Choosing the correct messaging platform for your team’s needs can be overwhelming since many choices are available. This guide dives into the best messaging app for small teams, highlighting their features, pricing, use cases, and stats. We’ll add insightful recommendations, infographics, and software reviews to view essential comparisons.
What Are Messaging Platforms?
Digital messaging platforms are specific tools that allow teams to communicate in real-time via chat, voice, or video. They are designed to replace email threads with faster collaborative threads. Many companies say working via messaging apps speeds up the work by 35% (Buffer).
Why Messaging Platforms Are Essential for Small Teams
1. Enhanced Collaboration
With messaging platforms, sharing messaging platforms allows team members to discuss their ideas, updates, and feedback. According to McKinsey, using collaborative tools leads to a 20% increase in productivity.
2. Centralized Communication
A messaging platform allows you to communicate through conversations, files, and project updates in a single dedicated space, reducing your bulk, back-and-forth email threads.
3. Flexibility and Accessibility
Modern messaging platforms allow team members to stay connected 24/7 on the desktop, mobile, or tablet. Messaging tools enable remote teams to cut response times by 43% (Buffer).
Key Features to Look for in Messaging Platforms
- User-Friendly Interface:
Search for services that offer a simple and easy-to-navigate interface as part of the team will be non-technical. - Real-Time Communication & Notifications
Messaging people with notifications across all devices ensures that high-priority messages are read at appropriate times. - Integration With Other Tools
Go for a platform that connects smoothly with your existing tools — Google Workspace, Trello, Zoom, Notion, etc. - File Sharing and Storage Capabilities
Make sure the selected tool has features for sharing and storage capabilities for all your files in one place. Important to note here are the security protocols offered by the platform. - Security & Data Privacy Features
Pick a platform that confidently complies with the GDPR and other quality compliance standards. Ensure that they have a tech to protect them from unauthorized access and data-stealing attacks - Scalability & Pricing Plans
Find a platform that can grow with your team. Look for an app with free or paid plans – and an upgrade path.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Team
1. Assess Your Needs
- Do you require advanced integrations (e.g., CRM, project management)?
- Is file sharing a priority?
- Will you use video conferencing frequently?
2. Consider Your Budget
Free plans may suffice for smaller teams, but paid plans often provide additional features like increased storage and better security.
3. Test Multiple Options
Take advantage of free trials to explore different platforms and find the best fit for your team’s workflow.
Compare 7+ Messaging Platform Features & Offers
| Platform | Free Plan | Integrations | Best For | Unique Perk |
| Slack | Yes | 2000+ | Tech-savvy teams | App integrations |
| Microsoft Teams | Yes | Microsoft 365 | Hybrid/work-from-home teams | Office integration |
| Discord | Yes | Limited | Creative/startup teams | Always-on voice channels |
| Google Chat | Yes | Google Workspace | Gmail-based teams | Seamless with Google tools |
| Chanty | Yes | Limited | Budget-conscious teams | Built-in task manager |
| Zoom Team Chat | Yes | Zoom, Google, etc. | Zoom-using teams | Integrated with video meetings |
| Ryver | No (Trial) | Trello, Dropbox | All-in-one team management | Combines messaging + task tools |
Top 7 Messaging Platforms for Small Teams
1. Slack
Overview:It helps teams of all sizes communicate with one another. You can create several channels for better conversation management, and it integrates with third-party apps easily. A large segment of users say that 32% less e-mail gets used thanks to Slack, and team efficiency improves by 27% (Slack Internal Data).
Key Features:
- Team and project-specific discussion channels.
- You can share files using cloud integration tools like Google Drive and Dropbox.
- Smart filters can search for specific messages and files.
- Having the ability to make video and voice calls.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Versatile, well-known, highly integratedCons: Free plan has message history limit
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $7.25 per user/month.
| Use Case:A marketing team uses Slack to manage campaign discussions across multiple channels, ensuring everyone stays informed. |
2. Microsoft Teams
Overview:Microsoft Teams combines all-in-one messaging, video calling, and document collaboration.
Key Features:
- Integration with Office 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Persistent chat for ongoing conversations.
- You can make video and audio calls to up to 300 users.
- Secure file sharing with OneDrive.
Pros and Cons
Pros: The tool is beneficial for hybrid and remote teams, file sharing.Cons: Not a great option for Small, and New teams.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $4 per user/month.
| Use Case A small IT firm uses Microsoft Teams for collaboration on client projects, with Office 365 integration for file sharing and editing. |
3. Google Chat
Overview:Google Chat is a simple messaging application, which is the key feature of Google Workspace. It’s great for teams using Gmail and Google Drive.
Key Features:
- Group chats for team collaboration.
- Threaded conversations for better context.
- It works well with Drive Calendar and all Google Workspace applications.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Easy for Google users, good mobile support.Cons: Fewer features than competitors.
Pricing:
- Free with Google Workspace plans, starting at $6 per user/month.
| Use Case: A startup uses Google Chat to collaborate daily while sharing necessary documents via Google Drive. |
4. Zoom Team Chat
Overview:Zoom is a video chat app that offers some decent team chat features.
Key Features:
- Chat alongside Zoom meetings for real-time collaboration.
- Persistent messaging across devices.
- File sharing and integration with third-party apps.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Great for teams already using Zoom, strong video call integration. Cons: Limited customization compared to Slack.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $14.99 per user/month.
| Use Case: A design team shares their feedback and joins in on video calls on Zoom Team Chat while continuing the conversation in their own time. |
5. Discord for Work
Overview:Discord was originally built for gamers but became a robust platform for small teams. Over the past few years, the monthly user base of Discord crossed 150 million due to the rise of gamers (Discord Internal Data).
Key Features:
- Voice, video, and text communication.
- Customizable servers for organizing channels by topic.
- Screen sharing for presentations and demonstrations.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Lightweight, functional chats. Suitable for casual chat but structured. Cons: Perceived as “gamer-centric”.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Nitro plan starts at $9.99/month.
| Use Case: A Discord Group of a creative agency has discussions and hangouts for different ideas. |
6. Chanty
Overview:Chanty is a lightweight, affordable messaging platform ideal for small teams seeking simplicity.
Key Features:
- Unlimited message history.
- Built-in task management for assigning and tracking tasks.
- Voice and video calls.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Affordable, easy to use, clean interface.
Cons: Limited third-party integrations.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $3 per user/month.
| Use Case: A small nonprofit uses Chanty to streamline communication and assign tasks for fundraising events. |
7. Ryver
Overview:Ryver combines messaging, task management, and workflow automation in one platform.
Key Features:
- Unlimited chat and file sharing.
- Task boards for project management.
- Integration with Zapier for automation.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Combines messaging and task management, flat-rate pricing.Cons: Less polished UI compared to larger competitors.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $49/month for up to 12 users.
| Use Case: A software development team uses Ryver to communicate on sprints and track progress milestones. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Messaging Platforms
What is the best free messaging platform for small teams?
Can Slack be used for free?
Is Discord suitable for professional communication?
What messaging platform integrates best with project management tools?
How secure are these messaging apps?
Which platform is easiest for non-tech-savvy users?
The Bottomline on Messaging Platforms
A powerful messaging service can change your team’s entire communication collaboration and delivery. Your remote working team has a lot of options like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Chanty.
See what your team needs, look for the features outlined in this post, and test some platforms. If you use the right tool, your small team can improve collaboration and productivity and achieve success.
Act today, and get a messaging tool that helps your team be successful!
