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Communication · head to head

Microsoft Teams vs Slack Workflow Builder

Microsoft Teams logo

Microsoft Teams

Communication

Meet, chat, call, and collaborate in just one place

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Slack Workflow Builder logo

Slack Workflow Builder

Remote Work

Automation for team collaboration

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Teams has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Teams resource-heavy application; slow to load and consumes significant CPU/memory compared to alternatives; Slack Workflow Builder limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Teams covers Chat & channels, Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Teams and Slack Workflow Builder actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Teams and Slack Workflow Builder differ
AttributeMicrosoft TeamsSlack Workflow Builder
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
CategoryCommunicationRemote Work
Founded19752013

Identical on both: 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 Microsoft Teams

  • Chat & channels
  • Video conferencing
  • Screen sharing
  • File collaboration
  • Office integration
  • Live events
  • Phone system
  • Apps & workflows

Only in Slack Workflow Builder

  • Workflow builder
  • App integrations
  • Scheduled workflows
  • Conditional logic
  • Error handling
  • Notifications
  • Analytics
  • 1000+ apps

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Teams

  • Remote meetingsnot Slack Workflow Builder
  • Team collaborationnot Slack Workflow Builder
  • Document sharingnot Slack Workflow Builder
  • Project managementnot Slack Workflow Builder
  • Webinarsnot Slack Workflow Builder

Slack Workflow Builder

  • Workflow Automationnot Microsoft Teams
  • Data Integrationnot Microsoft Teams
  • Process Automationnot Microsoft Teams
  • App Integrationnot Microsoft Teams
  • API Connectivitynot Microsoft Teams

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Teams

  • Resource-heavy application; slow to load and consumes significant CPU/memory compared to alternatives
  • Limited channel structure; maximum of 200 public and 30 private channels per team
  • Cannot invite guest users to specific channels; guest access grants full team visibility
  • Unable to chat during screen sharing; limits real-time collaborative communication
  • Limited customization options for branding and interface; cluttered UX compared to Slack
  • Channels cannot be moved between teams; requires manual replication for reorganization

Slack Workflow Builder

  • Limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
  • Maximum 15 conditional branches per workflow, limiting complex logic paths
  • Connectors must be explicitly configured per integration type
  • No native web interface for non-Slack users

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Teams

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited chat
    • 100 participants in meetings
    • 5GB file storage
  • Microsoft Teams Essentials$4/month
    • 300 participants in meetings
    • 10GB cloud storage
    • Phone & web support
  • Microsoft 365 Business Basic$6/month
    • Everything in Essentials
    • 1TB OneDrive storage
    • Web & mobile Office apps
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard$12.5/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Desktop Office apps
    • Webinar hosting

Slack Workflow Builder

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack Workflow Builder review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Teams if

  • You need chat & channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want video conferencing.
Microsoft Teams review

Choose Slack Workflow Builder if

  • You need workflow builder.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want app integrations.
Slack Workflow Builder review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Teams or Slack Workflow Builder better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Teams starts at Free and Slack Workflow Builder at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Teams or Slack Workflow Builder?
Microsoft Teams has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Teams and On request for Slack Workflow Builder.
Does Microsoft Teams or Slack Workflow Builder run on more platforms?
Microsoft Teams runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Slack Workflow Builder runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use Microsoft Teams for free?
Yes. Microsoft Teams has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Slack Workflow Builder starts at On request.
What is Microsoft Teams best used for?
Microsoft Teams is most often used for remote meetings, team collaboration, document sharing, project management. Of those, remote meetings and team collaboration are not what Slack Workflow Builder is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Teams do that Slack Workflow Builder cannot?
Microsoft Teams covers Chat & channels, Video conferencing, Screen sharing, File collaboration. Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder, App integrations, Scheduled workflows, Conditional logic.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Microsoft Teams: Does Microsoft Teams have a free tier?

Yes. Microsoft Teams offers a free Home tier with unlimited chat, 60-minute group meetings for up to 100 people, 5GB cloud storage, and basic file sharing, though limits are restrictive for growing teams.

Source
Slack Workflow Builder: Is Slack Workflow Builder included in all Slack plans?

No, Workflow Builder is only available in Slack Pro, Business+, and Enterprise plans. It is not included in the Free plan.

Source
Microsoft Teams: What are Microsoft Teams' paid plans?

Microsoft Teams Essentials costs $4/user/month (chat, calling, meetings, 10GB storage). Microsoft 365 Business Basic costs $7/user/month (includes desktop Office apps, 1TB storage). Premium plans with Copilot start at $23.50/user/month.

Source
Slack Workflow Builder: Can Workflow Builder connect to external applications?

Yes, Workflow Builder supports connectors that translate actions in Slack to instant results in third-party tools, allowing workflows to interact with your full application stack.

Source
Microsoft Teams: What are Microsoft Teams' primary features?

Teams provides real-time chat, video and voice calling, meetings with up to 300 participants, file sharing and storage integration with OneDrive, recording and transcripts, and deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Slack Workflow Builder: What is the maximum complexity of Slack Workflows?

Workflows support conditional logic with up to 15 conditions, enabling complex decision paths for automation.

Source
Microsoft Teams: What integrations does Teams support?

Microsoft Teams integrates with calendar apps (Outlook, Google Calendar), project management tools (Trello), and works with Zapier for custom workflow automation. Teams also has native connectors to many Microsoft 365 apps and third-party services.

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Related pages

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