7 Best Slack alternatives to explore in 2026

Slack is a cloud-based business communication and team collaboration application known for its best-in-class instant messaging capabilities. The platform allows users to create a team workspace, add channels to the workspace, and communicate and collaborate with team members in a channel to work together. 

Slack is known for its ease of use, minimal learning curve, intuitive interface, advanced chat features, and seamless two-way integrations with commonly used work management software. However, it has significant shortcomings in some key areas that make users look for Slack alternatives. 

For example, Slack has limited video and audio calling capabilities. It is one of the most expensive chat apps. The platform does not scale well with an increase in the number of projects and collaborators. The consistent interruption of notifications from channels makes it difficult to focus on the actual work. 

There are various other team communication software that provides the better value and business fit as an alternative to Slack.

For the last 15 years, I have firsthand experienced how the project management software, team communication apps, and other types of work management software evolved. The very Slack, which once proudly referred to itself as the business communication app, now advertises itself as a productivity app and has expanded its features into project management. It is because communication alone is not enough to facilitate work in a modern-day work environment and provide value for money in an evolving market with changing demands. Thus, Slack is not the only right solution for businesses now; other software has emerged.

I have tested the top team communication and collaboration apps in the industry and have shortlisted the top seven and compared them thoroughly on factors like features, interface, learning curve, price, and expansion into work management features.  

Read this in-depth review of Slack alternatives and competitors to make an informed decision for your organization.

Quick overview of the best Slack alternatives

What is Slack and why should you look for an alternative?

Slack is a cloud-based business communication app that is used to facilitate team collaboration and communication at a workplace. The platform allows you to send instant messages to the team members, share files, place video and audio calls, co-edit with team members, and share a screen. 

To work together in Slack, a user needs to create a workspace, add team members to the workspace, and create a channel for discussion on a topic, team, or project. The platform Slack is known for its ease of use, intuitive interface, minimal learning curve, advanced chat features, and seamless two-way integrations with more than 2600 apps. 

Key features of Slack 

• Channel to facilitate instant messaging with rich text formatting, threaded replies, emojis, GIFs, and reactions 
• Huddles for video and audio calling, 1:1 and group  
• Search across all messages, files, and people 
• Canvas for co-editing with team members 
• Slack AI to help generate, find, and summarize messages
• Workflow automation to automate repetitive tasks
• List, templates, and workflow to help with project management    

Despite being one of the most popular business chat apps in the market, Slack has some significant limitations that make users look for Slack alternatives. 

Key limitations of Slack

• Limited audio and video capabilities: Slack has limited video and audio conferencing capabilities. Users can only place 1:1 video and audio calls in a free plan and up to 50 participants in paid plans. Large-sized teams do not find Slack an ideal fit. 
• Pricing: Slack is a standalone chat app that costs $7.25 per user per month. The platform has extended its range of tools to expand into project management with features like Lists, Workflows, and Canvas to provide a better value for money. However, these are not comprehensive and advanced enough to support actual project management. Essentially, a user is paying for business communication only.
• Basic project management: Slack has expanded its functionality from a business communication app to a project management and team collaboration app. It is doing well on the team collaboration part, but has weak project management.         
• Does not scale frictionlessly: Slack gets cluttered quickly with an increase in the number of projects and collaborators. It gets difficult to organize and manage the large number of channels, and the constant notifications for each channel make it difficult to keep track of the updates and focus on work.  
• Weak security for critical environments: Slack communication is secure. But if you want advanced and customized security, Slack does not allow you to host data on the organization’s server. It is not an open-source platform. Thus, it gets difficult to take complete control of data security.  

These are key limitations that make users look for Slack alternatives that provide a better fit and value for money.

What to look for in a Slack alternative and how I chose these tools?

