One of the most popular office collaboration tools right now is Slack, a direct-messaging, multi-channel platform that has successfully integrated itself in the business sphere as an essential must-have. Microsoft, however, seems to be playing catch up with the app, positioning its very own Teams application as the central channel for collaboration and communication within Microsoft Office 365.
Microsoft released Teams last year to take on the growing market for business group messaging apps initially led by Slack. Now, other tech giants like Facebook, Cisco, and Google have joined the trend.
Similar to most chat tools, Microsoft Teams aims to connect staff members while still enhancing productivity. It offers a better alternative to the traditional e-mail we’ve all been used to since the dawn of online messaging.
Are you still wondering which of those platforms would work best for you? Keep reading to find out.
Distinctions
Until recently, the biggest difference between Slack and Teams was that the latter did not offer a freemium version. But that changed in July when Microsoft launched a new tier on Teams with no additional cost.
When it comes to distinctions, Teams appear to be better for larger enterprises. However, businesses of any size can still get useful and highly beneficial features from it, including integration with Office 365 apps.
Slack, on the other hand, is known for its smartly-designed user experience. What makes it a popular choice for businesses is its integrations with a wide range of platforms, although these platforms are not from the same company.
Pricing
Both Teams and Slack have freemium versions. Of course, if you would like to get advanced features from either of the two, your best option is an upgrade. For Teams, you can avail of paid plans if you are a Business Premium or Essentials account holder.
The most budget-friendly plan is the Business Essentials, an annual commitment that’s worth $5 per user/month. It’s a bit lower than Slack’s cheapest version, which is billed annually for $6.67 per user/month.
For more upgraded versions of both apps, the cost is the same: $12.50 per user/month (billed annually).
Getting Started
Be sure to arm yourself with patience when you start using Teams. It might take a while for some users to get used to the complicated interface—especially if they’re coming from a vastly different communication and productivity platform.
Accessing Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, is pretty straight forward. The app is available for download on the Microsoft Teams page. Both the free trial and the actual purchase require you to share some information such as credit card details, business email, and phone number. Don’t worry; Microsoft Office 365 has some of the most comprehensive and infallible security measures on the market.
For many users, Slack is much easier to use and faster to deploy. Initial sign-up does not need credit card information; only a valid phone number. Of course, more extensive information will be required should you choose to purchase the paid version. Overall, there are about seven to eight registration steps before you’re done.
Summing it All Up
Teams surely has Microsoft’s qualities all over it: impressive tools, awesome ideas, and sometimes frustrating implementation. However, if you consider the differences in terms of free offerings, there’s a lot to weigh up between the two platforms.
The great thing about Teams is its expansive vision that the free Slack version would aim to have. Teams can offer 2GB of storage for every user and allow more than 140 integrations and apps. The platform obviously ups the ante, giving Slack a run for its money.
