In the world of remote work, choosing the right communication tool is a critical decision. Two strong players in this field are Zoho Cliq and Slack. Both offer powerful features for connecting distributed teams, but they approach this differently. Let’s compare them by key parameters: channel organization, voice communication, and pricing to help you make an informed choice.
Organization: Channels and Interface
Both services use channels to structure communication by project, topic, or department.
Slack offers a classic interface with a sidebar listing all channels and direct messages (DMs). Teams can organize channels into sections for easier navigation. Communication is linear and focused within one main workspace.
Zoho Cliq takes a more radical approach with its Multi-Channel Chats feature. This unique functionality allows you to split a single channel into multiple topic-based conversations. This prevents the overall chat from becoming cluttered and helps you conduct parallel discussions on different aspects of a project in one place.
Key difference: Slack adheres to a traditional linear model, while Zoho Cliq offers more flexibility within each channel, allowing teams to structure communication in a more granular manner.
Slack offers a classic interface with a sidebar listing all channels and direct messages (DMs). Teams can organize channels into sections for easier navigation. Communication is linear and focused within one main workspace.
Zoho Cliq takes a more radical approach with its Multi-Channel Chats feature. This unique functionality allows you to split a single channel into multiple topic-based conversations. This prevents the overall chat from becoming cluttered and helps you conduct parallel discussions on different aspects of a project in one place.
Key difference: Slack adheres to a traditional linear model, while Zoho Cliq offers more flexibility within each channel, allowing teams to structure communication in a more granular manner.
Voice Calls and Video Conferencing
Sometimes text isn’t enough and you need to hear a colleague’s voice or hold a video meeting.
Slack offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Key features include access to channels and direct messages (DMs), file sharing, and voice and video calls. The app supports push notifications for instant response to messages.
Zoho Cliq includes built-in high-quality voice and video calls accessible with a single click. It also supports webinars and broadcasts for large groups directly within the chat interface.
Key difference: Both provide quick calls, while Zoho Cliq provides more powerful built-in capabilities for scalable video meetings and webinars without the need for additional services.
Slack offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Key features include access to channels and direct messages (DMs), file sharing, and voice and video calls. The app supports push notifications for instant response to messages.
Zoho Cliq includes built-in high-quality voice and video calls accessible with a single click. It also supports webinars and broadcasts for large groups directly within the chat interface.
Key difference: Both provide quick calls, while Zoho Cliq provides more powerful built-in capabilities for scalable video meetings and webinars without the need for additional services.
Pricing: Where can you save
Slack
Zoho Cliq
Key difference: Zoho Cliq’s free plan is significantly more generous. Slack’s free plan has strict limitations that may push small businesses and startups toward a paid plan much sooner.
- Free plan: Limited message history (last 90 days), up to 10 integrations with other apps, group calls up to 5 participants.
- Pro plan (~$7.25/user/month): Full message history, unlimited integrations, group calls up to 50 participants.
Zoho Cliq
- Free plan: Unlimited message history, unlimited channels, voice and video calls up to 100 participants, 100 GB of team storage.
- Paid plan (~$3/user/month): Advanced administration features, audit logs, dedicated support, and other enterprise features.
Key difference: Zoho Cliq’s free plan is significantly more generous. Slack’s free plan has strict limitations that may push small businesses and startups toward a paid plan much sooner.
Mobile Experience: Communication on the Go
Distributed teams often work from different locations. A mobile app needs to be fast, user-friendly, and fully functional.
Slack offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Key features include access to channels and direct messages (DMs), file sharing, and voice and video calls. The app supports push notifications for instant response to messages.
The Zoho Cliq mobile app for iOS and Android provides full access to all features, including multi-channel chats, video calls, files, and integrations. The interface is optimized for mobile devices.
Slack offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Key features include access to channels and direct messages (DMs), file sharing, and voice and video calls. The app supports push notifications for instant response to messages.
The Zoho Cliq mobile app for iOS and Android provides full access to all features, including multi-channel chats, video calls, files, and integrations. The interface is optimized for mobile devices.
Conclusion: What to choose?
Choosing between Zoho Cliq and Slack depends on your team’s needs and budget.
- Choose Slack if your team values an established, popular standard and you’re willing to pay for full message history and advanced features.
- Choose Zoho Cliq if you're looking for a cost-effective yet powerful solution with unique chat organization (Multi-Channel Chats), unlimited message history on the free plan, and built-in capabilities for large-scale video meetings.