Team chat apps are no longer just about workplace chatter and conversations. Make no mistake, internal communication is one of the most critical factors impacting the success of your business. But it’s far from the only piece of the puzzle.
As the modern office shifts to distributed teams, digital nomads, and remote consultants, team collaboration and business processes are becoming more complex, requiring cloud-based solutions and automation technology.
As a result, team chat software has to do more than just ensure internal communication. It has to facilitate efficient yet meaningful collaboration, safeguard company data and information, and increase team productivity.
In short, a chat app should drive your business. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of great team and business apps to help you communicate better and get work done.
An Overview of the Best Team Chatting Apps in 2024
| App | Best for | Free version or trial |
| Brosix | All-in-one chat, collaboration, and control | Free for up to 3 users |
| Flock | Core team chat features with integrated apps | Freemium version with unlimited messages |
| Troop Messenger | Affordable company chat and collaboration | Seven-day free trial |
| Discord | Voice-centric communication for gaming | Free version |
| Microsoft Teams | Integration with Microsoft Office 365 | Limited freemium version |
| Viva Engage | Internal social network for large enterprises | Paid (part of Microsoft 365 business suite) |
| Slack | Extensive integrations and collaboration tools | Freemium version |
| Facebook Workplace | Familiar communication within a Facebook-like setup | Paid plans only |
| Chanty | AI-powered team chat for small and medium-sized enterprises | Free for up to 5 users |
| Ryver | Team chat integrated with task management | 14-day free trial |
| Twist | Threaded chat for focused discussions | Free version with a one-month message history |
| Trillian | No-frills messaging for businesses and healthcare professionals | Free for 1 user |
| Teamwork Chat | Collaboration hub with integration with Teamwork products | 30-day free trial |
The 13 Best Team Chat Apps for 2024
As spending on collaborative tools boomed during the coronavirus pandemic, finding the right applications to enhance internal communication and processes isn’t easy. To help you sort through the clutter and find the perfect team chat app for you, let’s take a closer look at the most capable team chat apps for companies of all sizes.
1. Brosix
Brosix is powerful instant messaging software for businesses featuring all-in-one chat, collaboration, and control capabilities to improve team communication and performance.
Brosix’s chat features facilitate streamlined communication. One-on-one text chats, chat rooms, broadcast messages, and audio and video calling ensure seamless real-time communication no matter the situation.
A user-friendly interface loaded with features enables dynamic collaboration with a click. Share your screen or grant desktop access, send instant screenshots, launch a whiteboard presentation, and transfer files unlimited in size or number.
Better yet, everything takes place on a fully encrypted private Team Network providing full control over the platform. It’s a highly secure hub for communication and teamwork that’s customized to your business.
Top Brosix features:
- Administrative control over contact lists, chat rooms, features, and more
- The ability to set multiple administrators and specific user data security levels
- Fully trackable User Activity Logs
- Searchable and syncable chat histories
- Voice and video calling
- Broadcast messaging capabilities
- Screen sharing with remote desktop control
- Unlimited-size file transfers
- API integrations through Zapier and Integrately
Brosix pricing: Free Team Network for up to three users; $4 per user/month for Business; $6 per user/month for Premium
Pros and cons
| Brosix Pros | Brosix Cons |
| Strong focus on security and data encryption | Smaller user base compared to other major platforms |
| Customizable communication features | Less frequent updates and new feature releases |
| Easy-to-use interface with an intuitive design |
Available on: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 4.3 (Stars) from 14 people
- Capterra 4.6 (Stars) from 71 people
- G2 4.7 (Stars) from 44 people
2. Flock
Based in India, Flock has positioned itself as a rival to Slack. Flock has even set up a North American headquarters to challenge the team chat giant.
Flock gives you the core capabilities you’d expect of a team chat app—direct and group chat, voice and video calls, alerts, and notifications. Chat channels featuring threaded replies can be set up to be both private and public.
