“Slack” is a chat tool that allows users to communicate easily, and is used by many companies to facilitate smooth internal communication.
However, many people may be concerned that “Slack is finally spreading within the company, but with a free plan, there is no way to keep track of communication. As a result, many companies today are considering migrating away from Slack.
In this issue, we will focus on the top 5 alternative apps and selection points of Slack migration for below people.
- “I want to solve the problem of not being able to store information.”
- “Looking for an alternative app to Slack, but are confused by the many choices.”
- “I want to know which alternative apps will quickly spread within our company.”
If so, this article will help you understand not only the key points for selecting an alternative Slack app, but also the best way to share and manage information.
Contents
- 1 Slack overview
- 2 Top 5 alternative apps for switching from Slack
- 2.1 【1st/Stock】 The easiest app to share and manage information.
- 2.2 【2nd/WhatsApp】 A messaging app that most-used of the world
- 2.3 【3rd/Discord】 An app that helps improve communication efficiency
- 2.4 【4th/Flock】 An app for real-time information sharing
- 2.5 【5th/Microsoft Teams】 An app with a wealth of features
- 3 What is exporting Slack to another app?
- 4 Slack reviews and ratings
- 5 3 points to consider in selecting an alternative app before migration
- 6 Summary of the Best 5 apps and selection points in place of Slack
Slack overview
First, here is an overview of Slack. The following will help you to reflect on whether Slack can solve problems of your team as it is.
Free plan features
The main features of free plan of Slack are as follows
- Clip functionality is available
- Huddle Meeting feature is included.
- Can be integrated with other apps.
- Save messages and files
You can record and share video and audio on Slack.
One-on-one huddle meetings (voice calls) are available. Just click the “Start” button and you can start talking right away.
You can link up to 10 tools you use every day, such as Google Drive, Zoom, Stock, etc.
All messages and files can be viewed for the past 90 days.
Note that the storage period of messages and files is limited. For example, messages exchanged before the past 90 days cannot be accessed, which may hinder future work.
Pricing for paid plans
The fees and features of the paid plans are as follows.
| Plan Name | Price (annually) | Available functions |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $7.25 /user/month | The following features are added to the free plan ・Unlimited access to message history ・Integration with apps ・Voice-prioritized huddle meetings ・Slack Connect for secure collaboration outside the office |
| Business Plus | $12.50 /user/month | Adds the following features to the Pro Plan ・Guaranteed uptime ・User provisioning and de-provisioning ・SAML-based single sign-on ・Data export of all messages |
| Enterprise Grid | Contact us for more information | Business Plan includes the following features ・Unlimited workspaces ・Data loss prevention ・Voice-prioritized huddle meetings ・HIPAA compliant support |
As mentioned above, the paid plans allow for more specialized features. However, for those unfamiliar with IT, they are over-specified.
For more information on features, you need check the latest pricing page of Slack.
Top 5 alternative apps for switching from Slack
Below are the TOP 5 recommended alternative apps to move over from Slack.
Biggest challenge of Slack is that “important information flows one after another”. Strength of Slack is that it allows smooth communication, but on the other hand, it has the disadvantage that “it takes time to find the relevant information.
For this reason, “an app that can store important information” should be selected as an alternative to Slack. However, if it cannot not only stock information but also exchange messages smoothly like Slack, you may end up using different apps for different purposes.
In conclusion, Stock is the best choice to migrate Slack to, because it has “Note” to stock all kinds of information and “Message” are tied to each note, so topics do not get mixed up.
Storing all kinds of internal information in “Note” of Stock and managing them in “Folder” makes it easier to retrieve necessary information. Also, with “Message” and “Task” tied to the notes, you can manage information more efficiently than with Slack.
The simplest tool to stock information "Stock"
https://www.stock-app.info/en/
Stock is the simplest tool to stock information. Stock solves the problem, "there is no easy way to stock information within the company".
With Stock, anyone can easily store all kinds of information, including text information such as requirements, images, and files, using the Note feature.
In addition, by using the "Task" and "Message" functions, you can communicate with each topic described in the Note, so that information is not dispersed here and there and work can always be carried out in an organized manner.
