As a remote-first team, effective communication is what keeps us aligned and productive.
We rely on a blend of real-time and asynchronous communication to stay connected across different time zones and work schedules.
Slack could’ve been a great tool for unifying our conversations, but it lacks the robust set of team collaboration features our workflow demands. Its overwhelming number of channels and constant notifications don’t help either.
With these challenges in mind, we’ve been testing various Slack alternatives that could better support our team communication.
Based on our team’s research and my experience, we’ve compiled a list of the 50 best tools. Whether you’re looking for a tool to support video conferences, screen capturing, chatting, media sharing, or something that does them all, we’ve got your back. Let’s explore!
Also Read: The Pros and Cons of Slack at Work
Slack Limitations
Before we get to the list of tools, let’s go over some of the issues we’ve experienced with Slack:
1. Communication and task management/project management aren’t connected
Slack is primarily designed for messaging and doesn’t offer any built-in tools for task and project management.
While you can communicate with your team in real time, managing tasks or tracking progress often requires integrating third-party apps like ClickUp, Asana, or Monday.com.
2. Messages may get missed because of information overload
Slack’s channel-based structure can quickly become overwhelming, especially for large teams.
With multiple channels, direct messages, and relentless notifications, it’s easy for important messages to get lost in the noise.
3. It’s not a budget-friendly option
Given that it’s a communication-only tool, Slack is expensive. You’ll need other tools to manage your work.
Slack comes with a free plan, but it doesn’t allow you to access messages and files older than 90 days. If your business requires ongoing access to past conversations and documents (as is the case for us), the free version is too restrictive.
Despite investing time to learn how to use Slack and employing the best Slack hacks, we couldn’t find a way out.
The downsides prompted us to look for an alternative to Slack. The tools we’ve listed here address these issues, promoting effective communication and team collaboration.
Slack Alternatives at a Glance
Best Overall Slack Alternative | ||
Standout feature | Pricing | |
1. ClickUp | ClickUp Chat, ClickUp Clips, ClickUp Brain (AI) | Free Forever Unlimited: $7/month per user Business: $12/month per user Enterprise: Contact for pricing ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per month |
Best for Team Chat | ||
2. Microsoft Teams | Posts for large group chats | Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4/month per user Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6/month per user Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/month per user |
3. Google Chat | Discoverable spaces, group tasks | Business Starter: $7.20/user per month (Google Workspace) Business Standard: $14.40/user per month (Google Workspace) Business Plan: $21.60/user per month (Google Workspace) Enterprise: Custom pricing (Google Workspace) |
4. Mattermost | Rich markdown formatting, multi-language code syntax highlighting | Professional: $10/month per user (billed annually) Enterprise: Custom pricing |
5. Rocket.Chat | Secure platform to connect with external stakeholders | Starter: Free Pro: $4.60/month per user Enterprise: Custom pricing |
6. Flock | All Channel to display all new messages at once | Pro: $6/month per user Enterprise: $10/month per user |
7. Twist | Hyper-focused threads | Free plan Unlimited: $8/month per user |
8. Ryver | Forums, Groups, and People channels | Starter: $34.50/month (Up to 12 users) Standard: $64.50/month (Up to 30 users) Enterprise: Custom pricing |
9. Zoho Cliq | Customizable domain, brand assets, and themes | Professional: $2/month per user Enterprise: $4/month per user Standard: $18/month for 25 users |
10. Chanty | WhatsApp-like interface | Free |
11. Discord | Low latency, high-quality streaming option | Free Basic: $9.99/month per user |
Best for Video Conferencing | ||
12. Zoom | High-quality video, meeting analytics | Basic: Free Pro: $14.99/month per user Business: $21.99/month per user Business Plus: $26.99/month per user Enterprise: Custom pricing |
13. Google Meet | Q&A session, brainstorm using a whiteboard | Free Business Starter: $6/month per user Business Standard: $12/month per user Business Plus: $18/month per user |
14. Lifesize | Video conferencing in 4K quality with up to 500 participants | Meeting Solutions pricing Plus: From $14.95/month per host (Minimum of 10 hosts) Enterprise: From $14.95/month per host (Minimum of 50 hosts) Organization: Custom pricing |
15. Cisco Webex | Grid view, automations | Webex Free Webex Meet: $14.50/month per user Webex Suite: $25/month per user Webex Enterprise: Custom pricing |
16. GoToMeeting | Password-protected meetings | Professional: $12/organizer per month (billed annually) Business: $16/organizer per month (billed annually) Enterprise: Custom pricing |
17. RingCentral Video | Team Huddle for ongoing meetings | Video Pro: Free Video Pro+: $10/month per user Webinar: $40/month per organizer Rooms: $49/month per room |
18. Jitsi Meet | Send messages and emojis seamlessly while on a video call | Free |
19. Whereby | Customized meeting room | Free Pro: $8.99/month per host Business: $11.99/month per host |
20. BigBlueButton | Learning Analytics Dashboard | Free |
21. Skype | Invitation links that don’t expire | Skype is free for any Skype-to-Skype interaction. For international calls to mobiles and landlines, you need a subscription or Skype credits |
Best for Calls | ||
22. RingCentral | Built-in sentiment analysis | Core: $30/month per user Advanced: $35/month per user Ultra: $45/month per user |
23. Fuze | Automated call attendant | Fuze Meetings: $15/month per user Fuze Calling: $25/month per user Fuze Pro: $35/month per user Fuze International: $45/month per user Fuze Unlimited Global: $65/month per user |
24. 8×8 | DND mode to automatically send incoming calls to voicemail | Custom pricing |
25. Aircall | Warm transfer of customer calls | Essentials: $40/license per month Professional: $70/license per month |
26. Dialpad | Custom routing rules | Business Communication Standard: $27/month per user Pro: $35/month per user Enterprise: Custom pricing Ai Meetings Free Business: $20/month per user |
27. Grasshopper | Business call analytics and reporting | True Solo: $14/month Solo Plus: $25/month Small Business: $55/month |
28. Vonage | Call recording of inbound and outbound conversations | Mobile: $19.99/month per extension Premium: $29.99/month per extension Advanced: $39.99/month per extension |
29. Nextiva | Seamless remote management | Small business Digital: $25/month per user Core: $35/month per user Engage: $50/month per user Power Suite: $75/month per user Enterprise Essential: $129/month per agent Professional: $159/month per agent Premium: $199/month per agent |
30. Zoom Phone | Ai-generated post-call summary | US & Canada Metered: Custom pricing US & Canada Unlimited: Custom pricing Global Select: Custom pricing |
31. Ooma Office | Ring Groups | Ooma Office Essentials: $19.95/month per user Ooma Office Pro: $24.95/month per user Ooma Office Pro Plus: $29.95/month per user |
