The modern workplace is evolving, and team chat apps are at the forefront of this change. Two major players, Slack and HipChat, have redefined how we connect and collaborate at work. But which one is right for your team?

Choosing between Slack and HipChat is a decision many companies face today. Both tools promise to boost productivity and streamline communication, but they each bring unique features to the table.

This deep dive will explore the origins of these platforms, examining what sets them apart in terms of features and user experience. You’ll gain insights to help you make the best choice for your team.

Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, selecting the right communication tool is crucial for effective teamwork. Let’s cut through the noise and see what Slack and HipChat have to offer.

A Brief History and Evolution

The team chat landscape changed forever in August 2013 when Stewart Butterfield’s team, fresh off their game development project, launched Slack. Within 24 hours, 8,000 companies had signed up. Slack’s secret? A user-friendly interface that made work feel fun, with bright colors, playful loading messages, and emojis.

But Slack wasn’t first to the party. HipChat, founded in 2010, had already been making waves in team communication. Atlassian acquired HipChat in 2012, seeing its potential to transform workplace chat. At the time, HipChat boasted 1,200 customers, a solid number for an early player.

HipChat offered robust features like file sharing and group chats. It filled a gap left by consumer apps like AIM and Skype, which teams had been using out of necessity. ‘Like many people, we tried to use AIM to collaborate,’ the HipChat team once wrote, ‘but it just wasn’t good enough.’

Slack, however, took things to another level. Its integrations with popular tools like Dropbox and Salesforce made it a central hub for work. The free tier allowed anyone to try Slack without waiting for IT approval, fueling Slack’s rapid growth.

Slack got 8,000 companies signed up within 24 hours of launch. Talk about explosive growth!

TechCrunch

By September 2014, Slack overtook HipChat in popularity. Despite Atlassian’s efforts to revamp HipChat with a new product called Stride in 2017, they couldn’t regain lost ground. The writing was on the wall. In a surprising move, Atlassian sold HipChat and Stride to Slack in 2018, marking the end of an era.

Today, Slack dominates the market, but the story isn’t over. New challengers like Discord are shaking things up, proving that innovation in team chat is far from finished. The evolution continues, driven by our ever-changing needs for better workplace communication.

Features Comparison: Slack vs HipChat

Slack and HipChat were once fierce rivals in the team communication space. While HipChat has since been discontinued, comparing these tools offers valuable insights into what makes a great collaboration platform. Let’s break down their key features to see how they stacked up.

User Interface and Design

Slack’s modern, sleek design was a game-changer. Its colorful, intuitive interface made chatting with coworkers feel more like texting friends. Channels, direct messages, and threads were easy to navigate, even for tech newcomers.

HipChat, while functional, had a more basic look. It got the job done but lacked the visual appeal that made Slack so inviting. For many users, this made a big difference in how enjoyable the platform was to use day-to-day.

Integrations and App Ecosystem

Slack truly shined with its massive library of integrations. From project management tools to social media platforms, Slack could connect to just about anything. This flexibility made it a central hub for many teams’ workflows.

HipChat offered solid integrations too, especially with other Atlassian products like Jira and Confluence. However, it couldn’t match Slack’s variety or the ease of adding new apps to workspaces.

Communication Features

Both platforms offered the basics: group chats, direct messaging, and file sharing. Slack took things further with features like threaded conversations, which helped keep discussions organized in busy channels. It also introduced fun elements like custom emojis and GIF support, adding personality to chats.

HipChat kept things more straightforward. While it had video calls before Slack, it lacked some of the more playful features that made Slack feel less like work and more like a digital watercooler.

Search and Archive

Slack’s powerful search function was a standout feature. Users could easily find old conversations, files, and even content within those files. This was a huge time-saver for teams needing to reference past discussions.

HipChat’s search was functional but not as robust. Finding specific information could be more time-consuming, especially in larger teams with lots of chat history.

Security and Compliance

HipChat had an edge when it came to security, particularly for businesses already using Atlassian products. Its integration with Atlassian’s security features made it attractive for companies with strict data protection needs.

Slack, while secure, had to work harder to convince enterprise clients of its safety measures. Over time, it improved its security offerings to match and exceed competitors.

The real power of Slack is that it became the ‘central nervous system’ for many companies, connecting people, tools, and information in one place.

In the end, Slack’s blend of user-friendly design, extensive integrations, and community-driven features helped it pull ahead in the market. While HipChat had its strengths, particularly in security and Atlassian ecosystem integration, it couldn’t keep up with Slack’s rapid innovation and growing popularity.

Today, teams looking for Slack alternatives often turn to newer platforms that have learned from both Slack and HipChat’s successes and shortcomings. The legacy of this competition continues to shape how we think about and design tools for team communication and collaboration.

Slack vs HipChat: Further Exploring Security and Compliance

Security is paramount in business communication tools. Both HipChat and Slack have robust security measures, but their approaches and certifications differ.

