Slack vs Microsoft Teams vs Webex

The most popular team communication tools are Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Webex. 

You can see those stats by visiting our Workplace Messaging Report.

When you are searching for collaboration and communication applications, you will come across these three time and time again. 

Each solution brings different functionality and features to the table so making a selection is often challenging. 

You’ll often be thinking...

• What should I know about these applications?
• Which features are truly enterprise-grade? 
• How can I choose between them?

Often, IT Managers and CIOs are required to have all the information about platforms available before making a decision about which to choose.

That’s why this post breaks down the main considerations for choosing between Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Webex. We then discuss what to do if you still can’t pick between each one.

1 - What is Slack?

At its core, Slack is considered an IM app, but one with a host of additional plugins. 

It has been created with the purpose of bringing together in one place all the moving parts of a businesses communication. 

The variety of features it has available doesn’t disappoint and that’s why so many companies are using it as their primary collaboration tool.

This online-chat space has gained recognition in the business world thanks to its range of functionality that tackle communication barriers within an enterprise.

You can keep all communication styles together in one app, Slack replacing instant messaging, text messaging, and email. 

“Effective communication is critical for teamwork success. Being able to maintain collaborations productively can be challenging within a large company, especially if employees have different schedules or work in different departments. Advanced messaging tools can bring impressive improvements here.” Andrew Baxley, Team Manager at Studicus writing service

Slack Features

The main features of Slack are:

• Sharing files
• Group chat or direct messaging
• Access 100+ integrations
• Using the open API to build your own integration
• Access to securely encrypted transfer data
• Mobile and desktop messaging
• Advanced search functionality
• Two-way audio and video
• User profile personalization capabilities
• Slack Huddles for drop-in audio

You can choose Slack for free, or the Standard or Plus Slack plan, depending on your needs and to what extent you want the application’s functionalities to go.

If you are part of a larger organization, you can also opt for Slack Enterprise Grid, designed to foster communication in larger departments and companies.

Here are the most important differences between each Slack plan:

Slack Free

• Messaging
• Calls
• Search
• Storage
• Perfect for early startups and very small teams

Slack Standard

• Pricing: 6.67 USD per person per month (when billed yearly)
• Includes unlimited apps
• Group calls and screen sharing
• Allows guest accounts
• 10GB of storage for each user

Slack Plus

• Pricing: 12.5 USD per person per month (when billed yearly)
• 99.99% guaranteed uptime
• Allows export of all messages
• Single sign-on (SSO)

Slack Enterprise Grid

• Price to be discussed with the sales team, depending on your needs
• Unlimited workspaces
• Prevention of data loss
• HIPAA-compliant collaboration
• Perfect for large corporations in highly regulated industries

Slack Channels

You can use the tool for one-on-one, private or group communication, as well as fire sharing. 

A group conversation takes the shape of a multi-party direct message or as a Channel.

Within a channel, members have access to all the content, history, and files previously shared in this persistent chat environment.

You can easily create a new channel, join or leave the group conversation, the overall communication experience being similar to social-media. 

Channels can be made private so only defined users have access to each channel. 

Channels can also be created across different companies, creating a collaborative working environment for teams in different businesses.

A good example here is when contractors are assigned to work with a specific business for an extended period of time - or when a supplier/buyer relationship needs an open and continuous method of communication.

Slack Search Functionality

Search functionality can make an enterprise’s operations faster and more effective, so an app that focuses on this specific feature will always be a great choice. 

Slack updated its search module recently, and the feature is now reported as more intuitive, intelligent, and useful. 

Just by typing out a key phrase or keyword, you get results from the repository of data, conversations, and files.

Slack Integrations

Many third-party service integrations, like Google Drive, Trello, Asana or Zendesk, are available in Slack.

Integration is easy and it permits you to add the elements that will make team collaboration more effective. 

Speed of support, robust notifications, easy file uploading and archiving are just a few other examples of what Slack has to offer.

You can read about the best Slack integrations here.

2 - What is Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams, commonly adopted as simply “Teams” is an equally popular communication and collaboration solution.

In fact, Microsoft has recently confirmed it has 145m daily active users.