Best for Screen Recording | ||
32. Loom | Live rewind, capture views’ reactions | Starter: Free Business: $15/month per user Enterprise: Custom pricing |
33. Camtasia | Record system audio, mouse data, and microphone audio | Camtasia Essentials: $179.88/year Camtasia Create: $249/year Camtasia Pro: $499/year Perpetual License: $299.99/year |
34. ScreenPal | Draw, highlight, add rich text and shapes, or doodle over the screen | ScreenPal offers a free screen recorder with limited functionalities. For additional features, the pricing tiers are: Solo Deluxe: $3/month per user (billed annually) Solo Premier: $6/month per user (billed annually) Solo Max: $10/month per user (billed annually) Team Business: $8/ month per user for 3+ users (billed annually) |
35. Snagit | Scrolling capture | Individual Subscription: $39/year Perpetual License: $62.99/year |
36. OBS Studio | Record live streams of webinars and conferences | Custom pricing |
37. ScreenFlow | Advanced editing features | ScreenFlow 7: $129 |
38. Bandicam | Minimalist UI, export in 4K | Business License Annual: $49.46 (1 PC) Annual: $95.92 (2 PC) Bandicam+Bandicut: $79.74 (1 PC) |
39. Zight (Previously CloudApp) | Scheduled screenshot | Pro: $7.95/month per user (billed annually) Team: $8/month per user (billed annually) Enterprise: Custom pricing |
40. Vimeo Record | AI scriptwriter and teleprompter | Starter: $20/month Standard: $33/month Advanced: $108/month |
41. Movavi Screen Recorder | Record full screen or custom area | Personal License: $39.95 (Lifetime, 1PC) Business License: $49.95 (Annual subscription) |
Best for Unified Communication | ||
42. Zoho Connect | Internal intranet | Starter: $0.40/month per user Enterprise: $1/month per user Ultimate: $3/month per user |
43. Bitrix 24 | Workgroups to handle multiple projects simultaneously | Basic: $61/month per organization Standard: $124/month per organization Professional: $249/month per organization Enterprise: $499/month per organization |
44. Troop Messenger | Notify messages (send messages to a specific group of people without creating a separate group/channel) | Premium: $1 (Unlimited users) Enterprise: $5 (Unlimited users) Self-Hosted: Custom pricing |
45. Front | Set automated workflows to assign and tag messages at scale | Starter: $29/month per user Growth: $79/month per user Scale: Available only on annual plan Premier: Available only on annual plan |
46. Basecamp | Topic-specific conversations | Basecamp: $15/month per user Basecamp Pro Unlimited: $299/month (flat rate) |
47. Missive | Team Chat, automations | Starter: $18/user per month Productive: $30/user per month Business: $45/user per month |
48. Wire | End-to-end encrypted messaging and video chats, secure file management system | Wire Cloud: Custom pricing Wire On-Premises: Custom pricing |
49. Spike | Conversational Email | Spike Teamspace Starter: Free Team: $5/month per user Business: $10/month per user |
50. Workplace from Meta | Facebook-like collaboration software for teams | Workplace Core: $4/month per user Enterprise Live: $2/month per user Enhanced Admin & Support: $2/month per user |
The 50 Best Slack Alternatives
We’ve divided our shortlisted Slack competitors into six categories: best overall Slack alternative, best for team chat, best for video conferencing, best for calls, best for screen recording, and best for unified communication.
Best Overall Slack Alternative
In our hunt for the best Slack competitor, our primary lookout was for a tool that, unlike Slack, would keep our conversations and work on the same platform.
After trying out hundreds of team collaboration tools, we figured that there’s only one that ticks all the boxes and goes beyond: ClickUp.
From managing both sync and async communication, turning ideas/conversations into tasks, to reducing the hassle of a cluttered toolkit—ClickUp truly changed how our remote and hybrid teams work, especially after the launch of ClickUp Chat.
1. ClickUp
When using ClickUp, ideas and action go hand in hand. Thanks to ClickUp Chat, our projects and conversations aren’t just connected, they have now converged onto a single platform.
No more switching to and fro between a messaging tool and a task management tool.
Integrating ClickUp Chat into our Workspace has helped us:
1. Streamline team communication
The all-new ClickUp Chat offers all the features a chat app brings to the table and more. It empowers us to:
- Hop into 1:1 audio and video calls or group conversations with specific people with real-time chat channels
- Create room for conversation in any Space, Folder, or List right within ClickUp, or create a new Space for chats that aren’t attached to anything else
- Add anyone to work conversations with @mentions and assigned comments
- Keep chats organized with Threads (nested conversations) and locate information quickly
- Get an overview of all messages currently assigned to each of us on the FollowUps page
2. Stay on top of context with async communication
In large teams such as ours, conversations run parallelly across channels. With so much going on, it’s difficult to remember the context of messages/tasks. Here’s how ClickUp Chat addresses this:
- Link messages with tasks and keep the context tied together
- Embed webpages, spreadsheets, videos, and other assets into chats for easy access. See all links and attachments conveniently grouped for quick reference
- Share company updates and announcements by creating long-form, async content with Posts (as part of Chat threads)
Our team members know that they can access important conversations from a centralized location, and they can also understand the context of a conversation/task even if they aren’t participating in the discussion in real time.
A stable async communication system like this lets us slow down and stay focused on the task at hand instead of living in fear of missing out on critical team conversations.
3. Save time with ClickUp Brain
Sorting through chats and taking action manually used to consume a big chunk of our schedule. ClickUp Brain, ClickUp’sAI assistant, has managed to speed up a bunch of tedious tasks. It helps us:
- Create a task from a message with a single click—write the name of the task, description, and link to the chat context automatically (manual task creation is also an option, but I find the AI-assisted feature more convenient)
- Get instant answers to queries related to a particular chat channel or our entire workspace and connected apps
- Catch up with work updates after I return to work from a break. ClickUp Brain offers an overview of important topics or action items I need to work on (through the AI CatchUp feature)
For video and audio calls with my team, it’s SyncUps to the rescue. It lets me get on a call directly from my workspace, share my screen, link to tasks in the SyncUps chat, and assign comments to team members.
I also save time on note-taking. ClickUp posts an AI-generated summary and creates action items from our discussion.
👉 Sounds interesting? Explore in detail how ClickUp Chat can benefit your team.
Apart from ClickUp Chats, ClickUp Clips come in handy to improve team collaboration.
When I need to clarify something or provide feedback to a team member, instead of typing long text, I capture my screen and record audio conveniently, using Clips. I no longer have to jump into ‘quick calls’ unless it’s necessary.
