Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration tool, especially for those using the Microsoft ecosystem. However, every team has unique needs, and some may prefer a platform with a different interface, more flexibility, or tailored features that better align with their workflow.
The right collaboration tool should enhance productivity and communication effortlessly. Whether you’re looking for a more intuitive design, smarter notifications, or built-in task management that fits your team’s style, there are plenty of options available.
This guide explores 13 Microsoft Teams alternatives, each designed to help your team collaborate more effectively based on your specific needs.
MS Teams Alternatives
- Why Go for Microsoft Teams Alternatives?
- 13 Microsoft Teams Alternatives at a Glance
- The Best MS Teams Alternatives to Use
- 1. ClickUp (Best for integrated project management & collaboration)
- 2. Slack (Best for robust team chat and integrations)
- 3. Zoom (Best for high-quality video conferencing & calls)
- 4. Google Chat (Best for seamless integration with Google Workspace)
- 5. Discord (Best for community and informal team collaboration)
- 6. Chanty (Best for simple, intuitive team chat)
- 7. Mattermost (Best for open source platform enthusiasts)
- 8. Rocket.Chat (Best for self-hosted secure messaging)
- 9. Webex by Cisco (Best for enterprise-grade video conferencing)
- 10. Pumble (Best for lightweight direct messaging and file sharing)
- 11. Twist (Best for async, thread-based team communication)
- 12. Flock (Best for integrated task management & collaboration)
- 13. RingEX (Best for unified communication with video chat & calling)
- Rethink Your Collaboration Experience: Choose ClickUp
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhy Go for Microsoft Teams Alternatives?
If Microsoft Teams feels limiting, it’s likely because it wasn’t built with integrated project management in mind. A stronger alternative should offer more than just messaging; it should help you keep your work organized and teams aligned on objectives.
Here’s what to look for in a Microsoft Teams alternative:
- Built-in task management: Create, assign, and track tasks directly within conversations
- Customizable workflows: Adapt views, statuses, and automation to fit your team’s unique process
- Flexible document collaboration: Keep files, comments, and edits in one place (no more digging around)
- Smarter notifications: Stay updated without getting bombarded by unnecessary alerts
- Integrated goals and reporting: Use dashboards, time tracking, and reports to track progress
- AI-powered work assistance: Summarize chats, extract key insights, and find information instantly without endless scrolling
Still sticking with Microsoft Teams for now? Check out these Microsoft Teams hacks to make the most of it while you explore better Teams alternatives.
Summarize this article for me please13 Microsoft Teams Alternatives at a Glance
| Tool | Best For | Standout Feature | Pricing Range |
| ClickUp | Integrated project management & collaboration | Built-in task management, whiteboards, AI-powered assistance, Microsoft Teams integration | Free plan available; Customizable paid plans for enterprises |
| Slack | Robust team chat & spontaneous communication | Slack Huddles for quick audio chats, extensive app integrations | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Zoom | High-quality video conferencing & virtual meetings | HD video calls, Zoom AI Companion | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Google Chat | Seamless integration with Google Workspace | Deep integration with Gmail and Google Docs | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Discord | Informal team communication & community building | Voice channels, low-latency video calls | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Chanty | Simple, intuitive team chat | AI-powered search, unlimited message history in paid plans | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Mattermost | Open-source and self-hosted collaboration | Full data control, self-hosting | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Rocket.Chat | Secure, self-hosted messaging | End-to-end encrypted messaging | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Webex by Cisco | Enterprise-grade video conferencing & secure meetings | Integrated virtual whiteboards | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Pumble | Lightweight direct messaging & file sharing | Simple interface, quick messaging, efficient file sharing | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Twist | Organized, thread-based communication | Asynchronous, distraction-free messaging, threaded conversations | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| Flock | Integrated team chat & task management | Built-in to-do lists and reminders, guest access | Free plan available; Customization available for enterprises |
| RingEX | Unified communication with video chat & calling | Group video calls, direct messaging, secure file sharing | Custom pricing |
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe Best MS Teams Alternatives to Use
Here are the best Microsoft Teams alternatives to keep communication seamless:
1. ClickUp (Best for integrated project management & collaboration)
What if team communication, project management, and collaboration happened in one place without toggle tax and productivity loss?
