What are the best alternatives to Slack?
Here are my picks for the best Slack alternatives for team communication.
1. Chanty.
The best for real-time collaboration and communication
Chanty is a growing startup whose aim is to help small businesses meet their communication needs. It is a tool for collaboration and group chat in real time, but it offers a lot of features other than messaging.
You can use this Slack alternative to create tasks, assign them to team members, and also use it for videoconferencing. I like the clean interface that it offers; using the software is both easy and intuitive.
Overall, Chanty is better suited for smaller teams that need to focus on fast-paced tasks. It allows you to organize lists and discussion channels based on functions, teams, and other search parameters. This focus on tasks allows you to get more done in less time.
Features
In terms of features, Chanty is quite powerful. It has channels for public conversations, but also supports private messages and audio and video calls. You can also share screens using the tool.
Here is a list of Chanty's main features:
- Research based on artificial intelligence
- Task lists for the team and for the members.
- Task management in the form of assigning, monitoring and adjusting tasks.
- Team chat function
- Kanban boards
- Conversation archives
- Chat and video conference
- Easy integration with apps like Trello, Asana, and Google Drive
Pricing
When it comes to price, Chanty keeps it simple.
It only offers 2 plans: a free lifetime plan that costs $0 and a commercial plan that costs $3/user/month. The free plan is limited to 10 users, while the business plan can have an unlimited number of users, as well as all features.
2. Mattermost.
The best for DevOps teams
If you are a developer looking for an open-source instant messaging solution that is also very secure, then Mattermost is the best alternative to Slack. This secure collaboration platform is used by large enterprises (think Intel) and even by US government agencies.
Mattermost helps developers create a customized platform for team communication. The software is ideally suited to DevOps workflows and uses dedicated channels to ensure the detection of software bugs and the resolution of breaches.
It also allows users to collaborate on coding and bug testing in real time. You can check the notification hub to make sure you're working in sync with other team members. It can even integrate with tools like JIRA for creating, assigning, and tracking tasks.
Features
One of the striking things about Mattermost is that its user interface is almost similar to Slack, so if you make the transition, you're not going to run into a lot of issues. Apart from the above, it also has options for assigning role-based permissions, sending private messages, and video calling.
Here's a list of other key Mattermost features:
- Assigning priorities based on tasks
- Automatic notifications and reminders
- An unlimited number of integrations
- Custom tagging options
- Sharing images, links, and files
- Support for multiple languages
- Screen sharing (through integrations)
- Scheduling meetings and reminders
- Unlimited number of slash commands
- Guest accounts and user mentions
- Searchable messages
- Support for multiple platforms (Windows/Mac/Android/iOS)
Pricing
Mattermost offers a cloud-based SaaS that the company hosts itself. You can also opt for the self-hosting option that offers a free plan. Whichever accommodation option you choose, you have a wide range of customization options at your disposal.
Here is a list of Mattermost pricing plans:
- Self-managed business E0 at $0/user/month
- E10 self-managed business at $3.25/user/month
- E20 self-managed business at $8.50/user/month
- Professional cloud plan at $10/user/month
- Cloud business plan at a personalized price
Each higher-tier plan includes all of the features in the lower-tier plans. While cloud plans are best suited for distributed teams, self-managed plans are alternatives to Slack for privacy-conscious teams of all sizes.
3. Fleep.
The best for project management
Fleep is a team communication tool and collaboration application that also includes a project management software. From assignable tasks and bulletin boards to file and team management, Fleep covers all forms of team communication.
This Slack alternative has an interface that organizes tasks into to-do lists, which helps to avoid forgetting a task. However, I've noticed that the dashboard can be a bit cluttered with too many tasks to complete.
One of the unique features of Fleep's project management application is that it's not limited to being used to communicate with team members within the company. You can even invite external participants for a team chat, who need to log in to Fleep using their email address.
Features
Instead of categorizing conversations based on topics or channels (like in Slack), Fleep categorizes conversations based on people. You can access all of the conversations with a person from one place; this keeps things organized and keeps track of them.
Here is a list of the essential characteristics of Fleep:
- Dedicated bulletin boards to highlight important information.
