Slack vs Zulip

Microsoft Teams

Connecteam

Google Workspace

Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace in Microsoft 365 which lets users collaborate on documents, make voice & video conference calls, view chat logs, and more. Teams has replaced Skype for Business as Microsoft's online meeting solution.

An all-in-one employee app that's both powerful, affordable and easy to use, especially for the mobile workforce.

Google Workspace is a suite of applications from Google which offers a number of tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, store files, and manage data from all devices.

Slack is a single workspace that connects users with the people and tools they work with everyday, no matter where they are or what they do

Collaboration Tools

Discussions/Forums

Content Management

Commenting/Notes

Access Controls/Permissions

Document Management

Reviews for Slack come from a wide variety of industries, including computer software (15% of reviewers), information technology and services (11%), and marketing and advertising (8%). The most frequent use case for Slack cited by reviewers is team communication (72% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some users say Slack’s free plan is generous for small teams, and reviewers appreciate its basic features for testing. However, some users report quickly hitting limitations, and reviewers feel upgrades are costly, especially for larger organizations.

Value for money

The Slack integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: Google Drive (a cloud storage product rated 4.8 out of 5 for its integration with Slack), Google Calendar (a scheduling product, 4.9), and Jira (an IT project management product, 4.6).

Integrations

Slack is a team communication solution offering key features such as chat/messaging, real-time notifications, mobile access, and file sharing, among others.

Proprietary

Slack

Web-based

iPad

Android

iPhone

Windows

Free

Business+

Enterprise Grid

Staff Accountant Lead

Slack provides a wide internal communication service, we can create different client channels, we can discuss with client wise even we have a canvas feature which we use for some draft facility and explain to team members, we can easily find our tag and work view thread option, overall experience is very useful and smooth and like professional communication platform.

Lead Designer

Not only is it helpful for communication purposes, but the project management features, collaborative workflow tools and customized add-ons make it great as a tool where every project can be seamlessly managed, without relying on too many apps.

Technical Support Engineer

There are many features I love about slack, such as the threads feature to categorize conversations, huddle feature to quickly hop on a call with colleagues, and the activity tab to see the latest activities to follow up and keep up to date with information.

Senior Director of IT

The leading instant messaging platform globally that combines chat, file sharing, video calling as a collaboration tool with hundreds of APIs with other corporate platforms.

Training and Development Manager

We were able to integrate our TrackVia account with Slack through Workato integrations, which allowed a discussion to start in a specific channel when a record was updated or added into a view in TrackVia.

Engineering

I love using slack This tool organizes team communication into focused, topic-specific channels, cutting down on email overload by consolidating discussions, files, and data in one place.

Customer Support

It allows us to share screens and call others when needed and we can even export channels to gather data for our teams.

I use slack literally everyday during for my work, where I direct message my colleagues, comment on threads, and keep up to date with channels and groups.

Medical Fronter

Being in a large team, the volume of my pings and channel alerts became overwhelming, leading to constant notifications and fragmented attention that actually decreased my deep-work productivity.

Software Analyst

The things that I disliked about the Slack are depicted below The important messages can sometimes did not get in focus, when there are too many active channels or notification popping out at the same time. When there is a large teams or active workplaces, messages from multiple channels ,threads , and direct message can become overwhelming making it difficult to focus on high priority conversations.

Full stack developer

The ability to quickly share files, schedule huddles, and track project updates makes teamwork much smoother. Despite minor drawbacks, it’s one of the best communication tools available.

Copywriter and marketing consultant

The design is really sleek, we rarely ever experience bugs or issues, messaging and creating group chats is easy and seamless, and scheduling meetings is also straightforward. Whenever I use any other softwares for this, I end up missing Slack.

Overall my experience with Slack has been great, it is a great tool to keep all team communication organized and clear, plus the customization, like the use of bots for scheduled messages, was a great tool to foster rapport amongst the team.

The best thing I like about slack is the connectivity through online chats, meetings and much more valuable tools that keeps my team connected and in touch!

IT Manager

Channels keep project work, on-call updates and support conversations organized, and scheduled messages help automate routine reminders.

Medical Assistance Specialist

I hate the notification overload when the shift is very busy and at times, there are bugs which makes me revisit the messages twice so that I am not missing anything important.

Integration with other software tools like Google Drive ,Zoom and other workplace apps are generally considered as a big advantage for me ,as everything can be managed from one platform .

