THE SIDE-BY-SIDE
Slack vs Microsoft Teams: Which Is Better?
Compare Slack and Microsoft Teams by workflow, features, pricing, and tradeoffs. A direct guide to choosing between them.
Slack centers work around channels and app connections; Teams is a natural candidate when Microsoft collaboration already anchors your organization. On price, Teams Essentials is $4.00 per user/month paid yearly versus Slack Pro at $7.25 per user/month billed annually.
The quick verdict
There is no universal winner. Microsoft Teams undercuts Slack on the entry paid tier ($4.00 versus $7.25 per user/month) and ships inside Microsoft 365 plans from $7.00, while Slack Pro is the cheaper standalone chat upgrade for mixed tool stacks. Choose around the work your team needs to do.
BEST FOR channel-based work across different tools
Slack
BEST FOR Microsoft-centered meetings and collaboration
Microsoft TeamsSlack vs Microsoft Teams at a glance
| At a glance |  Slack |  Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $7.25 / mo | $4.00 / mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of use | Channels organize ongoing discussions | Natural fit for Microsoft-based organizations |
| Features | Team channels, Huddles, App integrations | Team chat, Video meetings, Microsoft 365 integration |
| Starting price | From $7.25 per user/mo, billed annually ($8.75 billed monthly) (Pro) | From $4.00 per user/mo, paid yearly (Teams Essentials) |
| Free plan | Free forever: 90 days of message history, 1:1 huddles, up to 10 app integrations | Free forever: team chat, video meetings and calling, file sharing |
| Best value | Business+ $15 per user/mo billed annually ($18 monthly) adds Advanced AI and data residency | Teams is included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic $7 per user/mo or Business Standard $14, both paid yearly |
| Collaboration | Channel-based work across different tools | Microsoft-centered meetings and collaboration |
| Integrations | Up to 10 app integrations on Free; unlimited from Pro | Deep Microsoft 365 integration across all paid plans |
| AI | Basic AI summaries and search on Free; Advanced AI from Business+ | Meeting recordings, live captions, and transcripts from Essentials |
| Templates | Evaluate templates for channel-based work across different tools | Evaluate templates for Microsoft-centered meetings and collaboration |
| Automation | Test your specific trigger and action | Test your specific trigger and action |
| Support | 24/7 support from Pro; 4-hour first response on Business+ | Confirm response commitments on the chosen plan |
| Best for | Channel-based work across different tools | Microsoft-centered meetings and collaboration |
Slack overview
Slack is a candidate for productivity workflows. Keep conversations, people, and the tools you work with connected.
Explore Slack →Microsoft Teams overview
Microsoft Teams is a candidate for productivity workflows. Chat, meet, and collaborate around your Microsoft workspace.
Explore Microsoft Teams →Key differences
The way work is organized
Slack centers work around channels and app connections; Teams is a natural candidate when Microsoft collaboration already anchors your organization.
The pricing difference
Slack Pro is $7.25 per user/month billed annually ($8.75 monthly) and Business+ is $15 ($18 monthly). Microsoft Teams Essentials is $4.00 per user/month paid yearly, and Teams is also included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($7.00) and Business Standard ($14.00) on an annual commitment. If your organization already pays for Microsoft 365, Teams can add no marginal seat cost.
The tradeoff to test first
Slack: Busy channels can fragment attention. Microsoft Teams: Licensing can be complicated. A trial should make these differences visible before you commit.
Pricing comparison
Slack plans
| Plan | Price | Billing | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0.00 | free forever |
|
| Pro | $7.25 | per user/month, billed annually ($8.75 billed monthly) |
|
| Business+ | $15.00 | per user/month, billed annually ($18 billed monthly) |
|
| Enterprise+ | Contact sales | Custom — contact sales |
|
Microsoft Teams plans
| Plan | Price | Billing | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Teams (free) | $0.00 | free forever |
|
| Microsoft Teams Essentials | $4.00 | per user/month, paid yearly (annual subscription) |
|
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | $7.00 | per user/month, paid yearly (annual commitment) |
|
| Microsoft 365 Business Standard | $14.00 | per user/month, paid yearly (annual commitment) |
|
Pros and cons
Slack
What works well
- Channels organize ongoing discussions
- Integrations bring work into conversations
Keep in mind
- Busy channels can fragment attention
- Retention limits need a close review
Microsoft Teams
What works well
- Natural fit for Microsoft-based organizations
- Meetings and team conversations together
Keep in mind
- Licensing can be complicated
- Guest access needs administrative attention
Which should you choose?
Choose Slack if…
Choose Slack if your team relies on a varied tool stack and ongoing channel conversations, from $7.25 per user/month billed annually.
Choose Microsoft Teams if…
Choose Teams if your collaboration and administration already revolve around Microsoft services - Essentials is $4.00 per user/month paid yearly, or Teams ships inside Microsoft 365 plans from $7.00 per user/month.
How to compare these tools fairly
Give each tool the same task and the same source material. Choose Slack if your team relies on a varied tool stack and ongoing channel conversations. Choose Teams if your collaboration and administration already revolve around Microsoft services.
Pricing at a glance
Slack’s Pro plan is $7.25 per user/month billed annually ($8.75 billed monthly) and Business+ is $15 per user/month billed annually ($18 monthly); Enterprise+ is custom-priced, and new teams can get 50% off Pro or Business+ for the first 3 months instead of a free trial. Microsoft Teams Essentials is $4.00 per user/month paid yearly (one-month free trial), and Teams is also included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic at $7.00 and Business Standard at $14.00 per user/month, both on an annual commitment (prices effective July 1, 2026 per Microsoft’s licensing update). Prices are US list prices; confirm regional pricing and taxes on each vendor’s site.
Record setup time, the steps needed to complete the task, and any workarounds. Include the person who will maintain the workspace in the final decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is Slack better than Microsoft Teams?
Slack centers work around channels and app connections; Teams is a natural candidate when Microsoft collaboration already anchors your organization. Pricing often tips the decision: if you already pay for Microsoft 365, Teams adds no marginal seat cost, while Slack is the standalone option for mixed tool stacks.
Which option costs less?
Slack's Pro plan is $7.25 per user/month billed annually ($8.75 billed monthly) and Business+ is $15 ($18 monthly); new teams can get 50% off Pro or Business+ for the first 3 months instead of a trial. Microsoft Teams Essentials is $4.00 per user/month paid yearly, and Teams is included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($7.00) and Business Standard ($14.00) on an annual commitment. The cheaper option depends on whether you already pay for Microsoft 365.
Sources
- Slack — official pricing ↗Accessed Sep 12, 2026
- Microsoft Teams — official business plans comparison page ↗Accessed Sep 12, 2026
