Slack vs Discord vs Microsoft Teams

February 1, 2023

March 3, 2024

9 min

I. Introduction

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is crucial for success. With the rise of remote work and global teams, messaging apps have become an essential tool for staying connected and productive. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your business. In this article, we will take a deep dive into three of the most popular business messaging apps: Slack, Discord, and Microsoft Teams. We will also introduce you to StartADAM, a revolutionary messaging app that can connect these apps, and give you a comprehensive comparison of all four apps to help you make the best decision for your business in 2023. Get ready to be amazed as we explore the features, capabilities, and pricing plans of each app, and discover how StartADAM can elevate your business communication to new heights.

 

II. Slack

One of the most widely used workplace chat programs available today is Slack. Teams can interact and work together in real-time on this cloud-based platform. Slack provides a variety of functions, such as file sharing, video conferencing, and instant messaging. Slack now has more than 12 million daily active users, more than 119,000 of whom are paying customers. 65 Fortune 100 firms, including Target, Panasonic, and 21st Century Fox, currently have teams using Slack. (https://kinsta.com/blog/slack-vs-discord/)

 

The flexibility to build channels for various teams, projects, or subjects is one of Slack’s core features. Team members may simply keep track of talks that are pertinent to their work thanks to this. Additionally, Slack has a powerful search feature that makes it simple to locate prior discussions and files.

 

Slack has subscription plans starting at $7.25 per user per month (billed annually) in addition to a free plan. Paid services provide extra features, including enhanced security choices, limitless app integrations, and message retention. The number of integrations, message storage, and searchable message capacity is all restricted on the free plan.

 

https://slack.com/pricing/paid-vs-free

https://app.slack.com/plans/T03E28VKF

 

Slack is a fantastic choice overall for companies looking for a feature-rich messaging platform that is comprehensive. However, because the costs can mount up quickly, there might be better options for companies with a limited budget.

 

III. Discord

Discord is a well-known messaging service initially developed for gamers but has subsequently gained popularity among companies. It provides many of the same capabilities as Slack, including video conferencing, file sharing, and instant messaging. Discord’s user interface, on the other hand, differs from Slack’s and is seen as less professional and more casual.

 

The utilization of “servers,” which may be used to create separate channels for various teams, projects, or themes, is one of Discord’s primary features. Similar to Slack, Discord has a search feature that makes it simple to locate prior discussions and files. Discord also puts a major focus on community creation, allowing users to create and join private or public servers.

 

Discord is a rapidly growing messaging platform with a significant user base. As of 2021, the platform had an estimated 140 million monthly active users, with 30.26% located in the United States. The platform has also seen a significant increase in its estimated value, reaching $7 billion in 2021, and even received multiple buyout offers, including a $10 billion bid from Microsoft. In 2020, Discord’s revenue was estimated to be $130 million and 300 million registered users. The platform also has a high level of engagement, with as many as 963 million messages sent per day. In addition, 91% of surveyed employees gave Discord a positive review. Discord also scores well in diversity and inclusion, with a Gender Score in the Top 25% and a Diversity Score in the Top 30%. Furthermore, Beast Gaming is one of the most visited servers on Discord, with 800,000 members.

 

Source: ThinkImpact

 

Discord has a free plan and a subscription service called Nitro that costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. HD video, screen sharing, and personalized emoticons are among the extra features included in the Nitro plan. The storage and file upload capacities of the free plan are somewhat restricted.

 

https://discord.com/nitro

 

Overall, Discord is a fantastic choice for companies looking for a messaging platform that fosters community. Its free plan is a terrific choice for small teams or enterprises on a budget, but the Nitro plan might be more appropriate for companies that want more storage and cutting-edge capabilities.

 

III. Microsoft Teams

Integrated inside the Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Microsoft Teams is a messaging and collaboration tool. It’s intended for corporate use and provides many of the same capabilities as Slack and Discord, including instant chat, file sharing, and video conferencing. But Microsoft Teams also works with other Office 365 programs like Outlook, OneNote, and SharePoint, making it a potent tool for companies that already use these programs.

 

The ability to establish teams and channels for various groups inside a company is one of Microsoft Teams’ primary capabilities. Additionally, a search option is included, making it simple to locate past communications and files. Furthermore, OneDrive, OneNote, and SharePoint are all tightly integrated with Microsoft Teams.