Massage therapist

There are plenty of other software systems available that have mostly similar features and functionality, however I can say from first hand experience that Slack was reliable and consistent on many occasions where staff and management communication was critical in regards to client safety and navigating circumstances that absolutely could not wait.

Assistant Manager

Allows a regrouping of communications in one single software, allows the integration of other communication tools like Zendesk, and simplifies the collaboration on a daily basis

Assistant to Founder

The ability to customize notifications, search message history, and use fun elements like GIFs and emojis adds both efficiency and personality to workplace interactions.

Medical Sciences Tutor

The platform’s user-friendly design and instant messaging capabilities enable swift and effective communication with underwriters, loan processors, and other teams, accelerating response times and decision-making.

Academic Tutor

Storing message history for later reference is valuable and team channels with features such as pinning messages, running polls, tagging teammates, and moving conversations into a message thread instead of the main message stream enable real-time and asynchronous information sharing while reducing distractions.

Program Coordinator

I appreciate the direct messaging, group messages, and integrations with other software like Google Suite that allows you to upload documents with a preview.

It’s a well-designed platform that balances structured discussions with casual interactions, helping teams stay connected without relying on endless email threads. While it can be overwhelming at times with constant notifications, adjusting settings and organizing channels properly makes it an essential tool for productivity and teamwork.

Deployment Strategist

On especially busy days, Slack can feel overwhelming. Despite its strong prioritization tools, the high volume of messages across multiple channels can create noise and make it harder to focus on deep work.

Apart from that , over the time ,teams may create too many channels ,which can lead to the confusion and make it harder for me to identify where specific discussions should takes place.

It allows us to set up specific channels for each loan file and client, centralizing all discussions, documents, and updates in one place, which reduces the chance of overlooking critical details buried in email chains.

It allows for structured conversations with channels, direct messaging, and integrations with productivity apps like Google Drive and Trello.

Partner, Digital

The most obvious is being able to communicate with either a client or a team member directly, send notes and files, have a quick voice call, and be notified of new activity. But I love that my email inbox counts are dramatically decreased and I can get caught up really quickly or search find something that I may have missed.

This was an extremely important and useful feature for the position and company I was at, at times when something was urgent it made a critical difference in timing to be able to call someone directly instead of sending a message they may not see right away.

Health Services Coordinator

My favorite aspect is sharing files. While some alternatives allow calls and chat, sharing files on them is very limited compared to what Slack offers.

Slack has become our primary communication support and assistance as getting urgent cases of medical assistance becomes relatively fast, without the need to use long emails and calls.

The ability to create channels for different topics, share files, and integrate with other tools really improved our daily workflow.

Web developer

The decision was driven by its affordability, accessibility, simple deployment, and powerful features such as threaded conversations and file-sharing bookmarks.

Teacher Success Manager

I think it's a little weird that my coworkers don't even have my phone number - but it's just not needed, Slack is sufficient. When we were testing a specific issue with our product, we made a Slack canvas to throw all the thoughts onto without clogging up the channel.

Corporate Recruiter

Within Slack, it provides you ability to create and save templates, to-do lists that can be shared with others within Slack

Director

Channels keep our conversations organized, and integrations with tools like Google Drive, Zoom, and Asana help us streamline workflows without ever leaving Slack.

Software Engineer

This is a great tool for student orgs or classes to collaborate with each other in teams and have group chats or 1:1 chats with individuals to communicate and bounce ideas off of each other.

Founder, CEO

It also integrates very fluidly with other major software services such as Google Drive and Dropbox, so I can easily store and share files.

RevOps Manager

You can also integrate many other software w/ Slack, such as Google Calendar, Google Drive, Box, Coda, Lattice, etc.

Senior Procurement Specialist

Generally nice way to communicate within teams and small companies. Though it's not the best solution for the big organisations, where many different chats, groups and teams are likely to be created.

There are just enough customizations and the integrations make the experience unique to your organization but familiar enough as you bring on new team members.

Load Management Supervisor

I love the ability to create different channels for specific projects or topics, and the integrations with tools like Google Drive, Zoom, and Asana are a huge plus.

Our team was in constant communication regarding client updates or concerns, as well as team communication for coordinating logistics and coverage.

Operations Lead

The instant communication, status updates, and ability to create focused channels make teamwork much smoother.

Software Developer

It really boost my collaboration, increase speeds up communication and helps team proper align across projects.

There isn't too much cons about slack, but I notice periodically some features with Slack can be down at times, such as slow search times, slow responsiveness and lag.