＜Why do we recommend Stock?＞
- A tool for companies that are not familiar with ITYou don't need to have any IT expertise to get started.
- Simple and usable by anyoneStock is so simple that anyone can use it without any unnecessary features.
- Amazingly easy information storing and task managementIt is amazingly easy to store information such as shared information within a company, and intuitive task management is also possible.
＜Stock's pricing＞
- Free plan ：Free
- Business plan ：$5 / User / Month
- Enterprise plan ：$10 / User / Month
【2nd/WhatsApp】 A messaging app that most-used of the world
＜Features of WhatsApp＞
- Communication with the member you need
- Useful for marketing using it
If the person that you want communicate with introduced WhatsApp such as your team member, you can contact from anywhere, anytime easily.
Since the one of the app that is installed by 2,000 million people all over the world, you will be able to approach oversea members who are using WhatsApp
＜Note of WhatsApp＞
- Be careful messaging wrong member address
Since WhatsApp is tend to use in off-time too, be careful to send message to wrong address to avoid leak of internal information.
＜Price of WhatsApp＞
- Free: free of charge
【3rd/Discord】 An app that helps improve communication efficiency
＜Features of Discord＞
- Dividing chat
- Video meeting for free
Since message of each user can be divided by channels, you do not worry about the topic of conversation mixed up.
If you invite the channel you organized, you can talk with your colleague and external member up to 10 members for free by using video function.
＜Note of Discord＞
- Information will be flowed
By characteristic of messaging app, the chat in Discord will be buried other messages, so it is difficult for you to access information you need.
＜Price of Discord＞
Although you can basically use Discord for free, you can choose paid plan(Nitro Classic, Nitro)to handle big file and so on.
【4th/Flock】 An app for real-time information sharing
＜Features of Flock＞
- Multifunctional app for IT company
- Integrate with other apps
Flock has not only messages like communicating others, but also function that file sharing and to-do management.
To streamline struggling workflow, Flock can integrate with other apps such as “Google Drive”, “Dropbox”, “Trello”.
＜Note of Flock＞
- Limit of Free plan
Although unlimited one-to-one and group chat, there are some limit that number of searchable messages(up to 10,000) and group chat by video can not be use.
＜Price of Flock＞
- Starter: Free of charge
- Pro: $4.50/user/month
- Enterprise: You need inquiry
【5th/Microsoft Teams】 An app with a wealth of features
＜Features of Microsoft Teams＞
- Enables internal communication through chat
- A wealth of features other than chat
You can communicate smoothly via chat, so there is no need to use tedious emails to keep in touch with each other.
Microsoft Teams offers a wide variety of features other than chat, such as calling and video calling. It can also be used in conjunction with other Microsoft services, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of apps.
＜Notes of Microsoft Teams＞
- Heavy operation and strange behavior in many cases
- Difficult to master due to multifunctionality
Some users say that the screen often gets stuck and they cannot synchronize, or that the operation is slow.
Although it has a wealth of functions, it is difficult to master, so it may not be widely used in workplaces where many people are unfamiliar with IT.
＜Price of Microsoft Teams＞
- Microsoft Teams: 0 yen
- Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4.00/user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6.00/user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/user/month
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00/user/month
What is exporting Slack to another app?
Here are the steps to migrate Slack to a different app. By following the steps below, anyone can migrate Slack data without any mistakes.
1. First, click on “Workspace Name” in the upper left corner of the screen.
2. When the menu appears, select [Tools & Settings] and click [Customise workspace].
![Image of choosing the setting of workspace button after choosing [Tools & Settings]](http://stock-app.info/en/media/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/スクリーンショット-2023-08-30-17.15.49.png)
3. Next, click on [Settings & permissions].
4. After that, click on the [Import/export data] button.
![Image of clicking the button of [Import/export data]](http://stock-app.info/en/media/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/スクリーンショット-2023-08-30-17.18.00-1.png)
5. Select any range from “Export date range”, finally, click [Start Export].
After following the above steps, you will receive a notification from the Slack bot, follow the instructions to download the file, and the migration is complete.
Slack reviews and ratings
Below are some reviews of Slack, consider whether to migrate to Slack based on what other users have to say.
