Slack vs Teams: Which Instant Messaging app is the right choice for your business?

Instant messaging has become an increasingly crucial communication tool in the business realm. With many companies now having teams located in different parts of the world, conventional communication methods like emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings are no longer efficient enough to keep teams connected. Thankfully, instant messaging apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams have come to the rescue.

Slack and Microsoft Teams are two of the most popular instant messaging apps for businesses. While Slack has been around for quite some time and has steadily risen in popularity, Microsoft Teams is relatively new but has quickly made a name for itself. We will be looking at both apps closely, comparing their features, strengths, and weaknesses, so you can make an informed decision about which is the right choice for your business.

User interface

Slack and Teams both have similar interfaces, but one could argue that Slack has a more user-friendly and intuitive interface. Slack’s modern design, simple and clean layout, and customization options are everything anyone would want from an instant messaging app. Teams, on the other hand, has a classic interface that may take some time for new users to get familiar with. However, Teams’ interface is customizable, allowing users to move around elements to suit their preferences.

Integrations

Both Slack and Teams integrate well with other apps, but Slack stands out with its countless third-party integrations. Slack has integrations with virtually every app that you may need in a business setting. Teams also has several integrations. However, given that Teams is a Microsoft app, it integrates better with other Microsoft apps like Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

Features

In terms of features, both Slack and Teams offer almost everything you would need in an instant messaging app. However, Slack’s features have a more polished and intuitive feel to them. Slack has a cleaner-assistant feature that can help users clean up channels with outdated messages. Slack also boasts useful features like screen sharing, video conferencing, and the ability to create custom emojis. Teams has similar features, but they’re not as polished or user-friendly as Slack’s.

Pricing

Both Slack and Teams have similar pricing models, but Teams has a more budget-friendly option, especially if you already subscribe to Office 365. While both apps offer reasonably priced subscription packages, Teams’ free version offers more than Slack’s. Teams’ free version supports up to 300 users and offers unlimited chat messages, video calls, and integrations. Slack, on the other hand, only offers a limited free version, and its paid versions cost more than Teams’.

Security

Slack and Teams take security seriously, but in terms of security features, Teams is more secure. Teams has advanced security features like multi-factor authentication, single sign-in and device management, all of which are key in keeping data secure. Slack has similar features, but Teams has better integration with other Microsoft security tools like Conditional Access, making it a safer bet in terms of security.

In conclusion, both Slack and Teams are superb instant messaging apps that are undoubtedly efficient for businesses looking to stay connected. However, which of the two is the right choice for your business? Well, it depends on your priorities. If a user-friendly interface, third-party integrations, and polished features are what you’re looking for, Slack is the way to go. However, for budget-friendly options, better integration with Microsoft applications, and advanced security features, Teams is your best bet. With this comprehensive comparison guide, you can now make an informed decision on which app to go with.