Keep in mind that Flock’s freemium version caps storage, public channels, and searchable chat histories to 10K messages. If this tool isn’t for you, check out these Flock alternatives.
Top Flock features:
- Integrates with 60+ apps like Google Drive, GitHub, Trello, and Dropbox
- Built-in task management and the ability to convert discussions into tasks
- You can create polls, shared to-do lists, and auto-generated mailing lists
- You can invite guests to the platform
Flock pricing: Free plan with unlimited messages for up to 20 team members; Paid plans start at $4.50 per seat and get you screen sharing, unlimited message history, and 10GB storage per user.
Pros and cons
| Flock Pros | Flock Cons |
| Comprehensive suite of collaboration tools | Limited customization options |
| Integrates well with third-party apps and services | Notifications can be overwhelming |
| Affordable pricing plans | Video conferencing features are less robust |
Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 2.7 (Stars) from 6 people
- Capterra 4.5 (Stars) from 342 people
- G2 4.4 (Stars) from 268 people
3. Troop Messenger
Troop believes company chat and collaboration shouldn’t break the bank.
For just a buck a month, the office chat app gets your business one-to-one and group chat, file sharing, voice calls, and video conferencing. Those willing to pay a bit more can get message-flagging capabilities, burnout chats, data usage analytics, and the option to self-host—all great for really effective business communication.
Collaboration is basically limited to screen sharing, though.
Top Troop features:
- Flag important conversations and retrieve them through a flag filter
- Self-destructing burnout chats
- Unlimited message history
- The ability to invite outsiders to the platform
Troop pricing: Premium at $2.5 per user/month plus a seven-day free trial; Enterprise at $5 per user/month plus a one-month free trial; Superior at $9/month (coming soon)
Pros and cons
| Troop Pros | Troop Cons |
| Secure team messaging with end-to-end encryption | Interface can be less intuitive for new users |
| Rich feature set, including file sharing and video calls | Limited third-party integrations |
| Affordable pricing suitable for small to medium businesses | Mobile app can be less responsive compared to desktop |
Available on: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 4.4 (Stars) from 13 people
- Capterra 4.8 (Stars) from 16 people
- G2 4.6 (Stars) from 74 people
4. Discord
Imagine a walkie-talkie, gaming platform, and team chat tool rolled into one. That’s Discord. It offers a totally different take on business communication.
With Discord, voice communication is front and center. In fact, voice chat is always on in the background. Clicking a channel immediately initiates a discussion with other users, which you can mute through the push-to-talk feature.
Text-based conversations happen on a separate channel, or ‘server.’ When using Discord, you also get screen sharing and file sharing.
Just remember that Discord is first and foremost an app for gamers. What’s more, the presence of malware and cybercriminals on the platform has raised questions about Discord’s fitness as a solution for business-oriented chat and collaboration.
For a deeper dive, check out our recent Discord review.
Top Discord features:
- Assign roles and permissions to any member of a channel
- Push-to-talk capabilities
- Multiple workspaces on a single interface
- Integration with YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, and more
Discord pricing: Discord’s freemium version offers core functionality; Nitro Basic at $2.99/month; Nitro Plan at $9.99/month
Pros and cons
| Discord Pros | Discord Cons |
| Robust features in the free version | Can be resource-intensive on devices |
| Excellent voice and video quality | Lacks advanced project management tools |
| Strong community-building tools | Privacy concerns with public servers |
Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 1.5 (Stars) from 1,076 people
- Capterra 4.7 (Stars) from 437 people
5. Microsoft Teams
If you hold a Microsoft Business Basic or Business Standard plan, Microsoft Teams probably isn’t all that new to you—the business chat software comes standard with those plans.
Teams is best known for its deep integration with Microsoft Office 365. That allows for robust cross-team collaboration atop the Office 365 suite of products. You can access, edit, and share any Office or One Drive document without leaving the Teams app. Rich text editing allows you to compose long-form email-like messages complete with an importance indicator.
