We build Interkom, so treat this as a point of view rather than a neutral referee. We've tried to keep it fair: a comparison only helps if it tells you when not to switch. If you're weighing a Slack alternative more broadly, start with our guide — this piece is the head-to-head.
The short version
Interkom is a private, end-to-end encrypted team space built around calm, workspace-scoped communication with native apps and flat pricing. Slack is a mature, extensible platform with a huge app ecosystem and broad cross-company "Connect" features. Most small, privacy-conscious teams are happier on Interkom; large orgs deep in the Slack app ecosystem often aren't ready to move.
Side by side
| Dimension | Interkom | Slack |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | End-to-end for messages & files | In transit/at rest; E2EE not standard |
| Scope | Private, workspace-scoped, no public feed | Channels + cross-org Connect |
| Message history | Kept, including on free | Limited on free plans |
| Team stories | Built in (24-hour updates) | Not available |
| Desktop app | Native macOS | Electron |
| App ecosystem | Focused, fewer integrations | Very large marketplace |
| Pricing | Free for small teams; one flat plan | Multiple per-seat tiers |
Where Interkom wins
- Privacy. End-to-end encryption and a workspace with no public feed — easy to explain to your team and your lawyer.
- Calm. Presence, reactions, voice notes and team stories reduce channel sprawl instead of adding to it.
- Native feel. A real macOS app and a real iOS app — lighter on battery and memory than an Electron wrapper.
- Predictable cost. Free for small teams, then one flat plan. No tiering puzzle.
Where Slack is still the better choice
Being honest about this is the whole point:
- You live in the Slack app ecosystem. Hundreds of deep integrations and custom workflows are hard to replace.
- Heavy cross-company collaboration. If Slack Connect with external orgs is core to how you work, that's a Slack strength today.
- Large, established org. Migrating thousands of people and years of automation is a project, not a swap.
Bottom line
For privacy-conscious small and mid-size teams, Interkom delivers the essentials of Slack with stronger privacy, a calmer default, native apps, and simpler pricing. For large orgs built on Slack's ecosystem, the switch is harder to justify yet. Read the broader guide to choosing a Slack alternative, or just try it.
See how Interkom feels
Create a workspace in a couple of minutes — free for small teams, end-to-end encrypted, native apps.