Softwr

Technology · head to head

Shortcut vs Slack

Shortcut logo

Shortcut

Technology

Project management for software teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Slack logo

Slack

Communication

Where work happens

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Shortcut limited reporting compared to Jira; Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
  • They diverge on capability: Shortcut covers Stories & epics, Slack covers Channels.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shortcut and Slack actually diverge.

Attributes where Shortcut and Slack differ
AttributeShortcutSlack
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, LinuxWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
CategoryTechnologyCommunication
Founded20142009

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 Shortcut

  • Stories & epics
  • Iterations (sprints)
  • Kanban boards
  • Roadmaps
  • Reporting
  • Docs
  • API & webhooks
  • Mobile apps

Only in Slack

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

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • SOC2

What people use each for

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

Shortcut

  • Sprint planningnot Slack
  • Bug trackingnot Slack
  • Feature developmentnot Slack
  • Product roadmappingnot Slack
  • Team collaborationnot Slack

Slack

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

Where each one falls short

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

Shortcut

  • Limited reporting compared to Jira
  • Designed specifically for software teams, not general project management
  • Can experience slow loading times with very large projects

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

Shortcut

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Kanban boards
    • Sprints
    • Roadmaps
  • Team$8.5/user/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Advanced reports
    • WIP limits
  • Business$12/user/month
    • Unlimited workspaces
    • OKRs
    • Advanced custom fields
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Volume discounts
    • SSO/SCIM
    • Premier support

Slack

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Shortcut if

  • You need stories & epics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want iterations (sprints).
Shortcut 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 Shortcut or Slack better?
Neither clearly leads. Shortcut 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, Shortcut or Slack?
Shortcut starts at Free and Slack at Free.
Does Shortcut or Slack run on more platforms?
Shortcut runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux. Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Shortcut for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Shortcut best used for?
Shortcut is most often used for sprint planning, bug tracking, feature development, product roadmapping. Of those, sprint planning and bug tracking are not what Slack is typically brought in for.
What can Shortcut do that Slack cannot?
Shortcut covers Stories & epics, Iterations (sprints), Kanban boards, Roadmaps. Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, Screen sharing. Both handle GitHub, SOC2.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Shortcut: Does Shortcut have a free plan?

Yes, Shortcut offers a free plan for up to 10 users with core features like kanban boards, roadmaps, sprints, and reports. Paid plans start at $8.50 per user per month.

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
Shortcut: Does Shortcut integrate with GitHub?

Yes, Shortcut has native GitHub integration that automatically syncs pull requests and commits to stories, and includes GitLab and Bitbucket support as well.

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
Shortcut: Can I use Shortcut for non-technical projects?

Shortcut is built for software teams, though you can customize workflows for other use cases. Linear and Asana may be better suited for non-technical project management.

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
Shortcut: Does Shortcut support SSO and SCIM?

Yes, SSO and SCIM support are available on the Enterprise plan, allowing centralized identity management for large organizations.

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
Shortcut: What's the difference between Shortcut and Jira?

Shortcut is lighter and faster with less setup required, while Jira offers deeper customization and enterprise features. Shortcut works better for modern software teams wanting simplicity; Jira suits enterprises needing extensive configuration.

Source
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