We can transcribe clips with ClickUp Brain, comment on clips to initiate a conversation, and convert a clip into a task. Every clip we record in a comment, ClickUp Task, or ClickUp Doc gets stored in the Clips Hub.
ClickUp best features
- Customize chats that display in your sidebar; follow and unfollow chats as needed
- Choose between global chat notifications or individual chat notifications
- Set statuses to indicate your availability in the workspace and let teammates know if you’re out of office, in a meeting, or available to connect
- Check chat history, previously uploaded files, calendar, and assigned tasks from the direct message headers (DMs with team members)
- Save messages that you create but don’t send as drafts; access them from the Drafts tab
ClickUp limitations
- The mobile app doesn’t yet offer all the features available in the desktop app
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
Best for Team Chat
2. Microsoft Teams
Every Microsoft Teams channel comes with a Posts tab. When trying my hand at the tool, I created several channels for our departments, such as sales, marketing, content, and so on. The Posts feature works as a large group chat—a simple way to share messages with all the people on the channel.
Replies to a channel message stayed attached to the original post. This made it easy for anyone reading the conversation to follow the entire thread.
Microsoft Teams best features
- Highlight messages with formatting options such as bold, italicize, and underline
- Filter conversations based on unread messages or @mentions
- Hide, mute, or delete a chat chat/chat thread
- Quickly access files (shared via chats) through OneDrive
Microsoft Teams limitations
- The user interface feels intimidating for beginners
Microsoft Teams pricing
- Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4/month per user
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6/month per user
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/month per user
Microsoft Teams ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (15,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (9,000+ reviews)
3. Google Chat
For teams using Google Workspace for communication, Google Chat is a good option for group conversations and one-on-one communication.
The tool helped me exchange files, share video links, send animated GIFs, and more. If I wanted to get input from someone new in a group conversation or space, I could easily include them by adding them to the member list.
Google Chat best features
- Create discoverable spaces (e.g., watercooler, company sports team, new hires space, etc.) that team members can join based on their interests
- Create group tasks within a space and assign them to space members
- Collaborate on Google Docs and Google Sheets via chats
- Start video meetings through Google Meet directly from chats
Google Chat limitations
- Heavily reliant on the Google ecosystem
Google Chat pricing
- Business Starter: $7.20/user per month (Google Workspace)
- Business Standard: $14.40/user per month (Google Workspace)
- Business Plan: $21.60/user per month (Google Workspace)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (Google Workspace)
Google Chat ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (2,000+ reviews)
4. Mattermost
Apart from offering general features like messaging and calls within channels, Mattermost serves as a collaboration hub. It helped our dev team improve internal communication.
From rich markdown formatting and multi-language code syntax highlighting to seamless code snippets and file sharing, our developers found the tool super-convenient to use across the development lifecycle.
Mattermost best features
- Get access to unlimited and searchable message history
- Enjoy native audio calling and screen sharing in chat channels
- Sync across web, desktop, and mobile
- Choose from self-hosted or secure cloud deployment options
Mattermost limitations
- Notifications in the mobile app need improvement
Mattermost pricing
- Free
- Professional: $10/month per user (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Mattermost ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
5. Rocket.Chat
There are two things about Rocket.Chat that stood out for me.
First, it’s an open-source tool, so there are ongoing improvements. New plugins and integrations keep getting added.
Second, the tool made it easy for my team to stay in touch with external contractors and clients. They had limited access to our workspace, but the communication channel was smooth. A great way to maintain privacy without affecting the user experience.
Rocket.Chat best features
- Connect over one-on-one chats or one-to-many chats
- Organize conversations using threads
- Get read receipts for time-sensitive messages
Rocket.Chat limitations
- The initial setup is complex
Rocket.Chat pricing
- Starter: Free
- Pro: $4.60/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Rocket.Chat ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (100+ reviews)
6. Flock
When there are multiple time-sensitive tasks in my schedule, it gets difficult to keep a tab on them. While testing Flock, I used the tool to set reminders for myself. It also gave me the option to set reminders for teammates or the entire team—a simple yet effective feature to keep the team on track with upcoming deadlines.
Another feature that stood out was Flock’s All Channel—it displayed all of my new messages at once, irrespective of which channel they belonged to. It helped me get a quick look at all of the pending messages I received when I was out of office.
Flock best features
- Create public and private channels
- Start a video call directly from chat
- Search through chats with Flock’s advanced search capabilities
- Find and access Google Drive files/folders from within Flock
Flock limitations
- Notification customizations are missing
Flock pricing
- Pro: $6/month per user
- Enterprise: $10/month per user
Flock ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
7. Twist
Slack channels often become distracting, hindering my deep work sessions.
Twist’s async-only communication app emerges as a viable Slack alternative here. Yes, the tool doesn’t support real-time messaging!
Its hyper-focused threads keep our team’s discussions on-topic and neatly organized. When I browsed through my messages, it never felt overwhelming. I also loved the flexibility to organize channels based on my preferences—by topic, project, or client.
Twist best features
- Pin important messages
- Rename or leave conversations in a single click
- Share code snippets with the tool’s dev-friendly formatting
Twist limitations
- Doesn’t work for teams that need real-time communication
Twist pricing
- Free plan
- Unlimited: $8/month per user
Twist ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (30+ reviews)
8. Ryver
On Ryver, I could create three types of channels—Forums for company-wide communications, Groups for private conversations with teammates, and People for one-on-one interactions.
I also liked the basic task management features of the tool, such as turning conversations into actions.
Ryver best features
- Enjoy unlimited file sharing
- Create as many tasks as you like
- Hop into voice and video calls and share screen
- Share files directly from Google Drive or Dropbox
Ryver limitations
- UI needs to be more user-friendly
Ryver pricing
- Starter: $34.50/month (Up to 12 users)
- Standard: $64.50/month (Up to 30 users)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Ryver ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (40+ reviews)
9. Zoho Cliq
A part of the Zoho Suite, Zoho Cliq allowed us to connect with internal teams and manage external communication with vendors and agencies.
With Cliq’s admin panel, I could customize the overall experience—such as setting up our own domain, brand assets, and themes.
Zoho Cliq best features
- Offer an information repository for employees
- Create customizable messaging channels
- Connect with people across time zones with async voice and video messages
Zoho Cliq limitations
- Lags occasionally while handling large files
Zoho Cliq pricing
- Professional: $2/month per user
- Enterprise: $4/month per user
- Standard: $18/month for 25 users
Zoho Cliq ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (80+ reviews)
10. Chanty
Chanty is a mobile-first tool that I found particularly useful for internal communications. It’s similar to WhatsApp, but it’s also available offline, making it easier for frontline workers or for those operating from low-connectivity areas.
