While Slack revolutionized workplace communication, it’s not the perfect fit for every organization. A heavy reliance on third-party tools, a lack of built-in project management features, and an overwhelming number of notifications are just a few reasons why teams are seeking new solutions. Whether you’re looking for better value, enhanced security, or different features, here are the best Slack alternatives to consider in 2025. But before you dive, have a look at out shortlist of top collaboration software:
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Why Consider Slack Alternatives?
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What is Slack and how does it work?
Slack is a communications and workflow solution designed for teams. Using Slack, you can set up channels, which can be around any theme, project, client or department. You can invite people to join these channels, or make them private, and people can leave whenever they want. With Slack’s search functionality, you can quickly skip to past communications. You can also star conversations to add them to your favorites, and allow you to quickly access them again in the future. Slack threads allow people to carry on the conversation in a separate place, rather than cluttering up the channel with their responses. With Slack, you can share PDFs, images, videos, and gifs, and you can mention one individual or multiple people within channels to get their attention. You can also direct message people when you want to have 1-2-1 conversations, and quickly add more people to that conversation if you need more opinions.
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Before diving into alternatives, it’s worth understanding why teams are looking beyond Slack. The platform has a robust notification system that allows all users to ping all members of a particular channel, which can lead to a seriously distracting work experience. Additionally, many organizations find Slack’s pricing structure expensive as teams scale, and some require features that Slack doesn’t provide natively.
Top Slack Alternatives for 2025
Microsoft Teams
Best for: Organizations already using Microsoft 365 or Windows-focused businesses
If you’re a Microsoft-focused organization, let me save you from having to scroll any further: the best Slack alternative for you is Microsoft Teams. With a Microsoft 365 Business Basics package and above, you get access to Teams and cloud versions of the full suite of Microsoft Office apps.
Key Features:
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Office suite
- Built-in video conferencing and screen sharing
- Advanced security and compliance features
- File collaboration with SharePoint integration
Pricing: The Microsoft Teams Essentials Plan, which costs $4.00/user/month when paid yearly, is the cheapest plan. It offers real-time collaboration with file sharing, tasks, polling, and 10GB of cloud storage per user. Premium plans go up to $22 per month per user if paid annually, or $26.40 per user per month if you opt for monthly payments.
Discord
Best for: Tech teams, gaming companies, and creative communities
Originally designed for gamers, Discord has evolved into a powerful communication platform that many businesses now use for team collaboration.
Key Features:
- Excellent voice and video quality
- Server-based organization with channels
- Strong community features
- Extensive customization options
Pricing: Discord offers a generous free plan, with teams that want extras like increased upload limits and custom emojis can upgrade to Discord Nitro Basic ($2.99/month) or Nitro ($9.99/month).
Rocket.Chat
Best for: Security-conscious organizations and those requiring self-hosted solutions
There are free alternatives to slack like Rocket.Chat and Discord available if you are comfortable with their limitations and feel the features suit your business model.
Key Features:
- Open-source platform with self-hosting options
- Strong security and compliance features
- Extensive customization capabilities
- API integrations and bot support
- End-to-end encryption
Pricing: Rocket.Chat offers various pricing tiers including a free community edition for self-hosted deployments.
Google Chat
Best for: Organizations using Google Workspace
Google Chat integrates seamlessly with the Google Workspace ecosystem, making it an natural choice for teams already using Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services.
Key Features:
- Native integration with Google Workspace apps
- Smart reply suggestions
- Threaded conversations
- Room-based collaboration
- Built-in Google Meet integration
Zoho Cliq
Best for: Businesses using the Zoho software suite
Zoho Cliq is another Slack alternative to consider in 2025. It provides a secure chat platform for communication within teams and with external stakeholders. You can use video calls, real-time messaging, and file-sharing tools.
Key Features:
- Integration with Zoho’s business applications
- Audio and video calling
- Screen sharing capabilities
- Command center for workflow automation
- External user collaboration
Pumble
Best for: Budget-conscious teams seeking unlimited message history
With prices starting at $2.49 per user per month (billed annually), Pumble is more affordable than both MS Teams and Discord. If you want, you can stay on the free plan forever — after all, it offers unlimited message history, which means no piece of information will ever be lost.
Key Features:
- Unlimited message history on free plan
- Thread-based conversations
- File sharing and search
- Guest access
- Screen sharing
ClickUp
Best for: Teams wanting communication integrated with project management
While primarily known as a project management tool, ClickUp has evolved to include robust communication features.
Key Features:
- Integrated project management and communication
- Real-time chat and comments
- Document collaboration
- Goal tracking and reporting
- Extensive app integrations
Spike
Best for: Teams wanting to modernize email communication
Tools like Spike that make email work like modern messaging, or platforms that combine various communication methods offer unique approaches to team collaboration.