That’s precisely what ClickUp does. It brings messaging, tasks, docs, and interactive whiteboards together in a single platform, with AI to power up your workflows.
For example, with ClickUp Chat, you can create a new task directly from a chat window or even let AI turn action items into tasks instantly.
The integrated AI also summarizes long chat threads to quickly catch you up and highlight to-dos. Moreover, SyncUps allows you to start video calls with individual team members or groups for quick conversations, project updates, and knowledge transfer. You can record these calls and share your screen for better collaboration.
When discussing complex ideas, record your screen with ClickUp Clips instead of typing out a long explanation. Share it directly in the chat or attach it to a task, so supporting information is always available when somebody needs it.
When ideas need room to grow, ClickUp Whiteboards help your team map out concepts, connect ideas to tasks, and collaborate visually. You can add sticky notes, text, shapes, and images to map out thoughts and organize concepts, perfect for brainstorming sessions, mind mapping, and strategy planning.
When it’s time to turn discussions into structured plans, ClickUp Docs keeps everything organized and linked to your work, be it meeting notes, project plans, or wikis. While real-time editing allows multiple team members to work on the same doc simultaneously, page history helps maintain version control.
Styling options, such as headers, tables, bullet points, callouts, and embeds, make docs visually appealing, and slash commands (/) insert elements like images, links, or tasks.
Lastly, meetings don’t have to end in scattered notes or forgotten follow-ups. With ClickUp Meetings, you capture key decisions, assign tasks in real time, create a checklist of open items, and even set up recurring tasks for sharing the meeting agenda with stakeholders.
ClickUp’s Microsoft Teams integration lets you manage work without switching apps. Turn team conversations into tasks, update projects, and get ClickUp notifications all from within Teams.
ClickUp Brain, ClickUp’s own AI assistant, connects everything within your workspace. It pulls relevant information instantly from tasks, documents, and past discussions, eliminating the need to dig through files.
In addition to helping you write emails, report outlines, and everything in between, it fetches details of pending tasks from your list and enables you to prioritize based on importance and urgency.
Summarize this article for me please📍More prompts to try:
- Summarize this meeting and list action items with owners and due dates
- Turn this chat into tasks and prioritize them based on urgency
- Draft a project update using the latest task progress and blockers
- Analyze this conversation and suggest three next steps to move forward
ClickUp best features
- Efficient task organization and tracking: Organize, prioritize, and track work with custom statuses, due dates, and automation using ClickUp Tasks, which integrate with chat directly
- Accountability and clarity: Ensure no to-dos are missed with ClickUp Assign Comments
- Capture and link ideas: Get AI-powered transcripts and action items for all meetings, and link them to tasks, people, or documents with the ClickUp AI Notetaker
ClickUp limitations
- Some users find the extensive features overwhelming at first
ClickUp pricing
free forever
Best for personal use
Free Free
Key Features:
100MB Storage
Unlimited Tasks
Unlimited Free Plan Members
Two-Factor Authentication
Collaborative Docs
Whiteboards
Everything View
Kanban Boards
Sprint Management
Calendar View
Custom Field Manager Basic
In-App Video Recording
24/7 Support
1 Form
unlimited
Best for small teams
$7 $10
Everything in Free Forever plus:
Unlimited Storage
Unlimited Integrations
Unlimited Dashboards
Guests with Permissions
Unlimited Gantt Charts
Unlimited Custom Fields
Unlimited Chat Messages
Column Calculations
Email in ClickUp
Teams (User Groups)
Native Time Tracking
Goals & Portfolios
Form View
Resource Management
Agile Reporting
AI Compatible
business
Best for mid-sized teams
$12 $19
Everything in Unlimited, plus:
Google SSO
Unlimited Teams
Custom Exporting
Advanced Automations
Advanced Dashboard Features
Advanced Time Tracking
Granular Time Estimates
Timesheets
Workload Management
Timelines & Mind Maps
Goal Folders
Unlimited Message History
Unlimited Whiteboards
Unlimited Timeline views
SMS 2-Factor Authentication
enterprise
Best for many large teams
Get a custom demo and see how ClickUp aligns with your goals.
