Go from Slack to Google Workspace
The job: Team chat (Channels and DMs, Huddles (calls), Message history and search). Pick where you are today and where you want to land; the move below follows your pick.
Every way to do this job · pick one
Switch app
Already in a plan you pay for
Open source
Keep it and pay less
The money
$8.75/mo today , then $0/mo
Slack Pro
Modeled from public list prices, with your time at $50 an hour. Show the math
Does it do the job? 3 of 3 covered
- Covered: Channels and DMs
- Covered: Huddles (calls)
- Covered: Message history and search
The work
- Setup
- About 30 min
- Upkeep
- None
- Watch out
- Check first: You only rely on: Channels and DMs, Huddles (calls), Message history and search
Make the move in four steps
Export from Slack
Messages and file links from public channels (Free and Pro); Business+ can also export private channels and DMs with approval. Format: ZIP file of JSON
Export stepsSet up Google Workspace
Google Chat and Meet are included in Workspace; check before paying for both.
DetailsSwitch links and integrations
Point links, embeds and integrations at Google Workspace, then send a test through every one.
Cancel Slack
Turn off renewal before your renewal date, once the new setup works. Access runs until: Paid features last until the downgrade takes effect: immediately….
How to cancel Slack
The whole recipe: 8 ways out, best first
What you use
- Channels and DMs
- Huddles (calls)
- Message history and search
Not covered
- App integrations
- Slack Connect (external)
- Workflows
- Slack AI
Check before switching
- You only rely on: Channels and DMs, Huddles (calls), Message history and search
- Export your data from Slack before canceling
Agents: get_recipe("replace-slack") on the Stackcut MCP server.
8 ways out, best first
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Slack (free tier) | free plan | $0/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $0 | +$8.75/mo |
| Over 12 months | +$8.75 × 12 | +$105 |
| Setup, once | 0.25 h × $50/h | −$12 |
| Year one | +$105 − $12 | +$93 |
- Not counting your time (0.25 h in year one): saves $105 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Google Workspace | already in a plan you pay for | $0/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $0 | +$8.75/mo |
| Over 12 months | +$8.75 × 12 | +$105 |
| Setup, once | 0.5 h × $50/h | −$25 |
| Year one | +$105 − $25 | +$80 |
- Not counting your time (0.5 h in year one): saves $105 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Microsoft 365 Business | already in a plan you pay for | $0/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $0 | +$8.75/mo |
| Over 12 months | +$8.75 × 12 | +$105 |
| Setup, once | 0.5 h × $50/h | −$25 |
| Year one | +$105 − $25 | +$80 |
- Not counting your time (0.5 h in year one): saves $105 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Discord (free tier) | free plan | $0/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $0 | +$8.75/mo |
| Over 12 months | +$8.75 × 12 | +$105 |
| Setup, once | 1 h × $50/h | −$50 |
| Year one | +$105 − $50 | +$55 |
- Not counting your time (1 h in year one): saves $105 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Zulip | $8/user/mo × 1 user | $8/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $8 | +$0.75/mo |
| Over 12 months | +$0.75 × 12 | +$9 |
| Setup, once | 1 h × $50/h | −$50 |
| Year one | +$9 − $50 | −$41 |
- Not counting your time (1 h in year one): saves $9 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Mattermost | a small server (modeled) | $5/mo |
| Your upkeep time | 2 h/mo × $50/h | $100/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $5 − $100 | −$96.25/mo |
| Over 12 months | −$96.25 × 12 | −$1,155 |
| Setup, once | 4 h × $50/h | −$200 |
| Year one | −$1,155 − $200 | −$1,355 |
- Not counting your time (28 h in year one): saves $45 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Zulip | a small server (modeled) | $5/mo |
| Your upkeep time | 2 h/mo × $50/h | $100/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $5 − $100 | −$96.25/mo |
| Over 12 months | −$96.25 × 12 | −$1,155 |
| Setup, once | 4 h × $50/h | −$200 |
| Year one | −$1,155 − $200 | −$1,355 |
- Not counting your time (28 h in year one): saves $45 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How we got this
| You pay now: Slack Pro | $8.75/user/mo × 1 user | $8.75/mo |
|---|---|---|
| New cost: Element (Matrix) | a small server (modeled) | $5/mo |
| Your upkeep time | 2 h/mo × $50/h | $100/mo |
| Difference each month | $8.75 − $5 − $100 | −$96.25/mo |
| Over 12 months | −$96.25 × 12 | −$1,155 |
| Setup, once | 4 h × $50/h | −$200 |
| Year one | −$1,155 − $200 | −$1,355 |
- Not counting your time (28 h in year one): saves $45 in year one.
Year one = 12 × (what you pay now − the new cost − upkeep) − setup, with your time at $50/hour. Prices are public list prices; hours are Stackcut’s planning estimates. Price it for your team
How to leave Slack
Export first
- Public channels (messages and file links): Admin → Workspace settings → Security → Import & export data → Export (ZIP of JSON). Free and Pro export public channels only; private channels and DMs need Business+ or Enterprise. On Free, file links cover the last 90 days. slack.com
What you lose
- Canvases and Lists turn read-only
- Existing Workflow Builder workflows stop working
- Guest accounts are deactivated and Slack Connect channels disconnect
- Everyone is removed from user groups
Cancel
- Export what you need first (see export).
- Admin → Manage billing → Overview → Change plan details → Downgrade to Free.
- Workspace Owners, or the member who upgraded the workspace, can do this.
- Takes effect
- You choose: right away or on your next renewal date.
- Refunds
- Not stated for a downgrade to Free. Slack credits unused paid time only when you move from Business+ to Pro.
- After you cancel
- Free shows the most recent 90 days of messages and files, deletes data older than 1 year, allows 1:1 huddles only and up to 10 apps.
Compare before you switch
Read the checked comparisons and workload guides for the tools this recipe replaces.
- Slack vs Mattermost Checked migration details, public switching accounts.
- Slack alternatives in 2026: what to use instead, and what it really costs Compare the wider set of alternatives and their tradeoffs.
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