For nearly 39 million people, Slack has become the go-to tool they open each morning to kick off their workday. It’s established itself as a leader in team collaboration, helping teams streamline communication and stay on top of projects.
However, Slack isn’t perfect for everyone, especially when it comes to project management. If you’re frustrated by the limitations of its free plan, the lack of customization, or concerns around data security, rest assured—you have plenty of powerful alternatives.
This guide explores the best Slack alternatives that excel in performance, providing essential communication features and integrations. Let’s dive in.
Slack Alternatives: A Quick Comparison
| Slack Alternative | Best for | Standout Feature | Pricing |
| Onetab.ai | Teams seeking AI-driven collaboration | AI-powered code automation and task management | Free for one month; paid plans start at $5/user/month |
| Microsoft Teams | Large organizations using Microsoft 365 | Tight integration with Microsoft products; robust meeting options | Included with Microsoft 365; plans from $4/user/month (billed annually) |
| ClickUp | Teams needing customizable project management | Comprehensive task management and integrations | Free for basic features; paid plans from $5/user/month |
| Google Chat | Google Workspace users | Tight integration with Google products and excellent search capabilities | Included with Google Workspace; plans from $7.20/user/month |
| Pumble | Small teams and startups | Free unlimited message history and 10GB storage per workspace | Free plan with full features; paid plans from $5/user/month |
Top 5 Slack Alternatives for Project Management
When looking for the best Slack alternatives to enhance your team’s communication and collaboration, there are several key features you should prioritize. These include:
- Messaging and chat features
- File sharing and collaboration
- Integration with other tools
- Video and voice call capabilities
- Real-time notifications
- Team channels and direct messaging
- Search functionality
- Customizable workflows
- User-friendly interface
- Security and privacy controls
With these essential features in mind, here’s a curated list of the top Slack alternatives that offer enhanced project management capabilities to help your team stay organized and on track.
1. Onetab.ai
As the leading alternative to Slack, Onetab.ai packs a bunch of features to support team collaboration and communication. Here’s a look at some of the features that make it one of the best Slack alternatives:
Get smarter with team communication using One Chat
One Chat allows teams to communicate with each other in real-time and without having to leave the platform. Use it to get instant clarification, share timely updates, seek comments, and share documents without any fuss.
One Doc
Create and share documents with your team using One Doc
One Doc is a powerful document editor that allows you to create and share documents with team members. Simply upload the file in the documents section of the Onetab project and all your team members can access it. Plus, your team can also collaborate on One Doc in real-time!
One Report
Source
Visualize your team’s productivity and performance with One Report
One Report lets you monitor your team’s performance and productivity through data-driven metrics. Whether you’re checking user activity or direct message exchange rates, it gives you an idea of how well your team is working together.
| Further Reading: How to Measure Developer Productivity: A Comprehensive Guide |
Onetab.ai Pros
- Bring all communications on a single platform and eliminate silos
- Exchange messages and documents in real-time over One Chat
- Establish a single source of truth among cross-functional teams
- Track user activities and team interactions
Onetab.ai Cons
- The kick-off plan is available for free only for a month
- Does not support asynchronous communication (for now)
Onetab.ai Pricing
- Kickoff Plan: $0
- Team Collaboration: $3.99 per user per month
- Growth Plan: $9.99 per user per month
- Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing
2. Microsoft Teams
If your organization relies heavily on Microsoft, then the best alternative to Slack is Microsoft Teams. With a Microsoft 365 Business Basics plan or higher, you gain access to Teams along with cloud versions of Microsoft Office apps like Word, Excel, and OneDrive. These live apps allow for seamless collaboration, whether you’re working asynchronously or engaging in real-time video or audio calls on Teams. While Slack does integrate with some Microsoft tools, the integration is not as seamless as the one you’ll get with Teams.
Microsoft Teams Pros
- Extensive collaboration features, including real-time co-authoring of content
- A robust free plan available indefinitely
- Seamless integration with Microsoft platforms like Outlook, OneDrive, and Office
Microsoft Teams Cons
- More complex than other alternatives due to its wide range of features
- Requires downloading the app on both mobile and desktop to access all functions
Microsoft Teams Pricing
- Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4 per user per month
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 per user per month
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month
| Did You Know? 91% of Fortune 100 companies use Microsoft Teams for business communication! |
3. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one project management tool that offers a variety of features and customization options designed to improve collaboration and communication at work. It’s often used to work with clients and provide real-time updates via its Chat view.
A key feature of ClickUp is the ability to embed pages and videos, as well as format messages with code blocks and bullet points, ensuring clear and organized communication. The Chat view is particularly valuable for staying on top of tasks and effortlessly connecting with team members, making it one of the best Slack alternatives for effective project management.