Geared toward large corporate environments, you’ll need a Microsoft account just to access the Teams software. That puts it squarely out of reach for many small companies and startups. It’s also notoriously difficult to deploy, so have your patience handy.
Top Teams features:
- Word-like formatting lets you change font styles, create lists, and more in each message
- Office 365 integration lets you collaborate on any Office or One Drive document without leaving Teams
- AI-powered onboarding and search functionalities
Teams pricing: Essentials at $4 per user/month; Business Basic at $6 per user/month; Business Standard at $12.50 per user/month; Free trial of one month for Basic and Standard
Pros and cons
| Teams Pros | Teams Cons |
| Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 | Can be complex to set up and manage |
| Robust collaboration features including chat, video calls, and file sharing | Performance issues with large teams or heavy usage |
| Strong security and compliance capabilities |
Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 1.4 (Stars) from 177 people
- Capterra 4.5 (Stars) from 9,472 people
- G2 4.3 (Stars) from 15,094 people
6. Viva Engage
Viva Engage (formerly Yammer) is another messaging tool in the Microsoft ecosystem. A bit different from other team chat apps, Viva Engage functions more like an internal social network for large enterprises. You can follow your coworkers, write posts, and create your own network within the company.
Microsoft Viva Engage allows you to build communities of interest where you can organize meetings or events, share them with coworkers, and track attendance. You can send private direct messages or set up groups for departmental communications. Polling and surveys allow you to gather ideas and feedback so the group can move forward in real time.
Top Viva Engage features:
- Comprehensive integration with the Microsoft suite of products
- Share files up to 5 GB
- Enterprise-level security backed by Microsoft
Viva Engage pricing: Not available outside the Microsoft 365 enterprise plans; Microsoft Viva Employee Communications and Communities at $2 per user/month; Microsoft Viva Workplace Analytics and Employee Feedback at $6 per user/month; Microsoft Viva Suite at $12 per user/month. All prices are valid for an annual subscription.
Pros and cons
| Viva Engage Pros | Viva Engage Cons |
| Integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem | Limited third-party integrations |
| Advanced analytics and insights capabilities | Relatively new, so potential for bugs or stability issues |
| Customizable employee engagement and communication tools | Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription for full functionality |
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
User ratings: Capterra 4.2 (Stars) from 804 people
7. Slack
In the world of business communication, Slack is the team communication app you’re probably most familiar with.
Slack organizes conversations by structuring them into direct messages and threaded Slack channels. You can share, pin, edit, delete, and even react to messages. Slack also provides screen sharing, file sharing, and some bots to remind you of messages and tasks.
Thanks to its 2,000+ integrations, Slack is an excellent tool to help you maximize workflows and mundane office processes. But that also means that many of Slack’s capabilities are a result of other apps and technologies. Not only are there security risks to consider, but there are also questions about Slack’s handling of user data.
For more on the popular collaboration hub, explore our recent Slack review.
Top Slack features:
- More than 2,000 integrations
- Keyword notifications
- Customizable themes and sidebar
- RSS feed capabilities
Slack pricing: A freemium plan limits you to a message history of 90 days and 10 integrations; Pro at $7.25 per user/month; Business+ at $12.50 per user/month; Enterprise Grid at a custom price
Pros and cons
| Slack Pros | Slack Cons |
| Seamless team communication with channels and direct messaging | Can become overwhelming with too many notifications |
| Extensive integration with third-party apps and services | Costly for larger teams with advanced feature needs |
| Robust search functionality for finding messages and files | Can lead to information overload if not managed properly |
Available on: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 2.8 (Stars) from 281 people
- Capterra 4.7 (Stars) from 23,238 people
- G2 4.5 (Stars) from 32,710 people
If Slack isn’t the chat app for your team, explore these other Slack alternatives.
8. Workplace from Meta
With almost 4 billion monthly active users and its own free chat app, it was always a matter of time until the social media giant took to office communication.
