Effective communication and collaboration are key to productivity in today’s workplaces. The right tools help teams coordinate tasks, chat in real time, and manage projects seamlessly.
Zoho Cliq is a popular choice, offering messaging, video calls, and task management.
🧠 Fun Fact: ‘Zoho’ is rumored to have originated from the acronym ‘SOHO,‘ which stands for small office or home office.
But it may not suit every team’s needs. If you’re looking for a better fit, you’re in the right place.
This article explores Zoho Cliq alternatives with powerful features to enhance teamwork. Let’s dive into the best team communication apps reshaping business chat. 💬
Top 11 Zoho Cliq Alternatives for Team Collaboration in 2025
- What Should You Look for in Zoho Cliq Alternatives?
- The 11 Best Zoho Cliq Alternatives
- 1. ClickUp (Best for team collaboration and project management)
- 2. Slack (Best for smooth team communication)
- 3. Microsoft Teams (Best for integrated office collaboration)
- 4. Rocket.Chat (Best for customizable open-source communication)
- 5. Zoom (Best for video conferencing and webinars)
- 6. Mattermost (Best for secure and customizable team collaboration)
- 7. Google Chat (Best for Google Workspace integration)
- 8. Discord (Best for community building and communication)
- 9. Chanty (Best for efficient team collaboration)
- 10. Skype (Best for cost-effective communication)
- 11. RingCentral (Best for business communication solutions)
- Which of These Zoho Cliq Alternatives Will You Choose?
Summarize this article for me please⏰ 60-Second Summary
Here’s a quick overview of the 11 best Zoho Cliq alternatives:
- ClickUp (Best for team collaboration and project management)
- Slack (Best for smooth team communication)
- Microsoft Teams (Best for integrated office collaboration)
- Rocket.Chat (Best for customizable open-source communication)
- Zoom (Best for video conferencing and webinars)
- Mattermost (Best for secure and customizable team collaboration)
- Google Chat (Best for Google Workspace integration)
- Discord (Best for community building and communication)
- Chanty (Best for efficient team collaboration)
- Skype (Best for cost-effective communication)
- RingCentral (Best for business communication solutions)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in Zoho Cliq Alternatives?
When comparing Zoho Cliq alternatives, look for features that support seamless communication and boost productivity for your team:
- Comprehensive communication tools: Choose platforms that provide a combination of direct messaging, group chats, and video conferencing to enable real-time collaboration
- Effective project and task management: Select systems that combine project management and task tracking capabilities, allowing teams to assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and measure progress all on one platform. Some platforms provide customizable workflows to help you manage tasks more efficiently
- Broad integrations: Make sure the alternative is compatible with the tools your team is already using, such as CRM systems, file storage services, and other productivity programs
- User-friendly interface: Find a platform with an intuitive and adaptable interface to help shorten the learning curve and boost user adoption rates
- Security and compliance: Prioritize communication technologies that provide strong security protections, such as end-to-end encryption and industry-standard compliance, to secure critical corporate information
- Multi-platform integration: Choose tools that work across devices, like your browser or mobile phone, and allow you to stay updated and respond to any messages with ease
💡 Pro Tip: Effective team communication in diverse work environments requires more than good intentions—it demands deliberate practices and the right tools. Invest in platforms and habits that bridge the gap of physical separation, fostering clarity and connection across your team.
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 11 Best Zoho Cliq Alternatives
Here’s an overview of the top Zoho Cliq alternatives, each with its strengths, to help you identify the best fit for your communication challenges.
1. ClickUp (Best for team collaboration and project management)
ClickUp is the everything app for work that blends real-time collaboration, project management, and workflow automation. Unlike tools focusing solely on chat or document sharing, ClickUp provides a complete workspace where teams can plan, communicate, and execute without switching tools.
ClickUp Chat makes real-time communication seamless by keeping conversations directly tied to your work. Team members can chat one-on-one or in group threads without leaving the app—reducing context switching and keeping discussions focused on specific tasks or projects.
In Chat, you can tag teammates, link tasks, and reference files, turning conversations into action and improving team coordination. Plus, with AI-powered features like Catch Me Up, you can quickly summarize key updates, ensuring you never miss important details.
ClickUp Chat has a built-in video calling and screen-sharing feature called SyncUps—perfect for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and brief check-ins. Teams can collaborate face-to-face without leaving their workflow.
The calls are enhanced with AI-powered summaries, task linkage, and real-time annotations—so meetings lead to action, not just conversation.
File sharing in ClickUp is seamless. You can attach documents to tasks, share them in chat threads, or add them to comments—everything stays organized and accessible.
Use ClickUp Docs to share and collaborate on tasks in real time. This helps team members find the resources they need when they need them.
ClickUp’s ability to integrate conversations with task and workflow management distinguishes it from other collaboration platforms.
With a simple click, a chat can become an actionable task. Teams can assign duties, create deadlines, and track progress without additional tools.
📌 The more you know: Unlike Zoho Cliq, ClickUp offers Whiteboards, allowing teams to brainstorm visually and turn ideas into actionable tasks.
Customizable workflows let teams customize procedures to their requirements, and automation handles repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on what matters most. ClickUp’s range of communication plan templates makes it easy to get started with the platform and tasks.
ClickUp best features
- Turn messages into tasks and link chat threads to tasks with ClickUp Chat
- Create and share screen recordings to convey messages without lengthy email chains
- Use the AI-powered ClickUp Brain to connect your organization’s people, work, and knowledge
- Automate routine tasks with customizable triggers and actions
- Customize tasks with Custom Fields, statuses, and views
ClickUp limitations
- Some users face a learning curve due to the range of features
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/month per user
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (10,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4300+ reviews)
Users love how ClickUp creates a unified communication platform. Here’s what one user had to say:
📮ClickUp Insight: A typical knowledge worker has to connect with 6 people on average to get work done. This means reaching out to 6 core connections daily to gather essential context, align priorities, and move projects forward.
The struggle is real—constant follow-ups, version confusion, and visibility black holes erode team productivity. A centralized platform like ClickUp, with Connected Search and AI Knowledge Manager, tackles this by instantly making context available at your fingertips.
2. Slack (Best for smooth team communication)
Slack is a popular communication tool that enables team collaboration through organized channels, asynchronous messaging, and comprehensive integrations. As an alternative to Zoho Cliq, Slack offers a user-friendly interface that enhances productivity by centralizing discussions with dedicated channels, file sharing, and app integrations in one accessible location.
Slack distinguishes itself through its expansive app directory and customizable notifications, catering to diverse organizational needs. These capabilities make Slack a compelling choice for organizations seeking a versatile and scalable communication solution.
Slack best features
- Create dedicated spaces for different projects or teams
- Connect with over 2,600 applications, including Google Drive, Salesforce, and Trello
- Quickly locate past conversations and files with powerful search capabilities
- Pin messages within channels or messages to keep essential information accessible
Slack limitations
- Audio and video conferencing features are limited to 50 participants
- Can become expensive for larger teams as pricing is per user
- Lacks built-in project management features (requires integrations)
Slack pricing
- Free
- Pro: $8.75/month per user
- Business+: $15/month per user
- Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing
Slack ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (33,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (23,000+ reviews)
📚 Also Read: Best Slack Alternatives for Team Communication
3. Microsoft Teams (Best for integrated office collaboration)
Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive collaboration hub seamlessly integrated with the Microsoft 365 suite. It lets users access tools like Word, Excel, and SharePoint within the same interface.
Like Slack, Teams provides channel-based communication, direct messaging, and file sharing. However, its key differentiator is its deep integration with Microsoft 365. This makes it a suitable alternative to Zoho Cliq for many organizations using Microsoft products.
As a result, it allows users to co-author documents, manage calendars, and collaborate on projects without switching between applications.
Microsoft Teams best features
- Host online meetings with up to 300 participants, featuring screen sharing and customized backgrounds
- Utilize Microsoft Copilot for intelligent writing assistance and integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Teams
- Automatically summarize meetings to provide users with key points, suggested tasks, and highlights
- Improve the virtual meeting experience with features like background blur, meeting recordings, and live captions
Microsoft Teams limitations
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans or additional subscriptions
- Consumes significant system resources, potentially affecting performance on older devices
Microsoft Teams pricing
- Free
- 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 (9,700+ reviews)
📖 Read More: Top Microsoft Teams Alternatives & Competitors
4. Rocket.Chat (Best for customizable open-source communication)
Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication tool that allows teams to customize their messaging environment to meet individual needs. It offers all the core features you’d expect from a team communication platform, such as real-time chat, audio and video conferencing, and significant customization possibilities.
Unlike proprietary platforms like Slack or Teams, Rocket.Chat allows businesses to host their services on their servers, ensuring data privacy and control. This makes Rocket.Chat an attractive option for organizations with strict security requirements or those who prefer to manage their infrastructure.
Its modular architecture and extensive API support support effortless integration with various tools and services, enhancing team collaboration and productivity.
Rocket.Chat best features
- Enhance secure communication between Rocket.Chat and Matrix-compatible apps using a federated network to avoid multiple server sign-ups
- Communicate in over 50 languages for global collaboration
- Integrate communication channels like live chat and email into one platform
- Use Rocket. Chat’s bot framework to automate repetitive tasks
Rocket.Chat limitations
- Users have reported occasional server stability issues
- The self-hosting and customization capabilities require significant technical expertise to set up and maintain
Rocket.Chat pricing
- Starter: Free
- Pro: Custom pricing
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Rocket.Chat ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (150+ reviews)
Rocket. Chat’s multi-chat support has earned praise from its users, along with its ease of implementation. One user had this to say about it:
5. Zoom (Best for video conferencing and webinars)
Zoom is often synonymous with video conferencing. It is a widely recognized video communication platform known for its dependable high-definition video and audio conferencing features. Plus, Zoom’s scalability allows for hosting large meetings with numerous participants, catering to various organizational needs.