Everything in Business, plus:
White Labeling
Advanced Permissions
Conditional Logic in Forms
Enterprise API
Unlimited Custom Roles
Team Sharing for Spaces
Default Personal Views
Unlimited Posts
MSA & HIPAA Available
Single Sign-On (SSO)
SCIM provisioning
Custom Capacity in Workload
Live Onboarding Training
Customer Success Manager
Access to Managed Services
US, EU & APAC Data Residency
Advanced Public Sharing
* Prices when billed annually
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (10,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
📮ClickUp Insight: We recently discovered that about 33% of knowledge workers message 1 to 3 people daily to get the context they need.
But what if you had all the information documented and readily available? With ClickUp Brain’s AI Knowledge Manager by your side, context switching becomes a thing of the past. Simply ask the question right from your workspace, and ClickUp Brain will pull up the information from your workspace and/or connected third-party apps!
What are real-life users saying about ClickUp?
Here’s a G2 review:
2. Slack (Best for robust team chat and integrations)
Slack organizes everything into dedicated channels, so your conversations are focused and clutter-free. Integration with over 2600 apps, like Google Drive and Office 365, ensures you can share files, manage tasks, and collaborate in one place.
The advanced search feature in this Microsoft Teams alternative makes it super easy to dig up past messages or files. For quick chats, there are Huddles for voice calls and Clips for video messages, making communication faster and more personal.
Slack best features
- External collaboration: Collaborate with external partners or clients directly within Slack using Slack Connect
- Centralized information: Highlight important discussions or documents that everyone needs access to with pinned messages
- Focus mode: Set boundaries to focus without distractions using the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode
Slack limitations
- Has no built-in task management—users must rely on third-party integrations (e.g., ClickUp)
Slack pricing
- Free
- Pro: $7.25 /user/month (Billed annually)
- Business+: $12.50/user/month (Billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Slack ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (34,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (23,000+ reviews)
What are real-life users saying about Slack?
Here’s a Capterra review:
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid awkward silences and distractions. Learn the dos and don’ts of virtual meetings with our virtual meeting etiquette guide.
3. Zoom (Best for high-quality video conferencing & calls)
Zoom is another popular Microsoft Teams alternative. It makes virtual meetings seamless, whether you’re hosting a quick check-in or a large webinar. It delivers HD video and audio so discussions feel clear and natural, even with up to 1,000 participants.
Screen sharing with annotation tools makes it easier to present information and collaborate better. For more interactive sessions, ‘Breakout Rooms’ split meetings into smaller discussions.
Zoom’s AI Companion further summarizes key points and action items so nothing gets lost.
Zoom best features
- AI-powered summaries: Generate summaries that capture meeting agenda, recaps, and action items
- Cloud-based whiteboards: Brainstorm, plan, and collaborate visually with ‘Zoom Whiteboards’ that stay saved for future reference
- Immersive views: Engage participants with an immersive view that places everyone in a shared virtual setting
Zoom limitations
- Follow-ups are manual; notes must be taken separately, and Zoom does not automatically create tasks from discussions
- Add-ons like Zoom Docs, Whiteboards, and Webinars cost extra
Zoom pricing
- Free
- Pro: Starting at $15.99/month per user
- Business: Starting at $21.99/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Zoom ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (56,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (14,000+ reviews)
💫 Fun Fact: Zoom’s founder, Eric Yuan, got 35 rejections when pitching his idea. Now, the whole world is saying, ‘Let’s hop on a Zoom call.’ 💻
💡 Pro Tip: Brainstorming across time zones? Skip the blank slate and jump straight into creativity with ClickUp’s ready-made whiteboard templates—perfect for meetings and remote teamwork!