Teams is often implemented by enterprises with multiple teams across many locations, and has some powerful features available, targeting on-going in-house communication efficiency. 

Microsoft Teams Features

This app’s main functionality starts with a team (unsurprisingly!)

You can create a group and invite the team members you want to collaborate with. 

For collaborations with freelancers or people from different departments, you can invite guest users as well - for temporary communication.

Within a team, you can collaborate on common tasks, communicate via messaging, calls and video calls and share files.

Microsoft Teams Channels

Just like Slack’s channels, these are conversations with different members of your team. 

You have the option to create a channel for a project, a department or a topic, depending on the specifics of your business’ needs. 

Through a channel, you can hold audio and video meetings, send files, collaborate on documents in real-time, or simply chat. 

Microsoft describes the differences between Teams and Channels here.

Microsoft Teams Tabs

The Tabs component allows you to navigate through the entire content of your channel. 

Three tabs come incorporated by default: Posts, Files, and Notes.

The Posts tab is where you can see your channel's conversation.

The Files tab is where you can find all documents and information shared by your team:

The Notes tab is a shared document that your team can collaborate on.

You have the ability to add additional tabs by clicking the + icon and selecting your desired apps.

We've laid out the best Microsoft Teams features that we use in this post.

Pros of using Microsoft Teams include: 

• Up-to-date and budget-friendly
• Secure
• 150 connectors to Microsoft and third-party services
• Mobile device management with Microsoft Intune
• Easy meeting scheduling
• Integrated with Microsoft Office 365
• Slash command shortcuts

Besides group-file sharing and messaging between users, some businesses rely on Microsoft Teams for content creation as well, combining this collaboration app with writing tools and services, like TrustMy Paper, Grammarly, GrabMyEssay, Google Docs, or BestEssay. 

You can read an overview of the best Microsoft Teams integrations here.

Enterprises usually favor Teams as an all-round communication tool thanks to its meeting and calling functionality.

Microsoft Teams comes in three different plans: Free, Office 365 Business Essentials (5 USD per user per month) and Office 365 Business Premium (12.5 USD per user per month).

History of Slack vs Microsoft Teams

If you’re unfamiliar with the entire Slack and Teams history, here’s a recap of what’s happened so far:

• Slack launches in August 2013; originally an internal tool for Slack CEO, Stewart Butterfield’s, company at the time, Glitch.
• Slack gains quite a reputation with startups and developers looking for a messenger tool with a friendly user interface.
• Microsoft Teams launches in March 2017 as the next generation of Microsoft Lync and Skype for Business.
• Slack posts an open letter in the New York Times congratulating Microsoft on its launch, pointing out some useful tips to create a collaboration platform, and stressing how hard it is to get creation of such a tool correct.
• Existing Office 365 and Skype for Business customers become the natural first users of Teams and ensure rapid penetration of an existing customer base.
• Later in 2017, Slack unveils shared channels so two companies can chat via Slack.
• In 2019, Slack made public its daily active user count of 12 million.
• Later that year, Microsoft Teams makes public its daily active user count of 13 million.
• In the same year, Slack announces interoperability with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft OneDrive – allowing users to connect their Outlook calendar, send email to channels, preview entire PowerPoint and Word files all within Slack.
• In April 2020, the Slack and Teams calling integration gets announced—allowing Teams calls to begin in Slack (without switching apps). A second move recognizing users of both platforms within businesses.
• In June 2020, Slack Connect gets announced as a method to create shared channels with up to 20 different organizations.
• In July 2020, Slack files an antitrust complaint against Microsoft
• Microsoft unveils Teams Connect to provide shared channel functionality in its own app.
• Slack keeps quiet about its daily active user count while Microsoft publishes several major milestones. The latest being 145 million as of April 2021.

3 - What is Webex?

A state-of-the-art collaboration solution, Webex has its own important role among the variety of communication tools on the market. 

It ensures efficient teamwork, regardless of where the members of your team might each be. You may be familiar with traditional Webex productivity tools but the collaboration app is fairly new to market.

Webex combines messaging, file sharing, calling, meetings, and integrations.