Executive Account Manager

There is a learning curve associated with utilizing advanced features such as Workflow, List, and Canvas. While these tools offer significant value, the initial appearance of complexity can present a barrier to adoption, making it challenging to achieve widespread user engagement.

Consultant

I hae the feeling the more updtes thy make the more clicks you have to go through to do a simple task, e.g. core features e.g. startigng a huddle is not as easily accessible as it used to be.

Investor

Moreover, it has lots of built in integrations, allowing you to connect it with Gmail, calendar and other zappier apps

Team Communication

Channels

File Sharing

Users report Slack’s file sharing makes it easy to upload and distribute documents, images, code, and more within chats and channels. Reviewers highlight integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, allowing seamless sharing from cloud storage. They appreciate the drag-and-drop functionality, file previews, and the ability to set permissions for sensitive files. Some mention storage limits, occasional upload issues, or mobile app complications, but overall, they find Slack’s file sharing speeds up collaboration and keeps resources organized. Of the 350 Slack users who gave detailed accounts of their use of File Sharing, 88% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Team Collaboration

Notifications

Messaging

Calls

Features

Video Calls

Frequent glitches and crashes

Student

Usually, I face glitches and errors that don't enable Slack to launch, and this problem is not fixed until now.

The least that i like about this is that it has some bugs and it needs to be updated to fix the bugs in this software.

48% of reviewers feel negative about Slack’s bugs and issues. Some users report experiencing glitches, crashes, and technical problems across different devices and operating systems. Reviewers mention that app updates sometimes introduce new bugs, and that certain features may break or behave unpredictably. They say server outages and compatibility issues can disrupt communication, and occasional problems with plugins or integrations add to user frustration. Many feel that while some bugs are quickly addressed, recurring issues impact reliability.

Thread management confusion

45% of reviewers feel negative about Slack’s thread functionality. Some users find that threads are unintuitive and can make it difficult to track conversations, especially in busy channels with multiple discussions. Reviewers mention that replies can get buried, notifications for threads are easily missed, and switching between threads and main channels can be cumbersome. They say inconsistent use of threads among team members leads to confusion, lost messages, and challenges in staying organized, particularly in large or fast-moving workspaces.

Resource usage and slowdowns

74% of reviewers feel negative about Slack’s performance and speed. Some users report that Slack consumes significant memory and CPU, especially on older or less powerful devices, leading to slow load times, crashes, and lag during calls or heavy usage. Reviewers mention that the desktop and mobile apps can be resource-intensive, sometimes causing system slowdowns or freezing. They also note issues with connectivity, service outages, and data usage, which can disrupt workflow and make the app less reliable for critical communication.

High cost and free plan limits

Adjunct Instructor

With the free version of this product, the number of messages and images that can be saved on the server is limited which became quite a hassle in the ways that my organization used this product.

IT Support Associate II

Limit to the free plan of 10,000 messages and then you lose critical information then you have to pay for all users for an entire year to access more past data.

47% of reviewers feel negative about Slack’s pricing. Some users think the paid plans are expensive, especially for larger teams or organizations with tight budgets. Reviewers highlight that the free version has strict limits on message history and file storage, which they say can hinder recordkeeping and force upgrades. Many express frustration with the per-user pricing model and the lack of affordable options for small teams. They also mention that alternative tools may offer similar features at a lower cost or as part of bundled software packages.

Overwhelming and inconsistent alerts

The mobile app notifications are really annoying as when 5 messages are delivered at once, it vibrates and pings 5 times in a matter of milliseconds instead of just once even when it's coming from the same slackbot or person.

Owner

I have the mobile version as well to receive messages on the go, however the notifications seem to be hit-or-miss. Although I'm always signed in to Slack on my phone, I don't always receive notifications of new messages resulting in my missing urgent requests.

59% of reviewers feel negative about Slack’s notifications. Some users say notification settings are confusing and lack sufficient customization, resulting in either too many alerts or missing important messages. Reviewers indicate that notifications can be overwhelming in busy workspaces, causing distractions and reduced productivity. They also mention inconsistencies between desktop and mobile notifications, delayed or missed alerts, and difficulty managing notifications across multiple devices or channels, making it challenging to stay informed without constant checking.

