Why look at alternatives? Slack’s 90-day history limit on free and $8.75/seat Pro adds up fast. These alternatives offer competitive team chat — some included in tools you already pay for.
We rate Slack 90/100. Read our full Slack review →
Quick Comparison: Best Slack Alternatives
| Alternative | Best For | Free Plan | Paid From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Microsoft Teams | Best for Microsoft 365 users | Free | $6/user/mo (with M365) | 87/100 |
| 2. Discord | Best free with unlimited history | Free (unlimited) | $0 | 80/100 |
| 3. Google Chat | Best for Google Workspace users | Free (with Workspace) | $6/user/mo (Workspace) | 81/100 |
| 4. Mattermost | Best open-source self-hosted | Free (self-hosted) | $10/user/mo (cloud) | 79/100 |
| 5. Twist | Best for async teams | Free (1 month history) | $8/user/mo | 77/100 |
Detailed Breakdown: Top Slack Alternatives
#1 Microsoft Teams
87/100
Best for Microsoft 365 users
- ✓ Included in most M365 plans
- ✓ Deep Office integration
- ✓ Good video meetings
- ✓ Strong enterprise compliance
- ✗ Less intuitive than Slack
- ✗ Heavier UI
#2 Discord
80/100
Best free with unlimited history
- ✓ Truly free with unlimited history
- ✓ Voice channels always open
- ✓ Thread-based messaging
- ✗ Less professional brand perception
- ✗ Limited business integrations
#3 Google Chat
81/100
Best for Google Workspace users
- ✓ Included in Google Workspace
- ✓ Deep Docs/Drive integration
- ✓ Simple and fast
- ✗ Less feature-rich than Slack
- ✗ Weaker app ecosystem
#4 Mattermost
79/100
Best open-source self-hosted
- ✓ Self-hostable
- ✓ HIPAA/GDPR compliant
- ✓ Unlimited history when self-hosted
- ✗ Requires DevOps to self-host
- ✗ Less polished UI
#5 Twist
77/100
Best for async teams
- ✓ Thread-first design reduces noise
- ✓ Great for async remote teams
- ✓ Calm work environment
- ✗ No real-time chat feel
- ✗ Less integrations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free Slack alternative?
Discord is free with unlimited message history. Google Chat is free with Google Workspace. Mattermost is free if self-hosted. All beat Slack’s 90-day free limit.
Is Microsoft Teams better than Slack?
For Microsoft 365 orgs, Teams is better value — included at no extra cost. Slack has better UX, more integrations, and a larger developer ecosystem.
What Slack alternative is best for small teams?
Google Chat (free with Google Workspace) or Microsoft Teams (free with M365) if you use those ecosystems. Discord is free with unlimited history for teams without either.