Overview: Slack vs Google Chat
Slack and Google Chat are two of the most widely used cloud-based communication tools for business teams. Both help streamline team collaboration, but each brings a unique approach. Slack is known for customizable channels, integration flexibility, and strong external collaboration features. Google Chat fits seamlessly into the Google Workspace environment, making it ideal for businesses that already use Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google productivity apps.
Choosing Slack vs Google Chat depends on your team’s habits, the importance of integrations, and your security or compliance needs. This comparison covers major features, pricing, integrations, message limits, security, and workflows to help you decide which solution best fits your organization.
- Slack is best if you need advanced threading, more external collaboration, and custom integrations.
- Google Chat fits companies already committed to Google Workspace and simple, embedded workflows.
- Pricing, storage limits, and compliance depend on your chosen plan tier and organizational needs.
- Security certifications are strong for both but administered differently.
Summary Table: Key Differences
| Feature | How Slack handles it | How Google Chat handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (limited); Paid starts at $7.25/user/mo | Included in Google Workspace from $6/user/mo; no free version | Google Chat for existing Workspace users |
| Message History Limit | 90-day limit on free, unlimited on paid | Workspace tier determines storage (30GB+) | Slack for unlimited history |
| Integrations | Up to 10 on free, unlimited (many third-party apps) on paid | Deep native Google Workspace integration | Slack for third-party apps, Google Chat for Google Drive |
| Threaded Conversations | Robust threading and channel control | Basic threading in Spaces, less advanced | Slack for complex threads |
| Group Voice/Video Calls | Up to 15 people (paid plans) | Via Google Meet integration | Google Chat for larger conferences (with Meet) |
| External Collaboration | Supported via Slack Connect | Not publicly specified | Slack for external partners |
| Security & Compliance | EKM, SSO, SOC 2/3, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA (Enterprise) | Workspace security; 2FA, SSO, ISO 27001, SOC 2/3, GDPR, HIPAA | Both strong |
Pricing and Plans
Slack offers a free plan with key feature limitations: message history is capped at 90 days and you can connect up to 10 third-party integrations. Paid plans start at $7.25 per user per month, unlocking unlimited message archives, group voice/video calls (up to 15 participants), unlimited app integrations, and more advanced administration and compliance options.
Google Chat does not have a stand-alone free tier. Instead, it comes bundled with Google Workspace subscriptions, starting at $6 per user per month (Business Starter). Higher Workspace tiers unlock increased storage and advanced security controls. Chat is available to all users within a domain at no additional cost beyond the Workspace subscription.
Small teams or those needing minimal integrations may find Slack’s free plan adequate, while organizations already on Google Workspace get Google Chat as a built-in option.
Message History and Storage Limits
Slack’s free plan stores messages for 90 days, after which older content is hidden from users. File storage for the free plan starts at 5GB per workspace. Paid Slack plans lift these restrictions, allowing unlimited message history and greater storage quotas.
Google Chat’s message retention and storage are defined by your organization’s Google Workspace plan. For example, the Business Starter plan provides 30GB shared storage across Gmail, Drive, and Chat. Higher tiers offer virtually unlimited storage. There’s no separate, explicit limit on the number of integrations or chat history within the Workspace subscription—capacity is mainly governed by storage quota management.
Integration Capabilities
Slack is renowned for its integration ecosystem. Free plans allow up to 10 third-party integrations, while paid plans provide unlimited connections to external apps, ranging from project management tools to customer support platforms. Slack also supports custom app integrations and bots for workflow automation.
Google Chat shines within Google Workspace. It enables native embedding of Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Google Meet links directly in chat conversations. You can initiate Meet calls or attach files without leaving the chat. Integration with non-Google third-party apps isn’t as extensive as Slack’s, though the list grows over time via bots and API-based connectors.
Collaboration Features: Threads, Conversations, and Calls
Slack offers best-in-class threaded conversations, making it easy to keep discussions organized even in busy channels. You can reply to messages in threads and keep workspaces highly navigable. Paid Slack tiers add support for group audio/video calls with up to 15 participants and the Slack Connect feature, which enables secure chats with users outside your company.
