What is the difference between Slack and Google Chat?

Slack is best for Teams that need organized, searchable communication, while Google Chat is best for Teams already using Google Workspace. Slack starts at $7.25/user/mo and Google Chat starts at $6/user/mo.

Is Slack or Google Chat cheaper?

Slack starts at $7.25/user/mo with a free tier. Google Chat starts at $6/user/mo.

Is there a free alternative to Google Chat?

Yes, Slack offers a free tier (Free for small teams, 90-day history).

Slack vs Google Chat

Slack is team messaging platform with channels, threads, and integrations for workplace communication, while Google Chat is team messaging built into Google Workspace with Spaces, threads, and deep Google app integration. Google Chat comes in cheaper, but price alone does not tell the full story. Slack is built for teams that need organized, searchable communication, whereas Google Chat targets teams already using google workspace.

At a glance

	Slack	Google Chat
Best for	Teams that need organized, searchable communication	Teams already using Google Workspace
Starting price	$7.25/user/mo	$6/user/mo
Free tier	✓	—
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	✓	—
Open source	—	—
Bots	—	✓
Channels	✓	—
File Sharing	✓	✓
Google Workspace	—	✓
Huddles	✓	—
Integrations	✓	—
Spaces	—	✓
Threads	✓	✓

Slack

Strengths

Massive integration ecosystem with 2,400+ apps
Excellent search across all messages and files
Familiar interface that most people already know
Strong API for custom bots and workflows

Weaknesses

Expensive at scale — costs add up fast with large teams
Can become noisy and distracting with many channels
Free tier limits message history to 90 days
Desktop app is resource-heavy

Try Slack → Full review

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

The bottom line

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

Feature gaps: Slack offers Channels, Huddles and Integrations that Google Chat lacks. Google Chat brings Bots, Google Workspace and Spaces that Slack does not have. Both share File Sharing and Threads.

Team fit: Both tools target any size teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.

Where each tool shines: Slack's biggest strengths are: massive integration ecosystem with 2,400+ apps. excellent search across all messages and files. Google Chat's biggest strengths are: seamless integration with google workspace. clean, simple interface.

Watch out for: With Slack, users commonly note that expensive at scale — costs add up fast with large teams. With Google Chat, the main complaint is that limited features compared to slack.

Choose Slack if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that need organized, searchable communication
You specifically need Channels and Huddles
You care about excellent search across all messages and files
The free tier works for you: free for small teams, 90-day history