Slack vs. Teams: What’s the Best Instant Chat App?

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Discover the best instant chat app in this full Slack vs. Teams comparison. After learning more about collaboration features, pricing, and device availability in each platform, you’ll be in a better position to pick the best option for your needs.

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Table of Contents

Slack vs. Teams: Quick Comparison

	Microsoft Teams	Slack
Maximum Users	5,000 per team	Unlimited
Devices Available	iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux	iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux
Maximum Number of Channels/Groups	250	Unlimited
Message History	Customizable, but indefinite by default	90 days (free), indefinite (paid)
Maximum Meeting Members	Up to 300	Up to 50

Slack vs. Teams: User Interface

Slack has a clean user interface with your channels and chats on the left side. The search bar at the top lets you look for different users and chats, and the chat consumes most of your screen space.

Microsoft Teams features a design similar to most Microsoft apps (e.g., Outlook, OneNote, and Word). It looks pretty modern, and you can use the search function at the top in similar ways as Slack. On the left, you’ll see your chats, Microsoft Calendar, and a handful of other features.

Slack’s interface is more streamlined, which is why we’re giving it the point here.

Winner: Slack

Slack vs. Teams: Notifications & Communication

Slack

Slack lets you create channels to communicate with users, and you can also start individual chats. The app allows you to send text messages, audio messages, and video messages.

If you need to talk to multiple people, you can also set up huddles; the free plan allows a maximum of two people, but that number increases to 50 with a paid subscription. Huddles can be audio or video, and they work similarly to apps like Zoom and Google Meet.

You can silence notifications if you don’t want to receive push notifications. When you’re away, users will see a message that says you’ll see what they’ve sent when you’re back. One of the several Slack commands you can use is /dnd. (This will activate Do Not Disturb.)

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams lets you choose whether you want to hear an alert each time users contact you. It’s also possible to view a snippet of the messages you receive, which can help you decide whether it’s worth quickly responding.

Another handy feature in Microsoft Teams is the ability to choose whether to see notifications while you’re in a meeting. You can also switch all notifications off if you’d prefer not to receive any.

Microsoft Teams gives you the choice of receiving emails for notifications that you may have missed in the app. Since Slack and Teams offer comprehensive notification features, we’re giving them both a point here.

Winner: Tie

Microsoft Teams vs. Slack: Customization & Integrations

Slack

Slack has various customization options, such as the ability to integrate over 2,600 apps. Integrations include Notion, monday.com, Zoom, Slack for Gmail, and Slack for Outlook.

Users on Slack also have comprehensive theme customization options. Choose from dozens of single-color, vision-assistive, and fun and new themes. Slack also has a handful of updated classics, and you can make your own themes with custom colors.

Slack has light and dark modes, and you can add your pronouns in Slack, too. The app also supports nine languages, including English, German, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish. Besides changing your theme colors, you can choose between clean and compact themes.

Another handy customization tool in Slack allows you to choose whether you want your full name to be visible. The app lets you choose the skin tones for your emojis as well.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams has a handful of theme customizations, such as the option to choose between light, dark, and high contrast modes. Like Slack, you can also choose whether you want a compact or “comfy” theme.

Language options are much more extensive in Teams, with over 20 available. You can also enable Spell Check and switch off animations. Teams has a handful of accessibility tools as well, such as turning on sign language.

Slack’s customization features are more advanced than Microsoft Teams, and it also has significantly more integrations. For both of these reasons, Slack is the clear winner.

Winner: Slack

Slack vs. Teams: Collaboration Tools

Slack

Slack has comprehensive collaboration features, such as the option to quickly notify team members by typing “@” and entering their names. You can also send a message to everyone in a channel by entering “@channel.”

The app also lets you message participants and create group chats if needed. All of your group conversations will be available later in the search bar, even if you remove them from your left toolbar.

If you need file sharing, Slack makes it easy to send attachments and links. Moreover, you can respond to individual messages and access these via your threads. This feature is especially helpful in group discussions.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams’ collaboration platform lets you message individuals and create group chats. You can find people you need to contact via the search bar and create meetings. If someone else has already set up a meeting, you can copy and paste the link into Teams and join the meeting.

When using Teams, you can create tables and set quotes if needed. The app makes it easy to upload files, and you can create polls if you need everyone’s input.

Teams lets you highlight text, making it easy for others to assess key points. To get others’ attention, you can use the exclamation icon to mark messages as important.

Microsoft Teams has an integrated calendar that helps you share your availability with others. Video calling people on Teams is easier than on Slack, too; you can actually integrate Teams Video Call with Slack.

Winner: Tie

Teams vs. Slack: Pricing

Slack

Slack has a comprehensive free version with 90-day access, up to 10 integrations, and security features, like two-factor authentication (2FA), but if you want more, opt for a paid plan.

Subscription	Pricing	Key Features
Pro	$7.25/user/month	Unlimited integrations, unlimited messaging history, 1,000 monthly automation runs, Slack AI add-on
Business+	$12.50/user/month	2,000 monthly automation runs, 99.9% uptime guaranteed, Slack Atlas add-on
Enterprise Grid	Custom	Unlimited workspaces, 5,000 monthly automation runs, HIPAA compliance support

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft has unbundled Teams from Office, but it is available with Microsoft 365 Business. The app also has a basic plan; all of the annual pricing options are below.

Subscription	Pricing	Key Features
Microsoft Teams Essentials	$4/user/month	Unlimited group meetings, 300 people per meeting, unlimited chats
Microsoft 365 Business Basic	$6/user/month	Custom email address, Microsoft Office web apps, spam and malware filtering
Microsoft 365 Business Standard	$12.50/user/month	Microsoft Office desktop apps, collaborative workspaces via Microsoft Loop, attendee registration

For app-specific features, Slack is the winner (especially as it already integrates with several key Microsoft apps).

Winner: Slack

Slack comprehensively won in most categories, and the app is better than Microsoft Teams for students, freelancers, and small to mid-sized teams. Customization options are plentiful, and the user interface is easy to navigate. Moreover, you’ll find plenty of free Slack channels to join for networking.

On the other hand, Microsoft Teams may be a better choice if you’re part of a larger organization. Often, employers and educational institutions will use Teams, so it makes sense for you to do the same.

Image credit: DALL-E 3. All screenshots by Danny Maiorca.

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Danny Maiorca –
Contributor

Danny has written for online audiences for 10+ years. He specializes in Apple products and loves writing on his MacBook, keeping in touch on his iPhone, and measuring his workouts on his Apple Watch. Danny’s work has featured in multiple places online, including MUO, Lifewire, and Guiding Tech. Away from the keyboard, he’s passionate about photography and leading an active lifestyle outdoors.