Slack vs. Microsoft Teams Chat-based collaboration has been around for several years, but with the sudden impact at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Slack and Microsoft Teams both quickly rose to the forefront. But which one is better for your business? Whichever option you choose, you’re still the winner, because two great collaboration platforms […]
Slack vs. Microsoft Teams
Chat-based collaboration has been around for several years, but with the sudden impact at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Slack and Microsoft Teams both quickly rose to the forefront. But which one is better for your business? Whichever option you choose, you’re still the winner, because two great collaboration platforms provide you with the features you want. Here’s a six-category comparison to help you through the process.
Business Tech Blog: Slack vs. Teams
Interface and Usability
Appearance: For customization, go with Slack for a ton of options.
Navigation/Dashboard: Slack focuses on work channels to separate projects, teams or topics. Teams focuses on the people being brought into the collaboration.
In-App Help: Teams features Help icons at the bottom of the sidebar, including training, topics, and what’s new links, allowing you to browse or search. Slack’s in-app chatbot is super easy to use for fast answers.
Chat: Teams will provide an experience closer to a word processor, with additional colors, fonts, and similar options.
Video and Voice Conference: Slack integrates well with Zoom, Webex and others. Teams build in videoconferencing but can use other options.
Notification Control: Teams provides many notification options, while Slack provides superior Do Not Disturb controls.
Integrations
Microsoft 365/Office 365: Not surprisingly, being a Microsoft product, Teams is better at integrating the business productivity suite, along with integration to SharePoint and OneDrive. Slack also integrates, but not as far as Teams does.
Google Workspace: If you use Google-based options, such as Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Drive, you’ll want to stick with Slack, because Teams doesn’t even try it.
Salesforce: Salesforce bought Slack in July 2021, allowing easy integration. View Slack messages tied to specific Salesforce records and Salesforce alerts on Slack channels. Teams integrates with it, but not as deeply.
Overall: Slack offers significantly more third-party app integrations, currently tying into over 2,400 apps versus Teams’ 700, with both apps providing the option to build customized apps and integrations, with Slack having about 935,000 customized apps.
Additional Noteworthy Features
Shared Channels: Slack Channels makes it easy to connect your workspace to a partner’s workspace, improving collaboration. Teams provides guest access for outside parties.
Scaling: Slack supports unlimited users and channels, with over 100,000 users per channel. Teams allow unlimited users, up to 25,000 participants per team, 200 channels per team, and 5,000 users per channel.
Translation: Teams offers onboard message translation in 36 different languages. Again, Slack uses app integrations such as the Rosetta Translator bot.
Mobile and Web Apps
In this category, Slack and Teams were very even, with similar functionality, features and usability.
Security, Compliance and Enterprise Management
Security: Both have similar layers and degrees of protection overall. However, integrations in Slack could open new vulnerabilities.
Encryption: Both apps encrypt data while in transit as well as in storage. A wide range of capabilities and apps keep your data secure.
Enterprise Key Management: Teams offers this to a certain extent, but Slack’s Enterprise Key Management lets you create encryption keys for messages and files.
Plans and Pricing
Free Options: Both apps provide free plans, but Teams is more generous, with unlimited meetings, messages, and search, up to 500 users, 2GB storage per user, 10GB shared storage, one-on-one chat, screen sharing, unlimited integrations, and encryption, while Slack has up to 10,000 messages, 10 integrations, one-on-one video calls, and two-factor authentication.
Slack Plans: Pro plan starts at $6.67/user/month and steps up to $12.50/user/month for Business+, with both billed annually. Enterprise Grid plan pricing requires contacting Slack sales. Paid plans provide unlimited access, messages, and much more.
Teams Plans: There are many plans for Teams, ranging from $5/user/month to $57/user/month, while adding more capability, such as scheduled meetings, recording, security, admin, and compliance features.
In Conclusion
Overall, Slack and Teams offer many of the same features. Consider what features you need and which option delivers those features best. If you do a great deal of Microsoft 365 work, consider giving Teams a long trial before switching. If, on the other hand, you tend to avoid vendor lock-in issues, are avidly using Salesforce, or use Google Workspace, give Slack a shot and see how well it will work for your enterprise.
Attention North Vancouver Businesses: Are You Worried About Your IT Services Provider?
Get A Free Second Opinion Today from Compunet.
Our comprehensive assessment includes:
A thorough analysis of your current IT company’s performance
A customized action plan to tackle all operational issues
A detailed budget and project plan for seamless execution
Don’t let IT issues hold back your business. Gain the clarity you need to get your IT on the right track. With our no-obligation, risk-free assessment, you have nothing to lose. Contact Compunet now.