With Workplace, communication feels strangely familiar. That’s because you get a news feed, personal pages, posts, comments, and likes. The interactive setup suits businesses of all kinds and sizes.
Chat happens in direct messages, public or private chats, and groups for unified communication and collaboration. You also get voice and video calls, IT monitoring tools, admin controls, and some limited integrations.
Top Workplace features:
If there’s a drawback, it’s Facebook’s lengthy history of dishonest practices with user data and information—something we mentioned when we compared Workplace versus Slack.
Top Workplace features:
- Facebook-familiar communication and collaboration
- Live-streaming capabilities
- The ability to invite outsiders to the platform
Workplace pricing: Core plan at $4 per user/month; Add-ons Enhanced Admin and Support and Enterprise Live at $2 per user/month
Pros and cons
| Workplace from Meta Pros | Workplace from Meta Cons |
| Intuitive and familiar, easy to use | History of dishonest practices with user data |
| Integrates with Office 365, Google Workspace, etc. | Workplace will be completely shut down by June 2026 |
| Fully functional mobile app for on-the-go access. |
Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 3.2 (Stars) from 2 people
- Capterra 4.4 (Stars) from 1,339 people
- G2 4.0 (Stars) from 1,714 people
9. Chanty
Hitting the market in 2018, Chanty is a newcomer to the field of corporate communication. Geared toward small and medium-sized enterprises, the AI-powered team chat tool has quickly moved up the ranks.
As team chat software, Chanty delivers core communication through one-to-one messages, threaded public and private channels, and voice and video calling. You also get file sharing, screen sharing, an unlimited searchable message history, and a hub to neatly organize tasks and conversations. Chanty may not be a popular team chat app yet, but it has potential.
Top Chanty features:
- AI-powered search and suggestions
- Teambook organizes tasks, messages, links, and files
- Message and task tracking
- Automated workflows through integrations with Trello and Mailchimp
Chanty pricing: The free plan is limited to 5 users on a team; Business at $3 per user/month if billed annually
Pros and cons
| Chanty Pros | Chanty Cons |
| Clean and intuitive interface | Limited integration with third-party apps |
| Affordable pricing with a free plan available | Smaller user base compared to more established platforms |
| Useful features like task management and file sharing | Occasional bugs and performance issues |
Available on: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 4.4 (Stars) from 10 people
- Capterra 4.7 (Stars) from 34 people
- G2 4.5 (Stars) from 41 people
10. Ryver
If you were to combine team chat with task management you’d have Ryver.
On Ryver, communication takes place in direct messages, private groups, and open forums. All of it can then be turned into tasks and managed on a Kanban board. There’s also screen sharing, video and voice calls, and Ryver’s big selling point: unlimited integrations through Zapier.
Top Ryver features:
- Set Reminders remind you to follow up on messages
- Select messages and add subjects and formatted, long-form content
- Chat, task management, and automated workflows on one platform
- Social media, news, and RSS-feed streaming
Ryver pricing: 14-day free trial; Starter at $69 per month for up to 12 users; Standard at $129/month for up to 30 users; Medium Pack at $4 per user for over 30 team members; Enterprise at a custom price
Pros and cons
| Ryver Pros | Ryver Cons |
| Unified communication with team chat and task management | Limited customization options |
| Integration with over 2,000 third-party apps through Zapier | Mobile app might be less responsive |
| Affordable pricing plans | Smaller user base compared to larger competitors |
Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 3.7 (Stars) from 1 people
- Capterra 4.4 (Stars) from 43 people
- G2 4.4 (Stars) from 153 people
11. Twist
It’s hard to sync office communication when you’re spread across time zones. If you’re just waking up while your teammates are calling it a day, you’re left to play catch-up.
To help you find what you’ve missed and keep the discussion focused, Twist turns ongoing conversations into threads on a particular topic that’s relevant to you. You either have to comment on an existing thread or start a new one.
