Microsoft Teams vs Slack — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Microsoft Teams starts at $4.5/mo. Slack starts at $8.75/mo. Microsoft Teams is $4.25/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Slack.
See price history: Microsoft Teams · Slack
Business communication and meetings, bundled with Microsoft 365 (Business Basic $6/user includes it). Positioned as the enterprise alternative to Slack + Zoom + Google Meet for organizations already on Microsoft. Distinctive for being effectively free for existing M365 customers — which drove Teams to overtake Slack in enterprise seat count by 2023. Standalone plan ($4/user/mo) rarely used; most Teams growth is Microsoft 365 bundle-driven. AI features (Copilot for Teams) charged separately at $30/user/mo.
Business messaging built around channels and workflows, acquired by Salesforce for $27.7B in 2021. Positioned as the alternative to email threads for team communication. Distinctive for its integrations depth (2,500+ apps) and the way it exposed how much internal knowledge lives in messages. Priced per ACTIVE user (not per seat) — inactive users don't bill, but active-member spikes surprise finance teams. Salesforce raised Business+ tier from $12.50 to $15/user in 2026 to fund AI features.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Microsoft Teams monthly | Microsoft Teams annual | Slack monthly | Slack annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | — / Free | — | — | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | — / Pro | — | — | $8.75 | $7.25 |
| Teams | Teams Essentials / Business+ | $4.5 | $4 | $18 | $15 |
| Enterprise | Teams Enterprise / Enterprise+ | $8.55 | $8.55 | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Microsoft Teams is worth it if… Microsoft Teams is worth it as the meeting + chat + video default for orgs (any size) already inside Microsoft 365 — particularly if enterprise SSO, compliance, and calendar integration matter more than best-in-class UX. Teams Essentials covers standalone use; Business Standard bundles Office and email; Business Premium adds Intune and advanced security.
Slack is worth it if… teams of 20+ that live in channels and need deep integrations with Salesforce, Google Workspace, or Zapier's 8,000+ apps. Pro covers most teams; Business+ unlocks SSO.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Microsoft Teams over Slack if…
Choose Microsoft Teams if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $4.5/mo).
- You match the profile Microsoft Teams is built for: worth it as the meeting + chat + video default for orgs (any size) already inside Microsoft 365 — particularly if enterprise SSO, compliance, and calendar integration matter more than best-in-class UX.
- You need a general-purpose communication option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Slack if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $8.75/mo).
- You match the profile Slack is built for: teams of 20+ that live in channels and need deep integrations with Salesforce, Google Workspace, or Zapier's 8,000+ apps.
- You need a general-purpose communication option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Microsoft Teams | Slack | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $4.5/mo | $8.75/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Seat | Per Seat |
| Last verified | September 19, 2026 | September 19, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 19, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Microsoft Teams and Slack
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- How much does Slack cost in 2026?
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