Interested?
Schedule Your Initial Consultation with NOVA Computer Solutions Today.
Get Your Free Immediate Quote From NOVA Computer Solutions
Free Dark Web Scan to Reveal Your Leaked Passwords
Fill out the form below to start the process.
NOVA-MAINTAIN Program Terms and Conditions
This Agreement was entered between NOVA Computer Solutions L.L.C. referred to as “NOVA” and the above referenced client also referred to as “Client”. The parties agree to abide by the terms and conditions as set forth in this agreement.
Period of the Agreement: This Agreement is effective as of the contract effective date and remains in effect for 36 months. The contract is renewed automatically after the initial 36 months on a 12 month basis. Upon termination there shall be no refund or credits allowed.
System Maintenance Services: Professional services include, but are not limited to time spent – either at Client or NOVA’s site. (a) Exclusions: Unless so specified, the Covered System does not include any cabling, or any wiring external to the Covered System, telecommunications devices (including modems), peripheral equipment, software. In no event shall the Covered System include removable magnetic or optical media, ink ribbons, toner cartridges, paper or other supplies, expendables or services.
System Maintenance Services: NOVA shall perform Virtual Maintenance Services at least once per month. If client experiences a Major Alarms the client will notify NOVA by telephone. Client shall cooperate with NOVA’s reasonable requests for assistance to determine the cause of the reported problem and whether an on-site Maintenance Service visit is required. NOVA may assist Client with additional services outside the scope of the Maintenance Services. This assistance will be billed at NOVA’s prevailing hourly rate.
Fees: The monthly Fee shall be invoiced in full at the beginning of every month. Any other amounts due hereunder, including the applicable Surcharge Rate or any reimbursable out-of-pocket costs, shall be invoiced monthly as well. The rate for additional time needed per month for System Maintenance Services will depend on the package you select. No Travel Cost Within in 25 Miles of Primary Support Office, Discounted Rate for over 25 miles.
Certain Client Responsibilities: Client shall ensure that: (I) all software and hardware is installed and operated according to applicable manufacturer specifications; (ii) all upgrades and releases have been properly installed; (iii) a uninterrupted and suitable power supply and other environmental conditions have been implemented and maintained; (iv) suitable surge protection devices have been implemented; (v) no other equipment or software having an adverse impact on the system have been introduced; (vi) no repair attempts or other changes have been made other than by or with the express approval of NOVA or the applicable manufacturer, (vii) the systems haven’t been mishandled, neglected, abused, damaged by fire, lightning or water, or otherwise subjected to unusual electrical or physical stress (viii) Client periodically makes and stores in a safe place archival copies of all software and all valuable data. (a) Failure to Comply. NOVA may refuse to provide Service or may treat any such work as Other Billable Maintenance Service at NOVA’s prevailing hourly rate.
Cancellation Policy: NOVA or Customer may cancel this contract for any reason with 90 days written notification.
Limited Warranty: Client must notify NOVA of any dissatisfaction, problems, or concerns within 3 days of the date the services were provided. Client will grant NOVA a reasonable amount of time to resolve problem to Client’s satisfaction. NOVA represents and warrants that it will use its best efforts to perform Maintenance Services in a competent and workmanlike manner.
Limitation of Liability: NOVA shall have no liability or responsibility to Client or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused directly or indirectly by a manufacturer or third party equipment or programs sold or provided by a manufacturer or third party. This includes, but not limited to, any interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits, or consequential damages resulting from the use or operation of the equipment. NOVA shall not be liable for any loss of data at any time, under any circumstances. Client is responsible for backing up all its data before NOVA performs any service.
Late Charges, Collections and Attorneys’ Fees: Client will be charged $40.00 for each returned check. Client will be responsible for all attorney fees and costs incurred and collection fees. Any late payment shall be subject to any costs of collection, reasonable legal fees and shall bear interest at the rate of eighteen (18) percent per month or fraction thereof until paid. Client shall pay amounts invoiced under the terms of this Agreement within seven (7) days after receipt of invoice. In any dispute, action, arbitration, bankruptcy, probate, or administrative or judicial proceedings, or any settlement thereof, NOVA shall be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and costs.
Fee Increases: This contract has an automatic 5% increase yearly and NOVA reserves the right to revise fees at any time. NOVA will provide the Client of the updated fee’s, other than the automatic yearly increase, fifteen (15) days prior to the next month’s invoice.
I / We have read and understand the Terms and Conditions above and agree to be bound by them by digitally accepting the attached quote for services.