Expressive communication tools

Additionally, Slack's ability to react to messages with emojis, share messages with specific individuals, create private or public channels, and send group messages to team members creates an environment that encourages collaboration and communication in a way that feels organic and intuitive.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Slack’s emoji features. Some reviewers find that custom emojis, GIFs, and reactions make conversations more engaging and fun, helping to inject personality into work chats. They say the ability to create and use personalized emojis supports team culture and quick feedback, such as voting or acknowledging messages without lengthy replies. Users appreciate that emojis help lighten the mood, foster rapport, and make communication more efficient, especially in remote or distributed teams where nonverbal cues are missing.

Connecting distributed teams

98% of reviewers feel positive about Slack’s remote team communication. Reviewers indicate Slack enables seamless, real-time communication for distributed teams, helping them stay connected regardless of location. They appreciate features like organized channels, instant messaging, and the ability to create dedicated spaces for projects or departments. Users say integrations with other tools and mobile support help remote workers collaborate efficiently and feel included in company culture. Many find that Slack bridges the gap created by physical distance, supporting both formal work discussions and informal social interactions to foster a sense of belonging.

Efficient colleague interaction

95% of reviewers feel positive about Slack’s colleague communication. Users think Slack streamlines workplace messaging, allowing instant and organized exchanges with coworkers, clients, and vendors. They find features like direct messaging, group chats, and channel creation essential for keeping everyone informed and engaged. Reviewers appreciate being able to share files, updates, and feedback quickly, which they say reduces reliance on email and speeds up problem-solving. Many mention that Slack’s communication tools help maintain professionalism while also supporting informal, morale-boosting conversations.

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a customer communications management software that helps businesses of all sizes create product catalogs and respond to customers’ messages or queries in real-time. The software provides end-to-end encryption to secure chats, voice messages, images, audio/video calls, and more.

Enterprise open-source team chat, on-prem and in the cloud. Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations.


Search/Filter

Mobile Access

Third-Party Integrations

Video Conferencing

Audio Calls

By industry, Zulip reviewers are most commonly professionals in research (28%). The most frequent use case for Zulip cited by reviewers is team communication (85% of reviewers).

The Zulip integration most frequently cited by reviewers is GitHub, an application development product rated 4.7 out of 5 for its integration with Zulip.

Zulip is a team communication tool offering key features such as alerts/notifications, real-time chat, discussion forums, and mobile access, among others.

Open Source

Zulip

Linux

Basic

Chief of Staff

if you have a lot of channels & topics it can take a while to scroll through relevant ones or sometimes it's hard to find what I'm looking for, especially when it auto-collapses between DM and channels

Parts Manager

Teams crashed, wouldn't open properly and had to manually boot up the "old" version for it to work, it would randomly close in the middle of the work day or fail to show a notification so messages were missed.

Maintainer

There's a wealth of options for private and public channels, types of notifications and their behavior, and robust permissions.

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

The integration and automation options (bots/webhooks, GitHub/Zoom integrations) have streamlined our workflow.

Assistant professor

I have used it in small research groups around five people to coordinate joint writing and programming projects, in university courses I teach with a larger number of students, and in a large research community with thousands of members.

Operations Manager

We also wanted something that would allow for voice and video calling and file sharing, and the ability to post your status so that each user can see at a glance who is available.

The learning curve can be a bit steep for new users unfamiliar with streams and topics, but this is rare in the real-world.  

Ability to create additional folders and topics under a channel.

Scientific Researcher

I find very useful to group all possible topics that currently I'm working on with my team and mark as resolved the ones which seem to be done.

Board Member

We use the tool for communications between members of the management board and it allows us to avoid the well known "Respond to all" trap with conventional e-mail

Professor

Over the years I have seen software communities (mainly scala earlier) move between various discussion forums, always trying to tradeoff. With Zulip everything is essentially as it should be, allowing asynchronous coordination of workflows involving code and mathematics in an intuitive and clean fashion. Except for the phase when Gitter was well maintained, Zulip is the first forum which just works.

Likewise, typing of equations using LaTex commands works pretty well!

The biggest negative feedback we receive using the product is that it is up to the user to manually update a custom status, and custom statuses cannot be saved as a preset.

Inspector

Thanks to the threads and discussions, we can also use Zulip for some fun small talk on some subjects like we did on WhatsApp (gif and emojis) without cluttering the serious work space.

Because Zulip is a less common platform, most folks haven't used it before and have a bit of a learning curve to get fluent in it.

President

Channels with topics, custom emojis, email alerts, mobile app, push notifications

Sometimes takes time to load on mac after inactivity.

Slack vs Zulip Comparison (2026)

Slack

Zulip

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives