Best 5 Slack Alternatives & Competitors

There are plenty of other great Slack alternatives out there – many of which are actually better than Slack in a variety of ways. Truth be told, Slack is a great tool for businesses of all sizes. But if you’re a small business owner who is looking for something new and innovative to improve communication and collaboration within your company, here are five of them for small businesses you might want to check

1. Flock

What is Flock?

Flock is another great alternative to Slack that offers a variety of features that make it ideal for small businesses. For starters, Flock integrates with over 200 apps and services, so you can easily keep all your communication in one place. Plus, Flock offers extensive search capabilities, so you can quickly find the information you need when you need it. And if security is a concern, Flock has got you covered there too – all data is encrypted end-to-end!

Features of Flock

• Channels for public and private communications
• You can chat 1:1 or in groups without limits
• Match your productivity style with the right tool(s)
• API integrations and app integrations for over 60 apps
• Access-restricted guest invitations
• Mailing lists that are automatically generated and customizable

Plans & Pricing of Flock

Pros & Cons of Flock

Pros

• Downloading/installing and updating is super easy, using flock is even easier. Integrations are easy to set up and work fine.
• When compared with the competition, particularly Slack, it is better in many aspects. It is visually more appealing and communication is more transparent.

Cons

• Provide notification tone changes in the app version of it. The recent chants are lost whenever one makes a hard refresh.
•  Flock is easy to learn and utilize. It makes communicating with your team simple. 

2. Ryver

What is Ryver?

Ryver is another great Slack alternative that’s well suited for small businesses. One of the main advantages Ryver has over Slack is its pricing model – while Slack charges per user per month, Ryver offers unlimited users and unlimited messages for a flat monthly fee. Ryver also offers extensive search capabilities and integrations with over 400 apps and services. Plus, Ryver’s interface is far more intuitive than Slack’s.

Features of Ryver

• Team chat, topics, custom conversation channels, file sharing, conversation search, collaborative spaces that can be searched.
• The task management system includes tasks, team and personal task boards, checklists, tags, and assignments.
• You can have up to five users on a call at once, share your screen, and join a call with one click (beta feature).
• RSS feeds, social media posts, and news articles are automatically streamed
• Webhooks and APIs for integration.

Related Post: 7 Best Invoicing and Billing Software

Plans & Pricing of Ryver

Pros & Cons of Ryver

Pros

• Easy to use. Wonderful product. Provide social media like platform for office conversation.
• Ryver has provided the missing link we’ve needed for team communication. It’s been helpful to create channels for specific groups, projects, and tasks.

Cons

• Having used Slack previously, it does feel a little lacking in some areas. There’s no one specific example to point to, it just feels like the UX could be a little stronger.
• Proper post of comment time should be visible.

3. Discord

What is Discord?

Designed for gamers, Discord offers free and unlimited server options for voice and text chat. It’s a great option for small businesses because it’s easy to set up and use. Discord also has awesome security features like two-factor authentication and server verification.

Features of Discord

• Invite-only, topic-based channels
• Voice channels
• Chatting and screen sharing via video
• Moderation tools
• Membership access is customized for each member
• An increase in server performance

Plans & Pricing of Discord

Pros & Cons of Discord

Pros

• Manage educational resources in one location. Use text, voice, video, or screen sharing to communicate.
• Organize the chat.
• Notify community members.
• Create video and audio calls without giving out personal information.

Cons

• Recovery when servers are down.
• Better Nitro Deals.
• Better bot enabling for going live – Slow sometimes or doesn’t work in certain discords

4. Rocket Chat

What is Rocket Chat?

Rocket Chat is an open-source chat software that offers unlimited users, storage, and features. It’s a great option for small businesses because it’s free to use and customize. Rocket Chat also has excellent security features, like two-factor authentication and LDAP/AD support.

Features of Rocket Chat

• Calls with audio and video
• Custom processes
• Customer service across all channels
• Endless message history
• Guest users

Plans & Pricing of Rocket Chat

Pros & Cons of Rocket Chat

Pros

• Free public chat version
• A few potent traits

Cons

• Interface and installation process confusion.
• Some aspects seem to be neglected.
• Tiered versions create further ambiguity.

5. Mattermost

What is Mattermost?

Mattermost is another open-source chat software that offers unlimited users, storage, and features. Like Rocket Chat, it’s a great option for small businesses because it’s free to use and customize. Mattermost also has excellent security features, like two-factor authentication and LDAP/AD support.

Features of Mattermost

• Task cards and project cards
• Sorting, filtering, and grouping of tasks
• A ready-made, editable board template
• Customized themes and branding
• Playbooks that can be customized and have built-in task lists

Plans & Pricing of Mattermost

Pros & Cons Mattermost

Pros

• Both developers and non-developers can use it.
• Less time is spent switching between tabs.
• Good platform for coordinating teams.

Cons

• It can be used by developers and non-developers alike.
• It takes less time to switch between tabs.
• Good platform for team coordination.

Conclusion

There are many Slack alternatives out there that offer different features and benefits. The five alternatives listed above are just some of the best options for small businesses in 2022. Each chat software has its own unique advantages, so be sure to choose the one that best fits your business needs!