Both Slack and WhatsApp are popular communication apps. Both have many similar options, but certain features make them different.
So, how do both work, and which one should you use? This article covers Slack vs. WhatsApp.
What are both?
Slack is a business communication tool for centralizing teamwork, while WhatsApp is a personal messaging app for one-on-one and group conversations.
Many small businesses use WhatsApp to communicate in the workplace.
WhatsApp does not charge any fee or subscription, while Slack is a subscription-based tool offering the basic features in the free plan. Below are the features that you will find in both.
How do both work?
Slack
Slack is an all-in-one communication tool offering channels and private messaging. Channels are task-specific or general, where people can chat about a specific task. You can also send messages to users in your organization.
On the top, you will find a section called Threads. Here you find all the conversations related to you. For example, if someone mentions you, you will see all the info here. Let’s see some of Slack’s features:
- Rich text messaging
- Message editing
- Mentioning people (@mention)
- Scheduling messages
- Reminders (self and to other people)
- Note to self
- Profile status
- Customizable emojis to send
- Activities
- Do not disturb
WhatsApp, on the other hand, is a simple messaging app. It offers to send direct messages to contacts, while groups can be created to communicate. Some of the tools that WhatsApp offers:
- Message to any people in contacts
- Block people
- Location sharing
- Voice messages
- Media attachment
Benefits
Slack
Message schedule: You can schedule messages.
Note to self: Send messages to yourself.
Remind: Remind others of tasks and stuff.
Image emojis: You can upload an image to use as an emoji.
Slack connect: Sending messages to people not in your company is possible.
Themes: There are a few themes with a dark adjust the colors.
Screen share: Unlike WhatsApp, you can share your computer’s screen.
Message pin: Pinning a message in direct chat and a channel is possible.
Channel permissions: Slack has an advanced permission system for admins.
Image view: Images are stored in the cloud, so you can view them without downloading them. WhatsApp downloads media before you can view it.
No limit on users: WhatsApp allows the creation of groups of up to 256 users. Slack has no limit. You can add as many users to your team and channels as you like.
Drafts and sent: Slack has a section where you see and send your draft messages to anyone on the team.
WhatsApp Business: It’s a program for businesses to communicate with customers.
End-to-end security: Slack is not fully encrypted, while WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted.
Message pinning: Like Slack, WhatsApp supports the pinning of messages.
Location sharing: You can send your device’s location to contacts.
Disappearing messages: Send temporary messages that get removed after seven days.
Related: WhatsApp vs. Google Chat
Signing up
Signing up on Slack is straightforward. You type your business email to begin. Once verified, you can add details about the company projects and invite people, but all that can be done later.
To sign up on WhatsApp, you need your phone number to verify. Once the number is verified, you can add your photo and name on the next screen.
Related: Google Workspace vs. Slack | Slack vs. Google Chat
Supported file attachments
This round goes to Slack. Slack, regardless of the platform, allows sending most file types. WhatsApp supports sending media files, but on desktop platforms, you can share documents and other file types as well.
Slack supports all documents, including PDF, word documents, audio files, images, etc. The files can be uploaded via the computer or cloud storage programs (Google Drive, OneNote, Dropbox, etc.).
The WhatsApp mobile app supports sharing images, videos, contacts, and locations, but to share files and documents, one must go to the file location and share it using WhatsApp. It also has a limit of 100MB per file.
Voice and video calls
Slack gives one-to-one video and voice calling options in its free version. However, you can add 15 people with a screen-sharing option in its paid plans.
You can video call through the in-built feature of Slack or can integrate any third-party application.
WhatsApp, on the other hand, offers one-to-one video and voice calling options. You can add a maximum of 32 participants to it. The capacity has been increased from 8 to 32 in its latest version.
Slack vs. WhatsApp: Platforms
Both apps can run on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. You can use both in your browser, but you will need your WhatsApp mobile app to log in on a computer for the first time.
Integrations
Integrations are a part of the Slack vs. WhatsApp comparison. Both support embedding many services, such as YouTube videos.
Slack is more powerful in embedding services because it supports more. The app also has Slack apps to help you work faster. You can connect the program with over 2400 applications.
You can integrate only ten apps in the free version, but these restrictions get removed in the Pro and Business+ plan. Some of the apps are:
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Calendar
- Google Drive
- Trello
- Zoom
WhatsApp, on the other hand, does not offer any integrations.
Related: Discord vs. WhatsApp
Pricing
As mentioned earlier, WhatsApp is free, whereas Slack has two paid plans: Pro and Business+. The free plan Slack has everything a new team needs, but there are a few limitations.
The plan lets you see up to 90 days old messages. To unlock the older messages, you must subscribe to one paid plan. The team also gets 5 GB of storage.
The Pro plan costs $7.25 per month on the monthly plan. To get options:
- Unlimited messaging history
- Unlimited apps integrations
- 10 GB storage per member
- Group calls with up to 50 people with screen-sharing options
- Priority support
The Business plan costs $12.50 per month per user. In addition to all the Pro features, it includes:
- 20 GB storage per user
- Single sign-on
- Data exports of all messages
- 99.99% guaranteed uptime
The program also offers an upper-hand plan called Enterprise Grid for large organizations. One must contact sales to find out more about this plan.
Which one should you use?
Let’s say you work in a corporation; this tool is highly useful in such situations.
You can organize tasks, chat, share documents, have group calls, and share the computer’s screen.
On the other hand, WhatsApp has day-to-day use. It helps you connect to the world individually. Your friends, relatives, club members, etc., are the ones to contact on WhatsApp.
Slack vs. WhatsApp: Links
The bottom line
Before selecting any, understand your goals and your work life. Making the right decision is critical because you need something that can last. Anyway, here we end this article: Slack vs. WhatsApp.
What are your thoughts on this article or the apps? Please share your opinions in the comments section to discuss this further.