During our testing, every time I had a new idea to discuss with my team, I’d post a real-time survey or poll to get insights. This feature would be a great fit for time-sensitive projects or industries where you need quick approvals/feedback.
Chanty best features
- Share instant work updates and other vital information via Newsfeed
- Sync the app across smartphones, tablets, and in-store kiosks
- Empower the field team to directly connect with headquarters with the employee directory
- Keep track of tasks with a Kanban-style task manager
Chanty limitations
- Limited integrations
Chanty pricing
- Free
- Business: $4/month per user
Chanty ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (30+ reviews)
11. Discord
Originally designed for gamers, Discord’s simple interface and customizability make it a good option for team or community communication.
The Slack alternative combines text, calls, video chat, and gaming, all into a single group chat. Instead of using it for work, I tested it as a platform where team members can unwind post work, play games, and chat with their work buddies, and everyone loved the experience.
Its low latency, high-quality streaming option made me feel like I was in the same room with my teammates. It is a great way to watch a movie together, play a game, or brainstorm an event in real time with team members from around the world.
Discord best features
- Use custom emoji, stickers, and soundboard effects in chats
- See which team members are hanging around online or playing games
- Switch between phone, PC, or gaming console
- Set a unique avatar in chats
Discord limitations
- May not be suitable for formal communications
Discord pricing
- Free
- Basic: $9.99/month per user
Discord ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (400+ reviews)
Best for Video Conferencing
12. Zoom
Zoom has been a go-to solution for our video conferencing needs. Its high video quality and user-friendliness drew me in initially, but I stayed for the meeting analytics feature.
The Rooms Dashboard has been a great addition to our workflow. From tracking meeting room usage by minutes to monitoring feedback from Zoom Rooms users, it seamlessly manages the video meeting experience for us.
Zoom best features
- Attach pre-reads and agendas to meeting invites on Zoom Workplace
- Carry on meetings on the go with the Zoom mobile app, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Collaborate with team members before, during, and after meetings using Zoom Team Chat
- Generate meeting captions in multiple languages
Zoom limitations
- Pricing tiers get expensive as you scale up
Zoom pricing
- Basic: Free
- Pro: $14.99/month per user
- Business: $21.99/month per user
- Business Plus: $26.99/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Zoom ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (55,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (13,000+ reviews)
13. Google Meet
Ideal for Google Workspace users, Google Meet stood out for me because of its in-call collaboration features.
I could start a poll or Q&A session, brainstorm using a whiteboard, or break out into separate rooms from an ongoing meeting.
Google Meet best features
- Create meetings directly from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
- Use ‘take notes for me’ to note down meeting details using Gemini—Google’s AI assistant
- Place the event on the guests’ calendars and let them quickly join the meeting
- Determine when guests can join and specify who can enter without waiting
Google Meet limitations
- Sometimes audio and video quality drop when a large number of people join the meeting
Google Meet pricing
- Free
- Business Starter: $6/month per user
- Business Standard: $12/month per user
- Business Plus: $18/month per user
(Sourced from Capterra)
Google Meet ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (11,000+ reviews)
14. Lifesize
Lifesize is a cloud-based enterprise meeting solution. I tested it during one of our yearly team meetings with around 200 participants. The call quality was undoubtedly great despite the large number of people, but it did require a high-speed connection.
Our teammates could join the conference call from different browsers (Chrome, Edge, and Safari, to be specific) without downloading the app.
Lifesize best features
- Conduct video conferences in 4K quality
- Integrate the tool with Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business
- Host up to 500 guests per call
- Get native apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC
Lifesize limitations
- Occasional glitches during screen sharing
Lifesize pricing
Meeting Solutions pricing
- Plus: From $14.95/month per host (Minimum of 10 hosts)
- Enterprise: From $14.95/month per host (Minimum of 50 hosts)
- Organization: Custom pricing
Lifesize ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (50+ reviews)
15. Cisco Webex
When testing WebEx, I found a variety of video layout views. They helped me (and other meeting participants) focus on what’s important.
I mostly used the grid view—it’s useful in large meetings where I have to divide my attention across multiple speakers. I could also customize how many participants appeared on screen at once, displaying anywhere between one to 25.
Cisco Webex best features
- Switch from desktop to phone to car using the Move to Mobile QR code feature and Apple CarPlay integration
- Automate repetitive tasks (such as note-taking and creating action items) with Webex Assistant
- Empower frontline workers by connecting Webex to wearable devices
- Send in-meeting reactions with fingers/gestures
Cisco Webex limitations
- Doesn’t work well without a high-speed internet connection
Cisco Webex pricing
- Webex Free
- Webex Meet: $14.50/month per user
- Webex Suite: $25/month per user
- Webex Enterprise: Custom pricing
Cisco Webex ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (19,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (7,000+ reviews)
16. GoToMeeting
I loved how GoTo Meeting kept our confidential meetings password-protected. I used the Meeting Lock feature to place guests in a virtual waiting room until I was ready to admit them.
Another thing that stood out was the tool’s flexibility. The mobile app is fully functional and helped me conduct meetings on the go.
GoToMeeting best features
- Generate automated meeting transcripts
- Customize meeting rooms to add a personal touch to virtual meetings
- Let guests join meetings without downloading the app
GoToMeeting limitations
- Occasional lags in audio and disruption in video quality
GoToMeeting pricing
- Professional: $12/organizer per month (billed annually)
- Business: $16/organizer per month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
GoToMeeting ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (13,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (11,000+ reviews)
17. RingCentral Video
RingCentral Video is another no-download video meeting tool that I tried, and the experience was smooth.
My favorite feature has to be the Team Huddle—it let me host ongoing meetings where colleagues could come and go as they please, simulating a virtual team room.
The tool also allowed me to take notes directly within the meeting, so I didn’t have to rely on a separate notes app.
RingCentral Video best features
- Switch from desktop to mobile and vice versa with a single click
- Generate post-meeting summaries and highlights using AI
- Collaborate on meeting agendas and meeting notes
- Share live content using your mobile phone’s back camera
RingCentral Video limitations
- Quality drops significantly in the absence of a high-speed internet connection
RingCentral Video pricing
- Video Pro: Free
- Video Pro+: $10/month per user
- Webinar: $40/month per organizer
- Rooms: $49/month per room
RingCentral Video ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (300+ reviews)
18. Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted open-source video conferencing solution. Setting up a meeting was straightforward, and I loved the flexibility of choosing fun meeting URLs, which added a personal touch to our daily standups.
It comes with integrated chat. Participants could send messages and emojis seamlessly while in a video call, making the interaction fun and engaging.
