Aircall
Free plan available
Cloud-based business phone and VoIP solution for sales and support teams
Try Aircall freeFree plan availableBest Slack Alternatives (2026)
Exploring alternatives to Slack? We tracked 40 other Communication tools with full pricing breakdowns so you can compare costs before switching.
Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin, Founder & Lead Analyst
Overview
Slack is the market leader in team communication, $7.99/month per active user (free tier available). This pricing reflects Slack's dominant market position and integration breadth.
The Slack advantage is simplicity and integrations. GitHub, Jira, Figma, Salesforce, HubSpot all integrate natively. Your entire toolchain connects through Slack.
The disadvantage is cost. For a 20-person team, Slack is $160+/month. For teams looking to optimize costs, cheaper alternatives (Discord $0, Whereby $240, Mattermost $0) exist.
Slack's pricing makes sense: you pay for the number of people actually using it (active users only), not total headcount. A 50-person company with 20 daily active users pays for 20, not 50.
For most teams, Slack's integration value justifies the cost. The real alternative is not cheaper chat tools, but consolidating team communication into Microsoft Teams (already in Microsoft 365) or Discord (free but less integrated).
Top picks
CloudTalk
Free plan available
AI-powered business communication software for sales and support teams with VoIP calling, IVR, and CRM integrations.
Try CloudTalk freeFree plan available
Around
Lightweight video calling designed for remote collaboration
View Around pricing40 Communication Alternatives to Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Discord
Voice, video, and text communication platform for communities
Communicationfreemium
From$5/mo
2 tiersCompare with Slack
Element (Matrix)
Secure decentralized messaging built on the Matrix protocol
Communicationopen-source
Free
3 tiers
Fathom
Free AI meeting assistant that records and summarizes calls
Communicationfreemium
From$0/mo
3 tiers
Fireflies.ai
AI meeting assistant that records and transcribes meetings
Communicationfreemium
From$0/mo
4 tiers
Compare with Slack
Google Meet
Free video conferencing by Google for meetings and calls
Communicationfreemium
From$3/mo
4 tiersCompare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Microsoft Teams
Team collaboration hub with chat, meetings, and file sharing
Communicationper-seat
From$4/mo
3 tiersCompare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform you can self-host
Communicationopen-source
Free
3 tiersCompare with Slack
Tandem
Virtual office for remote teams with instant collaboration
Communicationfreemium
From$0/mo
4 tiersCompare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Vidyard
Video hosting and analytics platform for sales and marketing teams
Communicationper-seat
From$0/mo
4 tiersCompare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Compare with Slack
Track Pricing Changes
Get notified when alternatives update their pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions: Slack Alternatives
Why does Slack cost so much?
Slack charges per active user because each user generates value (access to integrations, search, history). Plus, Slack's dominance lets them charge market rates. You're paying for market leadership.
Is Slack worth $7.99/month per user?
Yes, if your team depends on integrations (GitHub, Jira, Figma, CRM). For teams using only chat and file sharing, cheaper alternatives exist. Integration value justifies Slack's cost.
What's the best alternative to Slack?
Microsoft Teams if you use Microsoft 365 (often bundled). Discord if cost is your only concern. Whereby if you want scheduling and video bundled. But for pure integration breadth, nothing beats Slack.
How many alternatives to Slack are there?
As of July 2026, there are 40 alternatives to Slack in the Communication category with full pricing data.
What is the cheapest alternative to Slack?
CloudTalk is the most affordable alternative at €0.15/mo. However, the best choice depends on your specific feature needs. Compare pricing and feature lists to find the right balance of cost and functionality for your use case.
Are there free alternatives to Slack?
Yes, Aircall, CloudTalk, Cal.com, and others offer free plans. Free tiers are a great way to evaluate solutions before upgrading to a paid plan. Keep in mind that free tiers often have feature or usage limitations compared to paid plans.