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Rocket.Chat vs Slack

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Rocket.Chat logo

Rocket.Chat

Communication

Try Rocket.Chat
VS
Slack logo

Slack

Communication

Try Slack

A
About Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is an open-source team communication platform that offers real-time messaging, video conferencing, file sharing, and omnichannel customer engagement. It's designed for organizations that need full control over their data, offering both self-hosted and cloud-hosted deployment options. The platform is particularly popular with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and enterprises operating in highly regulated industries due to its strong focus on data sovereignty and security. It supports federation, end-to-end encryption, and extensive customization through its open-source codebase and marketplace of apps and integrations.

B
About Slack

Slack is a channel-based messaging platform that serves as a digital headquarters for teams and organizations. It organizes conversations into channels by topic, project, or team, making it easy to find and follow relevant discussions without wading through unrelated messages. The platform supports direct messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and an extensive app ecosystem with thousands of integrations. It's used by everyone from small startups to Fortune 500 companies, and its search functionality makes it straightforward to retrieve past conversations and shared files. While it started as a tool for tech teams, Slack has become a standard communication hub across virtually every industry.

Pricing Comparison

Tool
Rocket.Chat
Slack
Price
Free — From $3/user/mo
Free — From $6.67/user/mo
Category
Communication
Communication
Rating
3.7 (44)
4.3 (169)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Integrations
8+ apps
8+ apps
Founded
2015
2013

Feature Comparison

Feature
Rocket.Chat
Slack
Real-time messaging and file sharing
Video conferencing and screen sharing
Customizable chat channels and threads
Integration with third-party apps
User roles and permissions management
End-to-end encryption for security
Real-time messaging and notifications
File sharing and collaboration tools
Customizable channels for discussions
Searchable message history
Video and voice call capabilities

Choose Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication platform for team collaboration.

Try Rocket.Chat Free

Read full review

Choose Slack

Slack is a powerful communication tool that streamlines team collaboration.

Try Slack Free

Read full review

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Score Comparison

Ease of Use
7.0
8.0
Features
8.0
9.0
Pricing
9.0
7.0
Support
7.0
8.0
Integrations
8.0
9.0
Overall
7.8
8.2
Rocket.ChatSlack

Our Verdict

Rocket.Chat

Your team values open-source solutions and needs a budget-friendly collaboration tool for any size team.

More affordable
SlackWinner

Your medium-sized team prioritizes streamlined communication and collaboration in a familiar interface.

Easier to get started
More features
Better support

Rocket.Chat vs Slack: The Bottom Line

Both Rocket.Chat and Slack are strong communication tools, but they serve different needs. Slack has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 3.7).

Still unsure? Check the full reviews for Rocket.Chat and Slack, explore Rocket.Chat alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rocket.Chat or Slack better?

It depends on your needs. Rocket.Chat (3.7★) is free to start, while Slack (4.3★) is free to start. Slack has a higher user rating.

Can I switch from Rocket.Chat to Slack?

Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Slack has a migration guide or import tool specifically for Rocket.Chat users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.

Which is cheaper, Rocket.Chat or Slack?

Both Rocket.Chat and Slack start at $0/mo.

What are the main differences between Rocket.Chat and Slack?

Rocket.Chat focuses on real-time messaging and file sharing and video conferencing and screen sharing, while Slack emphasizes real-time messaging and notifications and file sharing and collaboration tools. Both are in the Communication category but serve slightly different use cases.