 

The Office 365 Business, Business Premium, and Enterprise plans include Microsoft Teams as part of its pricing structure. Starting at $2 per user per month, these plans are priced.

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-teams/compare-microsoft-teams-options?activetab=pivot%3Aprimaryr1&market=ph

 

Microsoft Teams is, all things considered, a fantastic choice for companies who already use Office 365 and need a feature-rich messaging and collaboration platform. Because of its connectivity with other Office 365 programs, it is a strong tool for businesses, but it might not be the ideal choice for those who don’t utilize other Microsoft products, and it might be more expensive for some firms than other messaging apps.

 

IV. Comparison of Slack, Discord, and Microsoft Teams

It’s crucial to consider the various features and functionalities each software offers when contrasting Slack, Discord, and Microsoft Teams.

 

Slack is renowned for its extensive feature set, user-friendly interface, and capacity to establish channels for various teams, projects, or subjects. Additionally, it supports integration with numerous outside applications. However, one could argue that its pricing structures are on the expensive side.

 

Discord is a messaging program that was initially developed for gamers but has subsequently gained popularity among companies. It’s a fantastic choice for companies looking for a less formal, community-building messaging tool, but the free plan has restrictions on file upload and storage. Additionally, Discord provides excellent voice and video call quality.

 

Because it is specifically made for enterprises and is a component of the Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Microsoft Teams is a fantastic choice for organizations that currently use Office 365 and require a robust messaging and collaboration tool. Although it is a strong tool because of its interaction with other Office 365 apps and the advanced security protections it offers, it might not be the ideal choice for organizations that don’t utilize other Microsoft apps and it might be more expensive for some firms than other messaging apps.

 

V. Introduction to StartADAM

StartADAM: StartADAM is a communication-focused workflow automation solution that aids companies in automating time-consuming procedures and operations. Users can connect many apps together to develop unique workflows. With its many integrations, StartADAM makes it simple to connect to various services and applications that help bring teams together by creating cross-platform collaboration. This means everyone can choose their favorite chat application and join a conversation as if they were using the same tool. They support Slack, Discord, WhatsApp, Telegram, Microsoft Teams and Text Message (SMS).

 

Let’s say, you wish to use Slack but your client or other staff wants to use Discord or Microsoft Teams. StartADAM solves that problem with StartADAM, connect to which you can create a cross-platform group that people can join from any tool! How cool is that?

 

In terms of security, StartADAM follows SOC2 security and privacy protocols to ensure that all communication is secure. Additionally, StartADAM offers a free 30-day trial and a free plan for up to 5 active members. Paid plans start at $39 per member per month.

https://startadam.com/#pricing

 

StartADAM can help enhance the functionality of Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Discord by providing a unique solution that connects and integrates with these messaging apps. This allows team members to use their preferred chat application and still communicate effectively with their colleagues who use different apps.

 

With StartADAM, businesses can create cross-platform channels on Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Discord, making it easy for team members to stay updated on important projects and tasks. StartADAM also allows businesses to automate repetitive tasks, such as follow-ups and handovers, which can help save time and increase efficiency.

 

VI. Conclusion

To sum up, your company’s unique requirements will determine which corporate messaging software was ideal in 2023. Slack, Discord and Microsoft Teams have distinctive features and functionalities that can improve business communication and teamwork.

 

Slack is renowned for its rich feature set, simple user interface, and capacity to establish channels for various teams, projects, or subjects. Discord has a less formal and more casual UI and is made for communities. Because it is specifically made for enterprises and is a component of the Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Microsoft Teams is a fantastic choice for organizations that currently use Office 365 and require a robust messaging and collaboration tool.

 

Teams may interact easily across several platforms thanks to StartADAM’s innovative solution, which connects to and integrates with numerous messaging apps. Businesses can use StartADAM to automate routine processes and set up production lines for campaigns. Additionally, StartADAM provides monitoring and analytics features that can assist firms in keeping tabs on and managing the performance of their teams.

 

It’s crucial to take into account the unique requirements of your company when selecting a messaging app, including the size of your workforce, your spending limit, and the features that are most significant to you. Each app has its advantages and disadvantages so the ideal pick will rely on the particular needs of your company. StartADAM, on the other hand, provides a distinctive approach that could help close the productivity gap between messaging apps and benefits companies.