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Best Team Communication Software in 2026

Team communication software handles workplace messages, video meetings and file sharing in one service. This list covers tools for teams comparing communication options on a budget.

  1. 1

    Rocket.Chat

    by Rocket.Chat
    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Rocket.Chat offers core messaging features on a free plan, with named options describing additional deployment and administrative choices.

    8.8 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Zulip

    by Zulip
    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Zulip provides channel-based team chat across common desktop and mobile platforms, with guest access and numerous listed integrations.

    8.5 Free plan · paid from $3.50/user/mo Visit site
  3. 3

    Chanty

    by Chanty
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Choose Chanty if your team wants chat, task management, calls, and integrations in one tool, with a free plan for up to five members.

    7.7 Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  4. 4

    Discord

    by Discord
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    Discord combines community servers with voice, video, and text communication across desktop, mobile, and web. Its call encryption does not extend to messages.

    7.6 Free plan · paid from $2.99/user/mo Visit site
  5. 5

    Element

    by Element
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

    Element combines broad platform availability, guest access and unlimited message history. Its self-hosted option and integrations may appeal to organizations, while plan prices are not listed.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Flock

    by Flock
    Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+4

    Flock offers a free entry point and plan descriptions for different team sizes, alongside a broad integration list and multiple platform options.

    7.5 Free plan · paid from $4.50/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
  7. 7

    Google Chat

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Choose Google Chat if you want messaging integrated with Google Workspace, broad platform support, and collaboration spaces that can accommodate up to 500,000 members.

    7.4 Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  8. 8

    Lark

    by Lark
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    Lark combines workplace messaging, collaboration, automation, and developer tools across major desktop and mobile platforms.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    LINE WORKS

    by LINE WORKS
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    LINE WORKS offers channels, guest access, and plans with different member and storage capacities. Check message-history limits and the free tier's caps, and request pricing for Standard or Advanced.

    7.3 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  10. 10

    Microsoft Teams

    by Microsoft Teams
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Teams covers messaging, calls, and meetings across platforms, with a free plan and business options that list expanded meeting and support features.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    Nextcloud Talk

    by Nextcloud Talk
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Choose Nextcloud Talk if you want communication integrated with Nextcloud collaboration tools, with self-hosting and external service bridges.

    7.3 Open source · 30-day trial Visit site
  12. 12

    Pumble

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    Pumble covers team messaging, file sharing, and meetings, with unlimited message history on the free plan.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from $2.49/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
  13. 13

    Ryver

    by Ryver
    Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+4

    Ryver brings multiple conversation types, project tasks, and workflow automation into shared collaboration spaces. The free plan covers up to six users, while larger teams have paid plan options.

    7.2 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
  14. 14

    Slack

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Slack combines channel conversations, app integrations, automation and built-in AI features across a wide range of platforms.

    7.1 Free plan · paid from $7.25/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  15. 15

    Troop Messenger

    by Troop Messenger
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Troop Messenger offers team messaging across desktop and mobile platforms, with guest access and several listed integrations.

    7.0 From $2.50/user/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
  16. 16

    Twist

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Choose Twist if your team wants channel-based messaging, guest access, and apps across desktop and mobile platforms.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $6/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  17. 17

    Wire

    by Wire
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Wire brings messaging, conferencing and file collaboration together, with deployment choices that include offline or air-gapped on-premises environments.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from €7.45/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  18. 18

    Zoho Cliq

    by Zoho Cliq
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Zoho Cliq combines business chat with meetings, administration, workflow, and developer features. Compare group-size and searchable-message limits across plans against your team’s needs.

    6.9 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
  19. 19

    Kakao Work

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
    6.4 Free plan Visit site
  20. 20

    Brosix

    by Brosix
    Paid AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Brosix offers channels, guest access, and a broad platform and integration list. Teams should weigh its limited message history and paid pricing against their needs.

    6.1 From $6/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  21. 21

    Symphony

    by Symphony
    Paid AndroidAPIiPhone+3

    Symphony combines regulated-market messaging with workflow automation, broad integrations, and compliance-oriented controls.

    5.2 Pricing on request Visit site
  22. 22

    Cisco Jabber

    Paid AndroidiPhoneMac+1
    5.1 Pricing on request Visit site
  23. 23

    Clariti

    Paid MacWebWindows
    4.8 From $3/user/mo Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Use the free plan, entry paid price, message history limit, meeting size, file storage per user, guest access and retention controls for comparison. Check trial terms, supported platforms and whether an open-source licence lets you read or change the code.

Questions

Are free team communication plans available?

Yes. Items on this list offer free plans, while other products use paid or freemium pricing. Check the limits attached to the plan.

Which platforms do these tools support?

Across the list, supported platforms are Windows, macOS, web, Android, iOS and Linux. Confirm support for the specific product you plan to use.

Can I try a paid plan before paying?

A free trial is offered by items on this list. Google Chat shows a 14-day trial, while each product sets its own trial terms.

What should I compare for meetings?

Compare video meeting availability and the participant limit. The suitable choice depends on the meeting size your team needs.

Do these tools provide open-source code?

Open-source code is offered by items on this list. Check the specific licence if you need to inspect or modify the code.

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