Jitsi Meet best features
- Collaborate on text documents with Etherpad
- Invite people to join meetings with simple, custom URLs
- Enjoy HD audio with Opus
Jitsi Meet limitations
- The user interface feels dated
Jitsi Meet pricing
- Free
Jitsi Meet ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (70+ reviews)
19. Whereby
Whereby is a simple, no-download solution for browser-based meetings. During my trial, I was able to personalize my meeting room the way I wanted—I added a custom name, a unique URL, and my own branding.
I also liked the security features. The rooms were locked by default, so I had full control over who could enter and participate in the meeting.
Whereby best features
- Keep calls/sessions engaging with live emoji reactions
- Arrange for virtual brainstorming sessions by integrating with Miro
- Create Breakout Groups and run training sessions more effectively
- Use the picture-in-picture feature to keep participants in sight while looking at other tabs
Whereby limitations
- Occasional connectivity issues
Whereby pricing
- Free
- Pro: $8.99/month per host
- Business: $11.99/month per host
Whereby ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (1,100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
20. BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is a virtual learning software for employee training sessions. I loved how it encourages creative thinking with the multi-user whiteboard feature—the trainer and the trainees can collaborate seamlessly.
The Learning Analytics Dashboard was also helpful and allowed me to quickly answer three key questions: who was attending my sessions, who was actively participating, and who was learning (based on their responses to polls).
BigBlueButton best features
- Create AI-powered smart slides
- Communicate with trainees through public and private chats
- Upload materials in various formats, such as PowerPoint, Word, PDF, and images
- Let participants provide feedback during training by raising their hands virtually
BigBlueButton limitations
- It’s more of a learning tool than a team communication tool
BigBlueButton pricing
- Free
BigBlueButton ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (60+ reviews)
21. Skype
Skype allowed me to quickly create a meeting link and share it with my teammates—no sign-ups needed. Even if someone didn’t have Skype installed, they could still join through Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. I could invite up to 99 people, plus myself, for free video calls.
The best part was that my personal invitation links never expired, so I could create them in advance. It works well for planning work events or scheduling recurring meetings.
Skype best features
- Keep recordings of calls for up to 30 days
- Blur the background to minimize distractions during meetings
- Share presentations and work materials during meetings and collaborate through chat
- Enjoy a usage limit of 24 hours per day
Skype limitations
- Occasional lagging and call-dropping
Skype pricing
Skype is free for any Skype-to-Skype interaction.
For international calls to mobiles and landlines, you need either a Skype subscription or Skype credits, which vary by the country or region you’re calling to.
Skype ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (23,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (460+ reviews)
Best for Calls
22. RingCentral
RingCentral unifies calls, video meetings, messaging, SMS, and even fax within one platform (and one phone number). Having all these tools in one place makes it so much easier to manage communication across the board.
While testing the tool, I was impressed by its built-in sentiment analysis feature. It’s helped me understand the tone of my conversations better and see where I can improve. Keeping an eye on the metrics and adapting accordingly has made a noticeable difference in how I communicate with clients and colleagues.
RingCentral best features
- Customize business hours for calls and maintain work-life balance
- Streamline multichannel communication with minimal to no IT resources
- Quickly locate information within chats using AI
- Integrate embedded calling into MS Teams
RingCentral limitations
- There’s a steep learning curve
RingCentral pricing
- Core: $30/month per user
- Advanced: $35/month per user
- Ultra: $45/month per user
RingCentral ratings and reviews
- G2: 4/5 (900+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (1,100+ reviews)
23. Fuze
Fuze (now part of 8×8) is a cloud communication tool that allows initiating phone calls from anywhere, any device of your choice.
I liked the audio quality of the call. International calls went smoothly. I could set up an automated attendant to pick up calls.
Fuze best features
- Make desk-to-desk calls
- Get a VoIP that can be dialed from anywhere
- Play music for contacts who are on hold
Fuze limitations
- Sometimes, notifications get delayed
Fuze pricing
- Fuze Meetings: $15/month per user
- Fuze Calling: $25/month per user
- Fuze Pro: $35/month per user
- Fuze International: $45/month per user
- Fuze Unlimited Global: $65/month per user
Fuze ratings and reviews
- G2: 3.5/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (70+ reviews)
24. 8×8
8×8 offers unlimited calling, SMS, and fax over the cloud.
I particularly liked the visual voicemail feature of this tool. It allowed me to access voicemails from either my phone system or through a desktop or mobile device via the 8×8 Work.
I could use the do not disturb mode to automatically send incoming calls to voicemail.
8×8 best features
- Retain the same number when you switch phone service providers
- Track marketing efforts by assigning a unique virtual phone number to each campaign
- Get transcripts of audio files
8×8 limitations
- There’s a big learning curve
8×8 pricing
- Custom pricing
8×8 ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (600+ reviews) (8×8 Work)
- Capterra: 4/5 (300+ reviews) (8×8 Work)
25. Aircall
Aircall’s VoIP system allowed us to facilitate warm transfer. When one agent is transferring a customer call to another teammate, the first one can brief the latter on the conversation. It ensures the second agent is fully aware of how they can help the prospect/customer, leading to a smooth transition.
To use this feature, all I had to do was choose the option to ‘talk first’ before tapping ‘transfer now.’
Aircall best features
- Get visibility into call metrics and improve customer experience
- Claim local and international numbers for your business in 100+ countries
- Set up smart IVR to direct callers to the right team on the first go
Aircall limitations
- Occasional call dropping
Aircall pricing
- Essentials: $40/license per month
- Professional: $70/license per month
Aircall ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (1,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (400+ reviews)
26. Dialpad
I tried Dialpad for external communication (receiving calls from leads/existing customers), and it turned out quite well.
With Dialpad AI voice, I could set up custom routing rules and forward calls to my smartphone or a specific team, ensuring customers reach the right person every time.
Dialpad best features
- Generate live call transcriptions with AI
- Use voicemails to take care of calls received post working hours
- Get free unlimited video meetings on any device
Dialpad limitations
- The price is on the higher side
Dialpad pricing
Business Communication
- Standard: $27/month per user
- Pro: $35/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
AI Meetings
- Free
- Business: $20/month per user
Dialpad ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (1,800+ reviews) (Dialpad Ai Voice)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (500+ reviews)
27. Grasshopper
Grasshopper’s business call analytics and reporting feature helped our sales team understand how our business is doing, whether customer service teams can help with queries, and what the overall customer experience was like.
Detail Reports gave us information about calls during a specific period, including caller IDs, extensions, and destination numbers, while Activity Reports provided an overview of calls by type, such as voicemails, hang-ups, or faxes.