The tool’s most important collaboration functions are: 

• Chat – this is a must for any application of this sort. Webex permits you to stay connected to your team members constantly with a persistent chat feature, group messaging, and customizable notifications. 
• Whiteboard – real-time writing, drawing, and document editing with digital and virtual whiteboards. 
• Meetings – host online meetings with your team and access collaboration features, like whiteboarding or screen sharing.
• Scheduling – organize and manage your schedule for upcoming meetings. You can integrate this function with the current calendar tools you are using. 
• File sharing – save and send files easily. Files remain where you’ve initially saved them, making searching for a specific document easy. 
• Calling -  you can make voice calls from within the application, the tool being fully compatible with Cisco Webex Calling and Cisco Unified Communication Manager.

These functions have been added to ensure seamless continuity from physical to virtual spaces and from one device to another.

The interface of the application maintains a simple design, keeping all capabilities easy to understand and use.

Webex Features

Key Webex features that draw interest to Webex are:

• End-to-end data encryption
• Integration with state-of-the-art software like Salesforce, GoogleDrive, Dropbox, and many more
• Access to artificial intelligence and bots 
• Device security capabilities
• Intelligent file searching
• Integration with business-critical tools

Webex is available in three different packages for different businesses, having a flexible payment plan available as well.

Slack vs Microsoft Teams vs Webex

The ultimate question.

Which one is the best?

There is no right answer. 

Each tool has its specific purpose, and while some features intertwine, others remain representative of that particular application and offer a better fit for different business types.

Historically, engineers have favored Slack, teams with Cisco VoIP devices used Webex, and Office 365 always have Teams included in their package.

Making a comparison is necessary to understand how one app is different from the other, and why each might be indispensable to your business.

What to look for when comparing Slack vs Microsoft Teams vs Webex

Pricing

Freemium versions are available for all three applications. 

Upgrading is advised if you want to have access to advanced functionalities like unlimited workspaces, more storage, screen sharing group calls, guaranteed uptime, HIPAA compliance and more. 

Webex has an easy-to-understand pricing method, which can be scalable. 

Slack and Microsoft Teams come with similar costs for upgraded versions. 

Onboarding

Getting started with these applications is something you probably want to look into in advance.

Onboarding should be simple and fast, influencing the productivity and efficiency of your operations. 

Setting up Microsoft Teams might require setting up a SharePoint directory.

Slack has faster deployment in 7 or 8 steps, requiring no phone number entry or credit card registrations.

To get started with Webex, you can start the trial process for free by entering your business email and downloading the app, and continue upgrading your plan from there.

Layout and Design

In terms of design, Slack has the most customization options available. 

All three tools, however, maintain an easy-to-understand layout, focusing on capabilities rather than complex visual features. 

You have vertical panels, a search box, and the usual tabs for Chat, Channels, Files, Teams, etc.

This element is very much personal choice so make sure your teams have a say in what will work best for them.

User Invites

For Slack, you can either ask members to join the workspace, or simply invite users after you’ve created the said workspace. 

With Microsoft, the system demands you to first invite users to the Office 365 Admin Panel, found in the Office start page. 

Webex allows you to add users manually in the Cisco Webex Control Hub. Members will appear in an invite pending stage until they sign in for the first time.

Messaging

Direct chat and threaded conversations are accessible on all three of these applications. 

The tools each support group chat and each has incorporated standard messaging features like deleting, editing, pinning, and @ mentioning. 

Powerful notification systems are also guaranteed regardless of application. 

Recently, all three communication platforms introduced the possibility to react to messages, as well as add additional reminders.

File Sharing

With Slack, the maximum file size you can send is 1 GB. 

With Microsoft Teams, you can go up to 15 GB.

Webex restricts files to less than 2 GB.

Integrations

Each application has capabilities in terms of tool integration. 

Slack probably has the winning position, with the highest number of integrations.

However, you need to make sure the integrations available are the ones your business uses.

We've highlighted the best integrations per platform in these posts:

• ‍Slack Integrations
• ‍Teams Integrations
• ‍Webex Integrations