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Top Rated Instant Messaging & Chat Software with Discussions/Forums in 2026

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All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: April 2026

Discussions and forums enhance communication by allowing users to engage in conversations, share knowledge, and collaborate on projects. They support large groups, facilitate organized information sharing, and improve interaction within teams. Our reviewers in instant messaging & chat software rated this feature as important.

5 Best Instant Messaging & Chat Software with Discussions/Forums

Product
User rating
Starting price
Basecamp logo
4.4
(14.4K)
15
per user/per month
learn more
Microsoft Viva Engage logo
4.2
(819)
8
per user/per month
learn more
Slack logo
4.7
(24K)
8.75
per user/per month
learn more
Microsoft Teams logo
4.5
(10.9K)
4
per user/per month
learn more
Telegram logo
4.7
(6.4K)
Empty state illustration for "No pricing info"

No pricing info

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See other top Instant Messaging & Chat products with discussions/forums

How we picked the 5 top rated products

We chose the high-performing solutions on this list based on verified user ratings on our site. Depending on available data, qualifying products either had to be among the most user-reviewed or the most searched-for products in the Instant Messaging & Chat software category. They also needed to have sufficient reviews about discussions/forums, have a minimum user rating of 3 out of 5 for that feature, and show evidence of U.S. market presence. We then added a distinction for up to three products based on our proprietary ratings and reviews: Highest rated, Highly rated for discussions/forums, and Highly rated for free version. Sponsorship or client status has no influence on the selection of these products, but it may impact the order in which products appear.

Details for the 5 best products

Basecamp logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(319)
3-4(6,845)
5(7,242)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.4
Real-Time Notifications4.6

User insights about the discussions/forums feature

Reviewers appreciate Basecamp's discussions/forums for facilitating project feedback, brainstorming, and capturing ideas. They find it useful for organizing discussions, keeping communication related to one project together, and interacting with team members. Users mention the ease of following up on past items and the ability to tag specific people and search through forums.

See related user reviews

“For many of the reasons mentioned above the discussions forms are extremely helpful to capture project feedback, to share new thoughts or ideas, to enhance/expound upon previous direction given, and most importantly to just house all thoughts openly about the project”
AG

Abhyona G.

Owner

“The forums work perfectly. You can see who responds to what and when. You can also @tag specific people a d #hashtag subjects to search later. ”
SL

Stephanie L.

Owner

Starting price
15per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 14,406 verified reviews

Efficient file sharing

Enhanced team communication

Streamlined team collaboration

Effective project organization

Seamless client management

Frequent technical issues

Overwhelming notifications

Inefficient search functionality

Limited layout customization

Subpar user experience

See pros and cons details
Microsoft Viva Engage logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(33)
3-4(418)
5(368)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.4
Real-Time Notifications

User insights about the discussions/forums feature

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft Viva Engage's discussions/forums for facilitating team-wide communication without cluttering inboxes. They find it useful for brainstorming, issuing announcements, and engaging with colleagues globally. Users highlight the ease of following specific topics, conducting polls, and organizing events. They value the ability to connect with like-minded communities and share knowledge efficiently.

See related user reviews

“The ability to able to discuss and comment on yammer posts is vital in sharing knowledge and information particularly if incidents are taking place and larger formal comms cannot be produced in a rapid time”
KR

Karan R.

Cyber security manager - risk

“It is great for brainstorming and to engage one another within the organization. It can also serve as a platform to issue circular, bulletins and necessary announcement.”
AI

Abiola I.

Manager

Starting price
8per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 819 verified reviews

Global colleague communication

Efficient file sharing

Centralized news sharing

Enhanced employee engagement

Overwhelming notifications

Disorganized post management

Outdated user interface

See pros and cons details
Slack logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(175)
3-4(6,598)
5(17,263)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.8
Real-Time Notifications4.7

User insights about the discussions/forums feature

Reviewers indicate that Slack's discussions/forums are essential for team communication, allowing the creation of channels for specific topics and projects. They find it easy to manage permissions, tag people, and keep conversations organized. Users appreciate the ability to save and search discussions, though some mention that large groups can become confusing. They value the efficient communication and collaboration capabilities.

