Slack Review: Your Ultimate Guide to Streamlined Communication! (September 2024)
Slack Review: When it comes to digital communication, especially in the business world, one of the first names that comes to mind is Slack.
Its simple messaging system makes Slack the ideal application for both office-based and remote businesses. With several alternatives available, we investigate whether Slack deserves its dominance in this comprehensive Slack review.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways: Slack Team Messaging.
Slack is one of the leading tools for team communication. It is designed to simplify communications through the use of direct messages and supports long-term conversations with integrated video call features. This means that Slack can be the perfect complementary software for your external project management platform. To see if it’s worthy of its popularity, we put it to the test in our Slack review.
If you’ve used any alternatives to Slack, such as Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, migrating to Slack shouldn’t be a problem. It works like most other communication tools, and its main strength lies in its simplicity; it’s super easy to use and ideal for both office and remote teams. Keep in mind that Slack is not intended for task management. For that, we suggest you read our roundup of the best task management software.
We at Cloudwards have used Slack in the past, so our opinion comes from first-hand and long-term experience. That’s why we know exactly the key features you should look out for and what areas the software can improve on. Throughout this article we’ll explain everything you need to know.
Features
Many of the communication features are accessible in the free version of Slack, including the ability to create as many public and private channels as you want. However, the features are tailored to offer a bit more as you move up in the paid plans. For example, you can only create publishing permissions for one Slack channel on the free plan, a restriction that is removed on the higher-paid plans.
Free Version Features
Free users can create a workspace for their company, and there is no limit to the number of users that can be added to a workspace. You can send as many direct messages as you need, but your chat history is limited to only 90 days, a restriction that is removed on paid plans.
While you can make video and audio calls to other team members, they are limited to one-on-one conversations. You can also send video and audio clips, which gives you a bit more versatility than with typed messages. You can share files up to 1 GB in size, and Slack also offers unlimited file storage.
In terms of integrations, free users can integrate with any application in Slack’s app directory. However, you can only integrate with 10 apps simultaneously. Slack integrates with third-party services such as Trello, Google Drive, Hubspot and many more, further enhancing the ability to share files, collaborate as a team and automate workflows.
Pro Account Features
The Pro plan removes the chat history limit, giving you access to all your messages, regardless of when they were sent. Users can also integrate all apps from Slack’s app directory if they wish, as integrations are also unlimited. Video and audio calls can also be used to hold group conversations, and there are no time limits on the length of a call.
There is still a workspace limit, although you can customize your Slack channel and rename it with a title that suits you. The default channel name is “general” and, frankly, paying to be able to rename it is hardly worth it.
Other tools in the Pro plan include a workflow builder, which allows users to create simple or complex workflow automation that does anything from automating project information every time a new user joins a Slack channel to automatically sending a ping to an editor every time a job is marked as completed in an external project management tool. Users can also enjoy priority support on the Pro plan.
Business+ Features
As for communication, workspace owners can create publishing permissions for all their channels in the Business+ plan. Apart from that, all communication functions remain the same, including the limit of a workspace.
However, security and administration features are added. On the security side, users can also use SSO (single sign-on) to access their accounts. On the administration side, you can export all chat data and choose which of the many data centers you want Slack to use to store your company’s data.
We’ll discuss customer service in more detail later, but it’s worth noting that Business+ users enjoy a faster response time from the support team than those on the free and Pro plans. For Business+ users, Slack promises a four-hour response time, with support available 24/7.
Enterprise Grid
Enterprise Grid is Slack’s flagship plan. It is aimed at medium and large companies, and users of this plan can create unlimited workspaces and channels. From there, the plan’s advantages are related to compliance and administration. Slack offers HIPAA compliance support, which is a big advantage for the medical industry.
Slack Features Overview
Pricing
Slack is not the cheapest messaging app on the market, and the cost can add up quickly if you intend to add a lot of users. While Slack’s free plan is great, larger teams that need Slack’s video features for group meetings will have to dip into their finances.
Slack Pricing
Slack offers three payment plans, and you can receive a monthly discount on its cheapest plan if you pay annually.
The Pro plan regularly offers a 50% discount for the first three months; after that, it costs $7.25 per month per user on annual billing. That’s a bit more expensive than the Microsoft Teams Business plan, which costs $6 per month per user, and much more than Pumble, which costs $1.99 per month per user.
The Business plan costs $12.50 per month per user. You will need to contact the sales team for pricing information on the Enterprise Grid plan, as it is tailored to your specific needs. Whether or not Slack offers value for money really depends on how much you like the product, as there are cheaper alternatives that offer a similar user experience and functionality.
User-Friendliness
Slack can be used in several ways, with desktop, web, and mobile apps. We did most of our work on the desktop app, which you can access after creating a Slack account.
Depending on your role in your company, you’ll sign up as a workspace owner or through an invitation link sent by a specific workspace owner.
Getting up and running is simple, and you can add information to your profile so that those who need it can identify your role within a team. Information includes a profile picture, your job title, and contact information. You can also set your local time, which is useful for remote teams collaborating asynchronously.
