Top 7 Slack Substitutes for Seamless Team Collaboration in 2025

Eager to start collaborating with your team? If you’re looking for alternatives to Slack, consider trying out Chanty and Mattermost.

In today’s work environment, online teamwork and instant communication tools are essential components. They offer vital functionalities such as screen sharing, video calls, and conferencing. That’s why more than 90% of companies depend on these tools to facilitate their operations.

While Slack is often the go-to platform for team chats, with over 65% of users choosing it, many organizations are exploring other options, especially since its focus has shifted more toward larger corporate clients after going public. Luckily, there are numerous Slack alternatives that can support your workflow effectively. Below, I’ve compiled some top collaboration tools, highlighting their features, functionality, and pricing options.

Top Slack Alternatives for Team Communication

Here are some of the best options to consider for team messaging and collaboration.

1. Chanty

Ideal for Real-Time Team Collaboration

Chanty is an emerging startup designed to help small teams streamline their communication. It’s primarily a group chat and real-time collaboration platform, but it also offers a variety of additional features beyond messaging.

You can create and assign tasks, and host video conferences. Its clean, intuitive interface makes it straightforward to use. Chanty is particularly suitable for small groups focusing on quick tasks, allowing teams to organize channels and lists based on functions, teams, or specific search parameters. This task-centric approach helps boost productivity by reducing wasted time.

Features:

Chanty packs a range of powerful features, including channels for public communication, private messaging, and support for audio and video calls. Screen sharing on a one-on-one basis is also available.

Key features include:

  • AI-powered search functionality
  • To-do lists for individuals and teams
  • Task management with assignment, tracking, and adjustments
  • Team chat options
  • Kanban boards for project management
  • Archived conversations for later reference
  • Video calls and conferencing capabilities
  • Seamless integration with tools like Trello, Asana, and Google Drive

Pricing:

Chanty Pricing Page

Chanty offers a straightforward pricing structure with two plans: a free forever plan and a paid Business plan. The free plan supports up to ten users and comes with limited features, while the Business plan costs $3 per user per month and includes unlimited users and full feature access.

2. Mattermost

Best for DevOps and Development Teams

Mattermost

If you’re seeking an open-source instant messaging platform that offers robust security, Mattermost provides an excellent alternative to Slack. It’s favored by major corporations, such as Intel, and even by various U.S. government agencies. This platform supports customized communication setups for teams and integrates seamlessly with DevOps workflows, utilizing dedicated channels to track software bugs and address security breaches efficiently. It also enables real-time collaboration on coding and debugging tasks, with notifications ensuring team members stay synchronized. Furthermore, it can be integrated with tools like JIRA for task management, assignments, and progress tracking.

Features:

One of the notable features of Mattermost is its user interface, which closely resembles Slack, easing the transition for users migrating from Slack. In addition to basic messaging, it offers role-based permissions, private messaging, and video calling features.

Some core functionalities include:

  • Task prioritization and assignment
  • Automated notifications and reminders
  • Unlimited integrations with other apps
  • Options for custom branding
  • Sharing images, links, and files
  • Support for multiple languages
  • Screen sharing via integrations
  • Scheduling meetings and reminders
  • Unlimited slash commands for quick actions
  • Guest accounts and user mentions for collaboration
  • Message search functionality
  • Compatibility across platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Pricing:

Mattermost offers both cloud-based SaaS options managed by the company and self-hosted setups, which come with a free plan. No matter the hosting choice, the platform allows extensive customization.

Pricing plans include:

  • Free: No cost, forever
  • Professional: $10 per user monthly
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing, available upon request from sales

The higher-tier plans incorporate all features from the lower levels. Cloud plans are ideal for remote teams, whereas self-managed plans offer greater privacy and are suitable for teams of all sizes seeking Slack alternatives.

3. Fleep

Best for Managing Projects

Fleep Homepage

Fleep is a team communication and collaboration app that combines messaging with project management features. It offers tools like assignable tasks, pinned boards, and team document management, making it a comprehensive platform for team coordination. Its user interface groups tasks into to-do lists, which helps prevent important tasks from being overlooked. However, some users find the dashboard can become cluttered when managing numerous tasks. One of Fleep’s distinctive features is its focus on integrating communication with project organization, enabling teams to streamline both conversations and project workflows in one place.The management application isn’t just limited to internal team communication; you can also invite external participants to join team chats by providing their email addresses, making collaboration more flexible.

Features:
Unlike Slack, which sorts conversations into topics or channels, Fleep organizes chats based on the people involved. This means all interactions with a specific person are accessible from one centralized location, helping to stay organized and easily track discussions.

Key Features of Fleep include:

  • Pinboards for highlighting important messages and information
  • A task management board to assign and monitor tasks
  • Both group chats and one-on-one conversations
  • Team collaboration tools and task administration
  • File sharing with support for audio and video calls
  • Platform compatibility across web browsers, desktops, and mobile devices
  • Indicators showing when someone is writing and read receipts
  • Status updates and presence indicators
  • Integrations with popular apps like Slack, Trello, JIRA, Zapier, and Dropbox
  • Searchable chat histories for easy reference

Pricing:
Fleep offers three pricing tiers, with the prices listed in euros on their website. Here’s an overview of the plans with approximate US dollar equivalents and their features:

1. Basic Plan at $0 per user/month:
– Ideal for communities, friends, or students
– Up to 1 GB of storage
– Supports native apps for various devices

2. Business Plan at $5 per user/month (when billed annually):
– Designed for small to medium-sized companies
– Includes all Basic features plus team customization options

3. Enterprise Plan with custom pricing:
– Suitable for larger organizations and corporations
– All Business Plan features with volume discounts

Flock:
Flock is an online platform tailored for productivity, offering real-time messaging, audio and video conferencing, and a comprehensive suite of collaboration tools. Its design helps eliminate workplace distractions by consolidating all communication channels into a single, streamlined interface. This approach allows teams to handle communication, task management, and project updates in one place, while maintaining a minimalistic, open-chat focus.

A standout feature is Flock’s reminder tool, which lets users set automated reminders for themselves or team members at specific times or after certain intervals. Additional functionalities include smart channels based on predefined rules, in-app note sharing, code snippets, file sharing, quick video calls, voice notes, and task lists. Flock also offers security controls, data retention policies, one-way announcements, search and bookmark capabilities for messages, dark mode for comfortable viewing, and numerous integrations.

Pricing for Flock:
Flock Pricing Page

Like Fleep, Flock offers three subscription levels: Starter, Pro, and Enterprise. You can choose to pay monthly or opt for annual billing, which gives a 25% discount on the total cost.

The **Starter Plan** is free and includes unlimited one-on-one and group messaging, up to ten public channels, and five gigabytes of storage per team.

The **Pro Plan** costs $4.50 per user each month and provides unlimited messages and searches, unlimited channels both public and private, and ten gigabytes of storage per team member.

The **Enterprise Plan** is customized based on your organization’s needs and includes all features of the Pro plan, plus organizational mapping and integration with internal systems like LMS and HRMS.

Flock also offers special discounts for non-profit organizations, tailored to their specific area of work and location.

5. Microsoft Teams

Ideal for Office 365 Users

For organizations using Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams is the top collaboration tool. It integrates smoothly with Office 365 and the Microsoft 365 suite, allowing effortless sharing and real-time collaboration on files. Its user interface feels familiar to Slack users, with the main difference being the separation of different communication types into dedicated tabs.

Key Features:

One major benefit of Microsoft Teams is that it doesn’t require third-party apps to function effectively. It also includes built-in project management tools, enabling you to oversee your entire team from one platform. Features include hosting meetings with up to 10,000 participants and 24-hour availability, customizable backgrounds, live recording, large chat groups with up to 500,000 participants, unlimited messaging and file uploads, seamless Microsoft 365 integration, and video calling across Windows, iOS, and Android devices. Guest access and screen sharing capabilities further enhance collaboration.

Pricing Options:

Microsoft Teams offers three main pricing tiers. The basic option is free and provides access to the core Microsoft Teams features without any commitment. For a comprehensive Office 365 package with Teams included, paid plans are available: Microsoft Teams Essentials at $4 per user per month (annual billing), Microsoft 365 Business Basic at $6 per user per month (annual billing), and Microsoft 365 Business Standard at $12.50 per user per month (annual billing).

6. Rocket.Chat

Best for Social Media Integration

Rocket.Chat stands out because it can merge multiple chat services into one unified platform. With this team chat solution, you can conveniently manage conversations from social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and more—all within a single interface. The application itself is fully open-source, allowing for extensive customization to suit your specific needs. You can clone Rocket.Chat directly from its GitHub repository or host it on your own cloud server, offering flexibility and control. But it’s not just another messaging tool—it is a powerful platform for collaboration. Rocket.Chat enables seamless integration with countless other apps via APIs, giving you total command over your workspace. It ranks among the leading Slack alternatives, especially for those seeking comprehensive social media integration.

