Best Slack Alternatives 2026
Discover the best Slack alternatives for 2026. Compare Microsoft Teams, Discord, Mattermost, Rocket.Chat and Element on team communication, integrations and pricing.
At MG Software we recommend Microsoft Teams for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem and Mattermost for teams needing self-hosting and data control. For open-source communities, Discord is an excellent free option.
Why do people look for alternatives to Slack is a business messaging platform with channels, direct messages, threads, huddles and an extensive app ecosystem with over 2,600 integrations. It is the standard for team communication in the tech industry.?
Slack's free plan limits message history to 90 days and the Pro plan is relatively expensive per user. Large organizations seek alternatives with better video calling, document management or self-hosting options for data sovereignty.
Best alternatives
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams combines chat, video calling, file sharing and collaboration in one platform, fully integrated with Microsoft 365, SharePoint and OneDrive.
Pros
- +Included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions at no extra cost
- +Integrated video meetings with up to 300 participants
- +Native integration with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint
Cons
- -Interface can feel slow and overwhelming with many features
- -Less flexible app ecosystem than Slack's marketplace
Discord
Discord offers servers with text and voice channels, forums, threads and stage channels. Originally for gamers, it is increasingly used for business communities and teams.
Pros
- +Completely free for unlimited users and message history
- +Excellent voice and video quality with low latency
- +Strong community features with roles, forums and moderation tools
Cons
- -Design and branding are gaming-oriented, not business-focused
- -Lacks business features like compliance, audit logs and SSO on free plan
Mattermost
Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted messaging platform with channels, threads, playbooks and integrations. It provides full data control and is popular with government and enterprise.
Pros
- +Open-source with self-hosting option and full data control
- +Extensive DevOps integrations with GitLab, Jira and Jenkins
- +Enterprise-grade security with SSO, LDAP and compliance exports
Cons
- -Self-hosting requires technical expertise and infrastructure management
- -Smaller community and fewer third-party apps than Slack
Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication platform with messaging, video calling, live chat and omnichannel support. It can be self-hosted or deployed as a cloud service.
Pros
- +Open-source with self-hosting and extensive customization options
- +Omnichannel features for live chat, WhatsApp and email in one dashboard
- +End-to-end encryption and compliance with GDPR and HIPAA
Cons
- -User interface is less polished than Slack or Teams
- -Cloud version can be expensive for larger teams
Element
Element is built on the open Matrix protocol and offers decentralized, end-to-end encrypted communication. It is used by governments and organizations requiring maximum privacy.
Pros
- +Decentralized protocol without a single point of failure
- +End-to-end encryption by default for all messages and files
- +Interoperable with other Matrix-based services
Cons
- -Setup and configuration are more complex than commercial alternatives
- -Fewer integrations and a smaller app marketplace
What to consider when switching?
- Determine whether self-hosting and data sovereignty are requirements
- Compare total cost per user including video calling and storage
- Verify that essential Slack integrations are available in the alternative
- Evaluate video calling and voice channel quality
Which alternative does MG Software recommend?
At MG Software we recommend Microsoft Teams for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem and Mattermost for teams needing self-hosting and data control. For open-source communities, Discord is an excellent free option.
Frequently asked questions
Related articles
Best Microsoft Teams Alternatives 2026
Discover the best Microsoft Teams alternatives for 2026. Compare Slack, Google Workspace, Zoom, Mattermost and Rocket.Chat on communication, collaboration and pricing.
Slack vs Teams: Which Should You Choose?
Compare Slack and Microsoft Teams on chat, integrations, and collaboration. Discover which tool best fits your organization.
Best Basecamp Alternatives 2026
Discover the best Basecamp alternatives for 2026. Compare Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp, Notion and Teamwork on project management, collaboration and pricing.
Best Discord Alternatives 2026
Discover the best Discord alternatives for 2026. Compare Slack, Guilded, TeamSpeak, Revolt and Element on communication, community features and pricing.