Slack: The team communication platform that set the standard, still the best
✓ Best for: Teams that need real-time messaging with deep integration to developer tools✗ Not for: Teams already on Microsoft 365 (Teams is included and cheaper)
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Slack invented the modern team messaging category and, despite fierce competition from Teams, remains the preferred choice for tech-forward companies. The Huddle audio rooms and 2,600+ integrations keep it ahead.
2,600+ app integrations, far ahead of Microsoft Teams
Huddles (lightweight audio/video) built into every channel
Slack Canvas for shared notes and meeting prep
Search across all messages and files with full history on paid plans
Slack AI summarises threads and channels instantly
Watch out for
Pro plan ($8.75/user) required for message history beyond 90 days
Video calls max at 15 participants, use Zoom for larger calls
Microsoft Teams is free with Microsoft 365, hard to justify for Office users
Category scores
Scored breakdown
Ease of Use
9.0/10
Value for Money
7.2/10
Features
8.6/10
Integrations
9.6/10
Customer Support
8.0/10
Overall SaaSpare Score8.2/10
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Bottom line
Slack Pro is worth it if you're not in the Microsoft ecosystem
Slack Free is usable but the 90-day message history limit is genuinely painful. Pro at $8.75/user/mo gives full history, unlimited integrations, and Slack AI. If your company uses Microsoft 365, Teams is the pragmatic choice. If you're a tech-forward team that values integrations: Slack wins.
Yes, free plan covers unlimited users, 90-day message history, and 10 integrations. The 90-day history limit is the main constraint for teams that need to reference older discussions.
How does Slack compare to Microsoft Teams?
Slack has better third-party integrations and is preferred by tech teams. Teams is free with Microsoft 365 and better for Office-heavy organisations. If you pay for Microsoft 365, Teams is the economical choice.
Does Slack have video calling?
Yes, Slack Huddles (audio/video) support up to 50 participants on paid plans. For scheduled video meetings with recording and larger groups, most teams use Zoom or Google Meet alongside Slack.
Is Slack AI worth it?
Slack AI (included with Business+ and higher) summarises channels, answers questions from message history, and recaps threads. Very useful for teams with high message volume. Not worth the upgrade just for AI alone.
Can I use Slack on mobile?
Yes, iOS and Android apps are fully featured, including Huddles and file sharing. Push notifications are reliable and customisable per channel.
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