4. Google Chat (Best for seamless integration with Google Workspace)
Google Chat is a free Microsoft Teams alternative that keeps team communication organized for those already using Google Workspace. Spaces act as dedicated hubs where teams can collaborate on projects, share files, and have threaded discussions.
The ‘Smart Compose’ feature suggests messages as you type, helping cut down on time and errors. And when a chat isn’t enough, ‘Huddles’ allows you to hop on an audio call right from the chat window.
Google Chat best features
- Inline threading: Keep discussions organized with inline threads, making it easy to respond to specific messages
- External chat support: Communicate with people outside your organization while maintaining security controls and permissions
- Custom notifications: Set custom alerts for important conversations and mute others to stay focused
Google Chat limitations
- Has limited integrations and relies on other Google apps (Docs, Sheets, etc.) for extended functionality
Google Chat pricing
- Included with Google Workspace
Google Chat ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (2300+ reviews)
🔍 Did You Know: Google Chat was originally Hangouts Chat, launched on March 9, 2017. It became Google Chat in 2020 and was exclusive to Workspace users until 2021. On November 1, 2022, it fully replaced Hangou
No more digging through endless folders—check out our top picks for file-sharing software that keeps your team organized and in sync.
5. Discord (Best for community and informal team collaboration)
Discord keeps conversations flowing, whether you’re chatting with a small team or managing a large community. Organized servers and channels help keep discussions focused, whether for work, gaming, or a shared interest. It is a popular Microsoft Teams alternative for communities in particular.
Team communication also becomes easier with file sharing and message pinning for crucial updates.
Discord best features
- Stage channels: Host large-scale audio events with ‘Stage Channels’ designed for town halls and Q&As
- Custom bots: Automate tasks and manage chats effectively using custom bots and integrations
- Go live for screen sharing: Stream screens live with Go Live, offering low-latency sharing for up to 50 users
Discord limitations
- Some advanced server customization options require a Nitro subscription, which can be a drawback for smaller communities on a budget
Discord pricing
- Free
- Nitro Basic: $2.99/month
- Nitro: $9.99/month
Discord ratings and reviews:
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (490+ reviews)
What are real-life users saying about Discord?
Here’s a Capterra Review:
💡Bonus: Check out our roundup of the best online meeting tools to keep your team connected and productive, no matter where they are.
6. Chanty (Best for simple, intuitive team chat)
Chanty helps eliminate scattered team communication by keeping messages, tasks, and files in one structured hub. Instead of copying tasks between apps, you can turn any message into an action item, assign it, and track it with a Kanban board.
When a quick call is needed, built-in voice and video meetings with screen sharing make collaboration seamless. Whether sending a voice message, sharing a code snippet, or managing daily tasks, this Microsoft Teams alternative keeps work flowing smoothly.
Chanty best features
- Roles and permissions: Control who can access, edit, or manage chats and tasks with customizable user roles
- Dedicated team spaces: Create private or public spaces to keep discussions focused and relevant to specific projects or teams
- Unlimited message history: Access all past conversations without worrying about storage limits or disappearing messages
Chanty limitations
- Chanty does not have very rich file-sharing capabilities compared to other features. It is also restricted by the file size that it allows you to upload
Chanty pricing
- Free forever
- Business: $4/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Chanty ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (30+ reviews)
What are real-life users saying about Chanty?
Here’s a G2 review:
📮ClickUp Insight: About 41% of professionals prefer instant messaging for team communication.
Although it offers quick and efficient exchanges, messages are often spread across multiple channels, threads, or direct messages, making it harder to retrieve information later. With an integrated solution like ClickUp Chat, your chat threads are mapped to specific projects and tasks, keeping your conversations in context and readily available.
