All industries · head to head
Slack vs WhatsApp
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing; WhatsApp consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply
- They diverge on capability: Slack covers Channels, WhatsApp covers Text messaging.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Slack and WhatsApp actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (All industries), founded (2009).
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
- Search
- Workflow builder
- Slack Connect
- Google Drive
Only in WhatsApp
- Text messaging
- Voice calls
- Video calls
- Group chats
- Status updates
- Voice messages
- Location sharing
- WhatsApp Business API
Both cover
- File sharing
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Slack
- Team communicationnot WhatsApp
- Project coordinationnot WhatsApp
- Customer supportnot WhatsApp
- Remote worknot WhatsApp
- Cross-functional collaborationnot WhatsApp
- Personal messagingnot Slack
- Family communicationnot Slack
- Business communicationnot Slack
- Group coordinationnot Slack
- International callingnot 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
- Consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply
Pricing, plan by plan
Slack
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.
- FreeFree
- Unlimited messaging
- Voice and video calls
- Group chats up to 1024 people
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.
Choose WhatsApp if
- You need text messaging.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
- You also want voice calls.
Questions people ask
- Is Slack or WhatsApp better?
- Neither clearly leads. Slack starts at Free and WhatsApp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Slack or WhatsApp?
- Slack starts at Free and WhatsApp at Free.
- Does Slack or WhatsApp run on more platforms?
- Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux. WhatsApp runs on Web, Windows, Macos, 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 WhatsApp is typically brought in for.
- What can Slack do that WhatsApp cannot?
- Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, Screen sharing. WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Voice calls, Video calls, Group chats. Both handle File sharing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SourceRelated pages
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