You're here because picking between Google Chat and Slack matters more than most realize. We're talking about where your entire team will live for the next few years. This choice affects daily productivity, costs thousands per year, and determines whether your support team feels swamped or in control.
We've analyzed current data (January 2026), tested both platforms extensively, and talked to teams using each. This isn't another surface-level comparison. We're breaking down what actually matters for business decisions: real costs, integration depth, and whether each tool handles your specific workflows.
Why Choosing Between Google Chat and Slack Matters for Your Business
When people search "Google Chat vs Slack for business," they're usually trying to solve one of these problems:
Cut through tool sprawl. Your team switches between six different apps just to have one conversation. You need everything consolidated.
Justify the decision upward. Leadership wants numbers. IT wants security details. Finance wants total cost of ownership.
Figure out if switching is worth it. You're on one platform now. Is migrating to the other actually going to improve things, or just create chaos?
Make customer support faster. Your team needs to handle website chats without learning another dashboard. (This is where Social Intents becomes relevant, but more on that later.)
What Changed in 2025 That Affects Your Decision
Most comparison articles online are outdated. Both platforms evolved significantly in 2025, and these changes affect the decision:
Google Chat's Biggest Improvements in 2025
Google finally caught up on threading. Inline threading now works in DMs and group DMs, not just Spaces. For years, this was a major complaint. If messy DM conversations were why you avoided Google Chat, that problem is solved.
Scheduled messages launched in late 2025. Small feature, big impact for teams working across time zones.
Gemini integration got serious. Google added conversation summaries in the Chat home view and "catch up" abilities for unread messages. This is included in Workspace, not an expensive add-on.
Slack Updates That Changed the Landscape
Slack changed how it packages AI features. Some capabilities that were add-ons are now bundled into paid plans, while the Slack AI add-on is no longer available for new purchases on certain dates.
Data residency options expanded. Slack now offers data residency in more regions, though enabling it disables some AI features. If you're in a regulated industry, this matters.
Google Chat vs Slack Pricing (What You'll Actually Pay)
This is where most teams get confused, because you're comparing a bundled tool (Google Chat) against a standalone platform (Slack).
How Much Does Slack Cost for Business?
| Plan | Annual | Monthly | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 90-day message history, 10 app integrations |
| Pro | $7.25/user/month | $8.75/user/month | Unlimited history, unlimited integrations |
| Business+ | $15/user/month | $18/user/month | SSO, advanced admin controls, 24/7 support |
| Enterprise+ | Custom pricing | Custom pricing | Data residency, EKM, HIPAA compliance |
Important: Slack charges per active user. 100 users on Pro costs about $725/month annually.
Google Chat Pricing (Included With Workspace)
Google Chat is included with Google Workspace. You can't buy it separately.
| Workspace Plan | Annual | Monthly | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Starter | $7/user/month | $8.40/user/month | Gmail, Chat, Meet, Drive (30GB per user) |
| Business Standard | $14/user/month | $16.80/user/month | 2TB storage per user, larger meetings |
| Business Plus | $22/user/month | $26.40/user/month | 5TB storage, enhanced security |
Google Chat has unlimited history for most users unless an admin sets retention policies. No conversation caps. No separate chat cost.
Real Cost Comparison: Google Chat vs Slack
The comparison changes based on what you already pay for.
Scenario 1: You're Already on Google Workspace
Google Chat is effectively $0 incremental cost. You're paying for Workspace anyway. Adding Slack means:
• 25 users: $2,175/year (Slack Pro) just for chat
• 100 users: $8,700/year just for chat
Scenario 2: You're Starting Fresh or on Microsoft 365
Now you're comparing total platforms:
• Slack Pro ($7.25/user) + your existing email/storage
• Google Workspace Business Standard ($14/user) which includes everything
For a 50-person team:
→ Slack Pro only: $4,350/year
→ Google Workspace Standard: $8,400/year (but includes email, Drive, Meet, Calendar, Docs)
The question becomes: Do you value Slack's integration ecosystem enough to either (a) pay extra on top of Workspace, or (b) move your entire productivity suite to justify it?
Google Chat vs Slack: Which Has a Better User Experience?
