Slack is made to make business communication easier and more efficient. Originally created by the team behind the game Glitch, Slack was launched in 2013 and quickly became popular, especially among startups.
Its ability to centralise communication and reduce internal emails has made it a favourite in the tech world.
Why Do Startups Love Slack?
Startups love Slack because over and above it cutting down on the flood of internal emails, keeping all communication in one place.
It integrates with many other services like Google Drive, GitHub, and Trello, making project management simpler.
The tool has direct messaging, group chats, and topic-specific channels, all of which help teams stay organised. Slack’s search function also makes it easy to find past messages and files.
Main Benefits of Slack:
- Less internal emails
- Centralised communication
- Flexible messaging options
- Integration with popular tools
- Easy-to-use search function
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What Are Some Alternatives To Slack?
While Slack is a popular choice, there are an few alternatives that might better suit different teams’ needs.
These alternatives have different features and benefits that can improve team communication and productivity in startups.
- Zoom Workplace
- ClickUp
- Pumble
- Flock
- Zoho Cliq
1. Zoom Workplace
Zoom Workplace integrates AI to better communication, engagement, and productivity within organisations. Zoom AI Companion, included at no extra cost, supports these features, providing a seamless experience across various tools like meetings, team chats, phone, mail, calendar, and more.
This all-in-one platform is designed to simplify workflows and boost efficiency.
Zoom AI assists in managing communications and daily tasks, making sure employees can connect and collaborate effortlessly.
The platform includes features like video conferencing, screen sharing, and scheduling, which help teams stay organised and productive.
Zoom also offers an app marketplace and developer tools to customise and extend its functionality.
Businesses across different industries, including education, healthcare, and finance, use Zoom to improve their operations.
The platform supports flexible workspaces and better customer relationships through various services such as contact centres and virtual agents.
Zoom’s focus on user experience and innovation helps organisations stay connected and efficient.
Their Features:
- AI-powered communication tools
- Integrated meetings, chat, phone, and calendar
- Customisable through apps and developer tools
- Supports various industries and flexible workspaces
- Better customer relationships with specialised services
2. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one project management platform that brings teams together with connected workflows, real-time dashboards, and a wide range of tools.
It helps organisations streamline their tasks, documents, whiteboards, and relationships, making project management more efficient and collaborative.
The platform offers powerful task management features that can be customised for different needs, allowing teams to plan, organise, and track their objectives.
ClickUp supports integrations with popular project tools, enabling seamless workflows and reducing the need for multiple applications. Teams can also benefit from automations, custom views, and forms to simplify their processes.
ClickUp is used by a variety of teams worldwide, including those from IBM, Netflix, and T-Mobile.
Its flexibility and range of features make it suitable for different types of projects and organisational needs.
The platform’s focus on improving productivity and collaboration helps teams achieve their goals more effectively.
Their Features:
- Customisable task management
- Integrations with popular project tools
- Real-time dashboards and whiteboards
- Automations and custom views
- Used by leading global companies
3. Pumble
Pumble is a free team communication app that facilitates seamless collaboration through messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing.
The platform allows users to send messages and files, organise conversations by topics, and start video calls with a single click.
Pumble’s unlimited message history feature makes sure that all past communications are easily accessible.
The app supports various forms of communication, including 1-on-1 and group messages, channels for organised discussions, and threads for detailed conversations.
Video conferencing and voice calls are integrated, enabling teams to connect face-to-face from anywhere. Pumble also offers screen sharing, making it easier to present ideas and provide support.
Pumble is designed for ease of use and accessibility, available on multiple platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The app is trusted by many organisations for its reliability and user-friendly features, helping teams stay connected and productive.
Their Features:
- Free team communication app
- Unlimited message history
- 1-on-1 and group messaging, channels, and threads
- Integrated video conferencing and voice calls
- Available on multiple platforms
4. Flock
Flock is a collaboration platform that provides a shared space for cross-functional teams to work together. It features channels for organised communication, built-in video and voice calling, and various productivity tools.
Flock aims to streamline decision-making and problem-solving by keeping all work-related conversations in one place.
The platform supports video conferencing with screen sharing, making it easy for teams to communicate visually and clarify complex information.
Flock also offers tools for file sharing, project management, and task tracking, making sure that all team members are aligned and informed.
The app’s integrations with popular tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira help teams manage their workflows efficiently.
Flock is used by growing businesses to improve collaboration and communication across different departments.
Its range of features and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for teams looking to improve their productivity and coordination.
Their Features:
- Organised communication channels
- Built-in video and voice calling
- Tools for file sharing and project management
- Integrations with popular project tools
- Used by growing businesses for better collaboration
5. Zoho Cliq
Zoho Cliq is a secure chat platform designed for business communication. It supports hybrid work environments with features like video conferencing, messaging channels, and real-time collaboration tools.
Zoho Cliq helps teams stay connected and productive from anywhere, making it easier to manage both internal and external communications.
The platform offers synchronous communication tools for instant discussions and asynchronous options like scheduled messages and voice notes.
Zoho Cliq’s collaborative features include a whiteboard, screen sharing, and built-in calendar for better planning and task management.
The app also supports integrations with other Zoho products and third-party apps, centralising all communications in one place.
Zoho Cliq provides customisation options through its admin panel, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs.
It makes sure data security and privacy with enterprise-grade features, making it a reliable choice for organisations of all sizes.
Their Features:
- Secure chat platform for business communication
- Supports hybrid work with video conferencing and messaging channels
- Real-time collaboration tools like whiteboard and screen sharing
- Integrations with Zoho and third-party apps
- Customisable with enterprise-grade security features
