Slack vs Microsoft Teams: is it a good Linux alternative?

Slack as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Teams

Updated October 19, 2026

Our verdict

Slack can replace Microsoft Teams for teams that need real‑time chat, threaded conversations, file sharing, and integration with third‑party tools. It works on Linux, macOS, Windows, and mobile, so cross‑platform teams can stay connected. However, it lacks native Office 365 integration, built‑in video conferencing, and the same level of enterprise‑grade security controls that Teams offers. It is best suited for organizations already using Slack or those who prefer a lighter, more modular communication platform.

Feature parity70%

License: LicenseRef-proprietary
Price: freemium
Latest version: 4.52.178 (October 8, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Slack Website ↗

The Slack main window, on GNOME in dark mode

What works the same

Real‑time chat with threaded conversations
File sharing with preview support
Integration with third‑party tools via apps
Cross‑platform availability
Customizable notification settings

What is different

No native Office 365 integration
No built‑in video conferencing (requires external apps)
Limited enterprise‑grade security and compliance features
Slack’s Linux client is still beta with occasional missing features
Teams offers tighter integration with Microsoft 365 productivity suite

Opening your Microsoft Teams files

Microsoft Teams primarily stores files in SharePoint/OneDrive. Slack can attach and preview common formats (PDF, DOCX, XLSX, images), but it does not natively open or edit Office documents. To view Teams files, you would need to download them to a local Office installation or use an online Office viewer. Exporting from Slack is limited to the files you upload; there is no direct conversion from Teams‑specific formats.

Switching from Microsoft Teams to Slack, step by step

Export Teams channel data via the Teams admin center or PowerShell scripts.
Download all files from SharePoint/OneDrive to a local folder.
Create Slack workspaces and channels matching Teams teams and channels.
Upload the downloaded files to the corresponding Slack channels.
Recreate important messages by copying and pasting key content into Slack.
Set up Slack apps (e.g., Google Drive, Jira) to replace Teams integrations.

Key features of Slack

Channel-based organization for topics and projects
Direct messaging with read receipts and reactions
File sharing with preview support for common formats
Integration with third-party tools via Slack Apps
Threaded conversations to keep main channels uncluttered
Cross-device sync for messages and notifications
Customizable notification settings per channel or DM
Beta Linux client with ongoing feature additions

How to install Slack on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub com.slack.Slack

Frequently asked questions

Does Slack support video calls like Teams?

Slack offers video calls, but they are limited to 15‑minute calls for free accounts and 30‑minute calls for paid plans. For larger meetings, you need to integrate with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other services. Teams provides native, unlimited video conferencing for all users.

Will I lose file permissions when moving from Teams to Slack?

Slack does not enforce the same granular permission model as SharePoint. You will need to manually set channel permissions and use Slack’s file‑sharing controls to approximate the original access levels.

Is the Slack Linux client stable enough for production use?

Slack’s Linux client is still in beta; some features may be missing or buggy. For critical production environments, consider using the web app or waiting for a stable release.