The interface differences matter more than spec sheets suggest.
What Google Chat Feels Like to Use
Clean. Minimal. Familiar to anyone using Gmail. Spaces organize group conversations. Threading works now. File sharing connects directly to Drive.
The strength?
Zero learning curve if you're in Google's world. Creating a Meet link takes one click. Sharing a Doc auto-handles permissions. Search works like Gmail search.
The weakness?
It's basic. You get clean messaging and solid integration with Google services, but don't expect workflow automation, custom bots, or personality.
Think of Google Chat as your reliable sedan. It gets you there. It's comfortable. But there's no thrill.
What Slack Feels Like to Use
Polished. Feature-rich. Customizable to the point where some teams spend hours tweaking themes and emoji packs.
Channels are the center of gravity. Everything flows into channels: messages, alerts, bot notifications, file shares. Slack feels like a virtual office where people actually want to hang out.
The strength?
It's genuinely enjoyable to use. Editing messages (which Google Chat doesn't allow), scheduling sends, rich formatting, custom workflows, and thousands of integrations make Slack feel powerful.
The weakness?
It can overwhelm new users. There are settings within settings. Some teams never use 80% of Slack's capabilities and wonder if they're paying for features they don't need.
Think of Slack as your high-performance vehicle with all the options. Amazing if you use them. Potentially wasteful if you don't.
Google Chat vs Slack: Video Meetings and Calls
| Aspect | Google Chat + Meet | Slack + Huddles |
|---|---|---|
| Quick audio | Huddles (recent addition) | Huddles (built-in, mature) |
| Video meetings | Google Meet (seamless integration) | External tools (Zoom, Teams, Meet via apps) |
| Scheduling | Calendar integration native | External calendar apps |
| Best for | Teams wanting unified Google experience | Teams preferring best-of-breed video tools |
Starting Video Calls From Google Chat
Starting a video call from Chat launches Google Meet. If your team already uses Meet for scheduled meetings, this is seamless. One identity system. One admin console. Calendar integration just works.
Huddles (lightweight audio) recently arrived in Google Chat for Workspace accounts. Decent for quick syncs, but Meet is still the primary video solution.
Starting Calls From Slack
Slack's Huddles are built for spontaneous audio conversations. Click a button in any channel, and you're in a lightweight audio room. Add screen sharing or video if needed. It's fast and casual.
For formal meetings, Slack integrates with Zoom, Teams, or Meet through apps. You can launch meetings from Slack, but you're still using external tools.
Where each wins:
→ If you want meetings tightly integrated with chat: Google Chat + Meet
→ If you want quick audio huddles embedded in workflow: Slack
Google Chat vs Slack: File Sharing and Storage
How Google Chat Handles Files
Sharing files in Chat means Drive links. When you drop a file, it goes to your Drive, and permissions follow Drive's model. This is excellent if you want centralized storage with proper access control.
Example: Share a spreadsheet in a Space. Everyone in that Space can access it. You're not creating copies or dealing with "file too large" errors. Google Workspace plans include 30GB to 5TB per user depending on tier.
The trade-off?
Sometimes you just want to drop a quick file without thinking about Drive permissions. Google Chat makes you think about it.
How Slack Handles Files
Slack allows uploads up to 1GB. Files appear inline with previews. Simple. Fast. But Slack is not a storage platform. On the free plan, older files get deleted after message history expires.
Pro plans retain files indefinitely, but the workflow is different. Slack's Files section lets you search recent uploads, but if you want organized long-term storage, you'll integrate with Drive, Dropbox, or Box.
Bottom line:
• Heavy document collaboration: Google Chat + Drive is purpose-built
• Quick file drops in context: Slack is frictionless
Which Has Better Integrations: Google Chat or Slack?
This is the clearest differentiator.
Slack's App Integration Ecosystem
Over 2,600 apps in the directory. If you use a tool, there's probably a Slack integration.
Real-world examples:
• GitHub posts pull request notifications to a #dev channel
• Salesforce alerts the sales team when a high-value lead responds
• Asana task updates flow into project channels
• PagerDuty incidents trigger in #on-call with escalation buttons
Slack becomes your operations console. Information flows in. You take actions through slash commands or interactive buttons. It's why engineering and DevOps teams love Slack.
