Softwr

Software · head to head

Slack vs Webex by Cisco

Slack logo

Slack

Software

Where work happens

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Webex by Cisco logo

Webex by Cisco

Software

A simpler, smarter way to work

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

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

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Slack and Webex by Cisco differ
AttributeSlackWebex by Cisco
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, LinuxWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20091984

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 Slack

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

Only in Webex by Cisco

  • Video and audio conferencing
  • Screen sharing and annotation
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Recording and playback
  • Meeting transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Breakout sessions

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Jira
  • SOC2

What people use each for

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

Slack

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

Webex by Cisco

  • Video conferencingnot Slack
  • Webinarsnot Slack
  • Virtual eventsnot Slack
  • Trainingnot Slack
  • Enterprise communicationnot Slack

Where each one falls short

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

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

Webex by Cisco

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Slack

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.

Webex by Cisco

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited 1:1 meetings
    • Group meetings (40 min limit, 100 participants)
    • HD video
  • Pro$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings (500 participants)
    • Cloud recording and storage
    • Advanced scheduling
  • Business$18/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced security
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom deployment

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Webex by Cisco if

  • You need video and audio conferencing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want screen sharing and annotation.
Webex by Cisco review

Questions people ask

Is Slack or Webex by Cisco better?
Neither clearly leads. Slack starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Slack or Webex by Cisco?
Slack starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free.
Does Slack or Webex by Cisco run on more platforms?
Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux. Webex by Cisco runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Slack for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Slack best used for?
Slack is most often used for team communication, project coordination, customer support, remote work. Of those, team communication and project coordination are not what Webex by Cisco is typically brought in for.
What can Slack do that Webex by Cisco cannot?
Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, Screen sharing. Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Screen sharing and annotation, Virtual backgrounds, Recording and playback. Both handle Salesforce, Jira, SOC2.

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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Slack

More on Webex by Cisco

Keep looking

Other head to heads