ClickUp Pros
- Over 11 different ways to track project progress and data
- Team view for efficiently organizing tasks by team member
- Includes agile project management features
ClickUp Cons
- Customization options may be overwhelming for new users
- Not ideal for gathering and managing project feedback
- Automation builder can feel clunky in comparison to others
ClickUp Pricing
- Free Forever: $0
- Unlimited: $10/month per user
- Business: $19/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
4. Google Chat
Google Chat (previously known as Google Hangouts Chat) is a solid choice as an alternative to Slack, especially if your organization is already embedded within the Google Workspace ecosystem. It offers many of the same basic functions for team communication, such as direct and group messaging, threaded conversations, and public or private channels. One of its standout features is its deep integration with other Google apps like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Google Meet, enabling a seamless workflow for teams already using these tools.When it comes to core functionality, Chat offers features similar to programs like Slack, including direct and group messaging, threaded replies for organizing conversations, and the ability to set chats as either public or private.
| Did You Know? You can use Google Chat to create custom bots and integrations. Use it to automate tasks, fetch information, and even play games! |
Google Chat Pros
- Real-time messaging and threaded conversations for clear team communication
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Drive, and Meet, creating a unified workflow
- Cost-effective, especially for organizations already using Google Workspace tools
Google Chat Cons
- Limited functionality compared to more feature-rich tools like Slack, particularly for advanced project management
- Less polished user experience, with some actions like browsing public rooms being a bit more cumbersome
Google Chat Pricing
Free for basic usage. Advanced features and enterprise-level security require Google Workspace subscription.
5. Pumble
Pumble is a business communication tool that offers a wide range of features, including channels, direct messaging, threaded conversations, voice and video messages, as well as 1:1 voice and video meetings. This makes it a strong contender among apps similar to Slack for team communication.One of Pumble’s standout features is its guest access functionality, which allows teams to invite third parties such as contractors, vendors, freelancers, or clients into their workspaces for collaboration.Additionally, Pumble offers two significant advantages over Slack: users on the free plan enjoy unlimited access to message history and 10GB of storage per workspace with no time limits. This makes it a compelling option for businesses looking for a cost-effective solution with extended functionality.
Pumble Pros
- Powerful features such as unlimited users, unlimited message history and 10GB storage per workspace are available for free
- Supports various channels to organize team communication effectively, making it ideal for multi-faceted teams
- User-friendly interface with easy customization and accessible profile settings
Pumble Cons
- The free version of Pumble only supports 1-on-1 video calls, which may be limiting for teams that require group video conferencing
- As compared to other Slack competitors, Pumble’s integration options are quite limited
Pumble Pricing
- Free forever
- Pro: $2.49 per user per month
- Business: $3.99 per user per month
- Enterprise: $6.99 per user per month
Supercharge Your Team’s Efficiency with Onetab.ai
Choosing the right tool for project management is essential for maintaining productivity and collaboration. With so many options available, it’s important to find the platform that best suits your team’s needs, whether it’s through enhanced integrations, improved security, or an intuitive user interface.If you’re seeking a Slack alternative that not only enhances communication but also streamlines your project management workflows, Onetab.ai is your solution. It’s an all-in-one platform designed to help teams manage tasks, collaborate, and automate workflows more effectively than ever before.What makes Onetab.ai stand out? Unlike many other tools similar to Slack, it integrates AI-powered features that simplify team collaboration and task management. Whether you’re looking to automate repetitive processes or enhance communication across channels, Onetab.ai offers seamless integration, cutting-edge task tracking, and an intuitive interface—all tailored to help your team be more productive.Don’t wait any longer!
Sign up for Onetab.ai today and experience seamless integration and powerful tools that will boost your team’s success
FAQs
1. Which are the best Slack alternatives available for free?
There are various Slack alternatives available in the market. The best ones include Onetab.ai, Clickup, and Pumble.
2. Which Slack Alternative offers robust security?
When it comes to strong security features, Onetab.ai and Microsoft Teams stand out. Onetab.ai emphasizes secure collaboration through AI-driven task management and workflow automation, whereas Microsoft Teams benefits from integration with Microsoft’s extensive security infrastructure.
3. How should I select the best Slack alternative?
When choosing the right tool for your team, consider factors like feature set, user-friendliness, security, integration options, and cost. Your team’s unique workflows and specific needs will ultimately guide you in selecting the best fit.
4. Which is the best Slack alternative for large teams?
For large teams, Onetab.ai, Microsoft Teams, and Google Chat, are excellent choices, each offering features that cater to scalability, integration with enterprise tools, and efficient team collaboration.