How it was ranked:10 SaaS products compared. Each verdict is below.
Slack is the leading choice for tech-savvy teams seeking extensive integrations and customization. Microsoft Teams suits enterprises already embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Discord offers a vibrant, informal space ideal for gaming communities and developer groups wanting free voice and text channels.
Top 10 Team Chat Platforms, compared
RANK
ENTRY
BEST FOR
SCORE
FROM
1
SlackSlack was originally developed as an internal communication tool for a gaming company called Tiny Speck.
Tech companies and startups with complex toolchains
95.0
6.67 GBP per user per month
2
Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft Teams replaced Skype for Business as the primary communication platform for Microsoft.
Large enterprises using Microsoft 365
92.7
3.30 GBP per user per month
3
DiscordDiscord handles millions of concurrent users daily with remarkably low voice latency.
Open source projects and gaming communities
90.3
Free
4
Google ChatGoogle Chat evolved from Google Hangouts into a dedicated enterprise communication service.
Organisations embedded in Google Workspace
88.0
4.80 GBP per user per month
5
Zoom Team ChatZoom expanded its product suite from video meetings into team chat to compete directly with Slack.
Teams heavily reliant on Zoom video conferencing
85.7
Free
6
WebexWebex was acquired by Cisco Systems in 2007 for 3.2 billion US dollars.
Security-conscious enterprises
83.3
11.25 GBP per user per month
7
MattermostMattermost can be deployed entirely behind a corporate firewall for strict data sovereignty.
Organisations requiring on-premises data control
81.0
8.10 GBP per user per month
8
Rocket.ChatRocket.Chat supports omni-channel communication, integrating customer service live chat with internal messaging.
Government and healthcare sectors needing data privacy
78.7
Custom
9
FlockFlock was founded by Indian serial millionaire Bhavin Turakhia.
Small businesses wanting simple productivity tools
76.3
3.75 GBP per user per month
10
ChantyChanty features a unique message bookmarking system called the Teambook to organise shared content.
Small to medium teams looking for affordable task management
Which team chat platform is best for small businesses?
Slack and Google Chat are excellent for small businesses due to their user-friendly interfaces, robust mobile apps, and extensive integration libraries that help smaller teams automate their daily workflows.
Are there free team chat platforms available?
Yes, several platforms offer robust free tiers, including Discord, Slack with limited message history, and Zoom Team Chat, which is included with Zoom video conferencing accounts.
How do self-hosted team chat platforms work?
Platforms like Mattermost and Rocket.Chat allow organisations to host the chat software on their own private servers, providing complete control over data security and compliance.
