Softwr

Software · head to head

Slack vs Zoom Webinars

Slack logo

Slack

Software

Where work happens

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoom Webinars logo

Zoom Webinars

Software

Dedicated webinar platform by Zoom for large-scale events

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Slack has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing; Zoom Webinars webinars tier limited to standard platform features; advanced features like pre-recorded content and multi-session events require Webinars Plus or Events tier
  • They diverge on capability: Slack covers Channels, Zoom Webinars covers Attendee registration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Slack and Zoom Webinars actually diverge.

Attributes where Slack and Zoom Webinars differ
AttributeSlackZoom Webinars
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, LinuxCloud-based SaaS
Founded20092011

Identical on both: 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
  • File sharing
  • Search
  • Workflow builder
  • Slack Connect
  • Google Drive

Only in Zoom Webinars

  • Attendee registration
  • HD video
  • Polls and surveys
  • Q&A
  • Breakout rooms
  • Recording
  • Analytics
  • Marketo

Both cover

  • Screen sharing
  • Salesforce

What people use each for

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

Slack

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

Zoom Webinars

  • Large-scale broadcasts with 10,000+ attendeesnot Slack
  • Multi-session virtual events and hybrid conferencesnot 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

Zoom Webinars

  • Webinars tier limited to standard platform features; advanced features like pre-recorded content and multi-session events require Webinars Plus or Events tier
  • All tiers support up to 100,000 attendees but 30-hour event limit applies across all packages

Pricing, plan by plan

Slack

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.

Zoom Webinars

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Zoom Webinars review.

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 Zoom Webinars if

  • You need attendee registration.
  • You work on Cloud-based SaaS.
  • You also want hd video.
Zoom Webinars review

Questions people ask

Is Slack or Zoom Webinars better?
Neither clearly leads. Slack starts at Free and Zoom Webinars at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Slack or Zoom Webinars?
Slack has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Slack and On request for Zoom Webinars.
Does Slack or Zoom Webinars run on more platforms?
Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux. Zoom Webinars runs on Cloud-based SaaS.
Can I use Slack for free?
Yes. Slack has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zoom Webinars starts at On request.
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 Zoom Webinars is typically brought in for.
What can Slack do that Zoom Webinars cannot?
Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, File sharing. Zoom Webinars covers Attendee registration, HD video, Polls and surveys, Q&A. Both handle Screen sharing, Salesforce.

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
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Related pages

More on Slack

More on Zoom Webinars

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