Best Slack Alternatives 2026
7 alternatives reviewed and compared
Looking for alternatives to:
Slack
Channel-based messaging app for teams, with threads, huddles, app integrations and searchable history.
Why look for Slack alternatives?
Slack works well for a lot of teams. Still, there are a few common reasons people start shopping around:
- Pricing — you want a more affordable option or a different pricing model
- Feature gaps — you need something Slack doesn't do well
- Ease of use — you want a tool that's simpler to set up and run day to day
- Scale — you've outgrown it, or it's too heavy for your team size
- Integrations — you need it to fit the rest of your stack better
Top alternatives compared
| Software | Rating | Starting price | Best for | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Microsoft Teams Unified communication platform combining video meetings, chat, file sharing, and Microsoft 365 integration for workplace collaboration. | 8.4 | Free | Organizations already invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem | |
Google Workspace Google's cloud productivity suite — Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet and Chat — built for real-time collaboration. | 8.8 | $7/mo | Startups and SMBs that work primarily in the browser | |
Mattermost Open-source, self-hostable team messaging built for security-conscious teams who need full data control. | 8.5 | Free | Government agencies and defense contractors with data residency rules | |
Rocket.Chat Open-source team chat with omnichannel support, federation and self-hosting for privacy-focused teams. | 8.2 | Free | Privacy-conscious organizations, governments and NGOs | |
 Basecamp Team communication and project management in one place with flat pricing for unlimited users. | 8.0 | $15/mo | Remote teams needing communication + project tools | |
Twist Asynchronous-first team messaging organized by threads, designed to cut down on real-time interruptions. | 8.0 | Free | Fully remote teams working across many time zones | |
Chanty Affordable team chat with built-in task management, voice and video calls, and a generous free plan. | Free | Small businesses and startups under about 50 people |
Detailed reviews
Microsoft Teams
Unified communication platform combining video meetings, chat, file sharing, and Microsoft 365 integration for workplace collaboration.
Best for:
Why pick Microsoft Teams over Slack?
Microsoft Teams has a genuinely usable free tier and is strong at Organizations already invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Google Workspace
Google's cloud productivity suite — Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet and Chat — built for real-time collaboration.
Best for:
Why pick Google Workspace over Slack?
Google Workspace is priced competitively and is strong at Startups and SMBs that work primarily in the browser.
Mattermost
Open-source, self-hostable team messaging built for security-conscious teams who need full data control.
Best for:
Why pick Mattermost over Slack?
Mattermost has a genuinely usable free tier and is strong at Government agencies and defense contractors with data residency rules.
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team chat with omnichannel support, federation and self-hosting for privacy-focused teams.
Best for:
Why pick Rocket.Chat over Slack?
Rocket.Chat has a genuinely usable free tier and is strong at Privacy-conscious organizations, governments and NGOs.
Basecamp
Team communication and project management in one place with flat pricing for unlimited users.
Best for:
Why pick Basecamp over Slack?
Basecamp is priced competitively and is strong at Remote teams needing communication + project tools.
Still deciding?
Put your shortlist side by side and see how the numbers and features really stack up.