A Slack alternative should have all the core features and qualities of Slack, but without its shortcomings. Here is what you should look for in a Slack alternative: 

• Advanced instant messaging capabilities: Rich text formatting, threaded replies, emojis, GIFs, and reactions, file sharing, mentioning people, and recorded messages. 
• Suite of collaboration tools: Video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, and co-editing capabilities   
• Ease of use with minimal learning curve: Easy to use for users of all levels of experience, with a flat and minimal learning curve     
• Value for money: A better value for money than Slack  
• Work management apps: A comprehensive suite of project management or work management features, if you are using Slack for work management  

Our evaluation criteria

We follow the simple yet comprehensive process of selecting and reviewing tools to feature in our list: research, test, and verdict. We review and test the performance of each app on the selected criteria, that includes factors like ease of use, user interface experience, learning curve, features, and value for money.

Learn more about our review process.

How have we rated the best Slack alternatives? 

To rate the Slack alternatives, we evaluated each alternative to Slack on the selected criteria that include factors like core features, ease of use, user interface, learning curve, value for money, work management features, and public reviews and ratings. To make our comparisons objective, we assign a score (out of five stars) on each criterion to reflect how well a platform performs in that area compared to Slack.

Comparison of the best 7 Slack alternatives

Now, let’s go through an in-depth review of each software in comparison to Slack.

1. ProofHub: Best for built-in project management with the most value for money

ProofHub is an all-in-one project management and team collaboration software that helps you manage projects, people, and communication from one platform. It is different from other chat apps in its architecture – ProofHub is project management software with built-in chat.  

ProofHub is an ideal alternative to Slack for teams who are looking for advanced task management and project management capabilities beyond Lists and Workflows in Slack. It provides both project management and team chat in one place, making it ideal for teams looking for team communication and project execution together.   

ProofHub vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Both Slack and ProofHub provide instant messaging, discussions, and collaborative editing. However, Slack has an edge in the advancement of chat features. ProofHub does not have native video conferencing, but as it is a project management software, it offers features like Gantt charts, project reports, and time tracking, which Slack does not have.          
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Both ProofHub and Slack are easy to use with a small learning curve. However, ProofHub has a slightly longer learning curve than Slack due to its comprehensive features.      
• Value for money: ProofHub provides a better value for money than Slack for teams of all sizes. ProofHub charges a flat fee that allows organizations to onboard unlimited users for one upfront price. There is no need to worry about the per-user per-month fee while scaling. This makes ProofHub the most affordable and the highest value for money platform in the list.         
• Expansion to work management: ProofHub has a clear edge over Slack in expansion to work management. It has an extensive range of built-in project management features, such as a Gantt chart, multiple project views including board, table, and calendar, custom workflow, time tracking, online proofing, and project reports that Slack does not have. 

Key features 

• Support @mention, gifs, emojis, reactions, various media content in chat, and converting a chat into a task    
• Discussion to facilitate conversations and file sharing related to a topic
• Annotation tools to share feedback on digital assets 
• Notes to co-edit on the documents
• Task management to create, delegate, and manage tasks    
• Gantt chart to create a project plan, set dependencies, and track progress
• Project reporting and time tracking to take control of project and team performance    

Pros 

• Helps you manage projects along with communication from a single platform   
• Most competitively priced solution with flat pricing for unlimited users
• Easy to use with a minimal and flat learning curve  

Cons 

• Does not have chat search, voice messages, or video calling
• No suitable plan for a solo user

Pricing 

ProofHub offers two flat-fee paid plans:

• Essential: $45 per month for unlimited users, up to 40 projects, and 15GB storage, billed annually
• Ultimate Control: $89 per month for unlimited users, unlimited projects, and 100GB storage, billed annually

Use ProofHub if 

• You are looking for a team collaboration app with built-in project management capabilities     
• You are a budget-conscious team who using Slack in combination with third-party project management software and want to replace Slack with an all-in-one solution

2. Microsoft Teams: Best for video calling

Microsoft Teams is a business communication app that allows users to send instant messages, make audio calls, and hold video meetings to collaborate with each other. It is the most popular competitor to Slack for business communication for organizations that are using Microsoft’s suite of products because both platforms offer a similar and comparable suite of features and capabilities.

