Slack

Slack is a cloud-based workplace collaboration platform organized around public channels, private channels, direct messages and group conversations. It supports text communication, file sharing, search, audio and video huddles, screen sharing, canvases, lists and workflow automation.

Slack began as an internal tool and launched publicly in 2013. Salesforce completed its acquisition of Slack on July 21, 2021. Slack continues operating under its own brand within Salesforce.

The platform connects with more than 2,600 apps, including Salesforce, Jira, Asana, Google Drive, Dropbox, GitHub, Zendesk and Zoom. Developers can build custom apps using Slack’s APIs, OAuth authentication, webhooks, SDKs and workflow tools.

Slack uses channels to organize conversations by project, department, customer or topic. Members can also communicate through direct messages and Slack Connect conversations with external organizations.

Huddles provide audio and video meetings, screen sharing, messaging and shared context inside channels or direct messages. Free workspaces limit huddles to two people and 30 minutes, while paid plans support group huddles.

Canvases provide collaborative pages for text, files, media, link previews and embedded workflows. Lists support structured task and project tracking on eligible paid plans.

Workflow Builder enables no-code automations. Slack’s API platform includes Web API methods, Events API subscriptions, Conversations API functions, incoming webhooks, Socket Mode, Admin APIs, SCIM APIs and Audit Logs APIs.

Slack AI can provide conversation summaries, search answers, daily recaps, file summaries and AI-generated workflow assistance. Availability depends on the workspace plan and administrator settings.

Slack provides a permanent Free plan and paid Pro, Business+ and Enterprise+ plans. Prices vary by billing schedule and may change, so buyers should confirm totals on Slack’s pricing page.

The Free plan costs $0 and includes 90 days of searchable message and file access, limited app installations and one-to-one huddles. Content older than one year may be permanently deleted under free-plan retention rules.

Pro costs $8.75 per active user monthly when billed monthly, or $7.25 per user monthly when billed annually. It adds unlimited message history, unlimited app integrations, group meetings and expanded Slack Connect features.

Business+ costs $18 per user monthly when billed monthly, or $15 per user monthly when billed annually. It adds advanced AI capabilities and expanded administration features.

Enterprise+ uses custom pricing. Slack offers free trials for Pro and Business+ in eligible workspaces. Trial requests do not require a credit card, and workspaces revert to the Free plan without an upgrade.

Slack’s strengths include a mature channel structure, broad integration ecosystem, searchable conversations, flexible APIs and strong support for distributed teams. Its huddles and workflow tools reduce the need to switch between communication and work applications.

The main limitations are the Free plan’s 90-day visibility limit, possible deletion of content older than one year, app-installation restrictions and feature differences between plans. Large workspaces may also need governance to manage notifications, channel growth, permissions and data retention.

Microsoft Teams is a close alternative for organizations centered on Microsoft 365, Exchange, SharePoint and Azure. Google Chat suits teams already standardized on Google Workspace. Mattermost offers team messaging with self-hosting options. Zoom Workplace combines messaging, meetings and phone services. Discord can suit informal communities and developer groups, but it is less focused on enterprise administration.

Does Slack have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0 and includes channels, direct messages, file sharing, limited huddles and 90 days of searchable message and file access.

Does Slack offer a free trial?
Slack offers free trials for Pro and Business+ to eligible workspaces. Owners or administrators can request a trial, and no credit card is required to start it.

What platforms support Slack?
Slack supports web browsers and desktop applications for Windows, macOS and Linux. Mobile applications support Android and iOS, and Slack also supports iPad access.

What integrations does Slack support?
Slack lists more than 2,600 apps, including Salesforce, Jira, Asana, Google Drive, Dropbox, GitHub, Zendesk and Zoom. Third-party services may require separate subscriptions.

Does Slack have an API?
Yes. Slack provides Web, Events, Conversations, Admin, SCIM, Audit Logs and Status APIs, along with OAuth, webhooks, Socket Mode and official SDKs.

Is Slack suitable for external collaboration?
Yes. Slack Connect supports communication with external organizations through direct messages, group conversations and shared channels. Limits depend on the subscription plan.