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Slack documents a public Web API for reading and changing data in a Slack workspace; the docs page does not state plan access. docs.slack.dev, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Every plan can export public channel data; on Business+ and Enterprise plans you can apply to export all channels and direct messages. slack.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Slack's paid plans can be paid monthly or yearly, with a lower per-user rate for yearly payment. slack.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Zapier lists a Slack integration. zapier.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Slack runs its own App Directory where workspaces can find and install apps. slack.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Public API documented. Public-channel export on all plans; full export by application on Business+. Monthly billing available.
Free plan availableFree plan
Free plan availableFree plan
Slack replaces your company's internal email with organized group chats called channels. You create a channel for each project, team, or topic — so conversations stay focused and easy to find. Your team can also share files, hop on quick audio calls (called Huddles), and connect with outside partners through Slack Connect. For a small business, Slack keeps everyone on the same page without the clutter of long email threads. Built-in tools like Canvas (shared documents), Lists (simple task tracking), and Workflow Builder (no-code automation) mean you can manage lightweight projects without paying for extra apps. And with 2,600+ integrations, Slack connects to nearly every tool your business already uses. Slack now includes AI features on every plan — even the free one. The AI can summarize channels you missed, draft messages, answer questions about your company's conversations, and recap your day. It's like having an assistant that reads every message so you don't have to.
Email and calendar app included with Microsoft 365. Combines inbox, calendar, contacts, and task list. Professional email hosting with your company domain, shared calendars, and Focused Inbox that separates important emails from noise. Included with Microsoft 365 Business ($6/user/month+). Free personal version at outlook.com.
Slack's AI assistant works across your entire workspace. It can summarize any channel or thread so you can catch up in seconds instead of scrolling through hundreds of messages. It gives you a daily recap of what happened across your channels. You can ask it questions — like 'What did the sales team decide about the new pricing?' — and it pulls answers from your conversations. It also drafts messages, summarizes uploaded files, and translates text into other languages. The AI even suggests automations you can build with Workflow Builder. All of these features are included on every Slack plan, including the free tier.
Copilot Chat drafts emails, summarizes threads, catches you up on missed conversations, manages calendar via natural language, suggests meeting times, prioritizes inbox, generates responses. Rolling out across M365 plans in 2026.
Slack is the best team messaging tool for small businesses that rely on lots of apps and outside collaboration. The huge library of integrations and Slack Connect make it the hub where your tools and partners come together. Just watch the per-user costs — at $8.75/user/month, it can get expensive as your team grows.
The business email standard — reliable, works with everything, and your team already knows it. Calendar sharing and Scheduling Assistant alone save hours weekly. Tied to Microsoft 365 subscription.