Grasshopper best features
- Send and receive text messages on your business number
- Manage communications through desktop or phone app
- Receive calls from multiple people at the same time (and ensure that no one hears a busy signal)
Grasshopper limitations
- Difficult to set up
Grasshopper pricing
- True Solo: $14/month
- Solo Plus: $25/month
- Small Business: $55/month
(Source: G2)
Grasshopper ratings and reviews
- G2: 4/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews)
28. Vonage
As an integrated business communications solution, Vonage helps you connect through a desktop app, mobile app, or even desk phone.
While trying the tool, I could enable call recording of all inbound and outbound conversations for reference. These recordings offer insights into the recurring issues/requests customers are reaching out with, ways to improve sales calls, and how to improve customer service.
Vonage best features
- Make it simple for internal customers to call you
- Get enterprise-grade uptime reliability
- Use SMS, MMS, and Facebook Messenger to communicate with customers on their preferred channels
Vonage limitations
- Expensive pricing tiers
Vonage pricing
- Mobile: $19.99/month per extension
- Premium: $29.99/month per extension
- Advanced: $39.99/month per extension
Vonage ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (300+ reviews)
29. Nextiva
Nextiva’s communication solutions take care of customer queries and improve productivity and retention for customer-facing teams.
The tool’s seamless remote management feature stood out for me. I could swiftly set up and edit permissions, users, and call flows, even as a first-time user.
Nextiva best features
- Display availability across locations with the team presence indicator
- Set up and change call paths with no-code systems
- Instantly switch between devices without affecting call quality
Nextiva limitations
- Long wait times for support calls
Nextiva pricing
Small business
- Digital: $25/month per user
- Core: $35/month per user
- Engage: $50/month per user
- Power Suite: $75/month per user
Enterprise
- Essential: $129/month per agent
- Professional: $159/month per agent
- Premium: $199/month per agent
Nextiva ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (3,200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (800+ reviews)
30. Zoom Phone
Zoom Phone, Zoom’s VoIP solution, is easy to set up. While using the tool, I requested a post-call summary from Zoom’s AI Companion, and it did a great job. Thanks to this feature, I could focus on the conversation instead of taking notes.
There’s another feature that impressed me. The tool allowed me to extract tasks from voicemails without manually going through each of them.
Zoom Phone best features
- Manage phone, chat, and meetings across desktop and mobile devices
- Get a brief overview of Team SMS threads in PowerPack and catch up quickly with unread messages
- Integrates with third-party suites like Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce
Zoom Phone limitations
- Expensive, especially for larger organizations needing multiple lines
Zoom Phone pricing
- US & Canada Metered: Custom pricing
- US & Canada Unlimited: Custom pricing
- Global Select: Custom pricing
Zoom Phone ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (200+ reviews)
31. Ooma Office
A VoIP system for businesses, Ooma Office offers cost-efficient business calls, at home and abroad.
While trying my hand at the tool, I loved the Ring Groups feature. The idea is, if my team has dedicated staff members who can answer calls, they can be a part of the Ring Group. When a customer calls, all the members of the group will receive the call on their devices, and whoever picks up the call can carry on with the conversation.
It helped us ensure that no customer/prospect calls go unanswered.
Ooma Office best features
- Get free local numbers and toll-free numbers
- Call and text using the mobile app
- Use the desktop app with softphone to make calls
- Access Ooma Meetings for video conferencing
Ooma Office limitations
- Unlike regular phone calls, calls on Ooma Office need internet to run
Ooma Office pricing
- Ooma Office Essentials: $19.95/month per user
- Ooma Office Pro: $24.95/month per user
- Ooma Office Pro Plus: $29.95/month per user
Ooma Office ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (200+ reviews)
Best for Screen Recording
32. Loom
While we swear by ClickUp Clips for sharing screen recordings, Loom turned out to be great for the same use case, too. Thanks to the live rewind feature, I could easily go back during recordings and redo parts (instead of redoing the entire recording) if I needed to.
The tool allowed me to capture viewers’ reactions. My team could comment and react with emojis while watching the recording, which made the whole experience interactive and engaging.
Loom best features
- Add all recorded videos to Loom HQ and access them anytime—edit, watch later, or change permissions as required
- Remove filler words and unnecessary pauses to maintain clarity
- Turn videos into written documents with Loom AI
- Add links to resources within the video for viewers’ reference
Loom limitations
- The editing interface could have been more intuitive
Loom pricing
- Starter: Free
- Business: $15/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Loom ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (400+ reviews)
33. Camtasia
You may know Camtasia as a professional video editing software, but it also comes with a screen recording and editing tool.
I found it quite easy to use, even for a first-time user. It went beyond capturing what was on my screen—it also recorded the system audio, mouse data, and microphone audio.
I uploaded my recorded video to Screencast to gather feedback from my colleagues and collaborate with them.
Camtasia best features
- Create a playlist out of video collections
- Remove backgrounds from videos with AI
- Add AI-generated life-like voice-overs for videos
- Add subtitle files in any language
Camtasia limitations
- Can slow down the device during complex edits
Camtasia pricing
- Camtasia Essentials: $179.88/year
- Camtasia Create: $249/year
- Camtasia Pro: $499/year
- Perpetual License: $299.99/year
Camtasia ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (1,300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (400+ reviews)
34. ScreenPal (Formerly Screencast-O-Matic)
My favorite part about trying ScreenPal was drawing, highlighting, adding rich text and shapes, and doodling over the screen to draw attention. The tool made it easy for me to record tutorials, demos, and personalized feedback for my team.
Another thing that stood out for me was how swiftly I could connect the recorder to the integrated video editor. It allowed me to adjust the speed of specific sections of my video—the video turned out crisp and professional.
ScreenPal best features
- Host all screen recordings with ScreenPal’s free hosting account and share them with team members
- Add free stock background music and sound effects to videos
- Record both your screen and webcam simultaneously
- Record a particular area of the screen, a window, or the entire screen
ScreenPal limitations
- The editing interface feels clunky
ScreenPal pricing
ScreenPal offers a free screen recorder with limited functionalities. For additional features, the pricing tiers are:
- Solo Deluxe: $3/month per user (billed annually)
- Solo Premier: $6/month per user (billed annually)
- Solo Max: $10/month per user (billed annually)
- Team Business: $8/ month per user for 3+ users (billed annually)
ScreenPal ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (90+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (90+ reviews)
35. Snagit
With Snagit, I’ve been able to reduce visual clutter from my screenshots and turn them into user interface (SUI) graphics.
The Scrolling Capture feature is also a helpful addition. Instead of taking multiple screenshots, the tool allowed me to effortlessly capture an entire webpage in one go.
