Slack vs Zoom
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Communication platforms compared — async chat vs video meetings. Which does your team need?
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Slack | best Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0/mo (Free) | $0/mo (Free) |
| Free trial | Free plan available (90 days message history) | Free plan available (40 min meetings, 100 participants) |
| Best for | Team communication and collaboration | Video conferencing for businesses of all sizes |
| Free plan | 90 days history, 10 apps | 40 min meetings, 100 participants |
| Starting paid price | $7.25/user/mo (Pro), $12.50/user/mo (Business+) | $13.33/user/mo (Pro), $18.32/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+) | Chat (Pro), 24/7 (Business+) |
| Max participants | — | 100 (Free), 100 (Pro), 300 (Business), 1000 (Enterprise) |
| Meeting duration | — | 40 min (Free), 30h (Paid) |
| Screen sharing | — | ✓ |
| Breakout rooms | — | ✓ |
| Recording | — | Local (Free), Cloud (Paid) |
| Whiteboard | — | ✓ |
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)
Zoom Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most reliable video platform — stable even on poor connections
- Feature-rich: screen sharing, whiteboard, breakout rooms, polls, reactions
- Excellent recording and transcript features
- Zoom AI Companion for meeting summaries and action items (paid plans)
- Integrates with everything (Google Calendar, Outlook, Slack, Zapier)
Cons
- Free plan limited to 40 minutes for group meetings
- Pro plan $13.33/user/mo — per-host pricing gets expensive
- Webinars require separate add-on pricing
- Security concerns historically (Zoom bombing) — improved but reputation lingers
- Desktop app can be resource-heavy
Final Verdict
Both Slack and Zoom are solid choices in the Team 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: Zoom
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: Slack or Zoom?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. Zoom generally offers better value for money, while Slack has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do Slack and Zoom offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. Free plan available (90 days message history) offers a trial, and Free plan available (40 min meetings, 100 participants) also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from Slack to Zoom (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.