Slack vs Microsoft Teams
Slack is the leading team messaging platform known for its developer-friendly ecosystem and integrations. Microsoft Teams is deeply embedded in the Microsoft 365 suite with built-in video calling, SharePoint, and Office integration. Slack wins on UX and integrations; Teams wins on price for Microsoft 365 users.
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Where work happens - team messaging vs Chat, meetings, and files in one hub.
| Feature | Slack | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing from | Free, paid from $7.25/user/mo | Free; paid from $4/user/mo via Microsoft 365 |
| Primary use case | Team messaging, channels, and app integrations | Team messaging, video calls, and Microsoft 365 collaboration |
| Pricing | Free plan; Pro at $7.25/user/mo | Included in Microsoft 365 from $6/user/mo; standalone from $4/user/mo |
| Ease of use | Intuitive; best-in-class messaging UX | Powerful but can feel cluttered; familiar for Office users |
| Key strength | App ecosystem, developer tools, and channel organisation | Microsoft 365 integration, video calls, and SharePoint access |
| Key weakness | Expensive relative to Teams for Microsoft 365 users; no built-in video | Can feel overwhelming; Teams meetings quality varies |
| Team features | Channels, guest access, granular permissions | Teams, channels, guest access, admin controls |
The third option most teams miss
Picking between Slack and Microsoft Teams isn't the only choice.
Slack and Teams are both excellent team chat tools - Appaca complements either by building the custom workflow apps your team needs beyond simple messaging.
- No code, no deployment, no devops
- Built-in database, dashboards, team access
- Refine with chat as your needs change
- Free to start, no per-seat pricing surprises
Common questions
Both work well for remote teams. Slack is preferred by tech companies for its integrations. Teams is preferred by enterprises already using Microsoft 365.
Slack can replace Teams for messaging but lacks Teams' tight integration with SharePoint, OneDrive, and Microsoft Office. Many Microsoft-centric organisations stick with Teams.
Yes. Slack has built-in video calling via Slack Huddles and Clips. However, it is not as full-featured as Teams video conferencing, which integrates with Outlook calendar.
Appaca is a third option for teams that don't want to choose between two existing tools. Instead of forcing your workflow into someone else's product, Appaca builds a custom app from a description - with built-in database, hosting, and team access. Try it free at appaca.ai.