Use Slack or get caught Slackin'  

Slack and Teams have been strong competitors in the corporate communication platform. While both platforms offer the same solution to businesses, they have arguably significant differences. The usability, interfaces, and security features are different. So, which communication platforms for your business should you use?

A Glimpse at Slack

The history of Slack dates back to 2002 with Stewart Butterfield. Back then, the company, Ludicorp, was building games. And although the game, Game Neverending, did not get traction with the players, the photo-uploading feature became popular. 

11 years later, Slack was born. The goal was to bring all sorts of team communications into one readily available platform and, most importantly, instantly searchable. 

True to its promise, Slack is now one of the most popular communication platforms, with over 18 million active users and over $35 million in annual revenues. 

A Glimpse at Microsoft Teams

Microsoft teams was first released in 2016. It is part of the Microsoft Office 365 suite of productivity apps. Teams allow users to create and collaborate on documents, chat, and hold video meetings. Businesses have increasingly adopted it to improve communication and collaboration among employees, with almost 270 million users. While some people argue that Microsoft teams is simply a copy of other similar products on the market, several features make it unique and appealing to users. For example, teams offer tight integration with other Microsoft products, such as SharePoint and OneDrive. This makes it easy for users to access files and collaborate on projects. Additionally, teams provide a convenient platform for team-based chat and video meetings. The ability to easily switch between different modes of communication makes teams an invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes.

How do you use Slack? 

Before you can start using Slack, your first step is to Download the Slack app for your desktop. You can use this messaging app for business if you already have it. There are different features on the homepage. 

Slack's main features

• Sidebar  - You can use the sidebar to access conversations you had in Slack. It has a list of channels you are part of and your direct messages. You can also view notifications for conversations or compose a new message. 
• Channels - If you want to work seamlessly on Slack, Channels is the feature for you. It is the fundamental feature of Slack. A channel connects the right people and brings together the right information in one place. So, you can work together or organize your work with other team members if you are working on the same goal. On the Channels tab, you can access the channel information and send emoji reactions alongside your messages and files. 

• The message field - Slack offers a variety of messaging options. This way, you can communicate and connect with your teammates better. On the message field, you can attach files, mention teammates, format a message by changing the font, add links, align or even number your work, and much more actions. 
• A navigation bar - The final feature on Slack's homepage is the navigation bar. This bar contains icons that help you move back and forth. You can search for information, get help on issues with Slack, or even view recent conversations. 

The history icon gives you quick access to your recently viewed items, while the search button allows you to find conversations in your history. 

Why is Slack efficient?

Slack is getting better each year. It competes with corporate communication software like Microsoft 365 and Teams. 

Now, it is even more efficient than ever. Some of the reasons for better efficiency on the platform include the following:

1. Flexibility - Slack accommodates asynchronous work. That means you can access any of your information and channels despite your location, function, or timezone.  
2. Inclusivity - On Slack, all teammates in an organization can access the same shared information. Also, when working with your teammates on your channel, you can share information with them at once.
3. Transparency -You can search for content on the Slack channels. This means that if you are in a channel with other members, you do not need to forward the contents of the channel to them separately..
4. Security - Without fear, you can work with your teammates, vendors, and partners on Slack. The platform has multiple security features, including a 2-step authentication feature for admins.  
5. Integration - Slack connects its users to over 2,400 apps. So, whether you want to use your calendar or have other things in other apps, you will have everything easily accessible to you. 

Slack vs. Teams: Pros and Cons

To get an answer from this comparison, you should consider the features on both platforms. You can compare usability and interface, security, compliance, enterprise management, mobile and browser apps, and integrations. 

Interface and Usability 

Both Slack and Teams look good. They have fairly easy-to-use interfaces. However, there are some stylistic differences. For instance, Slack has a freeform feel, while Teams has a more corporate look. However, when you need to customize your platform, Slack is the better choice. 

Also, while Teams has a help tab at the bottom of the homepage, Slack has a Slackbot, a chatbot, and is dead simple to use. 

Integrations

While both look like standalone apps, Teams and Slack depend on integration with other apps. In this category, Teams is the winner. With Slack, you get over 2400 apps, but Teams gives you access to Microsoft 365, the ultimate corporate software, and 700 other apps. This is where Teams does have a leg up on its competition. The integration with the microsoft suite of tools is seamless and incredibly useful for those experience using other microsoft tools. On the other hand, Slack integrates better with Google Workspace. It also pairs well with Salesforce.

Security and Compliance 

Both apps have a 2-step authentication. And for the past few years, Slack has been improving its compliance and security features. Today, it operates in line with most ISO certifications. So, when it comes to compliance and security on communication platforms, Slack takes the win.  

Productivity Hacks and Bots 

You can use different shortcuts and hacks on pretty much anything you want to do. With Slack, you also get bots which can help you set reminders and set project updates and deadlines. Although the two platforms have different keyboard short cuts to use, slack appears to be more organized than Microsoft teams. 

Search Features

The search feature on both platforms are very comparable. Both have advanced search features you can use to search for nearly everything. On Slack for instance, you can use an emoji with “has” search parameter to look up for information tagged with the emoji in question. The only limitation you can only search up to 10,000 messages with the free plan. If you want to search more, you can upgrade to the paid plan. 

Conclusion

While both apps have a lot to offer for corporate communication problems, Slack is proving a worthy competitor for Microsoft teams. The platform has more integrations, a better bot, and arguably better usability. It is also more in line with security and ISO compliance requirements, making it a better option for businesses with strict security measures. On the other hand, Teams integrates seamlessly with MS 365.

John Gadbois

Digital Marketer at Lifeshack

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