In comparison to Slack, Microsoft Teams offers advanced video and audio conferencing capabilities. Microsoft Teams allows 300 participants in a video call, whereas Slack has a limit of 50.

Microsoft Teams vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Both Slack and Microsoft Teams provide advanced instant messaging capabilities with rich text formatting, threaded replies, emojis, GIFs, reactions, @mentions, and recorded messages. However, Microsoft Teams has an edge in video and audio conferencing capabilities and work management apps. Teams supports video conferencing of up to 300 participants and webinars for up to 1000 participants.                     
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Both Slack and Microsoft Teams are easy to use with a short learning curve, but Slack has a better user experience and is easier to set up than Teams. Though Teams offers better organization than Slack.     
• Value for money: Both platforms charge similar fees, but Microsoft Teams provides a better value for money than Slack if you are using the Microsoft Office suite of products. However, if you are not using Microsoft products, Slack might be the better value for money as it integrates better than Teams with third-party apps as a business communication app. Microsoft Teams does not have a free plan, whereas Slack has a free plan with a 90-day message history.                  
• Expansion to work management: Microsoft Teams has a better range of work management apps than Slack. Though Slack integration capabilities with third-party apps are better than Teams.            

Key features 

• Support rich text formatting, threaded messages, emojis, GIFs, and reactions in chat
• Allows you to send recorded audio and video messages
• Search with advanced filters to find information quickly
• Whiteboard in Microsoft Teams to brainstorm
• CoPilot AI to help you summarize, ideate, and create responses

Pros 

• Video and audio calling up to 300 participants
• Custom notifications and pre-defined availability status

Cons 

• Does not have a free plan   
• Lack of intuitiveness and a larger learning curve than Slack

Pricing 

Microsoft Teams offers four plans: 

• Essentials: $4 per user per month, billed annually
• Business Basic: $6 per user per month, billed annually
• Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month. billed annually
• Business Premium: $22 per user per month, billed annually

Use Microsoft Teams if

• You are looking for a business communication app with a focus on video and audio calling
• You are already using the Microsoft suite of products    

3. Pumble: Best similar alternative for budget-conscious teams 

Pumble is an all-in-one team communication app that allows users to send messages, share files, and start video conferencing. Similar to Slack, it requires you to create a workspace, add channels, and collaborate with team members in a channel. 

Pumble is the best alternative to Slack for the budget-conscious team looking for apps like Slack. It provides unlimited message history in a free plan, which is one of the biggest limitations of Slack. In addition to that, Pumble’s paid plan starts from $2.49 per user per month, which is far cheaper than Slack               

Pumble vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Both Pumble and Slack offer similar instant messaging, video conferencing, and screen sharing capabilities. However, Slack has an edge over Pumble in co-editing with Slack Canvas.         
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Both Pumble and Slack are easy to use with an intuitive user interface and a small learning curve. Pumble has the most similar UI to Slack. However, some users might find the Slack interface more polished.        
• Value for money: Pumble offers a better value for money than Slack, with a free plan and cheaper paid plans. It has unlimited message history on the free plan vs. Slack’s 90-day limit, 24/7 human support available on all plans, including free vs Slack’s limited support, and dramatically lower cost for paid plans from $2.49 per user per month vs. Slack’s $7.25 per user per month.  
• Expansion to work management: Just like Slack, Pumble has limited project management capabilities. Both tools require integrations with third-party apps to provide work management. Or users need to purchase the Pumble’s Bundle plan, which includes Time Tracking and Project Management tools. However, Slack has a better ecosystem of integrations than Pumble.         