Workflow Builder lets non-technical people create automations. Example: A button that sends a formatted message to three channels, creates a Trello card, and logs the event to a spreadsheet. No code required.
Google Chat's Integration Options
Google Chat has apps in the Workspace Marketplace. Asana, Jira, GitHub, ServiceNow, and major tools are represented. But the number is in the hundreds, not thousands.
Google announced new Chat apps from major vendors in mid-2025, showing they're investing here. Integration quality with Google services is obviously excellent.
The gap?
Custom automation. If you want Chat to become a workflow hub like Slack, you'll likely use Zapier or Apps Script. Slack has that capability built in with Workflow Builder.
The honest assessment: If you need tight integration with 5-10 key tools and Google services, Google Chat probably covers it. If you need to orchestrate 20+ tools and build custom workflows, Slack is purpose-built for this.
Google Chat vs Slack: Security and Compliance
Both are enterprise-ready, but there are nuances.
Google Chat Security Features
Managed through the Google Workspace Admin Console. If you already run Workspace, this is one unified admin system. User provisioning, 2FA enforcement, device management, all in one place.
Compliance capabilities:
• Google Vault for eDiscovery and retention of Chat messages
• Retention policies can auto-delete messages after set periods
• Data encryption in transit and at rest
• GDPR compliance built in
• HIPAA compliance available with proper configuration
Data residency options exist for Workspace Enterprise customers.
The benefit? If you're already managing Google accounts, adding Chat is zero administrative overhead.
Slack Security Features
Separate admin interface. You can integrate with SSO providers (Google, Azure AD, Okta), but it's still a distinct system to manage.
Compliance capabilities:
• SOC 2 Type II certified
• ISO 27001 certified
• HIPAA compliance available on Enterprise Grid
• FedRAMP Moderate authorization
• Enterprise Key Management (EKM) for bring-your-own-keys on Enterprise+
Data residency is available on Business+ and Enterprise plans in multiple regions.
Guest accounts let you invite external contractors with limited access to specific channels. This granular control doesn't exist in Google Chat the same way.
Which Is More Secure: Google Chat or Slack?
For companies already deep in Google's ecosystem, Chat inherits mature security. For companies needing specific compliance (FedRAMP, for example) or granular external collaboration controls, Slack's dedicated features may be necessary.
Both platforms are secure enough for most businesses. The choice often comes down to which admin model fits your existing infrastructure.
Gemini vs Slack AI: Which AI Features Are Better?
AI is reshaping chat platforms. Here's where each stands in 2026.
Google Chat's Gemini AI Features
Included features (depending on Workspace tier):
→ Conversation summaries for catching up on unread messages
→ Real-time translation in Chat Spaces
→ AI-powered catch-up in the Chat home view
These are built into Workspace for many plans. You're not paying $10/user extra for basic AI assistance.
Slack's AI Capabilities
Slack bundled some AI features into paid plans in 2025. Current capabilities include:
→ Thread and conversation summaries
→ Huddle notes automatically generated
→ Channel recaps to catch up quickly
Previously, advanced AI required the Slack AI add-on (about $10/user/month). The packaging changed, making some features more accessible.
The difference: Google's AI feels like an extension of their existing Gemini platform (summaries, translation, search). Slack's AI is positioned to become an action layer (imagine AI handling routine tasks via chat).
Both are evolving fast. For now, if catching up on missed conversations is your main AI need, both platforms deliver. Slack's vision of AI as a workflow assistant is more ambitious but also more expensive.
Google Chat vs Slack: External Collaboration With Partners
If you work with external organizations regularly, this matters.
Slack Connect for External Teams
Slack Connect is purpose-built for cross-company collaboration. Create a shared channel with a partner company. Both sides stay in their own Slack workspaces, but the channel is shared.
Key benefits:
• Up to 20 organizations can participate in one channel
• Secure, controlled access
• On Enterprise+, external partners on free Slack plans can join without upgrading
• Replaces email threads with real-time chat
If your business model involves constant partner coordination, Slack Connect is a major advantage.
