Software · head to head
Gather vs Slack
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only; Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
- They diverge on capability: Gather covers Proximity video chat, Slack covers Channels.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Gather and Slack actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Gather
- Proximity video chat
- Customizable spaces
- Interactive objects
- Calendar
- Slack
- Google Workspace
- Web support
- Desktop support
Only in Slack
- Channels
- Direct messaging
- Voice & video calls
- File sharing
- Search
- Workflow builder
- Slack Connect
- Google Drive
Both cover
- Screen sharing
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Gather
- VR Gamingnot Slack
- AR Marketingnot Slack
- Virtual Trainingnot Slack
- 3D Visualizationnot Slack
- Immersive Experiencesnot Slack
Slack
- Team communicationnot Gather
- Project coordinationnot Gather
- Customer supportnot Gather
- Remote worknot Gather
- Cross-functional collaborationnot Gather
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Gather
- No native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
- Limited API documentation compared to enterprise competitors
- Scaling large virtual offices can impact performance
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
Gather
Free- 30-Day TrialFree
- Up to 50 team members
- All features included
- Meetings and chat
- Essential$12/month
- All features
- Meeting recordings starting at 20 hours
- Meeting transcriptions starting at 30 hours
Slack
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Gather if
- You need proximity video chat.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want customizable spaces.
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 Gather or Slack better?
- Neither clearly leads. Gather 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, Gather or Slack?
- Gather starts at Free and Slack at Free.
- Does Gather or Slack run on more platforms?
- Gather runs on Web. Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
- Can I use Gather for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Gather best used for?
- Gather is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Slack is typically brought in for.
- What can Gather do that Slack cannot?
- Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Calendar. Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, File sharing. Both handle Screen sharing.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Gather: What is a free trial of Gather like?
Gather offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required that includes up to 50 team members and access to all features including meetings, chat, AI meeting notes, and full office customization.
SourceSlack: 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.
SourceGather: How does Gather reduce meeting load?
Gather recreates natural office dynamics through spatial audio and proximity-based interactions, allowing colleagues to bump into each other and have quick conversations without scheduled calls. Teams report shorter, more organic conversations that wrap up in under 10 minutes.
SourceSlack: 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.
SourceGather: What platforms and devices does Gather support?
Gather works on web browsers and integrates with Slack and Google Chat. The platform supports audio/video calls, screen sharing, and custom workspace design.
SourceSlack: 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.
SourceGather: Does Gather work offline?
Gather is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to function, though it emphasizes quick connection and low bandwidth requirements compared to traditional video conferencing.
SourceSlack: 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