted options: Great for teams wanting full control over data and customizations.
Rich messaging: Supports threads, file sharing, voice and video calls, and screen sharing.
Highly customizable: Create custom integrations, themes, and workflows.
Multi-platform support: Available on web, desktop, and mobile apps.
Strong security: End-to-end encryption and compliance with various standards.
Community and enterprise versions: Flexible options based on team size and needs.
Limitations:
Self-hosted setup can be technical and resource-intensive.
User interface can feel complex and less polished compared to commercial products.
Pricing:
Starter plan: free
Pro plan: starts at $4/user/month
Enterprise plan: custom pricing
Ratings:
G2: 4.2/5
Capterra: 4.3/5
Google Play: 4.0/5
Best for:
Organizations requiring data control and customization.
Tech teams and enterprises looking for secure, on-premise chat solutions.
Flock
Image source: flock.com
Standout features:
Unified communication platform: Combines messaging, video calls, file sharing, and task management.
Smart channels: Organize conversations by topics or projects for easy collaboration.
Integrations: Connects with popular apps like Google Drive, Trello, Asana, and more.
To-do and reminders: Built-in productivity tools to keep teams on track.
Search and pin: Quickly find messages and important items by pinning or searching keywords.
User-friendly design: Intuitive UI that’s easy to navigate.
Limitations:
Some advanced features require paid plans.
Smaller app ecosystem compared to Slack or Microsoft Teams.
Pricing:
Free plan
Pro plan: starts at $4.5/user/month
Enterprise plan: custom pricing
Ratings:
G2: 4.4/5
Capterra: 4.5/5
Google Play: 4.5/5
Best for:
Small to mid-sized teams that want an easy-to-use unified communication tool.
Teams looking for a balance of messaging and lightweight task management.
Chanty
Image source: chanty.com
Standout features:
Simple and clean interface: Chanty offers a distraction-free, easy-to-navigate workspace focused on team messaging and collaboration.
Task management integration: Convert messages directly into tasks, assign teammates, set due dates, and track progress without leaving the app.
Audio and video calls: Supports one-on-one and group voice/video calls.
Teambook feature: Centralized hub where all your messages, tasks, pinned items, and files are organized in one place, making it easy to find what you need.
Third-party integrations: Connects with popular apps like Google Drive, Trello, Zapier, and more to streamline workflows.
Limitations:
Lacks some advanced workflow automations and integrations compared to bigger competitors.
Video conferencing features are basic relative to specialized tools.
Pricing:
Free plan
Business plan: starts at $3/user/month
Enterprise plan: custom pricing
Ratings:
G2: 4.5/5
Capterra: 4.7/5
Google Play: 4.6/5
Best for:
Small to medium teams wanting a simple yet effective chat app combined with light task management.
Teams that value a clean interface and easy message-to-task conversion.
Zoho Cliq
Image source: zoho.com
Standout features:
Robust communication options: Includes channels, direct messaging, audio/video calls, and conferencing all in one place.
Customizable bots and automation: Zoho Cliq lets you build or integrate bots to automate repetitive tasks and reminders.
Persistent chat threads: Threaded conversations to keep discussions organized and easy to follow.
Channels and groups: Create public or private channels to segment conversations by topic or team.
Cross-platform availability: Available on web, desktop, and mobile for smooth collaboration anytime, anywhere.
Limitations:
The interface can feel cluttered to new users due to the number of features.
Some advanced capabilities require paid plans, adding to overall costs.
Pricing:
Free plan
Standards plan: starts at $16.2/25 user/month
Professional plan: starts at $1.8/user/month
Enterprise plan: starts at $3.6/user/month
Ratings:
G2: 4.4/5
Capterra: 4.6/5
Apple app store: 4.8/5
Google Play: 4.6/5
Best for:
Businesses already using Zoho products wanting a tightly integrated chat platform.
Teams needing automation and bots as part of their communication workflows.
Security and privacy considerations when choosing Slack competitors
Messaging and collaboration apps contain vast amounts of business-critical data—from strategic discussions to client information and intellectual property. A breach or leak could have serious consequences.
When evaluating Slack competitors, security often plays the deciding role for many teams—especially those managing sensitive data or operating in regulated industries. What truly sets Lark apart in this competitive space is its comprehensive and enterprise-grade security framework, which ensures your team’s collaboration remains safe, seamless, and private.
End-to-end encryption: Lark encrypts messages, files, and video calls both during transmission and storage. This means your data stays protected from unauthorized access, ensuring complete privacy.
Fine-grained permission controls: With Lark, admins can easily control who can view, edit, or share documents and chats. This helps prevent accidental leaks and keeps sensitive information within the right hands.
SSO and MFA: To boost login security, Lark supports SSO with popular identity providers and requires MFA. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and simplifies management for IT teams.
Audit logs and compliance readiness: Lark provides detailed logs of user activities and changes, which is essential for compliance and monitoring. This feature offers transparency and supports industries that must meet strict regulations.
Data residency and privacy transparency: Lark offers options for data storage in specific regions to comply with legal requirements. Their clear privacy policies increase users’ confidence in how data is handled.
Secure file sharing: Files are encrypted and shared securely with permission settings, balancing safety with easy collaboration.
Lark’s security features go beyond expectations for a modern collaboration platform, perfectly blending robust protection with ease of use. For teams seeking Slack competitors that prioritize privacy, compliance, and secure teamwork, Lark stands out as an exceptional choice.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I consider Slack competitors today?
Many teams look beyond Slack for tools that better integrate workflows, offer more flexible pricing, or provide stronger security and privacy controls.
How can I evaluate Slack competitors effectively?
Focus on key aspects like ease of use, integration capabilities, security features, pricing, and scalability to find a good fit for your team’s needs.
Are Slack competitors suitable for large enterprises?
Absolutely. Many Slack competitors offer enterprise-grade security and scalability, supporting thousands of users along with compliance features.
How important is security when choosing Slack competitors?
Security is critical, especially for regulated industries. Look for features like end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and audit logs.
Conclusion: Choosing the best Slack competitors for your team
Choosing the right Slack competitors is an exciting step toward improving how your team works together. With so many options out there, you can find tools that offer better security, seamless integrations, and features that actually fit your daily workflow. Lark, for example, shines by combining chat, video, documents, and smart AI tools into one easy-to-use platform — making work more productive and even enjoyable.
Looking forward, collaboration software will keep evolving to become smarter, more intuitive, and incredibly flexible. Imagine AI-powered assistants handling routine tasks, real-time translation breaking down language barriers, and all your tools perfectly connected. The future is bright for teams ready to embrace these innovations and work smarter, not harder.
So why wait? Exploring Slack competitors today means your team will be ready for tomorrow’s way of working. Give Lark a try and step confidently into the future of collaboration!
Related reading
Lark vs Slack: Ultimate Collaboration Platform in 2025
Top 12 Slack Alternatives for Better Teamwork in 2025 | Lark
Slack Pricing: Free and Paid Plans Breakdown [2025] | Lark
Best IM Services: Top Messaging and Collaboration Apps | Lark
Self hosted Slack Alternatives: Top Secure Team Chat Platforms | Lark
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