Softwr

Technology · head to head

ClickUp vs Slack

ClickUp logo

ClickUp

Technology

One app to replace them all

From
Free
Rated
-
Slack logo

Slack

Communication

Where work happens

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ClickUp the free plan is capped at 60MB of storage, 5 spaces, 1 form and 3 whiteboards, so the limits are structural rather than just a seat count; Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
  • They diverge on capability: ClickUp covers Multiple view types, Slack covers Channels.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ClickUp and Slack actually diverge.

Attributes where ClickUp and Slack differ
AttributeClickUpSlack
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
CategoryTechnologyCommunication
Founded20172009

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

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 ClickUp

  • Multiple view types
  • Custom fields
  • Automation
  • Time tracking
  • Goal tracking
  • Document collaboration
  • Whiteboards
  • Mind maps

Only in Slack

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

Both cover

  • Google Drive
  • GitHub
  • Zoom
  • Salesforce
  • SOC2

What people use each for

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

ClickUp

  • Project managementnot Slack
  • Software developmentnot Slack
  • Marketing campaignsnot Slack
  • Product roadmapsnot Slack
  • Client managementnot Slack

Slack

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

Where each one falls short

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

ClickUp

  • The free plan is capped at 60MB of storage, 5 spaces, 1 form and 3 whiteboards, so the limits are structural rather than just a seat count
  • Gantt charts, time tracking and goals require Unlimited at $7 per user per month billed yearly
  • Automations are rationed by tier, at 5,000 a month on Business and 250,000 on Enterprise
  • SAML SSO, custom roles and HIPAA compliance are Enterprise only
  • AI is charged separately, at $9 per user per month for Brain and $28 for Everything AI
  • Monthly billing is substantially dearer, at $10 and $19 against the yearly rates

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

ClickUp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited tasks
    • 60 MB storage
    • Collaborative docs
  • Unlimited$7/user/month
    • Unlimited storage
    • All views
    • Time tracking
  • Business$12/user/month
    • Sprint reporting
    • Private docs
    • All Unlimited features
  • Business Plus$undefined/custom
    • Advanced features

Slack

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ClickUp if

  • You need multiple view types.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want custom fields.

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.

Questions people ask

Is ClickUp or Slack better?
Neither clearly leads. ClickUp 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, ClickUp or Slack?
ClickUp starts at Free and Slack at Free.
Does ClickUp or Slack run on more platforms?
ClickUp runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use ClickUp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ClickUp best used for?
ClickUp is most often used for project management, software development, marketing campaigns, product roadmaps. Of those, project management and software development are not what Slack is typically brought in for.
What can ClickUp do that Slack cannot?
ClickUp covers Multiple view types, Custom fields, Automation, Time tracking. Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, Screen sharing. Both handle Google Drive, GitHub, Zoom, Salesforce.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ClickUp: How many views does ClickUp support?

ClickUp includes List, Table, Board, Calendar, Gantt, and Inbox views, plus Whiteboards for collaboration and multiple specialized views for different workflows.

Source
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
ClickUp: What is ClickUp Brain?

ClickUp Brain is the AI feature providing workspace Q&A, task summaries, and AI-powered automation available as an add-on at $9 or $28/user/month depending on usage.

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
ClickUp: How long does it take to set up ClickUp?

Initial setup typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on team size and complexity needs, which is longer than Monday.com (1-2 days) but necessary for ClickUp's flexibility.

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
ClickUp: Does ClickUp have built-in time tracking?

Yes, time tracking is included in the first paid plan (Unlimited) at $7/user/month, allowing teams to track project hours without additional tools.

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
Share

Related pages

Other head to heads