You also get direct messages, customizable notifications, a handful of integrations, and browseable chat histories. Like a hub for your work chats, Twist organizes all of your threads into an inbox that you can check at your convenience, the same way you scan your email.
Have in mind that Twist doesn’t offer voice or video, so you’ll need to look elsewhere for those.
Top Twist features:
- Integration with top apps for staying organized, such as Teamwork and Todoist
- All your chats in an inbox
- Message previewing
- Guest access is available
Twist pricing: Free for up to 500 users, including one-month message history and five integrations; from $6 per user/month for unlimited message history, file storage, and integrations
Pros and cons
| Twist Pros | Twist Cons |
| Threaded conversations for organized communication | Steeper learning curve compared to traditional chat apps |
| Promotes asynchronous communication | Limited integrations with third-party apps |
| Helps reduce information overload | Can feel slower for real-time collaboration |
Available on: Android, iOS, Windows, Web, macOS, Linux
User ratings:
- Trustpilot 3.8 (Stars) from 3 people
- Capterra 4.3 (Stars) from 36 people
- G2 3.9 (Stars) from 19 people
12. Trillian
Trillian is a no-frills messaging app aimed at businesses and healthcare professionals.
Trillian doesn’t offer dedicated collaboration tools. What you do get is easy-to-use, real-time text messaging, group chats, and file and screen sharing. The Trillian app also offers the option to either self-host or communicate behind Trillian servers.
Branding itself as a HIPAA-compliant application, Trillian targets the healthcare industry and even plans to roll out client-practitioner chatting.
If you need voice or video calling, choose one of these Trillian alternatives.
Top Trillian features:
- The option to self-host
- Numerous in-message text formatting options
- Centralized administration and features control
- SMS texting capabilities
Trillian pricing: Free for one user; Individual Pro plan for $3.33; Business Plans from $3.99 per user/month; Enterprise from $7.99 per user/month
Pros and cons
| Trillian Pros | Trillian Cons |
| HIPAA-compliant messaging service | Interface design may feel outdated |
| Supports integration with various chat networks | Limited customization options |
| Plans with fair prices | Some features may require a Pro subscription |
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
User ratings:
- Capterra 4.7 (Stars) from 52 people
- G2 4.4 (Stars) from 113 people
13. Teamwork Chat
Teamwork Chat is a collaboration hub that warrants consideration, especially if you’re using the Teamwork range of products.
Team-oriented chat channels let you organize conversations by projects or groups unique to the business, while publicly searchable channels keep everyone connected. You also get direct and group messaging, file sharing, and video calls.
Deep integration with the Teamwork platform allows you to turn messages into tasks or create and assign tasks directly from Teamwork Chat, where you’ll find them in Teamwork. It’s a great way to enhance visibility and communication without compromising productivity, making this app one of the best business tools in 2024.
Top Teamwork Chat features:
- Interoperability with the Teamwork platform
- Integration with popular tools such as Hubspot and Google Drive
- Searchable message history
- Video and audio calls
Teamwork Chat pricing: 30-day free trial; $4 per user/month
Pros and cons
| Teamwork Chat Pros | Teamwork Chat Cons |
| Real-time messaging for quick communication | Limited integrations compared to larger platforms |
| Seamless integration with Teamwork for better project management | Might be overwhelming for new users |
| Supports file sharing and task assignment | Basic features may not be sufficient for all teams |
Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Web
User ratings: G2 4.3 (Stars) from 20 people
Team Chat Apps for Business vs. Free Messaging Apps
Today, instant messaging technology powers both personal communication and real-time business collaboration. But software services for team communication aren’t the same as free instant messenger apps for personal use.
Sure, both types of messaging platforms facilitate the exchange of quick, real-time text, video, and voice messages via proprietary software utilizing the same core technology.
Platforms for office communication, however, are stocked with business-specific features, tools, and tech. Dedicated internal workspaces incorporating robust control options, collaboration tools and API integrations, and enterprise-grade security enable you to centralize company communication and collaboration and keep vital business processes and data on-premises.
