Happy Valley

Slack vs Zoom

Slack and Zoom are both team communication tools aimed at small businesses and enterprise. Slack costs less, from $8.75/mo versus $16.99/mo for Zoom. Both have a free plan.

Slack

Channel-based team messaging

Zoom

Video meetings that became a verb

PricingFreemium · $9Freemium · $17
Starting price$8.75/mo$16.99/mo
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Built forSmall businesses, EnterpriseSmall businesses, Enterprise
Platformsweb, macos, windows, linux, ios, androidweb, macos, windows, ios, android
CountryUS · 2013US · 2011
Rating——

Choose Slack if

Teams of any size that are not already standardized on Microsoft Teams and value integrations.

  • Best-in-class UX for team chat
  • Huge integration ecosystem
  • Slack Connect for working with partners

Look elsewhere if: Microsoft 365-centric organizations (Teams is included) or teams preferring async-first tools (Twist).

Choose Zoom if

Organizations that need reliable external video meetings and are not fully on Google or Microsoft suites.

  • Most reliable video quality and familiarity
  • AI Companion included on paid plans
  • Expanding suite for chat, phone and docs

Look elsewhere if: Teams already on Workspace or Microsoft 365 for whom Meet or Teams is included.

Slack vs Zoom pricing

Slack

  • Free$090-day message history, 1:1 huddles
  • Pro$8.75/user/mo$7.25/mo billed annually; unlimited history and apps, group huddles
  • Business+$18/user/mo$15/mo billed annually; Slack AI, SAML SSO, data exports
  • Enterprise+CustomEnterprise search, DLP, advanced security; contact sales

Zoom

  • Basic$040-minute meetings, 100 participants
  • Pro$16.99/user/mo$14.16/mo billed annually; 30-hour meetings, 100 participants
  • Business$21.99/user/mo$18.33/mo billed annually; 300 participants
  • EnterpriseCustomUp to 1,000 participants

Slack · Key features

  • Channels, threads, DMs and shared channels across companies (Slack Connect)
  • Huddles with screen sharing and canvases for docs
  • Workflow Builder and 2,600+ app integrations
  • Slack AI: summaries, search answers, recaps
  • Lists for lightweight task tracking
  • Enterprise security: SSO, DLP, EKM, compliance exports

Cons

  • Expensive per seat for large teams
  • Free plan's 90-day history limit
  • Notification overload without discipline

Zoom · Key features

  • HD meetings with breakout rooms, polls and reactions
  • AI Companion: meeting summaries, smart recordings, drafting
  • Team Chat, Phone, Whiteboard, Docs and Clips
  • Webinars, Events and Rooms
  • Scheduler and calendar integrations
  • Marketplace with 2,500+ apps

Cons

  • Free plan 40-minute limit
  • Suite features less mature than Slack or Google
  • Multiple add-ons for webinars, phone, rooms

Slack vs Zoom: FAQ

Which is cheaper, Slack or Zoom?

Slack starts at $8.75/mo and Zoom at $16.99/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.

Do Slack and Zoom have a free plan?

Yes, both Slack and Zoom have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.

Not sure yet?

Slack vs Zoom (2026): Pricing and Features · Happy Valley