Slack vs Microsoft Teams
Slack is the messaging tool everyone loves. Teams is the one everyone already has. If your company pays for Microsoft 365, Teams is free. So is Slack actually worth paying for?
Updated 2026-02 · 2026
Slack
The messaging app that defined modern work chat
Strengths
- +Best-in-class third-party integrations with 2,600+ apps
- +Threaded conversations keep channels organized and readable
- +Workflow Builder lets you automate tasks without code
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale, especially for large organizations
- -Free tier limits message history to 90 days
- -Video calling and screen sharing feel bolted on
Best for
Teams that rely heavily on integrations and want the cleanest, most focused messaging experience.
Microsoft Teams
Video meetings and chat bundled with Microsoft 365
Strengths
- +Free if your org already pays for Microsoft 365
- +Video meetings, screen sharing, and recording built in
- +Deep integration with Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
Weaknesses
- -Interface feels cluttered and slow compared to Slack
- -Third-party integrations are limited and less polished
- -Thread model is confusing and hard to follow
Best for
Organizations already in the Microsoft ecosystem that want meetings, chat, and file sharing in one place without extra cost.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Messaging | Excellent, clean threads | Good, confusing threads |
| Video meetings | Basic (Huddles) | Full-featured, built in |
| Integrations | 2,600+ apps | Limited marketplace |
| File sharing | Drag and drop, 10-20GB | OneDrive/SharePoint integrated |
| Screen sharing | Yes | Yes, with remote control |
| Recording | Huddles only (paid) | Built in, auto-transcribed |
| Breakout rooms | No | Yes |
| Guest access | Paid plans | Yes, free |
The Verdict
If your company already has Microsoft 365, Teams is hard to beat on value. You get meetings, chat, and file sharing for zero extra cost. But if messaging quality and integrations matter more than video calls, Slack is still the better chat experience. Many teams end up using both: Teams for meetings, Slack for day-to-day messaging.
Beyond both: self-host Rocket.Chat
Open source team chat with video conferencing, file sharing, and marketplace integrations. Self-hosted, E2E encrypted, and no per-user fees.
rocket.chat →