Slack review (2026): features, pros and cons, pricing
Channel-based team chat with huddles and Slack Connect, sold per user in Free, Pro, Business+ and Enterprise+ plans.
Verdict at a glance
Slack is channel-based team chat with huddles and Slack Connect for talking to outside partners. It stands out for its large app and integration ecosystem and a very easy interface, sold in Free, Pro, Business+ and Enterprise+ plans.
Pros
- Very easy to use (G2 ease of use about 9.1)
- Strong app and integration ecosystem.
Cons
- Notification overload and channel sprawl.
- Limited message history on free plan.
What is Slack?
Channel-based team chat with huddles and Slack Connect, sold per user in Free, Pro, Business+ and Enterprise+ plans. It is built for teams wanting channel-based chat with a large app ecosystem and companies already on Salesforce.
Category: Team Chat and Messaging Software, Video Conferencing Software
Slack key features
| Feature | What we found |
|---|---|
| Channels and threading | Channels, threads and huddles; Slack Connect for external 1:1 messaging on Free. |
| Built-in video and huddles | Free: 1:1 huddles only; Pro and up: group huddles/meetings (limits not published on pricing page) |
| Search and message history limits | Free: 90-day visible history and data deleted after 1 year; paid plans longer (retention details not confirmed by the vendor) |
| App integrations and bots | Free plan limited to 10 apps. |
| Guest and external access | Slack Connect external messaging; Free limited to 1:1. |
| Security and admin controls | SOC 2 Type II and SOC 3, ISO 27001/27017/27018/27701/42001, HIPAA configurable, FedRAMP Moderate (Enterprise/Enterprise+), GovSlack FedRAMP High, C5, ENS High. |
| Mobile app and frontline fit | Frontline teams is an Enterprise+ add-on. |
Slack pricing
Slack bills per user, monthly or annually, and annual billing saves about 16%. Free is $0 per workspace. Pro is $8.75 monthly or about $7.25 annually per user, and adds group huddles. Business+ is $18 monthly or about $15 annually and adds SAML SSO, SCIM, data residency and 24/7 support with a 4-hour first response. Enterprise+ is by quote and adds audit logs, multiple SAML configurations and FedRAMP Moderate. Enterprise Key Management is a paid add-on with no published price. The pricing page shows euros in Germany. New teams may see 50% off for 3 months on monthly online purchases.
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | per workspace | 90-day message history, up to 10 apps, 1:1 huddles only; data deleted after 1 year |
| Pro | $8.75/user/mo monthly; $7.25/user/mo annual (annual price not confirmed on the vendor page) | per user | Group huddles/meetings |
| Business+ | $18/user/mo monthly; $15/user/mo annual (annual price not confirmed on the vendor page) | per user | SAML SSO, SCIM, data residency listed here; 24/7 support with 4-hour first response |
| Enterprise+ | Contact sales | per user | Audit logs, multiple SAML configurations, FedRAMP Moderate authorization |
Slack.com/pricing shows EUR in Germany (Pro 8.25/6.75, Business+ 18/15 EUR monthly/annual). USD monthly prices ($8.75, $18) are from the Salesforce-hosted salesforce.com/products/slack-pricing page; USD annual prices ($7.25, $15) are not directly confirmed on the vendor page. FAQ says annual billing saves about 16%. Intro offer: 50% off for 3 months on monthly online purchases within 7 days of creating a team.
Who Slack is best for
Best for
- Teams wanting channel-based chat with a large app ecosystem.
- Companies already on Salesforce.
- Organizations needing SAML SSO plus SCIM on a self-serve plan (Business+)
Not ideal for
- Teams that need long free message history (Free keeps 90 days)
- Buyers wanting group video on the free plan (1:1 huddles only)
Slack alternatives
Microsoft TeamsOrganizations already on Microsoft 365 and Entra ID.
Zoom WorkplaceTeams whose main need is reliable video meetings with chat attached.
Google ChatTeams already on Google Workspace that want chat without a second license.
MattermostOrganizations that must self-host or run air-gapped chat.
ChantySmall teams wanting cheap per-user chat with tasks.
ConnecteamFrontline and deskless teams needing scheduling, forms and chat in one mobile app.
What Slack really costs
- Per seat per month
- $15 on Business+ annual (needed for SAML SSO and SCIM); $7.25 on Pro annual.
- Billing
- Monthly and annual.
- Annual discount
- About 16% per Slack FAQ.
- 20 users per year
- Pro annual: 20 x $7.25 x 12 = $1,740/year; Business+ annual: 20 x $15 x 12 = $3,600/year (annual rates not directly confirmed on the vendor page)
Add-ons and extras to budget for
- Enterprise Key Management (EKM), price not published.
- Frontline teams add-on on Enterprise+.
- Flex Credits via Salesforce for Slackbot message limits on Business+ invoice plans.
Questions to ask about price
- Is there a minimum number of seats or a minimum annual spend?
- How much can the price rise at renewal, and is the increase capped in the contract?
- Are there one-time costs for implementation, onboarding or data migration?
Is Slack worth the price?
Slack is good value for teams that live in chat and want a large app ecosystem, and it is natural for companies already on Salesforce. On Pro, 20 users cost about $1,740 per year. It gets expensive when security needs arrive: Business+ at about $3,600 per year for 20 users is the entry point for SAML and SCIM, and audit logs need Enterprise+. Free is awkward for any team that needs history longer than 90 days.
Worth it if
- Teams wanting channel-based chat with a large app ecosystem.
- Companies already on Salesforce.
- Organizations needing SAML SSO plus SCIM on a self-serve plan (Business+)
Look elsewhere if
- Teams that need long free message history (Free keeps 90 days)
- Buyers wanting group video on the free plan (1:1 huddles only)
Cheaper per seat than Slack
- Chanty3 EUR (annual billing); GetApp lists $3.
- Microsoft Teams$4.00 (Teams Essentials, paid yearly); $7.00 Business Basic paid yearly.
- Google Chat$7 (Business Starter, annual commitment)
Pricing details most reviews leave out
- Pricing page shows EUR to German visitors; USD monthly prices are $8.75 (Pro) and $18 (Business+)
- SAML SSO and SCIM start at Business+; audit logs are Enterprise+ only per FAQ.
- A help article footnote says SSO/SCIM are available on Free and Pro only for customers who connected a Salesforce org (single source, not confirmed by the vendor)
- Enterprise Key Management (EKM) is a paid add-on; data residency per help center requires an Enterprise plan.
- Free plan data is deleted after 1 year and group calls need a paid plan.
Slack compared
Our verdict on Slack
Slack is channel-based team chat sold per user in Free, Pro, Business+ and Enterprise+ plans, owned by Salesforce. In USD, Pro is $8.75 per user per month monthly, or about $7.25 billed annually, and Business+ is $18 monthly or about $15 annually. The USD annual figures are not directly confirmed on the vendor page. G2 shows 4.5 from 37,812 reviews.
The cost decision is the plan jump. SAML SSO and SCIM start at Business+, so teams with identity requirements pay roughly double the Pro price. The Free plan is real but limited: 90 days of visible history, 10 apps and 1:1 huddles only, with data deleted after a year.
Slack FAQ
What is Slack used for?
Slack is channel-based team chat with huddles and Slack Connect for talking to outside partners. It stands out for its large app and integration ecosystem and a very easy interface, sold in Free, Pro, Business+ and Enterprise+ plans. It suits teams wanting channel-based chat with a large app ecosystem.
Does Slack have a free plan?
Yes. Free keeps 90 days of visible message history, allows up to 10 apps and supports 1:1 huddles only. Data is deleted after one year.
How much does Slack cost for 20 users?
On annual billing, Pro is about $1,740 per year for 20 users at $7.25 each, and Business+ is about $3,600 at $15 each. The annual rates are not directly confirmed on the vendor page.
Which Slack plan do I need for SSO?
SAML SSO and SCIM start at Business+. Audit logs are Enterprise+ only, and Enterprise Key Management is a paid add-on with no published price.
About Slack
- Funding or owner
- Part of Salesforce.
Listed in: Team Chat and Messaging Software, Video Conferencing Software
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Slack's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.