Microsoft Teams vs Slack: What’s The Best Choice?

Reports show that many companies spend heavily on collaboration software.

This is not surprising, given that team collaboration has a direct impact on one’s bottom line. Not only that, but statistics also reveal companies that communicate effectively are 350% more likely to hold onto their talent.

Data like this shows that spending on collaboration tools is essential. However, what’s also critical is the functionality of the software you choose.

Are you in the market for collaboration software to keep the wheels of communication well greased in your organization? If so, this post on Microsoft Teams vs Slack is for you.

Microsoft Teams and Slack are two of the big players in the collaboration tool arena. If you are eyeing up either of them, it’s critical that you understand how these two collaboration platforms stack up.

Stay with us as we dig deep to uncover similarities and differences in their functionality.

 

The Look and Feel of Microsoft Teams vs Slack

It’s an unofficial fact that Microsoft Team was built to emulate and compete with the collaboration tool Slack. This has led to some similarities between the two.

For one, the two platforms are very similar in a visual layout. Notifications also work the same way. In both Slack and Microsoft Teams, a small red indicator will appear next to a channel if your handle was used or the entire channel was addressed.

Channels and conversations work similarly in both apps as well.

 

Integrations

While the look, feel and general layout of Microsoft Teams vs Slack is pretty similar, some differences start to come in when looking at integrations.

Slack offers a wide array of integrations that you’d think would be hard to beat. Microsoft Teams, however, has done just that by offering full integration with Microsoft Office 365 plans.

If your team utilizes Office 365, this functionality will likely be invaluable. Seamless integration means that your teams can access the entire Office suite right from their collaboration platform. This makes collaborating on files effortless and streamlined.

Besides this, the full Office 365 integration also enables a SharePoint site to run behind the scenes. In this directory, there is a folder for each channel containing all files shared within that private channel.

Users can open the folders and select files to open. They can also access the files directly within the platform under the integrated Office 365 tab.

These two options render files easily searchable.

In comparison, Slack does have a potent universal search. However, when it comes to accessing regularly used files, Slack’s pinning function cannot compare to the capabilities offered by the SharePoint and Office 365 integration.

Another small though useful integration that Microsoft has beat Slack to is email. Each channel on Microsoft Teams automatically comes with a dedicated email address. This allows users to send emails and files directly to the channel from anywhere.

While this isn’t a massive integration, it can be highly convenient if a team member is on a device that’s not logged into Microsoft Teams.

If you would like to learn how to integrate email within a channel, check out this post of ours on MS Teams tricks and tips.

 

Video Chat Functionality

Both Slack and Microsoft Teams have inbuilt video chat functionality. Once again, Slack has catered to a variety of integration needs and allows video chats on multiple platforms from within Slack. These include Zoom, Google Hangouts, and more.

Microsoft Teams does not have an extensive list of video chat integration functionality like Slack does. However, it excels at its main video conferencing capability, that of Skype. Skype is built into Microsoft Teams, making it easier and more effective to use than an integration.

For instance, if a Skype meeting is happening on the platform, you will be able to see a video icon next to a channel. By opening the channels and clicking “join the conversation” team members are able to join the meeting embedded in the feed.

 

Security

If you are wondering which is more secure, Slack or Microsoft Teams, both applications are ISO 27001-compliant.

However, there are some significant differences in the security of Microsoft Teams vs Slack.

Firstly, Slack does not employ end-to-end encryption, while Microsoft Teams does.

Besides this Microsoft Teams also has numerous other security and compliance certifications. These include:

  • SSAE16 SOC 1
  • SSAE16 SOC 2
  • HIPAA
  • ISO 27018
  • EU Model Clauses (EUMC)

Additionally, Microsoft underpins all of its integrations with security protocols as well.

For instance, if you create a OneNote file from the Microsoft Teams platform, this is protected with Microsoft’s OneNote encryption software.

In addition to tighter security protocols, Microsoft Teams also has enhanced administration control features.

 

Microsoft Teams vs Slack Pricing

Lastly, let’s take a look at Microsoft Teams vs Slack paid plan pricing.

The price for a standard package with Slack is $6.60 per user per month, and for premium, the price is $12.50 per user, per month.

For Microsoft Teams, there are also several paid versions. The price per user per month for the Essential of Office 365 Business Plan is $5.00. For the premium package for Office 365 Business, the price is also $12.50.

 

Microsoft Teams Free vs Slack Free

In addition to paid versions, both Slack and Microsoft Teams have a free option. While the pricing of the two apps is very similar, Microsoft Teams sticks out as superior when it comes to their free plan.

With a free Microsoft Teams plan, you can enjoy more capabilities than in Slack’s free plan. These include:

  • Screen sharing
  • More storage
  • 18x more free integrations
  • An uncapped message directory limit
  • Voice/video calls with more than 250 people in a meeting

In summary, Microsoft Teams and Slack cost roughly the same. However, MS Teams gives more functionality when paired with the Microsoft Office suite, and the free versions offer more value than Slack’s free version.

 

Microsoft Teams vs Slack: What’s The Best Choice?

Now that you know how Microsoft Teams vs Slack compares, which is ultimately the superior collaboration tool? The answer to this will depend on your particular needs.

However, based on how the two solutions stack up in each area, we do have a favorite.

In the race for the ultimate collaboration software, Microsoft has won in terms of functionality. By deeply integrating Office 365, Microsoft Teams offers enhanced business functionality. They also offer increased security and a superior video meeting facility through Skype integration.

If you utilize the Microsoft suite extensively, then we would recommend you choose Microsoft Teams over Slack as your collaboration tool.

Do you require any other advice? Are you in need of Microsoft professional support or consulting? Of so, check out our services today.

We offer full team support services, as well as pay-as-you-go consulting. If you have any questions, reach out to us and one of our team members will assist you.

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