Microsoft Teams Alternatives for 2025

Being bundled into Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams offers messaging and meetings. For many teams, it’s the default. But default doesn’t define the first need. Especially when there are now so many programs like Microsoft Teams offering fresh takes on team communication.

In 2025, teams are dealing with tool fatigue, hybrid work challenges, and rising costs. That’s why companies are exploring alternatives to Microsoft Teams. They’re looking for tools that streamline collaboration, support async work, and introduce features that actually make workflows simpler.

This guide breaks down the best Microsoft Teams alternatives in 2025, from familiar names like Slack and Zoom to next-gen platforms like Orchestra, an all-in-one workspace built for clarity in communication and management. We’ll explore what to look for, how these tools stack up, and which apps are worth trying.

TL;DR: Microsoft Teams Alternatives Shortlist

• Slack for complex project hierarchies and structures
• Orchestra for messaging with built-in calls, tasks & docs
• Zoom Team Chat for Zoom-centered workflows
• Google Chat for Google-centered workflows
• Discord for voice-first and community-style communication
• Chanty for team chat with task tracking 
• Mattermost for self-hosted collaboration with that old-school SaaS vibe 

Why More Teams Are Moving On From Microsoft Teams 

Microsoft Teams is popular with teams that rely heavily on the Microsoft ecosystem. Having all the Office tools in one place is definitely convenient, but as teams outgrow it, they often run into issues like:

If any of these sound familiar, you might want to explore Microsoft Teams alternatives that offer a similar toolkit but with a more user-friendly approach.

Slack vs. Microsoft Teams

A pioneer in the world of SaaS communication tools that connects teams and integrates with apps for work collaboration.

📍Key Features

• Slack Connect. Shared channels to message and stay aligned with people outside your team, like clients, contractors, or partners, directly in Slack without switching apps.
• Threads. The message flows in channels. They’re meant to keep discussions clear and on track.
• Huddles. Audio or video chats you can start in any channel or DM.
• Canvas. A collaborative space for your conversations, meeting notes, or project info that stays connected to your discussions.
• Lists. A task-tracking tool where the team can create to-dos, assign tasks, set priorities, and keep progress visible.
• Workflow Builder. A no-code tool for custom workflows like onboarding, approvals, or reminders.

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Intuitive UX, wide integration options, cross-functional workflows.
• Cons: Missing editing tools, no built-in project management.

👾 Best for Teams

Slack is a go-to for large teams and enterprises, though it might feel messy and hard to navigate for startups, small, and mid-sized teams. Those teams are often settling for alternatives that are more budget-friendly and simple.

Orchestra vs. Microsoft Teams

An all-in-one workspace that brings communication and management as intended – together. Orchestra’s interface is chat-centric, so every project and task has a separate chat to keep your team’s communication on point from the very start.

📍Key Features

• Task-focused Chats. Every task or project starts with a dedicated chat, keeping communication on point. Create private or public chats for personal, team, project, or task communication, plus channels for alerts.
• Chat Folders. A cleaner alternative to threads. With folders like favorites, unread, personal, or task-related, shape chat views however you like.
• Built-in Calls. Voice and video calls are already integrated into task-related chats. Recordings are stored within the same chat.
• Built-in Tasks. Projects and tasks can be created directly from chats. Add assignees, deadlines, and structure with hierarchies, lists, and boards — all in one workspace.
• Tasks from Messages. Turn messages into tasks in one click and link them to relevant projects instantly.
• Media & Files. Easy access to docs, media, and files in every chat.
• Teams & Free Guests. Build your team structure with customizable roles and permissions. No limits on external guests.

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Chat-centered workspace, task-focused workflow, unlimited docs and storage, dedicated free support right in the workspace.
• Cons: Lacks many of the integrations that larger tools like Microsoft Teams offer (e.g., Salesforce, Jira, etc.).

👾 Best for Teams

Orchestra works best for small and mid-sized modern product, marketing teams, and fast-moving startups. The app is simple yet packed with everything teams need to keep work flowing – easy to use and stylish to work with.

Zoom Team Chat vs. Microsoft Teams

Formerly a video conferencing app, Zoom has expanded its product lineup and become Zoom Workplace, with Zoom Team Chat as one of its main products. 