Key features 

• Channels to facilitate conversations with rich text formatting, mentions, and reactions    
• File sharing to provide context for collaboration 
• Voice and video calls for meetings
• Screen sharing in meetings 

Pros

• Cheaper than most business team chat apps 
• Unlimited message history and users on the free tier
• Zero learning curve for users looking for Slack replacement 

Cons 

• Lack of built-in work management tools
• Limited document collaboration and feedback sharing tools  

Pricing

Pumble offers four plans:  

• Free: For unlimited users and history 
• Pro: $2.49 per user per month, billed annually  
• Business: $3.99 per user per month, billed annually 
• Enterprise: $6.99 per user per month, billed annually
• Bundle: $12.99 per user per month, billed annually, includes (Team Communication, Time Tracking, and Project Management)  

Use Pumble if 

• You are looking for a cheaper alternative to Slack for business communication
• You need a tool with most similar UI to Slack

4. Mattermost: Best for advanced security

Mattermost is a cloud-based business communication app that allows users to send instant messages, share files, and tag people to collaborate with each other in a channel on a project or topic. The platform is known for its advanced level of security measures. That’s why it is often used in security-critical environments for collaboration.

Mattermost is the best alternative to Slack for data security because it hosts data on on-premise servers, provides you access to source code, and open-source team collaboration platform that offers a developer-friendly API to build an extended security layer and take full control of your data.

Mattermost vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Both Slack and Mattermost offer advanced instant messaging capabilities, but Mattermost does not have built-in video calling capabilities. It allows only audio and screen sharing and provides video conferencing through integrations.          
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Both Slack and Mattermost are easy to use with a minimal learning curve. However, Slack’s interface is more intuitive and user-friendly than Mattermost’s formal interface. Mattermost is highly organized with more granular admin controls than Slack.          
• Value for money: Mattermost is more expensive business communication software than Slack and other business team chat apps. It offers value for money only for organizations that need advanced data security and control.       
• Expansion to work management: Mattermost allows you to create and manage tasks in a project with project boards, which is better than Slack’s Lists.  

Key features

• Rich markdown formatting, syntax highlighting, & code snippets
• Audio calling to meet with team members 
• Share screen to collaborate with context 
• Workflow automation to automate standardized workflows across development, operations, and compliance use cases
• Project boards to track work progress

Pros 

• Granular admin controls to control and manage access
• Open source platform with advanced data security  

Cons

• Does not have native video-conferencing capabilities
• Less intuitive interface than other team chat apps 

Pricing 

Mattermost offers three plans:

• Free: 1:1 audio calling and screen sharing     
• Professional: $10 per user per month, billed annually 
• Enterprise: Request quotes    

Use Mattermost if 

• You are looking for a business communication app for collaboration in security-critical environments
• You have a large budget to pay high per-user per-month pricing

5. Google Chat: Best for Google Workspace users

Google Chat is a popular team messaging app that allows users to create a shared space, send instant messages, and share files. It is the best alternative to Slack for Google Workspace users. It comes as part of the Google Workspace apps. Users do not need to purchase it as a standalone chat app. For meetings, Google Chat relies on Google Meet, which allows you to place video and audio calls directly from Google Chat. Additionally, Google Chat integrates seamlessly with a suite of Google Workspace apps to support task management.

Google Chat vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Both Google Chat and Slack offer instant messaging, video conferencing, and co-editing capabilities. Google Chat itself is a simple chat app, but it provides enhanced capabilities through Google Workspace apps such as Google Meet and Google Docs.           
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Google Chat is highly easy to use, even easier than Slack, due to the familiarity of users with Gmail and other suites of Google Workspace products. It has almost zero learning curve.   
• Value for money: If you are a Google Workspace user, Google Chat offers a better value for money than Slack. However, if you are not using Google Workspace products, then Slack might provide you with a better value for money due to its seamless two-way integration with third-party software. Google Chat integrates well only with Google Workspace and is not used as a standalone chat app.   
• Expansion to work management: Google Chat supports work management through its Google Workspace products. It has better coverage of work management features than Slack, with products like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat, Calendar, Forms, Sites, and Keep.           

Key features 

• Support, reactions, inline GIFs, rich text formatting, and threaded messages 
• Send a voice message to a person or group
• Search to find information, conversations, and documents quickly    
• Gemini integration to provide answers, summarize conversations, and brainstorm new creative ideas 

Pros 

• Custom notifications and availability status
• Announcement spaces supporting up to 500,000 members
• Translate messages in over 120 languages 

Cons 

• No standalone free plan (part of Google Workspace)  
• No end-to-end encryption (Data is encrypted in transit and at rest)

Pricing 

Google Chat is a part of Google Workspace with four plans:

• Starter: $7 per user per month, billed annually
• Standard: $14 per user per month, billed annually
• Plus: $22 per user per month, billed annually
• Enterprise: Contact the sales team for further details

Use Google Chat if 

• You are a Google Workspace user and need a chat that integrates well within your ecosystem    
• You are not willing to pay an additional fee for a chat app

6. Webex: Best for complete digital collaboration

Webex is a complete collaboration solution for organizations that provides instant messaging, video conferencing, VoIP calling, video and audio messaging, screen recording, whiteboarding, events, and polling. 

Webex is the best alternative to Slack for complete digital collaboration. Slack does not have VoIP calling, webinars, or co-editing docs. It relies on integrations for these features, whereas Webex provides these solutions out of the box.

Webex vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Webex provides a more extensive and advanced suite of communication and collaboration features than Slack.      
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Webex has a longer learning curve than Slack due to the comprehensiveness of the features and complex user interface.       
• Value for money: Webex is more expensive than Slack. It offers high value for money for organizations looking for a multi-channel, complete collaboration solution. For simple communication and collaboration, Slack offers a better value for money.          
• Expansion to work management: Webex is a business collaboration solution. It does not offer native project management. It relies on integration for work management capabilities.   

Key features 

• Support @mentions, gifs, emojis, and reactions to keep conversations light-hearted  
• VoIP calling, video and audio messaging,  and video conferencing
• Docs for co-editing and collaborating with the team  
• Screen recording to share feedback with context on digital content    

Pros 

• Provides an advanced level of security 
• Advanced AI capabilities such as a digital in-meeting assistant to write notes and translate captions in more than 100 languages

Cons 

• Complex user interface and steep learning curve for new users
• Expensive for small teams, as premium features require subscribing to top-tier plans

Pricing 

Webex provides four plans, including a free one

• Free: Free forever
• Meet: $12 per user per month (if billed annually)
• Suite: $22.50 per user per month (if billed annually)
• Enterprise: Contact their sales team for more details

Use Webex if 

• You are looking for a complete suite of digital collaboration tools, not just team communication 
• You have a significant budget to invest in a team collaboration app  

7. Chanty: Best for built-in task management

Chanty is a team chat application that not only helps you with instant messaging and video calling but also with task management. It allows users to create channels for group discussions, share files with others, make video calls directly from channels, send 1:1 messages, and manage tasks.

Chanty is the best alternative to Slack for built-in task management.  With Chanty’s built-in task management capabilities, you can manage tasks from one unified system.  

Chanty vs Slack

• Core communication and collaboration features: Both Chanty and Slack offer similar and comparable instant messaging and video conferencing capabilities. However, Chanty has an edge over Slack in task management capabilities.          
• Ease of use, user experience, and learning curve: Both Chanty and Slack have an intuitive user interface and are easy to use, but Chanty has a comparatively larger learning curve than Slack due to its comprehensive range of features.   
• Value for money: Chanty offers a better value for money than Slack due to its competitive range of features and cheap pricing plans.   
• Expansion to work management: Chanty supports work management better than Slack, with built-in task management capabilities.         

Key features 

• Support @mentions, file sharing, GIFs, reactions, disappearing messages, threaded messages, and voice messages 
• High-quality 4k audio & video calling up to 1000 participants with screen sharing 
• Robust search to quickly find specific messages, files, or conversations.
• Task management to create, delegate, track, and manage tasks      

Pros 

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface
• More affordable than other chat apps 

Cons 

• Fewer integrations with third-party apps
• Lack of customization, such as custom emojis, dark themes for mobile, and other customization options

Pricing 

Chanty has three paid plans: 

• Free: Free for up to five users
• Business: $3 per user per month, billed annually
• Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing

Use Chanty if 

• You need a business communication app with built-in task management 
• You need a solution that offers high value for money

What is the best Slack alternative for you?

The best alternative to Slack depends on the needs of an organization. Undoubtedly, Slack is one of the best business communication and collaboration apps, but not the ideal fit for everyone. Here is my takeaway of the best alternatives to Slack for different user cases:

1. Microsoft Teams for video and audio calling

The primary use of Slack is for business communication. If you are struggling with Slack’s video and audio calling capabilities, you can switch to Teams. If you do not prefer the Microsoft suite of products, you can look for the best Microsoft Teams alternatives, which include Zoom and Webex.           

2. Pumble for pricing 

The major concern of users with Slack is pricing. Pumble is the best alternative to Slack for teams looking for a cheaper option with similar capabilities and interface.      

3. ProofHub for work management       

There is a large section of users who want task creation, delegation, tracking, and management capabilities in Slack. ProofHub is the best alternative to Slack for work management. It provides built-in task management and project management capabilities along with a suite of collaboration tools.

Final thoughts 

Slack is one of the most competent business communication apps in the market. There is no doubt about the capabilities of Slack. However, at the same time, it is also true that it is not the right business communication and team collaboration for everyone. Throughout this Slack alternatives guide, we have witnessed shortcomings of Slack for various use cases and explored the best alternatives. The best approach is to find the right business communication and collaboration app that best serves your organizational needs. 

ProofHub is the best overall alternative to Slack that brings business communication and project execution together. If you are looking for a complete business work management and communication solution, ProofHub is the platform that your entire team can rely on.

Frequently asked questions

What Slack alternatives work well for cross-functional teams?

For cross-functional team collaboration, such as engineering, marketing,  sales, operations, and support, ProofHub and Webex. ProofHub is the best option to create workflows and bring collaboration to a transparent and centralized place. Webex is best for cross-functional collaboration because teams don’t just talk; they co-edit documents, review reports, manage files, and schedule meetings. 

Which Slack alternative is best for remote teams?

For remote-first teams, Microsoft Teams is the best option for remote teams to streamline communication. Slack relies heavily on typed communication. Remote teams often need quick, spontaneous interaction. Microsoft Teams fits structured remote companies because of advanced video and audio calling capabilities, scheduled meetings, recorded sessions, calendars, and formal coordination. 

What is the most cost-effective alternative to Slack?

The most cost-effective alternative to Slack is Pumble and ProofHub. Pumble is the best choice for teams looking for similar tools to Slack with cheap pricing. ProofHub is the most cost-effective alternative to Slack for teams who are using Slack in combination with third-party project management software and looking for an all-in-one solution with project management and team collaboration capabilities in one place. 

What should I consider when choosing a Slack alternative?

Evaluate based on the work model, not just features.

Key criteria include:

• Communication style: Async discussion (like Slack (software)) vs meeting-centric (Cisco Webex) vs document-centric (Google Chat).
• Team size & complexity: Small teams need simplicity; enterprises need governance and identity management.
• Data control: If compliance or privacy matters, choose self-hosted platforms like Mattermost.
• Work management features: Needs a built-in work management feature or integration with your existing tools (CRM, project management, storage).
• Pricing: Include per-user pricing, storage, and add-ons (video meetings, guests, history).

The correct platform isn’t the one with the most features it’s the one aligned with how your organization actually performs work.