The platform offers a user-friendly interface and features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording capabilities. This makes it a great fit for businesses and educational teams looking to strengthen remote collaboration.
Zoom best features
- Divide large meetings into smaller groups to enable discussions and brainstorming
- Host up to 10,000 attendees with live polling, Q&A, and attendee analytics
- Provide translations during meetings for multilingual audiences
- Use the Zoom Clips feature to enhance your async video communication capabilities
Zoom limitations
- The free plan limits group meetings to 40 minutes
- Security concerns have been raised in the past (though Zoom has taken steps to address them)
- Limited chat features compared to dedicated team communication platforms
Zoom pricing
- Basic: Free
- Pro: $15.99/month per user
- Business: $21.99/month per user
Zoom ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (56,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (14,000+ reviews)
Many users love Zoom’s video connectivity features, with a user saying:
6. Mattermost (Best for secure and customizable team collaboration)
Mattermost is another open-source collaboration platform created for enterprises that need secure, self-hosted solutions. It provides a full set of functions, such as real-time messaging, file sharing, and workflow management, making it a viable alternative to Zoho Cliq.
Mattermost’s vast customization possibilities make it ideal for industries that value data protection and compliance with internal security protocols. The platform supports various plugins that allow teams to tailor it to their specific workflows, promoting efficient collaboration across departments.
Mattermost best features
- Execute AI-enhanced operations in private cloud settings using open-source and custom LLMs
- Deploy the platform on your company’s servers, ensuring data privacy and compliance with internal policies
- Connect with essential tools like GitLab and Jira to centralize your workflow
- Communicate effectively across global teams with support for multiple languages
Mattermost limitations
- The initial setup and configuration may be complex for organizations without dedicated IT resources
- Some users have reported facing bugs while using the app
- The user interface can feel less polished than some commercial alternatives
Mattermost pricing
- Free
- Professional: $10/month per user (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Mattermost ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (160+ reviews)
🔎 Did You Know? According to research, smaller, more diverse teams are likelier to do innovative work than a larger team within the same company.
7. Google Chat (Best for Google Workspace integration)
Google Chat is a communication platform that effectively interacts with Google Workspace, offering teams direct messaging, group conversations, and collaboration areas. This Zoho Cliq alternative offers seamless integration with Google Workspace applications, allowing users to share files from Google Drive, collaborate on documents in real time, and schedule meetings through Google Calendar directly within the chat interface.
Such cohesive integration optimizes workflows for companies already utilizing Google’s suite of productivity tools. Google Chat’s user-friendly interface and device accessibility make it a practical choice for businesses seeking a cohesive communication solution.
Google Chat best features
- Organize team discussions and projects within virtual rooms called Spaces
- Quickly locate past messages and shared files with strong search functionality
- Collaborate on documents directly within the chat interface
- Utilize predictive text in composing messages more efficiently, reducing typing time and minimizing errors
Google Chat limitations
- Advanced features may require a Google Workspace subscription
- Fewer options for interface customization compared to some competitors
- Fewer customization options than some open-source alternatives
Google Chat pricing
- Business Starter: $8.40/month per user
- Business Standard: $16.80/month per user
- Business Plus: $26.40/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Google Chat ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (2,000+ reviews)
8. Discord (Best for community building and communication)
Discord is a versatile communication platform that offers text, voice, and video chat capabilities, making it a compelling alternative to Zoho Cliq. Initially designed for gaming communities, Discord has also evolved into an informal business messaging app that supports various groups and organizations with features such as organized channels, direct messaging, and extensive integration options.
Discord is structured around “servers,” which can be public or private. You can create multiple text and voice channels for different topics or teams within each server. It’s known for its low-latency voice chat, making it ideal for real-time communication, even during online games.
While not primarily designed for business, Discord’s flexibility and free plan make it an attractive option for some teams.
Discord best features
- Utilize text messaging, voice channels, and asynchronous videos to accommodate communication preferences
- Personalize your interactions with custom emojis, animated avatars, and unique profile themes
- Share your screen in high definition for presentations and collaborative work
- Enhance functionality by adding bots for moderation, scheduling, or entertainment
Discord limitations
- Compared to business-focused platforms, Discord lacks integrated task and project management tools
- Managing notifications is challenging, especially in servers with high activity levels, potentially leading to information overload
- Can be overwhelming for users unfamiliar with its interface
Discord pricing
- Free
- Nitro Basic: $2.99/month
- Nitro: $9.99/month
Discord ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (450+ reviews)
9. Chanty (Best for efficient team collaboration)
Chanty is a team communication and collaboration application that simplifies processes with features such as limitless message history, task management, and connectors. As an alternative to Zoho Cliq, Chanty offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface for seamless onboarding across devices and platforms, minimizing the learning curve for companies.