📍Key Features

• Team Chat. A Slack-like interface built inside the Zoom ecosystem. Includes threads, as well as direct and group messaging.
• Meetings. Instant voice and video calls. Create breakout rooms for focused discussions or make async video updates when live meetings aren’t necessary.
• Huddles. Similar to meetings, but more informal and spontaneous.
• Phone. A cloud-based phone service to make and receive calls directly in Zoom, similar to how we used Skype before.
• Calendar. A classic calendar view for scheduling meetings.
• AI Agents. AI-powered chatbots that handle customer inquiries and route issues to the right team.

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Easier for meetings, quick video updates, and transitioning between chats and videos.
• Cons: Limited as a task or project hub, no deep workflow tools.

👾 Best for Teams

Zoom Team Chat is a collaboration hub that integrates seamlessly into the Zoom platform, so it’s ideal for teams that are used to the Zoom platform.

Google Chat vs. Microsoft Teams

Built for teams integrated into the Google Workspace ecosystem, Google Chat allows users to communicate in direct messages or group spaces while collaborating on familiar tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

📍Key Features

• Messages & Group Chats. Direct or public chats for discussions. 
• Spaces. Threaded conversations, file sharing, and task assignments within each Space.
• Google Workspace Integrations. Additional services like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and Calendar to collaborate and share work without leaving the chat.
• AI Replies. AI-suggested messages to automate tasks and responses.

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Simpler UI, faster onboarding for existing Google users, seamless access to shared files.
• Cons: No internal project or workflow features, users may outgrow the app as work complexity increases.

👾 Best for Teams

Google Chat is best for teams already using Google Workspace. Teams that focus on document-based collaboration can also consider this tool.

Discord vs. Microsoft Teams

Originally made for the gamedev community and its streaming, Discord has now become a common voice- and video-based collaboration tool among tech teams.

📍Key Features

• Chat Channels. A space for messaging with threaded replies like on Slack.
• Voice Channels. Built-in audio rooms where users can drop in and out freely.
• Video Calls & Streaming. One-on-one or group video calls with built-in screen sharing for live demos, presentations, or collaborative work.
• Custom Roles & Permissions. Fine-tuned control over who can post, moderate, or manage different parts of a server.
• Bots & Integrations. Automation tools, moderation bots, and third-party integrations (like GitHub, Trello, YouTube, and more).

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Real-time voice and video channels, community-focused, highly customizable.
• Cons: No built-in task management or document tools.

👾 Best for Teams

Discord remains a top choice for gamedev communities, as well as creative and remote teams that prefer spontaneous, informal messaging and calls over structured project management.

Chanty vs. Microsoft Teams

A team chat app that combines messaging, task management, and project planning into one tool.

📍Key Features

• Teambook. A central hub where you can find all your messages, tasks, files, and pinned content organized in one place. Threads are also available.
• Chanty Extras. Add-ons like dark mode, a built-in media player, and content previews to improve your work experience.
• Calls. Voice or video calls within the workspace when typing isn’t an option.
• Task Management. A range of tools to work with tasks and manage progress right in the chat.
• Team Space. A shared environment where your whole team can collaborate through chats and tasks.

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Built-in task management, affordable pricing, minimal setup, easy onboarding.
• Cons: Basic feature set, limited scalability, and integrations.

👾 Best for Teams

Chanty is a budget-friendly option for small to mid-sized teams seeking a communication tool with built-in basic project and task management.

Mattermost vs. Microsoft Teams

An open-source team collaboration tool, often viewed as a more utilitarian alternative to Slack, offering similar features along with secure messaging.

📍Key Features

• Channels. Public or private spaces based on topics, teams, or projects for team communication.
• Threads. The Slack feature to follow specific conversations.
• Customizable Notifications. Tailored notifications to stay updated on important conversations.
• Dev-Centric Integrations. External apps like GitHub, JIRA, Google Drive, and more are connected to your workspace.

🔎 Compared to Microsoft Teams

• Pros: Open-source means highly customizable, integration with developer tools.
• Cons: Less polished UX/UI, requires technical setup, less user-friendly.

👾 Best for Teams

Mattermost is best suited for teams looking for a direct Slack alternative or those needing a self-hosted solution.

Microsoft Teams Alternatives: The Table View

We’ve rounded up some of the top Microsoft Teams alternatives for 2025. To help you decide, just focus on the features and the price. The table below should make the research easier: