Last updated on August 19, 2020
Asana vs Slack might be a small conundrum for a few companies out there. However, the debate may not last very long when we discover that the two programs are actually significantly different.
A company needs to assess its needs in order to figure out which tools are best suited for its needs.
To compare Asana vs Slack is to analyze these two applications. We can compare functionality, features, and practical uses. While it is true that both of these programs offer online team-based collaboration tools. Indeed, they do have similar functionalities. However, they also have big differences.
Slack has revolutionized the way teams work. When Asana was released, Slack certainly didn’t feel that its position in the online communication market was threatened.
However, as we will see, the sandbox is in fact getting larger. And although there is no harm in a bit of competitive spirit, there is definitely no reason for Slack to worry about losing customers to Asana. There is enough demand to make room for new solutions.
Product vs. Feature Difference
At the forefront, Slack is a product because it is standalone. Companies acquire Slack to answer a specific need. It solves one direct business issue. Although it has many potential add-on features, the main objective of Slack is to be an office-messaging app that replaces email.
Meanwhile, Asana is a part of the larger project management app offering out there. It does respond to the same need for office communication and team collaboration. However, its main purpose is project management. It’s not as much of a stand-alone product as Slack. Moreover, it doesn’t offer as many product integrations as Slack.
Every company out there has to select the tools that will power its business. While a lot of more traditional organizations turn to Microsoft Office by default, Slack and Asana want to stay competitive in a shifting market.
Did you know that Asana has an app for Slack? Turns out you don’t even have to choose!
You can manage work more efficiently and make discussions in Slack actionable with this great integration. Managers could link projects to channels. They can create new tasks from messages in your Slack workspace. They can get notified of important Asana project updates without ever leaving Slack.
That being said, Asana remains a project management solution. Therefore, it is a feature of a larger array of solutions available for Slack. Organizations that are looking to avoid getting involved with a suite of applications will still turn to Slack, where they can select the apps they need. It allows managers to build their own custom tools.
Different Target Markets
One main difference between these two applications is their users. When they took out their ad in the New York Times, Slack may have been under the impression that they will be directly competing with Microsoft Teams.
This has proven untrue, or rather not completely accurate for two good reasons. First of all, Slack’s ability to allow users outside of an organization to participate on the platform is a key differentiator. This feature is perfect for companies that have a looser structure. Perhaps it is also best suited for companies with a lot of contractors, and remote workers. Simply put, it’s just more functional for a conglomeration of random individuals, who nevertheless need some form of structure to collaborate. This type of group does not need, or cannot afford a full-scale enterprise system.
The Cost Difference
When discussing the Asana vs. Slack debate, it’s important to consider the cost difference. The price tag can definitely influence a new client that is considering adopting one of these tools.
Slack makes its free tier very easy to sign up for. It offers a freemium model for small clients, or for new start-ups. It’s one way that Slack really ensures that start-ups remain a part of their user base.
Despite offering the freemium option, Slack estimates that it has over one million paying customers. On the one hand, users on the freemium plan total over 4 million users. Yet on average, paying Slack customers spend between 80$ and 150$ per user per year.
On the other hand, an Asana membership is more expensive. Asana users pay a monthly subscription fee for each user login. It is a cloud-based solution and is quite aesthetic. However, it still lacks the personality of Slack.
Yet, project management tools tend to be more expensive anyway. So Asana users may find the pricing structure of this application quite reasonable.
Adding Integrations To Your Collaboration Tools
However, in both cases, the base price can go up quickly when you start adding various integrations. And let’s face it: for Slack to truly work for a team, the right integrations are crucial. And although it is a feature of a system many companies already pay for, the same can be said for Microsoft Teams. Integrations help to automate simple processes, like task management, document storage, or even vacation tracking. These apps are added to Slack to get even more efficiencies from the collaboration tool. There are more than 1,800 apps available for Slack at this time. And this number just keeps growing!
Asana vs. Slack: Final Words
Should Slack be worried about the growth of Asana?
Not exactly.
As we have seen, these two applications, although comparable in terms of features, are still attracting different markets. They have differences in terms of pricing. Finally, one is an HR product, and the other a comprehensive collaboration tool.
The Asana vs. Slack debate will not be resolved today, but suffice it to say that there is enough room in the market for both.
Kristina Ousmanova
Kristina recently left behind fast-paced life of Human Resource Business Consulting to freelance as a Content Writer. A regular Vacation Tracker contributor, she can be found working remotely from her home in Montreal, usually while eating a variety of snacks.
