Slack vs Microsoft Teams: Which Should Your Team Use?

The honest answer: choose Slack if communication quality and integrations matter most and you are willing to pay for it, and choose Microsoft Teams if your company already runs on Microsoft 365 and you want chat, meetings, and files in one bundled place. For most teams, the existing software stack decides this more than any single feature.

Both apps do the same core job — organize team conversation into channels, add calls and file sharing on top — and both run on iOS, Android, web, and macOS. The differences are in focus, ecosystem, and cost. Below is how they compare on the criteria that tend to settle the decision.

App	Best For	Platforms	Price	Rating
Slack	Focused messaging and integrations	iOS, Android, Web, macOS	Free tier; optional paid plans	8.7
Microsoft Teams	Microsoft 365 organizations	iOS, Android, Web, macOS	Included with Microsoft 365	8.2

Slack — best for: teams that want the cleanest, most focused messaging experience and the widest integration library.

Microsoft Teams — best for: organizations already standardized on Microsoft 365 that want chat and meetings bundled with their existing tools.

Messaging and everyday use

Slack is the more focused messaging tool. Channels, threads, and search are its whole reason for existing, and it shows — conversations stay organized, older messages stay findable, and the interface stays out of the way. Microsoft Teams handles the same tasks but wraps them in a busier interface that also surfaces files, meetings, and apps. If day-to-day written communication is the heart of how your team works, Slack generally feels lighter and faster. If chat is one of several things you do in the same window, Teams' density is less of a drawback.

Meetings and calls

Both apps include video meetings. Microsoft Teams has a real advantage here for its target user: meetings, calendar, and files are stitched together with Outlook and the rest of Microsoft 365, so scheduling and joining feel seamless inside that ecosystem. Slack includes calls too, but many Slack-first teams pair it with a dedicated meeting tool rather than relying on its built-in calls for large sessions. If bundled, integrated meetings matter and you are already a Microsoft shop, that tilts toward Teams.

Integrations and extensibility

This is Slack's strongest category. Its integration library is the deepest in the category, and its app directory lets you route notifications and actions from your other tools into channels with minimal fuss. Microsoft Teams integrates most naturally with Microsoft's own products — which is exactly what you want if you live in Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Outlook, and less compelling if your stack is spread across many third-party tools.

Cost and ecosystem

Cost often decides this quietly. Microsoft Teams comes included with Microsoft 365 business plans, so companies already paying for that suite effectively get it at no extra charge. Slack is a separate subscription once you outgrow the free tier. For a Microsoft-standardized company, the math frequently favors Teams simply because it is already paid for. For a team not tied to Microsoft, Slack's separate cost buys a more focused experience.

Which should you choose?

Ask one question first: is your company already committed to Microsoft 365? If yes, Teams is the pragmatic default — it is included, integrated, and familiar. If no, or if focused communication and a broad integration ecosystem matter more than bundling, Slack is the stronger standalone choice. Switching platforms later is disruptive, so weigh your existing stack and where you expect it to go over the next few years.

Freshness note: this comparison was reviewed and updated in 2026 to reflect both apps' current features and pricing structures.

Frequently asked questions

Is Slack better than Microsoft Teams?

Slack scores higher for focused messaging and integrations, but "better" depends on context. For a Microsoft 365 organization, Teams' bundling and integration often make it the more practical choice.

Can I use both at once?

Some organizations do during a transition, but running both long term usually splinters conversations. Most teams are better served committing to one as their primary hub.

Which is cheaper?

For companies already paying for Microsoft 365, Teams is effectively included, making it the lower-cost option. Slack is a separate subscription beyond its free tier.

Which is easier to learn?

Slack's narrower focus makes its core messaging simpler to pick up. Teams has more in one place, which is powerful but takes longer to feel comfortable with.

Bottom line: let your existing software decide. Microsoft 365 companies should default to Teams for its bundling and integration; everyone else who values focused communication and deep integrations should choose Slack. Both do the core job well — the right one is the one that fits the stack you already run.