Key Features:
- Email that works like instant messaging
- Video meetings and voice messages
- Shared notebooks and tasks
- Calendar integration
- Unified inbox for all communications
Factors to Consider When Choosing
1. Integration Ecosystem
Consider what tools your team already uses. The best alternative often depends on your existing software stack.
2. Security Requirements
Some organizations require specific security certifications, encryption standards, or data residency requirements.
3. Pricing Structure
Evaluate both current costs and future scaling. Some platforms become expensive as you add users, while others offer better value at scale.
4. Feature Requirements
Do you need built-in video conferencing, project management, or extensive customization? Prioritize platforms that offer your must-have features natively.
5. User Experience
The best tool is one your team will actually use. Consider ease of adoption and learning curves.
Free Options Worth Considering
Several platforms offer generous free tiers that might be sufficient for smaller teams:
- Discord: Excellent free plan with voice/video capabilities
- Google Chat: Free with Google accounts
- Pumble: Unlimited message history on free plan
- Rocket.Chat: Free community edition for self-hosting
SaaSworthy Insights
Based on industry research and user behavior tracked by SaaSworthy:
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Adoption Trends: Microsoft Teams continues to dominate among enterprises due to its bundling with Microsoft 365, while Discord and Pumble are gaining traction with SMBs and startups.
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Scalability Factor: Rocket.Chat and Mattermost appeal to IT-driven companies that need self-hosting and full control, while Zoho Cliq and ClickUp shine for organizations already embedded in their ecosystems.
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Value-for-Money: Pumble stands out as the most cost-effective alternative thanks to its unlimited free message history.
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Future Outlook: AI-driven features such as smart notifications, automated meeting notes, and contextual search are becoming decisive factors in 2025, with platforms like ClickUp and Spike pushing ahead here.
What Redditors Think
A quick scan of Reddit communities like r/sysadmin, r/Slack, and r/productivity shows a mixed but insightful sentiment:
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Slack Fatigue: Many complain about Slack’s noisy notifications and rising costs. “Slack feels like email 2.0—too much chatter, not enough signal,” one user wrote on r/productivity.
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Microsoft Teams: Often praised for integration but criticized for a “clunky” UX. Still, IT admins in r/sysadmin favor it because “it’s included anyway with Office licensing.”
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Discord: Loved by smaller, younger teams for its free features and community vibe. A common sentiment: “Discord just works out of the box with no learning curve.”
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Rocket.Chat: Highly rated by developers and privacy-conscious users. One post on r/selfhosted notes: “It’s the only tool where I know exactly where my data lives.”
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Pumble: Users like its affordability. One startup founder said: “Pumble saved us thousands per year compared to Slack while keeping unlimited history.”
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ClickUp: Praised for combining project management + chat. Some users feel it’s “a jack of all trades, master of none,” but still useful for teams that want fewer apps.
Decision Matrix for Slack Alternatives
| Tool | Best For | Pricing (Starting) | Standout Feature | SaaSworthy Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Teams | Enterprises using Microsoft 365 | $4/user/month | Deep Office integration | Best for enterprise IT-driven orgs |
| Discord | Tech startups, creative teams | Free / $2.99+ | Superior voice/video chat | Best free community-first option |
| Rocket.Chat | Security-focused orgs | Free (self-hosted) | Open-source, customizable, secure | Best for compliance-heavy industries |
| Google Chat | Google Workspace users | Included in Workspace | Tight Gmail/Drive integration | Best native pick for Google shops |
| Zoho Cliq | SMBs on Zoho ecosystem | Included in Zoho One | Workflow automation hub | Best for Zoho-centric workflows |
| Pumble | Budget-conscious startups | $2.49/user/month | Unlimited free message history | Best cost-efficient alternative |
| ClickUp | Teams wanting PM + chat | Free / $7/user/month | Integrated project + comms suite | Best all-in-one productivity hub |
| Spike | Teams modernizing email | Free / $5/user/month | Email-as-chat UX | Best for email-first collaboration |
FAQs
Is Slack still worth it in 2025?
Yes, Slack remains powerful for many teams due to its ecosystem of integrations and ease of use. However, for teams sensitive to cost or needing built-in project management/security, alternatives may offer better value.
What is the best free alternative to Slack?
Discord and Pumble lead the pack for free options. Discord excels at voice and video, while Pumble offers unlimited message history even on its free plan.
Which tool is best for enterprises?
Microsoft Teams is generally the enterprise default due to its integration with Microsoft 365, compliance certifications, and security features.
Can I migrate Slack data to another tool?
Yes, but ease varies. Microsoft Teams, Rocket.Chat, and Pumble provide migration support, while tools like Discord may require workarounds or third-party solutions.
Which alternative has the strongest security?
Rocket.Chat and Mattermost stand out with self-hosting, end-to-end encryption, and advanced compliance options.
