Team communication
Slack vs Discord
Slack is the better fit for internal company communication with deep tool integrations. Discord is the better fit for running a community, especially one that leans on voice channels and public spaces.
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Slack or Discord — which should you use?
Slack is the better fit for internal company communication with deep tool integrations. Discord is the better fit for running a community, especially one that leans on voice channels and public spaces. Slack starts at Pro plan from roughly $7.25/user/month billed annually (free tier: Free plan with 90-day message history limit and basic integrations.); Discord starts at Nitro from roughly $9.99/month, mainly for individual perks not team features (free tier: Free plan with unlimited message history and voice channels.). Prices are list prices and change, so check the vendor pages before buying.
Last updated 3 August 2026
Slack was built for the workplace: channels, threads, huddles and an integration directory that connects to most of the software a company already uses. Discord was built for communities and gaming, with a focus on always-on voice channels and public servers anyone can join with a link.
Both have grown toward each other — Slack added huddles, Discord added better threading and business-friendly features — but the core audience and defaults still reflect where each one started.
Side by side
Slack and Discord in short.
Slack
Workplace messaging platform with channels, threads and a large integration directory.
- Free
- Free plan with 90-day message history limit and basic integrations.
- Paid from
- Pro plan from roughly $7.25/user/month billed annually
Good at
- Integration directory covers most business tools a company already runs
- Threading and search are built for finding things later in a work context
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance options at higher tiers
Weak at
- Free plan's 90-day message history is a real limitation
- Voice and video are less central than in Discord
Discord
Community and voice-first chat platform organised around public and private servers.
- Free
- Free plan with unlimited message history and voice channels.
- Paid from
- Nitro from roughly $9.99/month, mainly for individual perks not team features
Good at
- Unlimited free message history, no paywall on basic use
- Voice channels are always-on and low-friction to join
- Public servers make it easy for a community to grow organically
Weak at
- Fewer business integrations than Slack
- Less structured for formal workplace communication and compliance needs
The differences
Where they actually diverge.
| Feature | Slack | Discord |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan history limit | 90 days | Unlimited |
| Entry paid price | ~$7.25/user/month | ~$9.99/month (individual perks) |
| Business integrations | Extensive | Limited |
| Voice channels | Huddles, ad hoc | Always-on, core feature |
| Public community features | Limited | Strong, server invites |
| Compliance and admin controls | Strong at Enterprise tier | Limited |
| Threading | Native, work-oriented | Supported, less central |
| Best for | Internal company communication | Communities and voice-first groups |
Pick one
Which one fits you.
Choose Slack if
- You need message history beyond 90 days without paying, or your budget allows Pro
- Your team relies on integrations with existing business tools
- Compliance, audit logs or enterprise admin controls matter
Choose Discord if
- You're running a public or semi-public community, not just an internal team
- Voice channels are a core part of how people work or hang out together
- You want unlimited message history without paying
When neither is the answer
For pure video meetings rather than ongoing chat, Zoom or Google Meet fit better than either of these.
Questions
Common questions.
Can Discord work for a company internally?
Some small teams and startups do use it, especially ones with a community-first culture, but it lacks Slack's business integrations and admin controls at scale.
Is Slack's free plan usable long term?
For a very small team, yes, but the 90-day message history limit means older conversations become unsearchable, which frustrates most teams eventually.
Which has better search?
Slack's search is more built for finding past work conversations and files, reflecting its workplace focus.
Do both support video calls?
Yes, Slack has huddles with video and Discord has video calls in voice channels, though Discord's are more built around ongoing voice presence.
Which is better for a paid community or course?
Discord, generally, since public servers and roles are built for exactly that, and many paid communities already run on it.
Prices are list prices published by each vendor and change often — check the linked pricing pages before you buy. We take no affiliate commission and nobody pays to appear here.
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