What is the difference between Google Chat and Slack Connect?

Google Chat is best for Teams already using Google Workspace, while Slack Connect is best for Organizations needing secure inter-company messaging. Google Chat starts at $6/user/mo and Slack Connect starts at $7.25/user/mo.

Google Chat vs Slack Connect

Google Chat is team messaging built into Google Workspace with Spaces, threads, and deep Google app integration, while Slack Connect is slack feature for connecting channels between different organizations securely. Google Chat comes in cheaper, but price alone does not tell the full story. Google Chat is built for teams already using google workspace, whereas Slack Connect targets organizations needing secure inter-company messaging.

At a glance

	Google Chat	Slack Connect
Best for	Teams already using Google Workspace	Organizations needing secure inter-company messaging
Starting price	$6/user/mo	$7.25/user/mo
Free tier	—	—
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	—	—
Open source	—	—
Bots	✓	—
Cross-Org Channels	—	✓
DMs	—	✓
File Sharing	✓	—
Google Workspace	✓	—
Security	—	✓
Spaces	✓	—
Threads	✓	—
Workflows	—	✓

Google Chat

Strengths

Seamless integration with Google Workspace
Clean, simple interface
Included with Google Workspace subscription
Good mobile experience

Weaknesses

Limited features compared to Slack
Fewer third-party integrations
Not available as a standalone product
Threading can be confusing

Try Google Chat → Full review

Slack Connect

Strengths

Cross-organization channels let you collaborate with external partners in shared spaces
Includes Security as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows
Affordable at $7.25/user/mo — one of the lower-priced options in the team communication category
Includes dms alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

No free plan — you need to pay $7.25/user/mo from day one to use it
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Notification overload is a real problem as the number of channels grows
Relatively new (founded 2020) — the feature set and integrations are still maturing

Try Slack Connect → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Google Chat starts at $6/user/mo. Slack Connect starts at $7.25/user/mo. Google Chat is the more affordable option.

Feature gaps: Google Chat offers Bots, File Sharing and Google Workspace that Slack Connect lacks. Slack Connect brings Cross-Org Channels, DMs and Security that Google Chat does not have.

Team fit: Google Chat is geared toward any size teams, while Slack Connect is aimed at mid-size teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Where each tool shines: Google Chat's biggest strengths are: seamless integration with google workspace. clean, simple interface. Slack Connect's biggest strengths are: cross-organization channels let you collaborate with external partners in shared spaces. includes security as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows.

Watch out for: With Google Chat, users commonly note that limited features compared to slack. With Slack Connect, the main complaint is that no free plan — you need to pay $7.25/user/mo from day one to use it.

Choose Google Chat if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams already using google workspace
You want to save on per-user costs — Google Chat is $1.25/user/mo cheaper
You specifically need Bots and File Sharing
You care about clean, simple interface
Your team size fits the any size profile Google Chat is designed for

Choose Slack Connect if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: organizations needing secure inter-company messaging
You specifically need Cross-Org Channels and DMs
You care about includes security as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows
Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Slack Connect is designed for