Let’s examine how each platform handles security and compliance to protect sensitive business data.

HipChat’s Security Approach

HipChat built a strong reputation for its security features, making it a popular choice for enterprises with stringent data protection requirements. Some key security measures included:

• End-to-end encryption for messages and file transfers
• On-premise deployment options for complete data control
• Integration with enterprise single sign-on (SSO) systems
• Granular user permissions and access controls

While HipChat provided solid security, its compliance certifications were somewhat limited compared to more modern platforms.

Slack’s Evolving Security Landscape

Slack has significantly enhanced its security and compliance features over the years. The platform now boasts an impressive array of security measures and certifications, including:

• Data encryption at rest and in transit
• Multi-factor authentication
• Enterprise Key Management (EKM) for added control
• Integration with leading Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools
• Extensive compliance certifications

Additionally, Slack can be configured to comply with specific regulations like HIPAA for healthcare and FINRA for financial services, making it suitable for a wide range of industries with strict data protection requirements.

Real-World Security in Action

Consider this example: A large healthcare provider uses Slack for internal communication. By leveraging Slack’s HIPAA-compliant configuration, Enterprise Key Management, and integration with their existing DLP tools, they can ensure that patient data remains protected even as staff collaborate efficiently across departments.

While HipChat was once a leader in secure business communication, Slack has clearly taken the lead in terms of security features and compliance certifications. For organizations prioritizing data protection alongside efficient collaboration, Slack’s comprehensive security approach makes it a strong choice in today’s digital workplace.

Integration Capabilities

Integrations supercharge team productivity. Slack and HipChat excel in this area differently. Let’s explore how these tools connect your work and boost efficiency.

Slack’s app directory offers numerous options, from project management tools to video conferencing apps. This flexibility allows teams to create custom workflows. For example, you could set up a Slack channel that automatically posts updates from your team’s Trello board, eliminating the need to switch tabs to check on project progress.

HipChat, in contrast, had deep integration with Atlassian’s suite of tools. If your team used JIRA, Confluence, and Bitbucket, HipChat was invaluable. It could pull in issue updates, wiki changes, and code commits directly into your chat rooms, providing a seamless user experience.

Consider the tools you use daily. Could they work better together? With the right integrations, you can:

• Reduce app-switching fatigue
• Get updates without leaving your chat tool
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Keep everyone in the loop effortlessly

The key is balancing too few integrations (limiting options) and too many (overwhelming). Start with the tools you use most and build from there.

Integrations aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re the glue that holds our digital workspaces together. Choose wisely, and watch your team’s productivity soar.

The goal isn’t to have the most integrations, but the right ones that make your work flow smoothly. Whether you’re team Slack or were a HipChat fan, the power of connected tools is undeniable. What’s your next integration going to be?

Cost and Value: Weighing Your Options for Team Communication

Choosing a communication tool for your business involves weighing the costs and benefits. Slack’s freemium model offers an attractive entry point for teams of all sizes, with scalable options as your needs grow.

Let’s break down the costs and benefits to help you determine the best value for your investment.

Slack’s Freemium Approach

Slack’s free plan provides a glimpse of its capabilities without any upfront cost. You get access to:

• The most recent 90 days of message history
• 10 app integrations
• 1:1 audio and video conversations with screen sharing
• Basic file storage

This free tier is ideal for small teams or those just starting out. However, as your team grows or your needs become more complex, these limitations may become restrictive.

Paid Plans: Unlocking More Value

Slack offers three paid tiers with increasing features and capabilities:

• Pro: $7.25 per user per month (billed annually)
• Business+: $12.50 per user per month (billed annually)
• Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing

These plans offer benefits like unlimited message history, more integrations, advanced security features, and priority support. The key is finding the sweet spot between cost and functionality for your specific needs.

Value Beyond the Price Tag

While comparing costs is important, consider the overall value Slack brings to your team:

• Improved communication and collaboration
• Time saved through streamlined workflows
• Reduced email clutter
• Easier file sharing and searching
• Integration with other tools your team already uses

Many businesses find that the productivity gains and smoother teamwork more than justify the cost of a paid Slack plan.

Choosing the Right Tool for Your Team

Selecting a team communication platform depends on your team’s unique needs and priorities. While HipChat is no longer available, Slack remains a popular choice for many organizations.

Slack offers a user-friendly interface with customizable themes and emoji reactions, making it visually appealing and engaging. Its extensive integration capabilities allow teams to connect with a wide range of third-party apps, streamlining workflows and centralizing information. For teams heavily reliant on external tools, this can be a significant advantage.

Security is another crucial factor. Slack provides robust security features, including data encryption and custom retention policies. This is particularly important for organizations dealing with sensitive information or subject to strict compliance requirements.

Cost is always a consideration, especially for growing teams. Slack’s pricing model, while potentially more expensive than some alternatives, offers flexibility with its tiered plans. This allows organizations to scale their usage and features as needed.

Last updated: October 30, 2024