7. Mattermost (Best for open source platform enthusiasts)
Mattermost is a collaboration platform built for technical teams that need complete control over their workflows and security. Developers can easily share and review code snippets right in the chat with built-in syntax highlighting.
Whether you’re running incident response, DevOps workflows, or just need a more customizable business messaging platform, this Microsoft Teams alternative gives you the flexibility and security to do it your way.
Mattermost best features
- Playbooks for workflow automation: Implement repeatable processes with prescribed checklists, automated triggers, status updates, and retrospective reports
- Self-hosted deployment: Maintain full control over data privacy, security, and compliance with on-premise hosting options
- Integrations and automation: Connect with tools like GitHub, Jenkins, Jira, and ServiceNow, and use slash commands and bots to automate tasks
Mattermost limitations
- It can be resource-intensive, and its mobile app experience isn’t smooth compared to other messaging platforms
Mattermost pricing:
- Free (Self-hosted version)
- Professional: $10/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Mattermost ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (330+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (160+ reviews)
See how the right project tools can take your team’s productivity up a notch in our article on Microsoft Teams Project Management.
8. Rocket.Chat (Best for self-hosted secure messaging)
Rocket.Chat is another open-source Microsoft Teams alternative that emphasizes security and customization. Users can also pin and star messages for easy access, format text with Markdown support, and manage customer interactions via the omnichannel dashboard.
The platform is highly customizable with white-labeling options, a marketplace for third-party plugins, and REST API webhooks for workflow automation. It can be deployed as a hybrid cloud or self-hosted solution, ensuring flexibility.
Rocket.Chat best features
- AI chatbots: Automate responses for customer support with chatbots
- Smart routing: Assign customer queries to the right agent based on predefined rules
- Multi-tenancy support: Manage multiple organizations within a single Rocket.Chat interface
Rocket.Chat limitations
- Users report challenges, such as complexities in the initial setup and configuration, and resource-intensive server requirements for self-hosting
Rocket.Chat pricing
- Free
- Pro: $4/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Rocket.Chat ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.2/5 (330+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (150+ reviews)
Struggling with messy meeting notes? Here’s a list of AI tools that fix that instantly!
9. Webex by Cisco (Best for enterprise-grade video conferencing)
Cisco Webex Teams is an enterprise-grade video conferencing tool with advanced collaboration features. For calling, it provides a cloud-based PBX system with PSTN connectivity, voicemail transcription, and device handoff for uninterrupted communication.
Teams can collaborate in dedicated chat spaces, use integrated whiteboarding, and organize projects through spaces and teams. The Webex Assistant also enhances productivity by generating automated meeting summaries and action items.
With Webex, users can join meetings effortlessly from any device, ensuring seamless remote collaboration.
Webex best features
- AI-driven noise removal: Enhance audio clarity with AI-driven noise removal and speech enhancement
- Dynamic interaction: Use gesture recognition that converts hand gestures into emojis
- Language translation: Translate languages in real-time with simultaneous interpretation during meetings
Webex limitations
- Some users reported that the integration with CRM and marketing automation systems can be a lengthy and complex process
Webex pricing
- Free
- Meet: $14.50/user/month
- Suite: $250/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Webex ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (18,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (7000+ reviews)
🌟Bonus: If keeping your team on the same page feels like a challenge, these communication plan templates can make it easier.
10. Pumble (Best for lightweight direct messaging and file sharing)
Pumble keeps team communication simple and organized. Unlike many other platforms, it offers unlimited messaging and file sharing, so you never lose important conversations to restrictions.
Smart notifications and reminders ensure you never miss key updates, while strong security measures like SSO and SOC 2 compliance keep your data safe.