Snagit best features
- Edit the text within an image or scanned document
- Adjust the font, text size, and color of the text
- Keep screenshots organized and synced across devices
Snagit limitations
- The tool is resource-intensive and can slow down CPU performance
Snagit pricing
- Individual Subscription: $39/year
- Perpetual License: $62.99/year
(Source: G2)
Snagit ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (5,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (470+ reviews)
36. OBS Studio
OBS Studio was originally designed for gamers, but I’ve found it to be versatile enough for other uses as well. It allowed me to record live streams of webinars and conferences. I captured high-quality video and audio and then edited those recordings to create polished content for social media.
I also shared the finished videos with team members who couldn’t attend the live session.
OBS Studio best features
- Preview scenes with the Studio Mode before publishing
- Choose from multiple customizable transitions
- Get access to its intuitive audio mixer with per-source filters such as noise gate, noise suppression, and gain
OBS Studio limitations
- Difficult to use for beginners
OBS Studio pricing
- Custom pricing
OBS Studio ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (1,000+ reviews)
37. ScreenFlow
I was looking for something industrial for our heavy overlays, and ScreenFlow fit the bill perfectly. It captured high-quality videos, the sound was crisp, and the UI was not too complex. The fact that it’s been going strong for the last 20 years gave me confidence in its ability.
But what surprised me the most was ScreenFlow’s video editing features. Soon, I was doing more than adding overlays to our screen recordings—I was fixing edges, correcting color, and adding animations!
ScreenFlow best features
- Add stock footage to your content by using ScreenFlow’s in-built media library
- Increase or lower the background audio with the audio ducking feature
- Start screen capturing and editing quickly within a sleek and clean user interface
- Record iPhone and iPad screens and export content in ProRes quality
ScreenFlow limitations
- It’s limited to macOS, which makes it unusable for someone who’s not in the Apple ecosystem
- ScreenFlow pricing may seem quite steep if you don’t have heavy workflows
ScreenFlow pricing
- ScreenFlow 7: $129
(Source: G2)
ScreenFlow ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (20+ reviews)
38. Bandicam
Before using Bandicam, I was skeptical because it’s a legacy screen recording tool that’s quite popular among veteran editors. Since I don’t fall into that category, I was not sure if I could recommend it for general tasks. And I was wrong.
Bandicam has a minimalist UI and it’s quite lightweight as a program. I could get full-screen recordings without capturing backgrounds—something many screen recorders struggle with. The videos came out super sharp and I could export in 4K without losing quality.
Bandicam best features
- Capture multiple monitors at once by using Bandicam’s fullscreen recording setting
- Draw on the screen as it’s being recorded to illustrate points faster
- Take advantage of a large selection of codec support to export and publish on different platforms
Bandicam limitations
- Doesn’t support live streaming
Bandicam pricing
Business License
- Annual: $49.46 (1 PC)
- Annual: $95.92 (2 PC)
- Bandicam+Bandicut: $79.74 (1 PC)
Bandicam ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
39. Zight (Previously CloudApp)
Unlike the previous two tools, Zight looks and feels a lot like Loom, thanks to its modern colors and fluid UI. CloudApp rebranded itself as Zight while retaining all the core features you expect in today’s screen recording app.
It’s very easy to capture screens and edits in the same workflow, and it integrates with Google Drive, Onedrive, and Dropbox. It’s also available across platforms.
But Zight stands out with its scheduled screenshot feature. One day, I set automatic captures at regular intervals and went about my work. At the end of the day, when I came back, Zight had everything organized.
Zight best features
- Access old screenshots easily with the screenshot capture logs and track changes
- Instantly share screen recordings with Zight’s custom share links
- Add expiration dates to links and password-protect recorded files to protect sensitive information
Zight limitations
- Development is quite slow, and frequent systems crashes aren’t uncommon
Zight pricing
- Free
- Pro: $7.95/month per user (billed annually)
- Team: $8/month per user (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Zight ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (1,200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (180+ reviews)
40. Vimeo Record
Vimeo Record’s AI scriptwriter and built-in teleprompter made my videos look a lot more polished and professional. The teleprompter automatically continued scrolling as I spoke, so I could read the script in one take, without any errors.
After recording, I also had the option to omit unwanted phrases and pauses from the auto-generated transcript, similar to editing a text document.
Vimeo Record best features
- Organize screen recordings into folders and set granular permissions for teammates, clients, or stakeholders
- Tag users with @mentions in specific chapters of a video
- Get notified when someone watches or leaves an in-video comment
Vimeo Record limitations
- Limited free features; translated subtitles come as a paid feature
Vimeo Record pricing
- Free
- Starter: $20/month
- Standard: $33/month
- Advanced: $108/month
Vimeo Record ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (1,000+ reviews)
41. Movavi Screen Recorder
With Movavi Screen Recorder, I could create screencasts effortlessly. It gave me the option to record my entire screen or choose a custom area.
This feature is helpful because while recording my screen, I could still maintain privacy and not display all the tabs open on my device.
Movavi Screen Recorder best features
- Highlight mouse cursor and keystrokes
- Overlay your screencast with a webcam video
- Draw pointers on videos to highlight important items
Movavi Screen Recorder limitations
- Expensive for small teams with a limited budget
Movavi Screen Recorder pricing
- Personal License: $39.95 (Lifetime, 1PC)
- Business License: $49.95 (Billed annually)
(Source: G2)
Movavi Screen Recorder ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (20+ reviews)
Best for Unified Communication
42. Zoho Connect
I loved how ZohoConnect created an internal intranet for my organization. The company wall consolidated all company-wide announcements and achievements, keeping everyone up-to-date.
I also liked the seamless translation of posts and comments, which made it easy for everyone, no matter their native language, to engage and contribute to posts.
Zoho Connect best features
- Gamify internal communications to boost employee engagement
- Personalize the dashboard with custom widgets such as polls, birthdays, work anniversaries, and more
- Encourage employees to share ideas and enable them to track the status of those ideas
- Arrange virtual events or large-scale meetings with Live Broadcast
Zoho Connect limitations
- Works well with tools within the Zoho ecosystem, but integration with other software suites is difficult
Zoho Connect pricing
- Starter: $0.40/month per user
- Enterprise: $1/month per user
- Ultimate: $3/month per user
Zoho Connect ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (100+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (70+ reviews)
43. Bitrix24
Bitrix24’s workgroups are perfectly designed for teams like ours that handle multiple projects simultaneously.
While we still prefer ClickUp due to its extensive features and customizability, the platform also offers multiple workspace tools, whether it’s a Kanban board, Gantt chart, or a simple task list. The workgroup calendar kept me on top of deadlines, while the drive and knowledge base made it easy to store and access important documents.
