Slack

The team chat many companies pay for, with a limited free plan.

Price
Paid plans · from $8.75/user/month
License
Proprietary
Works on
Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone & iPad, Android, Web browser

Latest release: 4.52.171 (desktop app) · released Sep 28, 2026

In short

Channels, threads, huddles and thousands of integrations in Slack’s cloud. The free plan shows only the last 90 days of messages; paid plans are charged per person per month.

Made by: Slack Technologies (Salesforce) · Where your data lives: In Slack’s cloud, stored in the US unless your organisation sets up data residency (Business+ or higher).

Logo from: apps.apple.com

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    Open-source, end-to-end encrypted chat on the Matrix network.

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    Difficulty: Easy
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  • Zulip

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    Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone & iPad, Android, Web browser, Your own server · from $6.67/user/month

    Difficulty: Easy

See all alternatives

Download & install

Every link goes to the official site, an official app store, or the project’s own GitHub releases.

iPhone & iPad Your device
Android Your device
Web browser Your device

Latest release: 4.52.171 (desktop app) · released Sep 28, 2026 · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Release notes

What we could verify

We checked key factual claims and linked to primary sources so you can confirm the details. Last reviewed Oct 3, 2026

Pricing & license Free plan with 90-day history. Pro US$8.75 and Business+ US$18 per user per month, billed monthly (US list prices). View vendor pricing · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · salesforce.com
Where your data lives In Slack’s cloud, in the US by default; choosing another region needs Business+ or higher. See data residency · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · slack.com
Platform support Windows, Mac, Linux (beta), iPhone, Android and the web browser. Check downloads · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · slack.com

Try before you move

A simple way to see if it fits your needs.

  1. Invite a few teammates for a weekTwo or three people using it daily will find problems a solo test misses.
  2. Recreate your busiest channelCheck threads, mentions, file sharing and the integrations you depend on.
  3. Test search, notifications and mobileSearch an old message, mute a channel and reply from your phone.

Good to know

  • On the free plan, messages and files older than 90 days are hidden, and workspace data older than a year is deleted. Source: slack.com

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