Async communication is the lifeblood of remote work. But with everyone scattered across time zones, choosing the right platform matters more than ever.
The Big Three
Slack
The category creator and still the leader:
Strengths:
- Mature integration ecosystem (2,400+ apps)
- Channels, threads, and DMs work intuitively
- Excellent search
- Huddles for quick calls
- Canvas for collaborative docs
Weaknesses:
- Gets expensive at scale
- Can become overwhelming without discipline
- Free tier limitations (90-day history)
Best for: Professional teams that value integrations and polish.
Pricing: Free tier, Pro at $8.75/user/month.
Microsoft Teams
The default for Microsoft shops:
Strengths:
- Included with Microsoft 365
- Deep Office integration
- Good video conferencing built-in
- Strong compliance and security
Weaknesses:
- Interface can feel cluttered
- Less intuitive than Slack
- Integration ecosystem less mature
Best for: Organizations already paying for Microsoft 365.
Pricing: Free tier, essentials at $4/user/month (or included with M365).
Discord
The upstart challenger:
Strengths:
- Excellent voice channels (always-on rooms)
- Strong community features
- Very generous free tier
- Screen sharing included
- Forums for async discussions
Weaknesses:
- “Gaming” perception in some workplaces
- Less sophisticated for large orgs
- Search isn’t as powerful
Best for: Startups, creative teams, and communities.
Pricing: Free, Nitro at $9.99/month (cosmetic features).
Emerging Alternatives
Zulip
Open-source with topic-based threading:
- Every message belongs to a topic
- Better for async, technical discussions
- Self-host option
- Free for open source
Twist
From the Todoist team, designed for async:
- No real-time presence indicators
- Thread-first design
- Encourages thoughtful communication
- Good for deep work cultures
Rocket.Chat
Self-hosted alternative:
- Full control over data
- Customizable
- Good for compliance-heavy industries
How to Choose
Choose Slack if:
- You need robust integrations
- You’re a professional services company
- Budget isn’t the primary concern
Choose Teams if:
- You’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem
- You need video conferencing bundled
- Enterprise compliance matters
Choose Discord if:
- You want always-on voice rooms
- Your team skews younger/startup
- You’re budget-conscious
Communication Hygiene
Regardless of platform:
- Set notification expectations - Not everything is urgent
- Use threads - Keep channels readable
- Define channel purposes - Prevent sprawl
- Establish response time norms - Async means delayed is okay
- Don’t forget to actually talk - Text can’t convey everything
What communication tool does your team use? Drop us a line—we’re always curious about what’s working.