Bitrix24 best features
- Create and co-edit documents online
- Manage and share files in a secure cloud storage within the platform
- Create shared calendars and optimize your and your team’s schedules
- Access workspace, including tasks, chats, video meetings, and comments, from the mobile app
Bitrix24 limitations
- Limited access to customization options for normal users—most of the customization features are reserved for the Super Admin
Bitrix24 pricing
- Basic: $61/month per organization
- Standard: $124/month per organization
- Professional: $249/month per organization
- Enterprise: $499/month per organization
Bitrix24 ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (800+ reviews)
44. Troop Messenger
Troop Messenger’s advanced messaging features won me over. With its Notify messages, I could send messages to a specific group of people within my team (instead of creating a separate group or channel or making the message public) and mark them as regular, time-sensitive, or urgent.
It also allows you to edit messages within five minutes of hitting the send button. A great way to save the day from unintended typos.
Troop Messenger best features
- Record work conversations through videos and share them with teammates
- Share/collaborate on code snippets within 1:1 chats or group chats
- Use the self-messaging feature to keep track of to-dos; no need for a separate note-taking app
- Enjoy secure communication over chat, call, and conference with end-to-end encryption
Troop Messenger limitations
- Limited integrations
Troop Messenger pricing
- Premium: $1 (Unlimited users)
- Enterprise: $5 (Unlimited users)
- Self-Hosted: Custom pricing
Troop Messenger ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (70+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
45. Front
Designed for customer service teams, Front proves useful for real-time collaboration and accessing our company knowledge base. While testing the tool, I could aggregate all customer conversations from different channels into one platform, making it easy to resolve issues faster.
I could also set automated workflows to assign and tag messages at scale—no more switching between channels or to-and-fro email threads.
Front best features
- Get data regarding response times, customer satisfaction levels, busiest times, and more
- Create chat drafts and summaries with AI
- Check customer history and data alongside chats and streamline handoffs
- Establish clear escalation paths to automatically alert managers
Front limitations
- It’s complex to set up rules
Front pricing
- Starter: $29/month per user
- Growth: $79/month per user
- Scale: Available only on annual plan
- Premier: Available only on annual plan
Front ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (2000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (200+ reviews)
46. Basecamp
I loved Basecamp for simplifying communication around a specific topic. For example, if I’ve made a team announcement regarding an upcoming project and a teammate asks an important question relevant to it, everyone can see when I reply to that message.
Every team member gets access to the same version of the full conversation. No need to waste time searching through long email threads!
Basecamp best features
- Communicate in real-time with group chats
- Start ad-hoc 1:1 chats with Pings
- Applaud messages and comments you like
- Embed files and images into messages
Basecamp limitations
- Difficult to manage complex projects that require multiple resources
Basecamp pricing
- Basecamp: $15/month per user
- Basecamp Pro Unlimited: $299/month (flat rate)
(Source: Capterra)
Basecamp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (5,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (14,000+ reviews)
47. Missive
Missive brings multiple communication channels under one roof, from emails, SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and more.
The Internal Team Chat feature allowed me to collaborate with my internal team in real time, directly alongside our external communications.
Another feature that stood out for me was automation. I could set custom rules to run repetitive tasks on auto-pilot, such as sending follow-up emails, forwarding receipts, or managing out-of-office responses.
Missive best features
- Assign conversations/tasks directly within email or chat
- Reply faster with canned responses (pre-written messages and templates)
- Write and review emails in real-time with teammates
- Manage events and respond to invites within the app
Missive limitations
- The tool has a steep learning curve
Missive pricing
- Starter: $18/user per month
- Productive: $30/user per month
- Business: $45/user per month
Missive ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (90+ reviews)
48. Wire
Wire keeps all team conversations end-to-end encrypted for both messaging and video chats. It supports audio and video conferencing with up to 150 people at a time. While the quality of the call was great, I did notice the app becoming slightly unstable as more people joined in.
I liked Wire’s secure file management system. It allowed me to easily manage who can view, use, and share sensitive information.
Wire best features
- Verify people and devices automatically through ID Shield
- Set timers to control the visibility of time-sensitive information (such as login credentials or one-time passwords)
- Use up to three different Wire accounts on a single device simultaneously without logging in and out
- Allow guests to connect via web browser, even without a Wire account
Wire limitations
- UI could have been better
Wire pricing
- Wire Cloud: Custom pricing
- Wire On-Premises: Custom pricing
(Source: G2)
Wire ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (60+ reviews)
49. Spike
Spike’s Conversational Email feature turned my email into a chat-like experience.
I could conveniently organize all my communications (old and recent) under each contact, including emails, threads, files, social profiles, and attachments.
Channels allowed me to collaborate with teammates publicly, while Groups offered a convenient way to connect with small circles and maintain confidentiality.
Spike best features
- Compose emails and summarize content with Magic AI
- Quickly find the information you’re looking for within your workspace with Super Search (the tool’s global search feature)
- Improve collaboration with shared inbox for teams
- Check attachments with advanced file preview, even without downloading the media
Spike limitations
- The desktop UX isn’t as intuitive as the mobile app
Spike pricing
Spike Teamspace
- Starter: Free
- Team: $5/month per user
- Business: $10/month per user
Spike ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (40+ reviews)
50. Workplace from Meta
Designed in the fashion of Facebook (now Meta), Workplace is a user-friendly team collaboration software. While testing the tool, the Live Video and Groups feature stood out for me—it simplified how we share information and keep employees engaged.
However, the tool will close down in 2026, so we’d suggest you explore other options.
Workplace by Meta best features
- Manage large group chats without glitches
- Get personalized posts and updates
- Receive and show appreciation from and to teammates
- Connect using website or mobile app
Workplace by Meta limitations
- Excessive focus on interactive elements (likes, comments, etc.) feels distracting and reduces productivity
Workplace by Meta pricing
- Workplace Core: $4/month per user
- Enterprise Live: $2/month per user
- Enhanced Admin & Support: $2/month per user
(Source: G2)
Workplace by Meta ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (1,700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (1,300+ reviews)
Slim Down Your Tech Stack and Improve Team Communication with ClickUp
The tools we’ve discussed cater to different aspects of team communication and help address the problems you might be facing with Slack. Some offer excellent business calling features, some are great for video calls, some excel as chat apps, while some blend multiple channels into one.
But to manage our large team and complex workflows, a simple communication tool wouldn’t suffice. We need a tool that also pushes us to take action promptly.
Constantly jumping from one app to another and importing/exporting data is time-consuming and inconvenient and makes our tech stack bloated. So using two separate software for communication and work management is not a viable solution for us.
With ClickUp, we can resolve this issue effectively. It has everything we need to work smoothly—be it sync and async communication channels, project management tools, AI tools, and more. All of these moving parts are interconnected, making work feel like a breeze!
Get started with ClickUp today!