Since Rocket.Chat is open source, it provides full customization options for managing documents and direct messages. The platform also includes features such as video conferencing, screen sharing, and end-to-end encryption for secure communication. Its core features include individual and group messaging, public and private channels, and the ability to operate either as a SaaS or self-managed solution. Additionally, it supports chatbots, is accessible on all major platforms including Linux, and offers multimedia functionalities like audio/video conferencing and screen sharing. Users can store and share files, search message history, and even integrate with CRM and SMS services. The platform facilitates creating online tickets, adding chat tags, and supports emojis, making communication versatile and user-friendly.

Rocket.Chat offers a range of flexible pricing options, starting with a free, community-supported plan for those who prefer self-hosted solutions. For larger teams or enterprises needing more advanced features, paid plans are available. The community plan is free forever, providing basic functionalities, while the enterprise plan costs $7 per user per month or $35 per agent per month, offering additional capabilities and support.

RingCentral, another notable tool, is especially suited for task management. It is a comprehensive team collaboration platform that acquired Glip in 2015 and merged it into its suite of tools. RingCentral’s interface feels familiar to users of popular apps like Google Hangouts, Google Chat, or Ryver, with features designed for effective team coordination. It supports group chats, instant messaging, voice calls, and video conferencing—mirroring the typical functionality of team collaboration apps. What sets RingCentral apart is its capability to facilitate unlimited one-on-one and group meetings, allowing team members to join meetings with a single click. These features make it an attractive Slack alternative, particularly for managing tasks and coordinating team activities efficiently.

Accessing the service through a simple web browser means you can start using it instantly without the hassle of installing any additional software. RingCentral’s platform is designed for quick, hassle-free use, making it accessible from any device with an internet connection.

Features:

One of RingCentral’s standout advantages is its ability to seamlessly switch ongoing meetings between different devices. This flexibility allows you to stay connected whether you’re moving around or working from various locations, using any device you prefer. With its comprehensive set of features, RingCentral ensures smooth communication and collaboration across teams.

Some key features include unlimited meeting durations, effortless group chat creation with just one click, and robust security measures like enterprise-level encryption and password protection. The platform works directly in your browser, eliminating the need for any downloads. Share files, conduct screen sharing, and enjoy HD quality meetings complemented by cloud-based recording and storage options. Hosts have complete control over meetings, and the platform seamlessly integrates with G Suite calendars. Additionally, it offers tools for task management and team collaboration, along with a comprehensive file storage solution.

Pricing:

RingCentral Pricing

RingCentral offers both monthly and annual subscription plans. Opting for the yearly plan can save you up to 33%, making it a more economical choice over time. Here’s a simple breakdown based on the number of users:

  • Core Plan: $20 per user each month
  • Advanced Plan: $25 per user each month
  • Ultra Plan: $35 per user each month

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are These The Only Options Available As Alternatives to Slack?

Not at all. These are some of the best alternatives to Slack, but there are other options such as Discord (which allows streaming from), Flowdock, and Bitrix24, among others.

2. Do These Messaging Platforms Have Mobile Apps?

Yes, most of these platforms offer dedicated mobile apps that enable communication and collaboration while you’re on the move.

3. Are There Free Alternatives to Slack?

Yes. Platforms like Chanty and Mattermost provide free plans, and others like Fleep, Flock, Microsoft Teams, Rocket.Chat, and RingCentral also offer free tiers suitable for small teams and startups.

Final Thoughts

In today’s remote work environment, having effective team communication tools is essential. For organizations with distributed teams, online collaboration and project management tools can significantly streamline operations and improve connectivity. If you’re planning to move beyond traditional email for team communication, consider these options:

  • Chanty: Ideal for real-time collaboration and quick messaging
  • Mattermost: Perfect for DevOps teams and developers
  • Fleep: Great for managing projects and communication
  • Flock: Focused on boosting productivity with integrated tools
  • Microsoft Teams: Best suited for Office 365 users
  • Rocket.Chat: Offers strong social media integration
  • RingCentral: Focused on task and team management

With so many options available, you’re sure to find a communication tool that fits your team’s needs perfectly.