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Software · head to head

Cisco Webex vs Slack

Cisco Webex logo

Cisco Webex

Software

The leading enterprise video conferencing platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Slack logo

Slack

Software

Where work happens

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Cisco Webex listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL); Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
  • They diverge on capability: Cisco Webex covers HD video, Slack covers Channels.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cisco Webex and Slack actually diverge.

Attributes where Cisco Webex and Slack differ
AttributeCisco WebexSlack
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows, Mobile iOS, Mobile AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
Founded19842009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cisco Webex

  • HD video
  • Recording
  • Transcription
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook

Only in Slack

  • Channels
  • Direct messaging
  • Voice & video calls
  • File sharing
  • Search
  • Workflow builder
  • Slack Connect
  • Google Drive

Both cover

  • Screen sharing
  • Salesforce

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cisco Webex

  • Video Conferencingnot Slack
  • Team Collaborationnot Slack
  • Project Managementnot Slack

Slack

  • Team communicationnot Cisco Webex
  • Project coordinationnot Cisco Webex
  • Customer supportnot Cisco Webex
  • Remote worknot Cisco Webex
  • Cross-functional collaborationnot Cisco Webex

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cisco Webex

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

Slack

  • 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
  • Per-user pricing becomes expensive quickly for larger teams
  • Notification overload with 78% of employees feeling overwhelmed by notifications
  • Mobile app performance issues including lag and slow syncing
  • Huddles limited to 50 people and cannot be recorded
  • Requires dedicated video conferencing service for formal meetings and webinars

Pricing, plan by plan

Cisco Webex

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 40-min group meetings
    • Unlimited 1:1 calls
    • HD video
  • Starter$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings
    • 100 participants
    • Recording
  • Pro$26.99/month
    • 300 participants
    • Advanced security
    • Priority support

Slack

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Cisco Webex if

  • You need hd video.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows, Mobile iOS, Mobile Android.
  • You also want recording.
Cisco Webex review

Choose Slack if

  • You need channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want direct messaging.
Slack review

Questions people ask

Is Cisco Webex or Slack better?
Neither clearly leads. Cisco Webex starts at Free and Slack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cisco Webex or Slack?
Cisco Webex starts at Free and Slack at Free.
Does Cisco Webex or Slack run on more platforms?
Cisco Webex runs on Web, Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows, Mobile iOS, Mobile Android. Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Cisco Webex for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Cisco Webex best used for?
Cisco Webex is most often used for video conferencing, team collaboration, project management. Of those, video conferencing and team collaboration are not what Slack is typically brought in for.
What can Cisco Webex do that Slack cannot?
Cisco Webex covers HD video, Recording, Transcription, Virtual backgrounds. Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, File sharing. Both handle Screen sharing, Salesforce.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Slack: Does Slack have a free plan?

Yes, Slack offers a free plan indefinitely with no credit card required. Free users get 90-day message history, up to 10 app integrations, and 1:1 huddles.

Source
Slack: What are Slack's pricing plans?

Slack offers Free, Pro ($7.25/user/month with annual billing), Business+ ($12.50/user/month), and Enterprise Grid (custom pricing). Monthly billing costs approximately 20% more than annual.

Source
Slack: Does Slack support offline use?

Slack is a cloud-based platform and does not support robust offline work. Internet connectivity is required to access messages and collaborate.

Source
Slack: What integrations does Slack support?

Slack integrates with 43+ apps on average per team, including Google Drive, ChatGPT, Vercel, Asana, GitHub, and many others through their app marketplace.

Source
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Related pages

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