Discord vs Slack
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Community platform vs business communication — which is better for your team? — pricing, features, and our verdict.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Discord | best Slack |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0/mo (Free) |
| Free trial | Free forever, Nitro from $9.99/mo | Free plan available (90 days message history) |
| Best for | Community and gaming chat | Team communication and collaboration |
| Pricing | Free, Nitro $9.99/mo | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | 90 days history, 10 apps |
| Users | 150M+ registered | — |
| Key feature | Voice channels | — |
| Starting paid price | — | $7.25/user/mo (Pro), $12.50/user/mo (Business+) |
| Channels | — | Public, private, shared |
| Message history | — | 90 days (Free), 90 days (Pro), unlimited (Business+) |
| Video calls | — | Huddles (up to 50 participants on Business+) |
| File sharing | — | ✓ |
| API access | — | ✓ |
| Integrations | — | 2,600+ apps |
| Workflow Builder | — | Pro plan+ |
| Support | — | Email (Pro), 24/7 (Business+) |
Discord Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free with no limits on core features
- Excellent voice/video channels
- Growing ecosystem of bots and integrations
- Strong community features
Cons
- Not designed for business use
- Limited file upload on free plan
- Can be confusing for non-gamers
- Notification management could be better
Slack Pros & Cons
Pros
- Channel-based organisation keeps conversations structured and searchable
- Massive app ecosystem (2,600+ integrations)
- Excellent search — finds any message, file, or snippet
- Voice and video calls (Huddles) built in
- Workflow Builder for no-code automation
Cons
- Can become noisy and distracting in large organisations
- Free plan limited to 90 days of message history
- Pro plan is $7.25/user/mo — costs scale fast for large teams
- Thread management can be confusing
- No built-in task management (needs integration)
Final Verdict
Both Discord and Slack are solid choices in the Communication space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: Slack
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: Discord or Slack?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. Slack generally offers better value for money, while Discord has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do Discord and Slack offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. Free forever, Nitro from $9.99/mo offers a trial, and Free plan available (90 days message history) also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from Discord to Slack (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.