Slack is the industry leader, but it's not the right fit for every team. Whether you're looking to save money, need different features, or want more control, here are the best Slack alternatives in 2026.
Why People Switch from Slack
Common reasons teams leave Slack:
- Cost: $8.75+/user/month adds up fast
- Message limits: 90-day history on free tier
- Complexity: More features than needed
- Privacy: Want self-hosted options
- Video: Need built-in meetings
Top 7 Slack Alternatives
1. Microsoft Teams (Best for Microsoft Shops)
Free tier: Unlimited chat, 100 participants, 5GB storage Paid: $4/user/mo (Essentials)
Why choose it: If your team uses Microsoft 365, Teams is essentially free and includes video meetings, file storage, and Office integration.
Pros: Included with Microsoft 365, built-in video, deep Office integration Cons: Can feel bloated, resource-heavy app
2. Discord (Best Free Option)
Free tier: Unlimited everything—messages, voice, video Paid: $9.99/mo (Nitro for extras)
Why choose it: Completely free with unlimited message history. Great voice channels. Perfect for tech teams and communities.
Pros: Truly free, excellent voice, unlimited history Cons: Designed for gaming, less "professional" feel
3. Google Chat (Best for Google Workspace)
Pricing: Included with Google Workspace ($6/user/mo+)
Why choose it: Seamless integration with Gmail, Drive, and Google Meet. Best for teams already in Google's ecosystem.
Pros: Integrated with Google Workspace, clean interface Cons: Requires Google Workspace subscription
4. Mattermost (Best for Privacy/Self-Hosting)
Free: Open source, self-host Paid: $10/user/mo (Cloud)
Why choose it: Full control over your data. Self-host for compliance or privacy requirements. Popular with security-conscious organizations.
Pros: Complete data control, open source, highly customizable Cons: Requires technical setup for self-hosting
5. Twist (Best for Async Communication)
Free tier: 1 month history, basic features Paid: $6/user/mo
Why choose it: Built for asynchronous communication. Threads-first design reduces notification overload. Great for distributed teams across time zones.
Pros: Async-first design, cleaner than Slack, reduces noise Cons: Smaller ecosystem, fewer integrations
6. Rocket.Chat (Best Open Source Alternative)
Free: Open source, self-host Paid: $4/user/mo (Cloud)
Why choose it: Open source with enterprise features. Self-host or use their cloud. Great for teams wanting Slack-like features with more control.
Pros: Open source, feature-rich, can self-host Cons: Requires setup, smaller community
7. Chanty (Best for Small Teams)
Free tier: 10 users, unlimited history Paid: $4/user/mo
Why choose it: Simple, affordable team chat. Built-in task management. Great for small teams that find Slack overkill.
Pros: Very affordable, simple interface, includes tasks Cons: Fewer integrations, less established
Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Paid Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slack | 90-day history | $8.75/user/mo | Industry standard |
| Microsoft Teams | Unlimited chat | $4/user/mo | Microsoft shops |
| Discord | Unlimited | Free | Tech teams |
| Google Chat | None | $6/user/mo+ | Google shops |
| Mattermost | Self-host | $10/user/mo | Privacy |
| Twist | 1 month | $6/user/mo | Async teams |
| Chanty | 10 users | $4/user/mo | Small teams |
Which Alternative is Right for Your Team?
Choose Microsoft Teams if: You use Microsoft 365 and want everything in one place.
Choose Discord if: You want completely free unlimited chat and don't mind the gaming aesthetic.
Choose Google Chat if: Your team lives in Google Workspace.
Choose Mattermost if: You need self-hosting for compliance or privacy.
Choose Twist if: Your team struggles with Slack notification overload.
Choose Chanty if: You're a small team wanting simple, affordable chat.
Conclusion
Slack remains the best overall team messenger, but alternatives offer compelling benefits. Microsoft Teams and Google Chat win for ecosystem integration. Discord wins on price (free). Mattermost wins on privacy. Twist wins for async-first teams.
The best Slack alternative is the one your team will actually use. Most offer free tiers—try before committing.