- Taskboard for assigning and tracking tasks
- Group and one-on-one conversations
- Teams and task management
- File sharing, audio and video calls
- Supported on web, desktop, and mobile devices.
- Writing indicators and reading receipts
- Status and presence updates
- Easy integrations with Slack, Trello, JIRA, Zapier, Dropbox, and more
- Searchable conversation history
Pricing
Fleep's pricing plans are divided into 3 levels, and the website's pricing page shows prices in euros. But I'm going to give you the dollar rates I found, as well as a bit about the characteristics you'll get with each level.
1. $0/user/month basic plan
- Suitable for communities, friends, and students
- Up to one gigabyte of storage
- Native application support
2. Business plan at $5/user/month (billed annually)
- Suitable for medium and small businesses
- Everything in the basic plan
- Team personalization
3. Business plan at personalized rates
- Suitable for large businesses and corporations
- Everything in the business plan
- Volume discount
4. Flock.
The best for productivity tools
Flock is an online collaboration platform that offers real-time direct messaging, audio and video conferencing, and a suite of productivity tools. The app's design aims to eliminate workplace distractions by providing a single interface for all of your communication channels.
In addition to team communication, the Flock interface brings together all of your team collaboration and task management needs and presents them in a unified manner. Despite everything it does, the interface itself is quite minimalistic and focuses on open discussions.
It also includes productivity tools like task lists, team polls, and project updates. You can create tasks directly from messages, reducing the time it takes to divide work between team members.
Features
The unique feature of this app that I found useful is the reminder tool, which allows you to set up reminders for yourself and other team members. You can create reminders at any time of the day or even reminders that activate after specific time intervals.
Here are a few additional features that Flock offers:
- Smart channels with predefined criteria
- Sharing notes in the app
- Code snippets and file sharing
- Video calls and video chat with a single click
- Voice notes and tasks
- Administrative controls, authentication, and data retention
- One-way ads
- Search in chats and bookmarks for direct messages
- Dark mode for improved visual experiences
- A large number of integrations
Pricing
Like Fleep, Flock's pricing plans are also divided into 3 levels: Starter, Pro, and Enterprise. Billing can be done monthly or annually, but you benefit from a 25% discount if invoiced annually.
1. $0/month starter plan
- Unlimited one-on-one and group messages
- Up to 10 public channels
- Up to 5 gigabytes of storage per team
2. Pro plan at $4.50/user/month
- Unlimited messages and searches
- Unlimited number of private and public channels
- 10 gigabytes of storage per team member
3. Business plan at personalized rates
- Everything in the Pro plan
- Organizational mapping
- Integration with internal systems such as LMS or HRIS
In addition to the pricing plans above, Flock also offers special pricing to non-profit organizations based on their field of work and geographic location.
5. Microsoft Teams.
The best for Office 365 users
For businesses that work with Microsoft Office 365, there's no better alternative to team collaboration tools than Microsoft Teams. It offers a comparable range of features and integrates seamlessly with Office 365 and the rest of the Microsoft 365 suite.
Therefore, you can easily share and collaborate on live files using this tool. It has a user interface that should be familiar to Slack users, with the only significant difference being that Teams separates different types of communication into separate tabs.
Features
One of the benefits of Microsoft Teams is that you don't have to use third-party applications. At the same time, it offers integrated and dedicated project management functions. All of this allows you to manage your entire team from the comfort of this single application.
Here is the list of Microsoft Teams features:
- Up to 10,000 participants and meetings 24 hours a day
- Custom wallpapers and screen sharing
- Live recording of meetings
- Up to 500,000 chat participants
- Unlimited chats and file downloads
- Real-time integration with Microsoft 365
- Includes the Microsoft Task application for project management
- Video call and video chat
- Available on Windows, iOS, and Android
- Guest access and screen sharing
Pricing
Microsoft Teams pricing plans have 3 levels. The first level provides you with Microsoft Teams software for free. You can sign up without any commitment and start using the app.
For a complete Office 365 solution that includes Teams, you can opt for one of the following paid plans:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic at $5/user/month (annual payment)
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard at $12.50/user/month (annual payment)
- Office 365 E3 at $20/user/month (annual payment)
6. Rocket.Chat.
The best for social media integration
Rocket.Chat is a unique service in that it can integrate several chat programs into a single interface. By using this team chat app, you can easily access all of your chats from social media channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and other similar tools.
The application itself is completely open source, and you can customize it to suit your needs. You can clone Rocket.Chat from its GitHub repository, or deploy it on your own cloud server. But you'd be wrong to think that it's just another team messaging app.
On the contrary, it acts as an advanced tool to facilitate teamwork. It can integrate with an unlimited number of applications through APIs and allows you to fully control the workspace. Rocket.Chat is one of the best Slack alternatives for social media integration.
Features
Since Rocket.Chat is an open-source tool, you can fully customize it for all your documents and direct messages. It even gives you video conferencing, screen sharing, and reliable end-to-end encryption.
Here is a list of the essential features of Rocket.Chat:
- Individual or group messaging
- Public and private channels
- It can be used as a SaaS or self-managed solution.
- Easy chatbot integration
- Available on all platforms, including Linux
- Audio/video and screen sharing
- File storage and sharing
- Searchable message history
- CRM and SMS integration
- Creating online tickets and chat tags
- Emoji support
Pricing
Rocket.Chat's pricing plans are divided between its self-managed offerings and its SaaS offerings. You can start with the self-managed Community Self Managed Community, which is completely free. If you think the free version isn't enough, go for one of the paid plans.
Self Managed plans:
- Pro plan at $3/user/month
- Business plan at a personalized price
SaaS plans:
- Bronze plan at $2/user/month
- Silver plan at $4/user/month
- Gold plan at a personalized price
7. Glip.
The best for task management
RingCentral has acquired Glip in 2015 and merged it with the rest of its software suite. It is essentially a team collaboration tool with features dedicated to task management. By using it, you can help your employees stay on top of tasks and complete them on time.
The app itself is pretty intuitive, and if you've ever used a team chat app like Google Hangouts, Google Chat, or Ryver, you'll feel right at home with this app.
The interface layout and chat functions are almost the same as any other team collaboration and chat software, like group chats, instant messaging, voice, and video calls.
However, Glip stands out as an alternative to Slack with features like unlimited one-on-one and group meetings. It allows you to join meetings with a simple click from the browser and does not require you to download any software.
Features
One of the unique features of Glip is that it allows you to switch live meetings from one device to another. So you can stay connected on the go and from the device of your choice, no matter where you are.
Here is a list of the main features of Glip:
- Unlimited duration of meetings
- Create group chats with a single click
- Enterprise-grade encryption and password protection
- No software download required
- File sharing and screen sharing
- Complete control on the host side
- HD meetings and cloud recording and storage
- Easy integration with the G-suite calendar
- Task management and team collaboration features
- Complete file storage solution
Pricing
Glip offers monthly and annual plans, but I recommend that you opt for the annual plan to save up to 33%.
The packages are divided into 2 parts: the Glip Pro and the Glip Pro+.
Here is the breakdown of the plans according to the number of users:
- Glip Pro plan at 0
- Glip Pro+ plan at $11.99/user/month up to 99 users
- Glip Pro+ plan at $10.99/user/month for 100+ users
FAQs
1. Are these the only options available as alternatives to Slack?
Not at all. These are only the best alternatives to Slack; you can always choose from other apps like Discord (From which you can stream), Flowdock, and Bitrix24.
2. Do these messaging platforms come in the form of mobile applications?
Most of these messaging platforms have equivalent mobile applications for communication on the go.
3. What are the free alternatives to Slack?
Both Chanty and Mattermost have free plans. Fleep, Flock, Microsoft Teams, Rocket.Chat, and Glip also have free plans that are ideal for small teams and start-ups.
Summary.
In the era of home office and remote employment, team communication tools are indispensable. If your organization works with a geographically distributed team, it can take significant advantage of online communication and project management tools.
If you want to go beyond Gmail for team communication, choose from the options below:
- Chanty : The best for real-time collaboration and communication
- Mattermost : the best for DevOps teams
- Fleep : The best for project management
- Flock : The best for productivity tools
- Microsoft Teams : The best for Office 365 users
- Rocket.Chat : The best for social media integration
- Glip : The best for task management
I am sure that you will find a suitable option for your team among the ones proposed above.