Google Chat External Collaboration
You can invite external users to Google Chat Spaces if admins allow it. This works, but it's less elegant than Slack Connect.
External users need Google accounts. The collaboration model is more "invite people to our space" rather than "create a shared space between organizations."
When external collaboration matters most:
• Agency working with multiple clients: Slack Connect
• Company with occasional external participants: Google Chat is fine
When to Choose Google Chat Over Slack
Pick Google Chat if you're:
Already all-in on Google Workspace. Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Meet are your daily tools. Chat slots in with zero friction. Creating a Meet link, sharing a Doc, or checking someone's calendar status is instant.
Prioritizing simplicity. Your team wants messaging that just works. Clean interface. No overwhelming options. The learning curve is basically zero for anyone who uses Gmail.
Cost-sensitive. You're paying for Workspace anyway. Chat is included. Why add a separate $7.25/user/month subscription?
Managing lots of users with minimal IT resources. One admin console for email, chat, storage, and meetings is significantly easier than managing multiple platforms.
Content collaboration is primary. Your team lives in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Chat's Drive integration makes sharing and collaborating on documents natural.
Google Chat is a practical, efficient choice for organizations that value integration over customization and want to minimize vendor complexity.
When to Choose Slack Over Google Chat
Pick Slack if you're:
Running a workflow-intensive operation. Your team coordinates across many tools. Alerts from monitoring systems, tickets from support platforms, deployments from CI/CD pipelines. Slack becomes your command center.
Building team culture remotely. Slack's personality (custom emoji, engaging UI, channel culture) helps distributed teams feel connected. This sounds soft, but retention matters.
Collaborating heavily with external partners. If Slack Connect replaces dozens of email threads with shared channels, the ROI is obvious.
Using best-of-breed tools across categories. Not locked into one suite. You use Zoom for meetings, Dropbox for storage, Asana for projects, Salesforce for CRM. Slack ties them together.
Wanting advanced customization. Your team has specific workflow needs. Workflow Builder, custom bots, and deep API access let you build exactly what you need.
Slack is a power tool for teams that need maximum flexibility and are willing to invest in configuration and training.
Google Chat vs Slack: Search Capabilities
Both platforms handle search differently.
Google Chat Search
Basic and effective. Filter by person (from:@user), by Space (in:space-name), or by keyword. The search bar works like Gmail search, which most people already understand.
Message history is unlimited unless admins set retention rules. You can search years back. This is valuable for institutional knowledge.
The search isn't as feature-rich as Slack's (fewer modifiers, simpler filtering), but it gets the job done for straightforward queries.
Slack Search
Advanced search capabilities with extensive filters. Search by:
• Channel
• Person
• Date range
• Whether results have files or links
• Content within uploaded documents (on paid plans)
Slack indexes file contents. PDFs, Word docs, and other uploads become searchable.
The catch: On Slack's free plan, search only covers the last 90 days. Older messages are inaccessible. On paid plans, search covers unlimited history.
Verdict:
→ For power users who search constantly: Slack's filters are superior
→ For straightforward "find that conversation" needs: Both work fine
→ For unlimited history without paying extra: Google Chat wins
How to Turn Google Chat or Slack Into Your Support Hub
There's a problem both platforms share: they're built for internal communication. What if you want to handle website chats from the same tool your team already uses all day?
This is exactly what Social Intents solves.
How Social Intents Works With Slack
A customer visits your website and clicks the chat widget. That message appears instantly in your Slack channel. Your team sees it like any Slack message and replies directly from Slack.
The customer sees your responses in the website chat widget in real time. Your team never leaves Slack.
Why this matters:
Faster response times. Your team is already monitoring Slack. They see customer messages instantly.
No context switching. Support agents stay in one interface. No separate helpdesk to check.
Team collaboration. Tag a colleague in the Slack thread if you need help. They see the full context.
Mobile-ready. Your team's Slack mobile app becomes their support console.
How Social Intents Works With Google Chat
Same concept. Website chat messages route into a Google Chat Space. Your team responds from Chat or Gmail. The customer sees it on your site.
