Slack vs. Zoom: A data-backed comparison

Explore Slack and Zoom’s features, pricing, adoption trends, and ideal use cases to help you determine which tool best fits your team.

In this article

Slack vs. Zoom at a glance
Slack overview
Zoom overview
Pros and cons
Which tool is better?

Slack vs. Zoom at a glance

Slack is a collaboration platform built around persistent chat, channels, and integrations with business apps, making it a hub for daily team communication. Zoom specializes in video meetings, webinars, and virtual events, delivering a scalable solution for remote work and live collaboration.

Slack is a good fit for teams prioritizing ongoing messaging and integration with other tools, while Zoom is better for organizations needing reliable video meetings and structured virtual sessions.

Metrics	Slack	Zoom
Relative cost	28% lower cost than category average	20% higher cost than category average
Adoption trend	7% QoQ adoption growth	6% QoQ adoption growth
Primary user segment	–	–
Best for	Micro businesses that need team communication and collaboration tools without the complexity of enterprise-level workplace platforms.	Micro businesses that need video communication and screen recording tools without the complexity of enterprise-level video platforms.

Slack overview

Slack brings teams together through organized channels, direct messaging, and integration with a wide range of apps and workflows. It offers searchable message history, file sharing, and custom automation via bots and workflows, supporting both real-time and asynchronous communication.

Slack’s platform can be tailored to specific departments or company-wide use, with enterprise-grade security and compliance options. It is well-suited for organizations seeking a flexible, chat-based workspace that connects to their broader toolset and adapts to varied workstyles.

Slack key features

Features	Description
Channels	Collaborate in topic-specific spaces where you can message teammates, share files, and keep conversations organized.
Shared Channels	Work with external partners or clients in a secure, shared space without leaving your Slack workspace.
Workflow Builder	Automate routine tasks like approvals, reminders, or onboarding steps without writing any code.
Slack AI	Use AI to summarize threads, generate recaps, and quickly find answers in your message history
Apps & Integrations	Connect tools like Google Drive, Jira, and Salesforce to bring all your work into one place.

Zoom overview

Zoom provides high-quality video meetings, webinars, and virtual events with features like breakout rooms, cloud recording, and integrations with productivity tools. It supports meetings of all sizes, from small team check-ins to large company events, with strong reliability and security features.

Zoom is available across devices and platforms, with intuitive controls for hosts and participants. The platform is a good fit for organizations needing scalable, easy-to-manage video communications for distributed or hybrid teams.

Zoom key features

Features	Description
High-Quality Video & Audio	Host reliable video meetings with clear audio and HD video across devices.
Screen Sharing & Remote Control	Share your screen or let others take control to collaborate live.
Breakout Rooms	Split large meetings into smaller sessions for focused group discussions.
Meeting Recording & Transcripts	Record meetings and generate searchable transcripts for future reference.
Virtual Backgrounds & Immersive View	Use virtual backgrounds or immersive layouts to enhance meeting visuals.
AI-Powered Meeting Tools	Get automated summaries, highlights, and chat suggestions to save time.

Pros and cons

Tool	Pros	Cons
Slack	Real-time messaging reduces reliance on email. Channels keep conversations organized by topic or team. Strong integrations with 2,000+ tools like Google Drive, Zoom, and Jira. Workflow Builder enables easy automation of routine tasks. Shared channels support external collaboration with clients or partners. Mobile and desktop apps make it accessible from anywhere.	No native video conferencing—relies on external tools. Can become noisy or distracting with too many channels. Lacks advanced admin controls for large enterprises. Limited compliance and data residency options for regulated industries. Pricing scales quickly with team size and feature needs.
Zoom	Handles large meetings and webinars with ease Free tier allows short calls and chats Integrates smoothly with calendars like Google and Outlook Breakout rooms support smaller group discussions Works on desktop, mobile, and browser Delivers strong video and audio consistently	Free plan cuts group calls after 40 minutes Security history raises concerns for sensitive use Limited support for free and basic users Performance drops on poor internet connections Costs rise fast with advanced features and add-ons

Which tool is better?

Slack is well-suited for ongoing team chat and integrated workflows, while Zoom is better for video meetings, virtual events, and structured real-time collaboration.