Slack is a well-known team messaging platform. It is widely used in Silicon Valley. Slack login provides various other features, like direct messaging, document sharing, notifications and alerts, group chat, and search, making your team discussion a longer and winding road than your organisation would like. The cost of $8 per user each month is the second reason why you should look at Slack possibilities. Particularly for small, resource-constrained teams and start-ups. Whatever the reason, the team will benefit from the vast array of corporate communication equipment. Others are optional and provide more possibilities than Slack’s basic programme. Some of them do not limit your message in any way. They can all be hosted on your own website.
Top 12 Best Slack Alternatives Hosted, Open Source
1. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is the company’s answer to Slack. It has the same fundamental capabilities as the rest Is Slack free of the Office 360 suite and integrates seamlessly, making it simple to share and collaborate on live files.
Microsoft Teams is a potential option for any business that uses the 360 suite.
Features
- Channels (Teams)
- Private Messages
- Comprehensive Message Search
- Guest Access
- Screen Sharing
- Video/Audio Calls (1-on-1)
- Web, desktop, and mobile apps(iPhone & Android)
Interface
When compared to Slack, it takes a little longer to log in and access the interface. When it opens, it appears to be somewhat familiar. Teams (channels) are listed below the menu on the left, including the default “General.”
Microsoft Teams, unlike Slack, splits different sorts of communication into tabs. The “Chat” menu allows you to access private conversations with other coworkers. “Teams” is the general tab where you may find your channels. You may also speed-dial regular collaborators and core teammates under the “Call” menu. In “Files,” you may see a list of the files that users are working on.
Free Plan
The free plan is not a trial, and so it has no time limit.
- Up to 300 users
- 2GB of storage per user and 10 GB total.
- No scheduling, recording, or conferencing capabilities.
- Unlimited messages and search history.
Check out Microsoft Teams vs Slack for a more in-depth comparison.
2. Facebook Workplace Groups
Workplace Groups on Facebook is a component of the Workplace suite, which is Facebook’s workplace collaboration toolkit. Unlike Google Workspace, Groups has a free plan, thus it isn’t buried behind a paywall.
It’s a unique option in that it includes group video calls Slack download in its free plan. As a result, it’s an excellent solution for a small business looking to reduce the costs associated with video calls for meetings.
Features
- Channels (Group Chat)
- Private Messages
- Comprehensive Message Search
- Screen Sharing (1-on-1)
- Post timeline in addition to chat.
- Video/Audio Calls (1-on-1 and conference calls)
- Live stream video.
- Web, desktop, and mobile apps(iPhone & Android) available
Interface
Each group’s default view consists of postings. It provides individual groups with the feel of a forum or support desk. This feature can be useful for team members who live in various time zones.
Of course, without a chat room, it wouldn’t be a true Slack replacement. Each group has its own chatroom where you can utilise all of the IM capabilities. You can, for example, transmit audio recordings, gifs, and even polls.
Free Plan
Again, the free plan can be used indefinitely but has a restriction on some features.
- 5 GB/user
- No third-party tool integration. (Sorry API lovers.)
- Conferencing/group video calls limited to 20 people.
- Unlimited messaging and search history.
3. Chanty
Chanty is a communication and Slack desktop app real-time collaboration solution with more than just a chat capability. It can be used for task creation and assignment, as well as video conferencing. It is a daring startup that is investing in providing smaller businesses with exactly what they require for free.
Features
- Channels (Public conversations)
- Private Messages
- AI-Powered Search
- Screen Sharing (1-on-1)
- Post timeline in addition to chat.
- Video/Audio Calls (1-on-1 and group calls)
Interface
The interface of Chanty is simple and will most likely remind you of another SaaS service. Channels are referred to as public chats, but they appear in the app in the same way.
It is simple to use and intuitive. By clicking the + symbol, you can initiate a call, a public conversation, or create and assign tasks.
Free Plan
- 20GB storage per team
- Up to 10 users
- Task management
- Up to 10 third-party integrations.
- Unlimited messaging and search history.
- No group video/audio calls.
4. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is more than simply a real-time communication app; it is a free marketing and communications suite. Channels, task creation, search, video calls, and more features are available through their collaboration service. It also provides ecommerce solutions, CRM, and call centre software.
Features
- Channels
- Private Messages
- Basic Search Functions
- Screen Sharing (1-on-1)
- Post timeline in addition to chat.
- Video/Audio Calls (1-on-1)
- CRM & Marketing Automation
Interface
Anyone who has used a similar tool in the past will find the UI to be clean and intuitive. To the left are all workgroups, and to the right are the actual contents. As with any Slack alternative, you may effortlessly send files or tag someone in a new message.
Free Plan
The plan is free for up to 12 users and there is no time limit.
- Up to 12 users
- 5 GB online storage
- Unlimited messaging & search
- Audio & video calls (1-on-1)
- Task management
5. Fleep
Fleep claims to enable you to work smarter, better, and faster. It’s more than simply a team chat or collaboration app; it also incorporates project management. It distinguishes itself from the most basic competitors through the use of tasks, pinboards, teams, and file management.
Features
- Channels (Group conversations)
- Teams
- Private messages
- Task management
- Pinboard
- Shared file management
- Video & Audio calls (through Whereby integration)
- Web, desktop, and mobile app
Interface
The Fleep interface includes tasks in the form of a categorised to-do list. It reduces the possibility of team members forgetting about work issued via chat. One disadvantage is that it can appear cluttered at times, although this is a modest price to pay.
Free Plan
Their free plan includes only the basic team chat functionality.
- Unlimited messages and search
- Up to 3 group conversations
- 10 GB for file storage
- No teams
- No tasks
6. RingCentral Glip
Glip is a team collaboration app that, like Fleep, offers task management features to assist your workers remain on track. It was acquired by RingCentral in 2015 and merged with its offerings.
Features
- Channels (Teams)
- Private messages
- Comprehensive Message Search
- Screen sharing
- Task management
- Video & Audio calls
- Guests
Interface
If you’ve ever used another chat application, you’ll feel right at home in Glip. The chat functionality, as well as the overall layout, will most likely feel familiar. On the left, you may see relevant users and teams, as well as rapidly search for messages. A useful feature is the ability to create calendars, notes, and tasks directly from messages.
Free Plan
It includes unlimited teams and users, but only has 500 minutes total of shared video. It’s likely the best free plan on this list for organizations that don’t use video a lot.
- Unlimited messages and search history
- Unlimited storage
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited teams
- Unlimited integrations
- 500 minutes of shared video
- Task management
- Team calendar
7. Troop Messenger
Troop Messenger supports instant chat, video conferencing, screen sharing, and other forms of collaboration. It also provides native applications for all major operating systems, including Linux.
Features
- Channels (Group chats)
- Private messages
- Comprehensive Message Search
- Screen sharing
- Task management
- Video & Audio calls
- Self-destructing messages
- Fingerprint security
- Web, desktop, and mobile apps(iPhone & Android)
Interface
The design resembles a typical chat app rather than a team collaboration software (and is very archaic). It’s because it began off as one. But below that hood is every feature that all of the major Slack rivals provide.
Free Plan
The free plan includes no video or audio calls or screen sharing. It’s worth mentioning that paid plans start at $1 per user per month.
- Up to 50 users
- 50 GB of storage
- Unlimited messages and search history
- Up to 5 group chats
- No video or audio calls
- No screen sharing
- No self-destructing messages
8. Zulip
Zulip blends real-time conversation with threaded email. This feature distinguishes the team chat experience and helps it stand out. The idea is to spend less time on messages that don’t matter to you.
Features
- Email-style threading (streams)
- Channels (Group chats)
- Private messages
- Comprehensive Message Search
- Alert words
- Video & Audio calls (Powered by third-party apps like Zoom.)
- Web, desktop, and mobile apps(iPhone & Android)
- Guests