See related user reviews

“Slack is a platform that suits any team that require frequent and instant communication. Teams can create different channels for specific projects and discuss project progress as well as updates. Channels can pretty much serve as a discussion/forums for the team.”
SM

Samantha M.

Senior Business Facilitator

“Being able to create different channels for specific topics is perfect for all of us to send relevant information and stay on-topic.”
BB

Brendan B.

Sales and Marketing

Starting price
8.75per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 24,036 verified reviews

Effective remote communication

Efficient colleague communication

Enhanced team collaboration

Streamlined project management

Extensive integration options

High resource consumption

Inconsistent notifications

Confusing thread management

Slack's pricing drawbacks

Messaging limitations

See pros and cons details
Microsoft Teams logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(199)
3-4(4,372)
5(6,360)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.7
Real-Time Notifications4.6

User insights about the discussions/forums feature

Reviewers indicate that Microsoft Teams' discussions/forums are valuable for organizing data, scheduling, and decision-making. They appreciate the threaded conversations, the ability to create multiple channels, and the ease of use for non-technical users. Users find it helpful for collaboration, especially during remote work, and value the platform's role in reducing internal emails and enhancing team communication.

See related user reviews

“Utilizing Teams has cut internal e-mail messages by 40% in just a few months of a full company rollout of the software. It has allowed us to respond to each other and more rapidly, especially within groups, when you do not have to wait for someone to respond to an e-mail. It also eliminates those e-mail chains that duplicate when you have multiple people answer at once. ”
MT

Matthew T.

Business Analyst

“Teams provides plenty of forums to collaborate and discuss things with the team. You can start a teams collaborative space or even have one set up automatically in chat once you add something in messages during a meeting. ”
LA

Lauren A.

IT Governance Lead

Starting price
4per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 10,931 verified reviews

Remote work facilitation

Effective colleague communication

Enhanced team collaboration

Unified communication platform

Seamless office integration

Resource-intensive performance

Inconsistent notifications

Inefficient search functionality

Complex file management

Call management limitations

See pros and cons details
Telegram logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(37)
3-4(1,798)
5(4,571)
Key Features
Real-Time Chat4.7
Real-Time Notifications

User insights about the discussions/forums feature

Users report that Telegram's discussions/forums accommodate large groups, making it easy to manage and participate in conversations. They appreciate the ability to view previous messages, share files, and create polls. Reviewers highlight the platform's ease of use, real-time communication, and the ability to join various interest-based groups. They find it valuable for both professional and personal use.
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See related user reviews

“The discussion forum is important because it gives room for users to respond to messages being shared on our channel, instead of just merely seeing the messages without responding to them. We can now reach as many audiences, we aim to reach our limitations with discussion forums. Telegram channels can add up to 2,00,000 people at a time with the help of a discussion forum.”
EE

Emmanuel E.

Executive Director

“Discussions/Forums are a section to highlight in this software because they are accessible to all Telegram users, even if you do not have added contacts you can create and join groups of up to 200,000 members - which means that the groups or channels do not have limit-.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Josías G.

Marketing

Starting price
Empty state illustration for "No pricing info"

No pricing info

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Pros and Cons based on 6,406 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Effective team communication

Efficient file sharing

Reliable communication

High security messaging

Cross-device compatibility

Annoying notifications

Poor contact management

Lack of competitive advantage

User account issues

Messaging system flaws

See pros and cons details

Other Top Rated Instant Messaging & Chat Software with Discussions/Forums in 2026

Slack logo
Category Leaders

A single place for team communication and workflows

learn more
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

Read more about Slack

Users also considered
Trello logo

Visual collaboration tool for shared project perspectives

learn more
Trello is a project management tool that helps teams organize and manage their tasks. It caters to a range of industries and teams, from marketing to engineering. Trello's simple and intuitive interface makes it easy for any team to get started and stay on top of their work.