Google Chat uses “Spaces” (formerly Rooms) for focused topic discussions. Threading is available but more limited than Slack—conversations flow linearly, though you can reply to specific messages. A standout feature is tight Google Docs, Sheets, and Meet integration; you can start collaborative documents or meetings with a single click from any chat. Spaces also support built-in task assignment and tracking, useful for managing small team projects.
Security and Compliance
Slack offers high-level security with support for Enterprise Key Management (EKM), single sign-on (SSO), SOC 2/3, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, and—on certain enterprise tiers—HIPAA compliance. Admin controls and user provisioning are robust, designed for regulated industries and large enterprises.
Google Chat, as part of Google Workspace, leverages Google’s secure cloud infrastructure, including 2-step verification, SSO, and broad compliance certifications like ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27018, SOC 2/3, GDPR, and HIPAA (depending on the Workspace plan tier). Security policies and compliance rules are controlled centrally across the Workspace suite.
Data Retention and Management
For Slack, data retention policies depend on your plan. Free plans limit visible message history to 90 days. Paid plans allow customizable retention policies, including message and file deletion options, plus compliance exports for certain regulated businesses.
In Google Chat, chat data retention is managed by Google Workspace admins across Gmail, Drive, and Chat. Admins can set custom retention periods and control message archiving and e-discovery for compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.
Use Case Scenarios
When to Choose Slack
- You require advanced threaded conversations and highly customizable channels for complex projects.
- Your team leverages many external or custom third-party app integrations.
- External collaboration through Slack Connect is crucial, especially for agencies or partnerships.
- You have tough compliance or admin policy requirements not supported by Google Workspace tiers.
When to Choose Google Chat
- Your organization already uses Google Workspace for email, calendars, and file storage.
- You want effortless Google Drive integration and task management in chat conversations.
- Your workflows depend on Gmail, Meet, Docs, or Sheets, and you benefit from single sign-on and centralized admin.
- You seek a cost-effective option bundled within your existing Workspace subscription.
Conclusion
Slack vs Google Chat comes down to your ecosystem and priorities. Slack is the better choice if third-party app integrations, external collaboration, and advanced threading are non-negotiable. Google Chat is tightly integrated with Google Workspace, making it a strong fit for organizations already invested in Google’s portfolio, or those needing bundled simplicity and administrative control. Both tools excel in security and offer robust compliance certifications, but they fit best in different enterprise contexts. Choose based on your team’s workflow, structuring needs, and compliance requirements.
FAQs
What are the key differences between Slack and Google Chat?
Slack provides more advanced threaded messaging, external collaboration via Slack Connect, and broader third-party integrations. Google Chat is built for native integration with Google Workspace apps like Docs and Drive, streamlining workflows for organizations using Google products.
Is Slack or Google Chat better for enterprise security?
Both offer strong security. Slack supports EKM and a range of compliance certifications on its enterprise tiers. Google Chat leverages centralized, Workspace-wide security including SSO, 2FA, and broad compliance coverage.
Which platform offers better third-party integrations?
Slack is generally better for third-party integrations due to its large number of supported apps and bots, especially on paid plans. Google Chat’s integrations are best for organizations using Google Workspace products.
How do pricing models compare for Slack vs Google Chat?
Slack has a free tier with limited features, with paid plans starting at $7.25/user/month. Google Chat is included in Google Workspace, which starts at $6/user/month. There’s no stand-alone free option for Google Chat.
Can Slack and Google Chat integrate with other productivity tools?
Slack integrates with many third-party productivity tools; free plans support up to 10 integrations. Google Chat focuses on native integration with Google productivity apps but is expanding its integration capabilities over time.
Which service is more user-friendly for large teams?
Slack offers advanced channel, thread, and external collaboration controls tailored for larger or more complex team environments. Google Chat is straightforward for teams already using Workspace, but Slack’s administration features can be more granular for enterprise needs.
Does Google Chat offer features missing in Slack?
Google Chat offers deep, in-chat integration with Docs, Sheets, and Meet, streamlining document collaboration and scheduling. Slack does not natively embed these Google tools to the same degree.
How does compliance differ between Slack and Google Chat?
Compliance certifications are comparable at the enterprise level. Slack policies are managed per workspace, while Google Chat inherits Workspace’s centralized compliance and retention controls.