Team messaging has become the backbone of modern work. Slack has long been the standard, but European alternatives like kChat from Infomaniak are gaining traction. Which platform truly meets your team\'s needs?
Overview of Both Platforms
Slack
Founded in 2013, Slack is the platform that popularized team messaging in the workplace. Acquired by Salesforce in 2021, it remains the reference for internal communication in many organizations.
- Channels (public and private)
- Direct messages and group conversations
- Integrations with thousands of third-party apps
- Huddles (quick voice/video calls)
- Advanced search across message history
kChat (Infomaniak)
kChat is the team messaging tool integrated into Infomaniak\'s kSuite. Based on the Mattermost open-source engine, it provides a familiar interface while keeping data exclusively in Switzerland.
- Channels and direct messages
- Integration with kDrive, kMeet, and kSuite calendar
- Desktop and mobile apps
- 100% Swiss hosting
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Slack | kChat |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Direct messages | Yes | Yes |
| Message history | 90 days (free) / Unlimited (paid) | Unlimited |
| File sharing | Yes (storage limits) | Yes (via kDrive) |
| Voice/video calls | Huddles (1-to-1 or group) | Via kMeet |
| Screen sharing | Yes | Yes (via kMeet) |
| Message threads | Yes (comprehensive) | Yes |
| Reactions / emojis | Yes (custom emojis) | Yes |
| Third-party integrations | 2600+ apps | Limited (kSuite ecosystem) |
| Bots and automation | Yes (Workflow Builder) | Limited |
| Advanced search | Yes (powerful) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Mobile apps | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
Privacy and Data Hosting
This is the area where the two solutions diverge the most.
Slack
Data hosted on AWS (Amazon), mainly in the United States. Subject to the US Cloud Act, which allows American authorities to access data even if stored in Europe. Slack is now owned by Salesforce, a US company.
kChat
Data hosted exclusively in Switzerland, in Infomaniak\'s own datacenters. Protected by Swiss legislation, outside Cloud Act jurisdiction. Native GDPR compliance.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Slack | kChat (kSuite) |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes (90 days history, 10 integrations) | Yes (My kSuite) |
| Pro plan | €6.75/user/month | €5.54/user/month (kSuite) |
| Business plan | €11.75/user/month | €9.20/user/month (kSuite Pro) |
| Includes email | No | Yes |
| Includes cloud storage | No | Yes (3 TB kDrive) |
| Includes video conferencing | Huddles only | Yes (kMeet) |
Important Note
Slack is messaging only. kChat comes bundled with kSuite, which includes email, kDrive, kMeet, and calendar. When comparing costs, factor in the fact that kSuite replaces multiple tools at once.
Slack\'s Strengths
- Rich integration ecosystem – Connect virtually any tool to Slack
- Polished user experience – Refined interface, intuitive
- Workflow Builder – Create automated workflows without code
- Mass adoption – Your partners likely already use it
kChat\'s Strengths
- Data sovereignty – 100% Swiss hosting
- All-in-one suite – Messaging + email + storage + video conferencing
- Competitive pricing – Complete suite cheaper than Slack alone
- Eco-friendly – 100% renewable energy datacenters
- No message history limits – Even on the free plan
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Slack if...
- You need extensive third-party integrations (CRM, project management, etc.)
- Your team already uses Slack and switching would be disruptive
- You collaborate heavily with external partners who use Slack
- Automation and bots are central to your workflows
Choose kChat if...
- Data protection and sovereignty are priorities
- You want an all-in-one solution (messaging + email + storage)
- You\'re looking for a cost-effective alternative to multiple SaaS tools
- GDPR compliance without gray areas is important
- You value French-speaking support and eco-responsibility
Migrating from Slack to kChat
The migration is feasible but requires organization:
What You Can Migrate
- Channel structure (manual recreation)
- Shared files (to kDrive)
- Message export (Slack export in JSON format)
What You Can\'t Migrate
- Complete message history with native formatting
- Integrations and specific bots
- Custom workflows (Workflow Builder)
Verdict
Slack remains the champion of integrations and pure user experience. If your work relies on connecting dozens of tools to your chat, Slack is hard to beat.
kChat wins hands down on data sovereignty, overall value, and simplicity. Bundled within kSuite, it offers a complete work environment at an unbeatable price.
The real question isn\'t "Slack or kChat?" but rather "do I need messaging alone, or a complete collaborative suite?" If the answer is a suite, kChat with kSuite makes more sense.
Ready to migrate to Infomaniak?
Contact us for a free 15-minute audit. We will analyze your situation and provide you with a personalized quote.
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