Additional benefits:
• Use threads in the Space to discuss internally before replying
• All chat history is archived in Google Chat with unlimited retention
• Desktop notifications through Chrome mean no missed chats
How Social Intents Works With Microsoft Teams
For teams using Microsoft Teams, Social Intents integrates seamlessly. Website chats appear in your Teams channels, and agents respond without leaving Teams.
This is particularly valuable for organizations standardized on Microsoft 365 who want live chat capabilities without adding another platform.
Why We Built Social Intents
Most live chat tools force you to learn a new dashboard. Open another tab. Switch contexts constantly. We realized teams are already in Slack, Google Chat, or Microsoft Teams all day. Why not route website chats there?
Social Intents also includes:
• AI chatbots that handle common questions and escalate to humans when needed
• WhatsApp integration and Facebook Messenger
• Custom AI actions for checking order status, creating tickets, or pulling data from your systems
The goal is simple: Meet customers where they are (your website, WhatsApp, Messenger) while meeting your team where they are (Slack, Teams, Google Chat).
So if you're choosing between Slack and Google Chat, don't worry about losing customer communication capabilities. Either platform can become your support hub with live chat integration.
Google Chat vs Slack: Notification Management
Effective notifications are critical. Too many, and people mute everything. Too few, and important messages get missed.
Google Chat Notifications
Streamlined and simple. Per Space or conversation, you can set:
• All messages
• @Mentions only
• Off
That's it. No custom keywords. No per-channel sound settings. It's minimal by design.
You can set Do Not Disturb for your entire Google account, which affects Chat, Gmail, and Meet together.
Strengths:
→ Simple to configure
→ Works well for smaller teams
→ Reduces notification overload by default
Limitations:
→ Can't create keyword alerts
→ No scheduling of quiet hours specifically for Chat
→ Less granular than Slack
Slack Notification Options
Highly customizable. You can set:
• Channel-by-channel notification levels
• Keyword alerts (get notified when specific terms appear anywhere)
• Notification schedules (pause all alerts from 6 PM to 9 AM, for example)
• Different settings for mobile vs desktop
• Thread-specific notifications
Strengths:
→ Extreme flexibility
→ Keyword alerts catch important topics even in channels you don't actively monitor
→ Scheduled quiet hours respect work-life balance
Limitations:
→ Requires configuration to avoid overwhelming users
→ New users often get notification fatigue before they dial in settings
The verdict:
• Small teams with straightforward needs: Google Chat's simplicity works
• Large teams with complex projects: Slack's granular controls are essential
How to Decide Between Google Chat and Slack
Here's a practical way to choose:
Step 1: What's Your Current State?
Already on Google Workspace?
→ Google Chat costs you $0 extra
→ Integration with existing tools is seamless
→ Default to Chat unless you have a compelling reason for Slack
Already on Microsoft 365 or another platform?
→ You're choosing a standalone chat tool
→ Compare Slack's features against the cost of Google Workspace (which includes Chat)
Starting from scratch?
→ Consider whether you want a suite (Google Workspace) or best-of-breed tools
→ Factor in total cost, not just chat
Step 2: What's Your Integration Complexity?
Simple needs (5-10 key tools)?
→ Google Chat likely covers it, especially if those tools are Google services
Complex needs (20+ tools, custom workflows)?
→ Slack's ecosystem and Workflow Builder justify the investment
Step 3: How Important Is External Collaboration?
Occasional external participants?
→ Google Chat handles this adequately
Frequent cross-company work?
→ Slack Connect is purpose-built for this
Step 4: What's Your Team's Technical Comfort?
Less technical team?
→ Google Chat's familiar Gmail-like interface reduces friction
Tech-savvy team?
→ Slack's power features will be used and appreciated
Step 5: Run the Numbers
Calculate your total cost over three years:
Google Chat scenario:
• Workspace cost: $X per user/year
• No additional chat cost
• Total: $X per user/year
Slack scenario:
• Email/productivity suite: $Y per user/year
• Slack Pro: $87 per user/year
• Total: $(Y + 87) per user/year
If $X < $(Y + 87), and Chat meets your needs, the choice is obvious.
Rollout Strategy: Whichever You Choose
The best platform fails if nobody uses it. Here's how to ensure adoption:
For Google Chat
Week 1:
• Define Space taxonomy (team spaces, project spaces, external spaces)
• Establish threading norms (when to use main vs threads)
• Configure external chat policies in admin console
Week 2:
• Pilot with one department
• Train on file sharing and Space file views
• Set up Gemini summaries for high-volume teams
Week 3:
• Define retention rules in Vault if compliance matters
• Roll out company-wide
• Create power user guides
For Slack
Week 1:
• Design channel architecture (org-wide, department, project, customer/partner)
• Standardize channel naming conventions (#proj-launch, #team-sales, etc.)
• Set admin controls (who can create channels, invite guests, etc.)
Week 2:
• Decide on Business+ vs Pro based on SSO/security needs
• Configure SSO integration
• Set up essential integrations (GitHub, Asana, etc.)
Week 3:
• Train on Workflow Builder for automation
• Roll out AI features intentionally
• Establish notification best practices
Week 4:
• Company-wide launch
• Monitor adoption metrics
• Gather feedback and adjust
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Slack better than Google Chat for business?
It depends on "better for what."
Slack is better for: Integration-heavy workflows, external collaboration at scale, and teams that want maximum customization.
Google Chat is better for: Teams already using Google Workspace who want simple, cost-effective messaging with seamless Drive/Meet integration.
Does Slack have unlimited message history?
Slack's free plan limits history to 90 days. Messages and files older than that are eventually deleted.
Slack Pro and higher plans offer unlimited history, making all past messages searchable.
Can we use Google Chat with external users?
Yes. Google provides admin controls for external chat. Admins can allow or restrict whether users can chat with people outside your organization and whether they can create/join Spaces with external participants.
How do we handle compliance retention in Google Chat?
Use Google Vault to set retention policies. You can configure rules to keep all messages indefinitely, auto-delete after a set period, or apply different policies to different organizational units.
Chat messages are kept 30 days after deletion before being purged, giving you a grace period.
What's the simplest way to add website live chat to Slack or Google Chat?
Use Social Intents:
For Slack:
• Install the Social Intents app
• Route website chats into a designated channel
• Team responds from Slack
For Google Chat:
• Add the Social Intents app to a Space
• Website chats appear in the Space
• Team responds from Chat or Gmail
Both approaches eliminate the need for a separate support dashboard. You can also add live chat to Microsoft Teams if that's your platform of choice.
Can we run both Slack and Google Chat?
Technically, yes. Some organizations use both (internal teams on Slack, external partners on Google Chat, for example).
But this creates fragmentation:
• Team members need to monitor two tools
• Information gets siloed
• Search becomes painful
Unless you have a compelling reason, standardize on one platform.
Which platform has better mobile apps?
Both have excellent mobile apps with push notifications and message sync.
Slack's mobile app is feature-rich with offline access and a polished interface. Many users prefer it.
Google Chat in Gmail on mobile puts chat in the same app as email. Convenient if you want fewer apps, but less robust as a standalone experience.
For teams that need mobile-first support, both work well. Slack has a slight edge in mobile UX.
Final Recommendation
There's no universal winner. The best choice depends on your specific situation:
Choose Google Chat if:
You're Google Workspace-first. Chat is free (included), integrates seamlessly with your existing workflow, and requires minimal setup. Perfect for teams that want reliable messaging without complexity.
Choose Slack if:
You need a powerful integration hub and workflow automation engine. Worth the investment if you're coordinating across many tools, collaborating heavily with external partners, or want a platform that can scale with complex needs.
Either way, add customer communication:
Whether you pick Slack or Google Chat, you can handle website chats through the same tool using Social Intents. Your team stays in one place. Customers get fast responses. Everyone wins.
The right platform is the one your team will actually use every day. Both Google Chat and Slack are excellent tools. Choose the one that fits your ecosystem, budget, and team culture.
Start your decision:
① List your must-have integrations
② Calculate total cost over three years
③ Consider where your team already spends time
④ Trial both if possible
⑤ Make the call and commit to it
The worst decision is no decision. Pick one, configure it properly, train your team, and get back to building your business.
Ready to route website chats into Slack or Google Chat? Try Social Intents free for 14 days and see how fast your support team can respond when everything happens in one place.
