Slack vs. Microsoft Teams: Which is Better for Your Business in 2025?

Messaging

Slack: Channel-based, threaded conversations, slash commands for quick actions.

‍Microsoft Teams: Channel-based, threaded conversations, tabbed interface for organization.

Video Calls

Slack: Huddles for quick, unscheduled calls (up to 50 users on paid plans).

‍Microsoft Teams: Robust meetings with up to 300 participants, breakout rooms, and transcriptions.

File Sharing

Slack: Drag-and-drop, integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

‍Microsoft Teams: Native OneDrive/SharePoint integration, real-time co-editing.

Search

Slack: Advanced search with filters, searches within external files (e.g., Google Docs).

‍Microsoft Teams: Comprehensive search, less granular than Slack’s external file search.

External Collaboration

Slack: Shared Channels for seamless external partner communication.

‍Microsoft Teams: Guest/external access, a more complex setup for external users.

Key Takeaway

Slack excels in flexible, messaging-focused communication, with strong external collaboration capabilities. Teams is ideal for video-heavy workflows and businesses embedded in Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Slack Pro

50 Users: $5,250

‍100 Users: $10,500

‍200 Users: $21,000

Teams Essentials

50 Users: $2,400

‍100 Users: $4,800

‍200 Users: $9,600

Teams Business Basic

50 Users: $3,600

‍100 Users: $7,200

‍200 Users: $14,400

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• Costs are based on annual billing: Slack Pro ($8.75 per user per month), Teams Essentials ($4 per user per month), and Teams Business Basic ($6 per user per month).
• Slack Pro offers unlimited message history and integrations, ideal for non-Microsoft ecosystems.
• Teams Essentials is the most affordable standalone option, but it lacks Microsoft 365 apps and offers limited storage.
• Teams Business Basic includes Microsoft 365 apps and 1TB of storage/user, offering better value for Microsoft-centric businesses.

Pricing Overview

Both platforms offer free plans, but paid tiers unlock advanced features critical for businesses adapting to remote work. Costs vary based on whether you’re embedded in Microsoft 365 or using a non-Microsoft ecosystem. Below is a breakdown of their pricing structures as of 2025.

Scenario 1: Business with Microsoft 365 Subscription

If your business already uses Microsoft 365, Teams is often included, making it a cost-effective choice. For example:

Microsoft 365 Business Basic ($6/user/month): Includes Teams with audio calls, 1TB OneDrive storage, and web versions of Word, Excel, and Outlook. This is cheaper than Slack’s Pro plan ($8.75/user/month), which offers only messaging and integrations without productivity apps.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard ($12.50/user/month): Adds desktop Office apps, webinars, and advanced meeting features, still competitive with Slack’s Business+ plan ($15/user/month).

Cost Savings: Teams leverages existing Microsoft 365 licenses, avoiding additional costs. For a 50-user company, Business Basic saves $1,500/year compared to Slack Pro ($6 vs. $8.75/user/month). For larger teams, savings scale significantly.

Hidden Benefits: Teams’ deep integration with OneDrive, SharePoint, and Outlook enhances remote work efficiency by streamlining workflows (e.g., real-time document collaboration), reducing the need for third-party tools. This can lower software costs compared to Slack, which may require separate subscriptions for file storage or productivity apps.

Drawbacks:

• Limited third-party integrations (700+ vs. Slack’s 2,600+) may require additional tools for non-Microsoft ecosystems, potentially offsetting savings if you rely on apps like Salesforce or Asana.
• Copilot ($30 per user per month) is pricier than Slack AI ($10 per user per month), which adds costs for AI-driven features like meeting summaries.

Scenario 2: Business Outside the Microsoft Ecosystem

For businesses using Google Workspace, Salesforce, or other non-Microsoft tools, Slack often makes more financial sense due to its platform-agnostic integrations and flexibility.

Slack Pro ($8.75 per user per month): Offers unlimited message history and integrations, ideal for diverse tech stacks. No additional Microsoft 365 subscription is needed, unlike Teams, which may require purchasing Microsoft 365 for full functionality.

Teams as Standalone ($4 per user per month): The Teams Essentials plan is cheaper but lacks Office apps and has limited storage (10GB total vs. Slack’s 5GB/user). To match Slack’s features, you’d likely need Business Basic ($6/user/month), reducing the price gap.

