When it comes to working with teams, communication is one of the most critical elements. Without a robust medium of communication, things can become chaotic among teams. Slack is a leader in providing top-notch team workspace services for internal communication. However, you can consider using these alternatives to Slack. Some of these alternatives are free as well. These collaboration apps have been on the rise recently, particularly in the wake of work-from-home scenarios since the inception of the global pandemic.
Best Slack-like apps in 2024:
Here are the Slack alternatives you can try:
1. Microsoft Teams
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Web
Features:
- Team chats and direct messaging
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing and collaboration
- Integration with other Microsoft apps
- Screen sharing
- Instant chat
- Video calls
- Audio calls
- Office 365 inntegrations
Microsoft’s version of Slack is MS Teams, a worthy Slack alternative released in 2017. As the name suggests, Microsoft Teams is built for teams where they can collaborate and communicate seamlessly. Teams are available for free, however, the paid plan is targeted towards enterprise audiences and is also associated with the Microsoft Office suite, but if you’re not planning to upgrade, you can still use it as a free tool.
I find Slack better than Microsoft Teams. You can use Teams for video conferencing, meetings, calling, and chatting with your teammates. Just one thing to remember if you’re planning on using Microsoft Teams, it is not as user-friendly as I find Slack. While setting it up, I underwent several disappointments, but eventually was able to adjust.
Microsoft Teams is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and the Web.
2. Workplace from Meta
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Web
Features:
- Groups, Posts, Live, Knowledge Library, and more
- Team chats and direct messaging
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing and collaboration
- Integration with other Facebook apps
- Live streaming and events
Workplace is a product of Meta (previously owned by the Facebook company), and a paid teamwork tool, starting at $4 per person per month. It allows for easy team communication and collaboration within a company and comes with features such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing.
One major benefit of Workplace is that you get to integrate it with Facebook tools like Facebook Live, that’s handy for internal company broadcasts. Workplace also offers integration with other business tools such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace apps.
3. Mattermost
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Web
Features:
- Team chats and direct messaging
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing and collaboration
- Integration with other apps and services
- Customizable user interface
Mattermost is a powerful and open-source alternative to Slack that offers many of the same features.
Unlike Slack, which requires a subscription for each member, Mattermost allows you to set up the messaging system on your server, giving you greater control over data and features.
Additionally, it is available for free and comes with free apps for Android and iOS, where users can use their platform and connect server. To use Mattermost, you will need to download it from their website and install it on your server.
You can download Mattermost from their website and install it on your server.
4. Google Chat aka Google Hangouts Chat
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Web
Features:
- Team chats and direct messaging
- Integration with other Google Workspace apps
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing and collaboration
Google Chat, aka Google Hangouts Chat, is another Slack alternative and is part of the Google Workspace. The app offers a similar experience to Slack, with features like direct and group messaging, file sharing, and other Google Workspace app integrations like Google Calendar and G-Drive.
The major plus point for Google Chat is its seamless integration with other G-apps, making it a great option for teams already using G-Workspace.
G-Chat also offers a free version for personal use and comes with an affordable pricing plan for businesses. Google Chat is a solid option for teams looking for a messaging platform that is easy to use and integrates with their existing workflow.
5. RocketChat
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Web
Features:
- Team chats and direct messaging
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing and collaboration
- Integration with other apps and services
- Customizable user interface
Rocket Chat empowers teams to get their best work done. It’s another open-source alternative to Slack. You can collaborate, share files, and communicate in real-time using RocketChat. The platform for teams offers popular integrations such as HubSpot, Google Drive, and Google Calendar, and custom integrations support through an API. With their E2E encryption technology, the communication remains private.
RocketChat says that it’s the largest open-source communications community in the world. You can also install a server or use the SaaS product of RocketChat. The company offers apps on both Android and iOS platforms. Because of its free version, it’s a better option for small businesses. However, you may still need technical expertise to set up and maintain.
6. Discord
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Web
Features:
- Voice and video calls
- Text chats
- File sharing
- Integration with other apps and services
- Gaming-focused
You may’ve heard gamers talking about joining a Discord community. It’s another community-friendly Slack alternative app. It’s heaven for an online gaming community where they can collaborate chat and do open discussions. However, it’s been widely adopted by small businesses and communities because of its voice and text chat features.
On Discord, you can create or join servers where you can communicate with a group of people with ease. As the Metaverse grows, Discord is adding NFT profile picture support along with other customization options in the form of Nitro.
Overall speaking, Discord is for gamers. If you’re a gamer at heart or have a community to manage, Discord is a good fit for you and a great Slack alternative for small businesses and communities.
7. Chanty
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, FedoraOS, Debian
Features:
- Team chats and direct messaging
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing and collaboration
- Integration with other apps and services
- Task management and organization features
Chanty is the last Slack alternative on this list. The app has a user-friendly interface and a range of features, like team chat, video conference calls, and task management.
One major advantage of Chanty is its pricing model, which is based on the number of active users rather than the number of total users. This is good news for small businesses and teams that are short on budget and may need to save some bucks. Chanty can be integrated with Asana and Trello for seamless collaboration. Chanty is free for limited users.
So, these are the platforms that you can use as an alternative to Slack. Most of these alternatives are free, but to get the most out of them, you may have to pay for some of them. For more alternatives, visit the ‘Alternatives‘ category on TechEngage for more options.