Read more about Trello

Users also considered
Asana logo

Project tracking and workflow management platform

learn more
Asana is a chat and collaboration tool where you can connect all your work in one place and bring teams together, anywhere. From lists to boards, to calendars and gantt charts, organize work your way. Join millions of teams across 190 countries who use Asana to get more done.

Read more about Asana

Users also considered
Google Meet logo

Messaging, voice, and video calls for team communication

learn more
Google Meet is a video conferencing platform for teams to communicate via messaging, voice, and video. Features include high-definition video and audio conferencing for up to 100 participants, multi-device chat sync, stored chat history, real-time captions, meeting recording function, and more.

Read more about Google Meet

Users also considered
GoTo Meeting logo

Online meeting software with HD video conferencing

learn more
GoToMeeting is an IM & chat tool that allows users to host an online meeting with high-definition video conferencing from their Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone or Android device, with up to 250 participants. Users can meet, screen share and chat via internet browser, mobile or desktop application.

Read more about GoTo Meeting

Users also considered
Microsoft Teams logo

Chat-based workspace in Office 365

learn more
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.

Read more about Microsoft Teams

Users also considered
Basecamp logo

Flexible project management and team communication tool

learn more
Basecamp is a comprehensive project management software that helps teams stay organized and on track. Trusted by millions, Basecamp puts everything needed to get work done in one place, providing a structured way to manage projects, collaborate with clients, and communicate company-wide

Read more about Basecamp

Users also considered
Telegram logo
Category Leaders

Cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app for all devices

learn more
Telegram Messenger is a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging platform supported by native apps on most popular operating systems and devices, allowing users or user groups to connect and conduct voice calls, send messages, multimedia and files of all types across an end-to-end encrypted service

Read more about Telegram

Users also considered
Connecteam logo
Category Leaders

Enhance employee management with the only all-in-one app

learn more
Connecteam is the collaboration, engagement and communication app that moves work forward and keeps your team connected in the tap of a button.

Read more about Connecteam

Users also considered
monday.com logo

Project management software

learn more
monday.com is a cloud-based Work OS, where teams create workflow apps in minutes to run their processes, projects, and everyday work. Teams shape workflows and projects, code-free, with a platform that adapts to shifting needs, liberates teams from manual grunt work, and connects teams in a collaborative work space.

Read more about monday.com

Users also considered
ClickUp logo

Productivity platform for marketing agencies

learn more
ClickUp is a productivity platform that helps businesses combine project management tools, AI capabilities, and collaboration features in a unified workspace. The system can integrate tasks, documents, goals, and chat functionality while offering AI-based agents that automate workflows and answer questions. ClickUp serves teams across various departments with enterprise-grade security certifications including SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance.

Read more about ClickUp

Users also considered
Webex Suite logo

One app for everything. And everyone.

learn more
Webex brings together Calling, Meeting and Messaging modes of collaboration into a seamless, engaging, inclusive and intelligent experience.

Read more about Webex Suite

Users also considered
ScreenConnect logo
Category Leaders

Remote meeting platform for resolving customers' queries

learn more
ScreenConnect is a help desk solution that allows businesses to detect and resolve customer queries through remote monitoring capabilities. Agents can prevent potential cyberthreats & protect data via features such as AES-256 encryption and two-factor authentication.

Read more about ScreenConnect

Users also considered
Miro logo

Miro is a visual workspace for innovation

learn more
Miro is #1 collaborative whiteboard platform, trusted by over 13M users worldwide. Easily collaborate, ideate and centralize communication. Get feedback, reviews, and approvals with multiple communication options using video, chat, commenting and many other collaborative features and integrations!