Integration Costs: Slack’s 2,600+ integrations (e.g., Google Drive, Zoom, Salesforce) allow seamless connections without additional licenses. Teams’ Microsoft-centric focus may necessitate workarounds or subscriptions for non-Microsoft tools, increasing costs. For example, integrating Salesforce with Teams is less robust than Slack’s native Salesforce app.

Hidden Costs: Slack’s free plan is more restrictive (90-day message history vs. Teams’ unlimited chat), pushing businesses to paid plans sooner. Additionally, Slack’s Enterprise Grid can be costlier than Teams’ Business Premium for large organizations due to custom pricing.

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Hidden Costs and Considerations

Beyond subscription fees, several factors impact the total cost of ownership:

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Microsoft 365 Users:

• Pros: Teams is often “free” within existing subscriptions, offering significant savings and integrated productivity tools. For a 50-user company on Business Standard, you get Teams, Office apps, and 1TB storage for $7,500/year vs. Slack Pro ($5,250) plus separate productivity apps (e.g., Google Workspace, ~$6,000/year), totaling $11,250/year.
• Cons: Limited third-party integrations may require additional tools, potentially adding $1,000-$5,000/year for licenses or custom development.
• Best for: Enterprises or businesses already using Microsoft 365, prioritizing video conferencing and compliance.

Non-Microsoft Ecosystem:

• Pros: Slack’s flexibility and 2,600+ integrations align with diverse tools, avoiding Microsoft 365 subscription costs. For a 50-user team, Slack Pro ($5,250/year) plus Google Workspace ($6,000/year) is competitive with Teams Business Basic ($3,600) plus third-party app costs.
• Cons: Higher per-user costs for large teams and potential add-on subscriptions (e.g., storage) increase expenses.
• Best for: Startups, SMBs, or teams using Google Workspace, Salesforce, or other non-Microsoft tools.

For a 50-user business, Teams is generally cheaper for Microsoft 365 users, while Slack is more cost-effective for non-Microsoft ecosystems. Evaluate your tech stack, team size, and integration needs to finalize your choice.

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Integration Aspect Comparison: Slack vs. Microsoft Teams

Aspect Comparison: Slack vs. Microsoft Teams

Aspect Comparison: Slack vs. Microsoft Teams

Key Takeaway

Teams edges out for enterprises with complex compliance needs due to Microsoft’s robust security framework. Slack is secure but requires higher tiers for advanced compliance.

Aspect Comparison: Slack vs. Microsoft Teams

Reasons to Switch:

From Teams to Slack:

Third-Party Flexibility: Slack’s 2,600+ app integrations (e.g., Asana, Salesforce) and platform-agnostic approach suit businesses with diverse tech stacks, especially those using Google Workspace or non-Microsoft tools.

Simpler Interface: Slack’s intuitive, customizable design is easier for smaller or tech-savvy teams to adopt, reducing onboarding time and facilitating remote work compared to Teams’ feature-heavy interface.

External Collaboration: Slack’s Shared Channels simplify communication with external partners, making it a better fit for businesses with frequent vendor or client interactions.

Botable.ai Fit: Whether you switch to Slack or Teams, our AI chatbots integrate seamlessly, automating HR tasks like onboarding and FAQs in either platform, ensuring a smooth transition without losing efficiency.

Reasons Not to Switch

Existing Ecosystem Lock-In: If your team is deeply embedded in Microsoft 365, switching to Slack may disrupt workflows due to weaker integration with Office tools. Conversely, moving from Slack to Teams could limit access to Slack’s extensive third-party apps if your business relies on them.

Learning Curve and Costs: Switching requires retraining employees and migrating data, which can be time-consuming and costly. For example, Teams’ complex interface may overwhelm small teams used to Slack’s simplicity, while Slack’s pricing may strain budgets for large enterprises.

Satisfaction with Current Setup: If your current platform meets your needs—especially with Botable.ai’s chatbots enhancing HR and IT support—switching may not justify the effort. Both platforms are robust, and sticking with what works avoids disruption.

Key Considerations When Switching

Before switching, assess your team size, tech stack, and communication priorities. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis, including training and migration expenses. Pilot the new platform with a small group to test compatibility.

Switch if the new platform aligns better with your ecosystem and long-term goals. If your current tool is effective, staying put might be the smarter move.

Slack and Microsoft Teams are both powerful communication platforms, but their strengths cater to different needs. Slack’s intuitive, customizable interface and vast integrations make it a favorite for startups and SMBs. Teams’ deep Microsoft 365 integration, robust video features, and scalability suit larger enterprises. By evaluating your tech stack, team size, and communication style, you can choose the platform that aligns with your business goals.

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