The reviews and opinions presented here are taken from G2＞Slack.
Good reviews for Slack
First, here are some good reviews of Slack. Many users have mentioned that they have achieved smooth communication.
M G. (Posted on 8/21/2023)Slack is a commonly used platform for teamwork and communication that has gained popularity due to its many beneficial features. Slack allows for real-time message collaboration, the creation of channels and threads, file sharing, and app integrations with third parties. I enjoy how Slack makes it simple to interact with and discover your professional network. It is quite simple to tag teammates, contact coworkers, and establish channels for particular subjects. Networking is made simple and approachable by it. really colorful and user-friendly.
Sophie C. (Posted on 8/9/2023)Quick and easy to contact people in your team and across the company either by messaging directly or by posting in a channel. Also really great to segment topics and teams by having various channels. It’s great that it can be integrated with so many systems.
Juan I. (Posted on 8/7/2023)I really like that you can have threads in conversations. Really convenient when the is a lot of people in the group chat. I like how to can have video calls. I like that you can share large files.
Bad reviews for Slack
Here are some bad reviews and reputation of Slack. Users have mentioned that learning curve by many functions of Slack.
Peter C. (Posted on 7/8/2023)Learning Curve: Slack’s extensive features and capabilities can have a learning curve, particularly for new users. Navigating channels, understanding message threads, and mastering integrations may require time and effort.
Susan V. (Posted on 6/19/2023)One potential drawback of Slack is its learning curve. With its wide range of features and customization options, new users may need time to familiarize themselves with the platform. Navigating through different channels, understanding settings, and fully utilizing all the functionalities might require a learning curve for newcomers.
Shubham S.(Posted on 8/21/2023)Search Limitations: While Slack has a search feature, some users have found it challenging to locate specific information within past conversations, especially if they’re not sure about the exact keywords or context.Context Loss: In very active channels, important information or messages can get buried quickly. This can lead to a loss of context and important updates, especially if users join a channel late or are not consistently active.
3 points to consider in selecting an alternative app before migration
Here are 3 selection points of alternative apps that should be pushed before migration. The following points should be kept in mind to avoid “the usability is different from what I expected” after the app is introduced.
(1) Can you manage tasks?
First, you should check if you can manage tasks.
Slack does not allow you to manage “Message” and “Task” together, and task management required the use of another tool. Therefore, you had to cross between Slack and a task management app for each job.
In addition, operating multiple apps would have cost your team more. For these reasons, when selecting an alternative to Slack, make sure that it has a task management function.
(2) Is it easy to use?
Next, check if it is simple and intuitive to use.
Even if you migrate from Slack, if the alternative app is complicated to use, it will take time to spread within your company. Also, employees may not be able to use the app, which could lead to a situation where business operations become stagnant.
In order to ensure that the app can smoothly penetrate the company and be used immediately by employees, it should be determined whether it has “the necessary functions and whether anyone can easily use it”.
(3) Does it keep information without flowing?
Biggest challenge of Slack is the flow of important information.
While Slack allows for speedy message exchange, it is easy for messages to flow, making it troublesome to find them later. Although Slack allows topics to be separated by thread, the thread itself is meaningless because other messages flow through it.
In order to get rid of this situation, it is essential to have an app that allows information to be stocked without flowing. For example, using Stock, which allows you to easily store text and images, you can quickly find the information you want.
Summary of the Best 5 apps and selection points in place of Slack
We have focused on Top 5 apps and selection points as alternatives to Slack so far.
Slack is useful as a communication tool in that it allows for speedy communication. However, it is easy for messages to flow one after another, and there is the burden of not being able to find the information you want.
To replace Slack, using a tool that allows information to be stocked without the flow of information and that also has a message function. If the app is multifunctional and difficult to operate, it will not be adopted in the field, so the basic premise is that it should be easy for anyone to use.
In conclusion, the best alternative to Slack is “Stock,” which has “Note,” “Task,” and “Message,” which are essential for information sharing and can be used in non-IT companies.
Free registration takes only 1 minute, so migrating from Slack to Stock to manage and share information without burden.