In addition to its core communication capabilities, Chanty integrates with various third-party applications, allowing teams to unify their workflows by connecting existing tools directly within the platform. The built-in task management system enables users to convert messages into tasks, assign them to team members, and monitor progress using a Kanban board.
Chanty best features
- Organizes tasks, conversations, and shared content in a centralized hub with the Teambook feature
- Access all your past conversations without limitations
- Connect Chanty with tools like Trello, Asana, and Google Drive to enhance productivity
- Boost productivity using the platform’s AI capabilities that provide auto-fill options and improve search accuracy over time
Chanty limitations
- It offers a limited number of integrations compared to other platforms
- Users have reported issues and glitches with the video call feature
Chanty pricing
- Free
- Business: $4/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Chanty ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (30+ reviews)
Chanty has many takers for its efficiency, with a user saying:
10. Skype (Best for cost-effective communication)
Skype is a veteran in digital communication, known primarily for its video and voice calling capabilities. While it has evolved to include instant messaging and file sharing, its core strength remains its calling features.
Skype is a simple and cost-effective option for individuals and small teams that need a reliable way to make calls over the internet. It’s particularly useful for international calls, as Skype offers competitive rates for calling landlines and mobile phones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Skype’s shutdown in May 2025 means users can sign into Microsoft Teams Free with their Skype credentials. Chats and contacts seamlessly carry over, so you can continue enjoying free calling and messaging—plus new features like meetings and communities—all within the Teams app.
Skype best features
- Engage in high-quality video and voice calls with individuals or groups
- Share your screen during calls to enhance presentations and discussions
- Record conversations to revisit discussions as needed
- Automatically generate subtitles during calls, enhancing accessibility for various participants
Skype limitations
- Some users feel that the user interface is outdated compared to other apps
- Offers fewer integrations with third-party apps, limiting its adaptability in diverse tech environments
- Limited features compared to modern team communication platforms
Skype pricing
- Free
- Mobiles and Landlines: Starting from $2.99/month
Skype ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (23,000 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (500+ reviews)
Users love how easily Skype can be set up for use, with one user saying:
11. RingCentral (Best for business communication solutions)
RingCentral is a cloud-based communication technology that caters to the needs of modern enterprises. Its unified communications solution integrates business messaging, high-capacity video conferencing, and powerful phone services into a single platform.
The platform offers extensive team messaging features, including real-time chat, file sharing, and task management, facilitating seamless collaboration across organizations. Its video conferencing capabilities support high-definition meetings with screen sharing and recording options, enhancing virtual interactions.
RingCentral’s cloud phone system also provides advanced call management features like call routing, voicemail-to-email, and auto-attendant.
RingCentral best features
- Get real-time analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into communication patterns, team performance, and customer interactions,
- Utilize features like call forwarding, recording, and voicemail-to-email to enhance call-handling efficiency
- Collaborate with file sharing, task management, and software integrations
- Host video conferences with up to 500 participants
RingCentral limitations
- The platform may have a steeper learning curve for new users
- The comprehensive feature set of RingCentral comes at a higher and confusing price point compared to some alternatives
RingCentral pricing
- Video Pro: Free
- Video Pro+: $15/month per user
- Core: $30/month per user
- Advanced: $35/month per user
- Ultra: $45/month per user
- Room: $49/month per room
- Webinar: $75/month per organizer
RingCentral ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (1,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (1,200+ reviews)
⭐ A few other helpful alternatives to Zoho Cliq:
- Troop Messenger (Best for security needs for small to mid-sized teams)
- Brosix (Best for remote teams looking for secure communication)
- Element (Best for decentralized and open-source communication)
- Pumble (Best budget-friendly option for small teams)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhich of These Zoho Cliq Alternatives Will You Choose?
With this curated list of top Zoho Cliq competitors, you can compare each tool’s major features, strengths, and limits. Whether you value advanced communication features, frictionless integrations, or sophisticated task and workflow management, there is a platform that can meet your team’s specific requirements.
If you’re looking for a solution beyond typical chat solutions, ClickUp is an excellent choice. It integrates real-time chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and complete project management capabilities into a single platform, making it an adaptable solution for teams looking to improve collaboration and efficiency.
Explore ClickUp’s broad feature set to learn how it improves team communication and task management.
Sign up for free today and see how it can transform your workflows! 🚀
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