Slack Review: The Heart of Modern Team Communication
Slack transformed workplace communication when it launched in 2013. What started as an internal tool for a gaming company became the fastest-growing business app ever. Now owned by Salesforce, Slack serves over 12 million daily active users.
We've used Slack as our primary communication hub for five years. This review shares what makes it indispensable—and where it falls short.
The Verdict: Slack
Slack remains the king of team communication. Its intuitive interface and massive integration ecosystem make it essential for modern teams.
Pros
- Intuitive channel-based communication
- Massive integration ecosystem
- Excellent search functionality
Cons
- Can become noisy and distracting
- Free plan has message limits
- Video calls not as robust as competitors
Why Slack Won
Before Slack, teams relied on email chains, scattered chat apps, and walking to someone's desk. Slack organized communication into channels, made search actually work, and added just enough fun (emoji reactions, GIFs) to make work feel less like work.
The integration ecosystem sealed the deal. Slack becomes a hub where your tools report updates—GitHub commits, Trello cards, sales notifications—all in context.
Core Features
- Channels: Organize conversations by team, project, or topic. Public channels for transparency, private for sensitive discussions.
- Direct Messages: One-on-one or group DMs for quick conversations.
- Threads: Reply in threads to keep channels clean and discussions focused.
- Huddles: Spontaneous audio calls—like tapping someone on the shoulder, but remote.
- Clips: Record and share audio or video messages asynchronously.
- Canvas: Collaborative documents pinned to channels for persistent information.
- Workflow Builder: Automate routine tasks without code.
- Search: Find any message, file, or conversation instantly. Filters by person, date, channel.
Slack Connect
Slack Connect lets you collaborate with external partners in shared channels. Instead of juggling email with clients, invite them to a Slack channel. It's a game-changer for agencies, consultants, and B2B companies.
Pricing Tiers
- Free: 90-day message history, 10 app integrations, 1:1 huddles.
- Pro ($7.25/user/month): Unlimited history, unlimited apps, group huddles, 24/7 support.
- Business+ ($12.50/user/month): SAML SSO, data exports, 99.99% uptime SLA.
- Enterprise Grid (Custom): Unlimited workspaces, eDiscovery, HIPAA compliance.
Slack vs Microsoft Teams
| Feature | Slack | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | 2,600+ | 1,000+ |
| Video Meetings | Basic Huddles | Full-featured |
| Free Plan | 90-day history | Unlimited history |
| User Experience | Excellent | Good |
| Best For | Tech companies | Microsoft 365 shops |
| Pricing (paid) | $7.25/user/mo | $4/user/mo (with M365) |
Tips for Effective Slack Use
- Use Channels Liberally: Create channels for projects, not just teams.
- Thread Everything: Keep main channels scannable by using threads.
- Set Notification Preferences: Customize per-channel to reduce noise.
- Use Status: Let teammates know when you're focused, in meetings, or away.
- Schedule Messages: Respect time zones by scheduling for their morning.
Limitations
- Notification Fatigue: Too many channels and @mentions can be overwhelming.
- Free Plan Limits: 90-day message history is restrictive for knowledge management.
- Video Calls: Huddles are great for quick calls but can't replace Zoom for formal meetings.
- Learning Curve: Power features (Workflow Builder, Canvas) aren't immediately obvious.
Final Verdict
Slack remains our top pick for team communication. The user experience is unmatched, and the integration ecosystem means it adapts to how your team works. Microsoft Teams is cheaper (especially with M365), but Slack simply feels better to use.
Our recommendation: Essential for remote and hybrid teams. If you're all-in on Microsoft 365, Teams makes financial sense. Otherwise, Slack is worth the premium.