Is Slack or Microsoft 365 + Teams better for a business that already has email and Office apps?

Slack is a better fit if the business primarily wants a channel-based messaging workspace that connects its existing apps. Microsoft 365 + Teams is a better fit if it wants to purchase Teams together with business email, Office apps, and OneDrive storage.

Does Microsoft 365 Business Basic include desktop Word and Excel?

No. Microsoft 365 Business Basic includes web and mobile versions of Word and Excel. Business Standard and Business Premium include desktop versions.

Is Teams included in every Microsoft 365 business plan?

No. Microsoft sells business plans both with and without Teams. The Business Basic, Standard, and Premium prices in this comparison are for plans that include Teams.

How much do Slack and Microsoft 365 + Teams cost?

At published US prices with annual billing, Slack Pro is $7.25 and Business+ is $15 per user per month; Slack also has a free plan. Microsoft 365 business plans with Teams are $7 for Basic, $14 for Standard, and $22 for Premium per user per month.

How do their free options compare?

Slack has a free plan with access to the most recent 90 days of message and file history, up to 10 app integrations, and two-person huddles. Microsoft does not list a free Microsoft 365 business plan with Teams.

Which supports larger video meetings?

Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium plans with Teams support meetings of up to 300 people. Slack huddles support two people on Free and up to 50 on paid plans, with up to 25 using video at once.

Can either product connect to third-party apps?

Yes. Slack lists more than 2,600 apps in its app directory, with 10 integrations on Free and unlimited integrations on paid plans. Microsoft Teams supports Microsoft and third-party apps, subject to an organization's app settings.

Is AI included, or does it cost extra?

Slack Pro includes conversation summaries and huddle notes, while Business+ adds AI features such as search answers and file summaries. Eligible Microsoft 365 business plans include Copilot Chat; Copilot that uses organizational content across Microsoft 365 apps is available through an add-on or a plan with Copilot.

Slack vs Microsoft 365 + Teams

Choose Slack if your main need is channel-based messaging that connects the apps your team already uses; choose Microsoft 365 + Teams if you also need business email, document editing, and cloud storage in the same subscription. Both offer chat and video, but Slack centers work on conversations and integrations, while Microsoft bundles Teams with Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and other business tools.

Last updated October 24, 2026.

At a glance

Slack compared with Microsoft 365 + Teams, one row per dimension
Dimension	Slack	Microsoft 365 + Teams
Document apps	Canvases and shared files	Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote
Business email	Not published	Custom-domain email with Exchange
Cloud storage	Per-user quota not published	1 TB OneDrive per user
Video meeting capacity	Huddles: 2 free; up to 50 paid	Teams meetings: up to 300
Free business plan	Free plan available	No free business plan listed
US price, annual billing	Pro $7.25; Business+ $15/user/month	With Teams: $7, $14, or $22/user/month
App integrations	10 on Free; unlimited on paid plans	Microsoft and third-party Teams apps
AI	Summaries on Pro; more tools on Business+	Copilot Chat; work-data Copilot add-on
Platforms	Windows, Mac, Linux, web, iOS, Android	Teams desktop, web, mobile; Office varies by plan
Business plan user limit	Not published	Up to 300 users
Support	24/7 on Pro and Business+	Anytime phone and web support
Deployment	Cloud workspace with desktop and mobile apps	Cloud subscription; desktop Office on Standard and Premium

Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.

Which should you choose?

Choose Slack if

Teams organizing work in channels and threads
Teams connecting a mix of existing business apps
Small teams starting with a free messaging plan
Teams using quick, informal audio and video huddles

See Slack — 25% DISCOUNT

Choose Microsoft 365 + Teams if

Businesses buying email, Office apps, and chat together
Teams coauthoring documents in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Businesses needing 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user
Teams hosting meetings with up to 300 participants

See Microsoft 365 + Teams — Deal Coming Soon

The verdict

The deciding factor is what you need beyond chat. Pick Slack for a messaging workspace with searchable conversations, huddles, and a large app directory. Pick a Microsoft 365 plan with Teams when email, Office apps, and 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user are part of the purchase. Check the exact Microsoft plan before buying: Business Basic has web and mobile Office apps, while Business Standard and Premium add desktop apps.