Read more about Miro

Users also considered
Zoho Desk logo

Customer service software for businesses of all sizes

learn more
Zoho Desk is a web and mobile-based customer service software that enables businesses of all sizes and types to deliver customer support, empower agents, and maintain operations.

Read more about Zoho Desk

Users also considered
Homebase logo

All-in-one platform to manage hourly team

learn more
All-in-one team management with scheduling, time tracking, time clock, payroll, onboarding, HR, and communication tools for small businesses.

Read more about Homebase

Users also considered
Workplace from Meta logo

A simple and secure way to connect your organization.

learn more
Workplace from Facebook is a secure enterprise social networking platform that allows co-workers to connect immediately via Work Chat instant messaging

Read more about Workplace from Meta

Users also considered
Trainual logo

Onboarding and training software

learn more
Trainual is an all-in-one employee training platform that centralizes documentation, onboarding, and knowledge management for businesses. The system enables organizations to capture processes, create SOPs, and build comprehensive training programs while tracking completion and ensuring compliance through e-signatures. Trainual integrates with various work applications and serves companies across multiple industries including healthcare, real estate, and business services.

Read more about Trainual

Users also considered
Discord logo

Online platform for audio, text, and video communication

learn more
Discord is a complete communication tool that makes it possible to exchange text and audio messages, and individual or group video calls. This interaction takes place on public or private servers, which are only accessible to users who have received an invitation.

Read more about Discord

Users also considered
Avaza logo
Category Leaders

All-in-one, client-focused project management for teams.

learn more
Avaza is a business management solution which includes features for project management, resource scheduling, online timesheets, expense management, online invoicing, recurring invoicing, quotes and invoices, and more. Avaza also integrates with third party platforms to streamline workflows.

Read more about Avaza

Users also considered
Nifty logo

Project management, task tracking, & team collaboration hub.

learn more
Nifty is a remote collaboration hub designed to manage projects, goals, communications, and teams all in one place. With Nifty, all over the place becomes all-in-one place. Every part of managing a project's lifecycle is here.

Read more about Nifty

Users also considered
Bitrix24 logo

All in one business management workspace

learn more
Find your colleagues quickly in address book. See if they are available, busy or absent with the help of online indicator. Use group chat. View chat history.

Read more about Bitrix24

Users also considered
Weave logo

Customer communication and appointment scheduling solution

learn more
Weave is the all-in-one customer communications and engagement platform for small and midsize business. From the first phone call to the final invoice and every touchpoint in between, Weave connects the entire customer journey.

Read more about Weave

Users also considered
Microsoft Viva Engage logo

Enterprise Social Network (ESN) to connect and communicate

learn more
Microsoft Viva Engage is a private enterprise social networking solution that enables employees to collaborate securely across time and distance. Microsoft Viva Engage provides a single, secure platform on which companies can share information, resources and business applications

Read more about Microsoft Viva Engage

Users also considered
Flock logo

Communication and collaboration platform for teams

learn more
Flock is a collaborative messaging app for teams which enables users to discuss projects and find and share information and ideas effectively and efficiently

Read more about Flock

Users also considered

Key features for Instant Messaging & Chat software

Based on GetApp's analysis of verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and August 2024.

  • Real-Time Chat: Reviewers highlight the ability to send and receive messages instantly, create group chats, and share media, ensuring efficient communication. 93% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Real-Time Notifications: Users appreciate customizable real-time notifications for staying updated on messages and activities, enhancing timely responses and productivity. 91% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Mobile Access: Reviewers value the convenience of mobile access for staying connected, managing tasks, and attending meetings while on the go. 91% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Document Storage: Users benefit from secure cloud-based document storage, easy file sharing, and seamless collaboration, ensuring data accessibility from anywhere. 90% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Two-Way Audio & Video: Reviewers emphasize high-quality audio and video calls, enabling clear, real-time communication and enhancing remote collaboration. 88% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Screen Sharing: Users find screen sharing essential for real-time collaboration, allowing easy presentation of documents, projects, and ideas during meetings. 86% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.