You can set your status as “do not disturb” or “in a meeting” so that other team members can determine your availability. For your own peace of mind, you can access your notification settings and “pause” notifications or turn them off completely if you don’t want interruptions.
Slack’s user interface design is simple and easy to use. The left side is where you will access most of your messages. At the top of the menu, you can quickly access new direct messages, as well as message threads. Threads can be a bit confusing at first, as they are replies to specific messages within a larger conversation, but you get used to them over time.
Below you’ll see a breakdown of your different Slack channels, where you’ll do all your group messaging. If you think you have too many channels, you can easily dissolve them and clean up your menu. Below your channels is a summary of all your direct messages with other team members, and finally, below the direct messages, you can see your integrated apps.
Sending Messages
If you’ve used any modern application for sending messages and holding group chats, you’ll adapt to Slack like a duck to water. Inside the message box (where you type your message) is a list of options that allow you to add emojis, change the font, and tag a specific team member so they know your message is addressed to them (very useful in group chats).
You will also see a video camera and a microphone. Selecting either of these is how you will send your video and audio notes. For video notes, you have the option to blur the background or upload a custom background of your choice. There is a five-minute limit for video and no limit for audio.
Video Calling
It is not obvious how to initiate individual or group calls with other users. In the lower-left corner, next to the name of a team member or a Slack channel, there is a gray circle and a pair of headphones. Clicking on this icon will initiate the call process.
For group calls, you can select specific team members within a channel, so you don’t need to add everyone. During use, calls dropped once or twice (with a stable Internet connection) and the sound quality was not very good, but overall it was acceptable.
Slack Mobile Apps
Slack’s mobile apps are available for smartphones and tablets for both Android and iOS. They work very similarly to the desktop app and the web version of Slack. You can access group messages and private conversations, as well as make calls. Everything works well, but we still think the desktop app provides a better user experience, as the larger screen helps take advantage of all of Slack’s functionality.
Performance
Slack works very well and, other than questionable call quality, we did not experience any lag or crashes when using the app. We were able to attach and share files quickly, although upload speeds weren’t the fastest we’ve experienced.
Slack’s simple interface means you shouldn’t need much help using the app. If you do, unfortunately, there is no guidance available within the app, but you can access the knowledge base through the website, which we’ll look at later in the “customer support” section of this review.
Security & Privacy
Slack’s weaknesses become apparent when we look at security and privacy. We read both the security and privacy policies to see what was going on behind the scenes with user data, and it made for disappointing reading.
Messages are encrypted both in transit and at rest, which is standard and will help keep unwanted eyes away from your conversations. Slack, however, does not offer end-to-end encryption, so in theory, someone in Slack could access your messages if they wanted to. For business communication, where you may share sensitive information, this is not great news.
Then we move on to data collection, where things really get worse. Slack openly states that it can share your data with third-party companies, and those companies are likely to use it to send you targeted ads for their products. In an age where we’re all tired of receiving unwanted ads, Slack is just not cool.
If you’re looking for an app that offers end-to-end encryption for messages, plus project management features, it’s worth checking out our review of Basecamp as a decent alternative to Slack.
Customer Support
Slack has several support options if you run into a problem using the software. There is a knowledge base full of step-by-step guides and videos. There are also many articles available to help you get started using the platform, all of which are very helpful and detailed.
For contacting Slack, the options are quickly exhausted. There’s no phone support or live chat on any of the plans, which means you only have the option of submitting a support request via email. Response times are faster on the higher-paid plans, but they’re still limited to “within four hours,” which isn’t great for anyone who needs a quick response.
We contacted Slack to request more information about user privacy. We received a response within three hours and were satisfied with the way the support team resolved our query.
FAQ’s
Can Slack integrate with other tools we use?
Yes, Slack offers a wide range of integrations with third-party applications such as Trello, Google Drive, and Salesforce. These integrations streamline workflows and allow seamless sharing of files and information between platforms.
Can Slack be used for remote work and team collaboration?
Absolutely, Slack is an ideal platform for remote teams. Its messaging, video calling, and file-sharing capabilities enable seamless communication and collaboration, regardless of team members’ physical locations.
How does Slack compare to other communication tools like Microsoft Teams?
Slack and Microsoft Teams serve similar purposes but differ in terms of user interface, integration options, and pricing. Teams may prefer Slack’s simplicity and extensive app integrations, while Microsoft Teams may be preferred in organizations already using Microsoft 365.
Does Slack offer customer support options?
Yes, Slack provides a knowledge base with guides and articles for self-help. However, live chat and phone support are not available on all plans. Higher-tier plans, like Business+ and Enterprise Grid, offer faster response times and priority support.
Can I access Slack on mobile devices?
Yes, Slack offers mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices. These apps provide similar functionality to the desktop version, allowing users to stay connected and collaborate while on the go.
Henry Sprung is an e-commerce tech blogger with several years of experience in online retail. Alex’s blog focuses on topics such as online marketplaces, payment processing, and digital marketing for e-commerce businesses. Henry’s expertise in e-commerce provides valuable insights into the latest trends in online retail and how businesses can use these platforms to grow their sales. He is a valuable resource for online retailers and entrepreneurs looking to start their own e-commerce businesses.
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