Comprehensive network administration
One of the biggest differences with team chat apps is the level of control they provide. Generally, users need authorization from a network administrator to access the platform. What’s more, you have greater control and management capabilities over users, discussion spaces, access to features and collaboration tools, and platform security protocols. This allows you to not only tailor the network to your business but also create a bespoke user experience.
Attention to privacy and data security
While no tech is fully immune to those who wish to exploit it, business chat software takes greater strides than personal messengers to secure communication.
Brosix’s holistic approach to security and privacy, for example, secures communication internally and externally. Each Brosix Team Network gives you full control over the network, features, and each user. Combined with end-to-end encryption, peer-to-peer communication channels, and anti-virus and malware integration, Brosix ensures all communication and collaboration on the network is secure internally and free from outside threats.
Improve your team communication today.
Business-minded collaboration
Working remotely can leave workers feeling disconnected. A team communication platform helps you engage employees through features like virtual whiteboards, screen sharing with remote desktop control, instant screenshots, and file transfers. What’s more, pairing these features with text and group chats and audio and video calling makes for an interactive collaboration experience that standard messengers can’t replicate.
Why Do You Need a Team Chat App?
As you can see, there’s no lack of tools for team communication and collaboration. That’s a testament to the advantages such apps offer the entire team, regardless of the business segment and location. With the right team chat app, here are some of the more common benefits you can expect.
- Improve communication: Enterprise chat platforms enhance team collaboration with multiple communication channels, including real-time messaging, file sharing, and video/voice calls, fostering timely and engaging interactions.
- Provide governance: Workplace chat apps facilitate project management by grouping users, regulating chat permissions, and ensuring a secure work environment through authorization requirements, avoiding the mixing of personal and work communication.
- Increase efficiency: The use of communication apps streamlines workflows by centralizing communication and collaboration, reducing multitasking, and enabling seamless teamwork across different locations.
- Strengthen team camaraderie: Interoffice chat promotes workplace relationships and camaraderie through consistent communication, especially beneficial for remote teams celebrating achievements and engaging in team-building activities.
- Save money: Team messaging apps consolidate paid services into a single platform, reducing costs associated with multiple software applications for text communication, collaboration tools, and data security.
- Ensure record-keeping and compliance: Team communication software simplifies electronic record-keeping and ensures compliance with business regulations by maintaining chat histories and activity logs and facilitating quick review and compliance verification.
- Boost productivity: Internal communication platforms minimize productivity barriers like cluttered emails and tool-switching inefficiencies, offering customizable features tailored to enhance team productivity and efficiency.
- Transform business meetings: Business communication applications enhance meeting quality with features such as chat rooms for pre-meeting discussions, whiteboard conferences, and screen sharing, promoting engagement and collaboration during and after meetings.
How to Choose a Team Chat Application
Good communication software is vital to your business. But with so many different apps, services, and work instant messengers on the market, choosing the right tool requires some homework. You’ll need to weigh several factors against company and team requirements.
- Functionality: Business chat software should scale to team size, chat habits and preferences, and task load.
- Security: Not all apps pay equal attention to privacy and data security. For maximum security, go for encrypted chat channels on a closed network, if possible.
- Features: Feature stacks often vary. Watch out for surprises as some team chat apps don’t come with audio, video, or collaboration tools, for example.
- Price: Costly integration packages and add-ons for storage and searchable chat histories can quickly skyrocket the price. Keep in mind the features that you need to ensure productivity.
- Control: A lack of control options hinders efficiency, productivity, and security. You should be able to fully manage your network, including users, chat spaces, and collaborative features.
The best team chat apps should come as close as possible to meeting each of the above conditions. If you still can’t make up your mind, take Brosix for a spin. It’s highly capable, secure, and customizable instant messaging software designed to streamline team communication and drive your business. Request a free demo today.