Pumble best features
- Guest access: Invite external collaborators to specific channels without granting full workspace access
- Custom notifications: Set up keyword alerts, mute channels, or receive notifications only for direct mentions
- Unlimited chat history: Access all past messages without restrictions, even on the free plan
Pumble limitations
- The search feature in this Microsoft Teams alternative requires exact whole-word matches, making it challenging to locate information without precise terms
Pumble pricing
- Free
- Pro: $2.99/user/month
- Business: $4.99/user/month
- Enterprise: $7.99/user/month
- Productivity Suite: $15.99/user/month
Pumble ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (15+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (180+ reviews)
What are real-life users saying about Pumble?
Here’s a G2 review:
11. Twist (Best for async, thread-based team communication)
Twist allows team members to engage in discussions and respond at their own pace, reducing the pressure of immediate replies and promoting deep work. Its advanced search filters make finding past conversations effortless, letting you locate specific messages by keywords, dates, or participants.
Custom user roles help teams manage access and responsibilities, ensuring the right people see the right information. Furthermore, team check-in automation eliminates the need for manual follow-ups by posting scheduled update threads.
Twist best features
- Group management: Create groups within teams to streamline communication with specific subsets of members
- Email integration: Forward emails directly into specific discussions with a unique email address assigned to each thread and channel
- Snooze options: Receive alerts for all threads, specific threads, or only when mentioned
Twist limitations
- Replies to posts are not threaded, which requires users to recreate context so people know which post they are replying to
Twist pricing
- Free
- Unlimited: $8/user/month
Twist ratings and reviews
- G2: 3.9/5 (15+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (35+ reviews)
12. Flock (Best for integrated task management & collaboration)
Flock includes built-in task management to enhance team collaboration, enabling users to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress within chats.
Teams can share files directly in chats and use the integrated search function to find messages, links, and documents instantly. The Microsoft Teams alternative also features email-to-chat conversion, allowing users to forward emails into Flock channels.
Flock best features
- Built-in polls and reminders: Collect feedback effortlessly with built-in polls and reminders integrated into chats
- File search: Retrieve information quickly using smart search to locate messages, files, and links
- Auto-generated to-do lists: Convert discussions into actionable items with auto-generated to-do lists
Flock limitations
- Flock may not integrate with all the specific tools or applications your team relies on, requiring manual workarounds or additional steps
Flock pricing
- Free
- Pro: $4.50/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Flock ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.4/5 (250+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
What are real-life users saying about Flock?
Here’s a G2 review:
13. RingEX (Best for unified communication with video chat & calling)
RingEX combines calls, video meetings, messaging, SMS, and fax within a single app and has a personal AI assistant that can capture call notes, transcribe calls, translate messages, and refine writing.
It supports over 400 integrations with popular tools such as Salesforce, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Zendesk.
Organizations can use this Microsoft Teams alternative to customize call flows and permissions for multiple locations.
RingEX best features
- Speech-to-text summaries: Transcribe calls in real time with AI-powered speech-to-text summaries for meetings
- Call flipping: Transfer live calls between devices, such as from a desktop to a mobile phone, without interruption
- HD video meetings: Host HD video conferences supporting up to 200 participants, along with automatic note-taking and noise reduction
RingEX limitations
- No goal-setting or team performance tracking since the tool only focuses on communication logs
RingEX pricing:
- Core: $30/user/month (max 100 users)
- Advanced: $35/user/month (max 100 users)
- Ultra: $45/user/month (max 100 users)
RingEX ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.1/5 (1000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (1200+ reviews)
Using Microsoft Teams with other tools? Check our Microsoft Teams etiquette guide for practical tips.
Summarize this article for me pleaseRethink Your Collaboration Experience: Choose ClickUp
While Microsoft Teams packs a punch, it often leaves gaps that slow down your team. Instead of piecing together multiple apps to cover every need, switch to a platform that does it all.
ClickUp combines robust task management, seamless team collaboration, and powerful communication tools within one unified AI-powered workspace. It’s your best bet for a Microsoft Teams alternative.
Sign up on ClickUp for free and start collaborating like never before.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
