Slack vs Microsoft Teams: Which Team Messaging Tool Is Better?

The two biggest names in team communication, each backed by a tech giant. Here's how they compare.

Quick Answer

Choose Slack if you need:

Superior search, 2,600+ integrations, and a clean channel-based workflow. Best for tech/startup teams.

Choose Teams if you need:

Deep Microsoft 365 integration, built-in video conferencing, and enterprise compliance. Best for corporate environments.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Slack	Teams
Overall Rating	9.0	7.8
Starting Price	Free / $8.75/mo	Free (w/ M365)Winner
Channel Organization	ExcellentWinner	Good
Search	Best-in-classWinner	Good
Integrations	2,600+Winner	700+
Video Calls	Huddles (15 on free)	Full conferencingWinner
Office Suite	Canvas (basic)	Full Word/Excel/PPTWinner
Enterprise Security	Enterprise Grid	Built-in complianceWinner

Scores by Category

S
Slack — 9.0/10

Ease of Use 9/10

Features 8/10

Integrations 10/10

Value 8/10

Search 10/10

T
Teams — 7.8/10

Ease of Use 6/10

Features 8/10

Integrations 7/10

Value 9/10

Search 7/10

Our Verdict

Slack wins for pure messaging. It's faster, more intuitive, and has vastly superior search and integrations. If your team lives in chat and uses many SaaS tools, Slack is the clear choice.

Teams wins on value and enterprise. If your company already pays for Microsoft 365, Teams is essentially free. It also includes full video conferencing and Office apps, making it the better all-in-one choice for corporate environments.

Read Full Slack Review

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Teams free if I don't have Microsoft 365?

Yes, Teams has a free tier that includes chat, video calls for up to 100 participants (60 minutes), and 10GB of team file storage. However, it lacks many enterprise features like SSO, compliance, and advanced admin controls.

Can Slack and Teams coexist?

They can, but it's not ideal. Running two messaging platforms splits communication and creates confusion. Most organizations pick one as their primary and may use the other for specific external collaborations.

Which has better AI features?

Both are investing heavily in AI. Slack's AI can summarize channels, search conversations with natural language, and draft messages. Teams' Copilot can summarize meetings, generate recaps, and draft responses. Slack's AI is more polished currently, but Teams' Copilot is rapidly improving.