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Slack
Business communication platform
CommunicationFree
Slack — Official Website
Quick Take: Slack
NaNInstall with Homebrew
brew install --cask slackWhat is Slack? — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026
Slack, short for "Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge," has evolved into the definitive team communication platform since its public launch in 2013. Developed by Slack Technologies (now owned by Salesforce since 2020), it began as an internal tool during the development of an online game, Glitch, back in 2009. Recognizing its potential, the founders pivoted, transforming the communication system into the standalone product we know today. In 2026, Slack continues to be a crucial hub for modern workplaces, moving beyond simple chat to act as a comprehensive operating system for work. It's designed for teams of all sizes and industries – from agile startups to large enterprises – enabling organized communication through channels, streamlined workflows with robust automation, and deep integration with a vast ecosystem of third-party applications. Slack's core strength lies in its ability to centralize conversations, files, and app notifications, significantly reducing reliance on traditional email and fostering transparency across departments. For Mac users, Slack offers a native, optimized experience, fully compatible with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 chips) and the latest macOS versions. This ensures smooth performance, efficiency, and seamless integration with macOS features like notifications and multitasking. Its intuitive interface and user-friendly design have consistently been praised, contributing to its widespread adoption. Key differentiators in 2026 include its highly advanced AI capabilities, such as an intelligent Slackbot AI agent for search, summarization, and content creation, along with enhanced workflow automation and deeper Salesforce integration. Slack’s commitment to an open application programming interface (API) and its extensive app directory ensure it remains a flexible and powerful tool, adapting to diverse team needs and workflows in an increasingly remote and hybrid work landscape.
Deep Dive: Slack
Slack has evolved from a simple messaging tool to a comprehensive digital headquarters, streamlining communication and collaboration for businesses globally. It offers a channel-based platform, extensive integrations, and robust search capabilities to enhance productivity and maintain a searchable log of all conversations and knowledge.
History & Background
Slack's journey began in 2009 as an internal communication tool for Tiny Speck, a company founded by Stewart Butterfield, initially developing a multiplayer online game called Glitch. The team pivoted in 2012 when Glitch was shut down, recognizing the potential of their communication tool. Slack officially launched in February 2014, rapidly gaining traction and reaching 1 million daily active users by April 2015. Key milestones include the launch of the Slack App Directory and API in December 2015, and its direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2019, valuing the company at $19.5 billion. In December 2020, Salesforce announced its acquisition of Slack for approximately $27.7 billion, completing the deal in July 2021.
How It Works
The Slack desktop application for Mac is built using Electron, which essentially acts as a dedicated web browser to run the Slack web application. This architecture allows web developers to create desktop applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Slack's frontend for the desktop app is developed with ReactJS and ES6. The Electron framework inherited Chromium's multi-process model, where each Slack team you're signed into, along with other core functions like crash reporting and GPU processes, runs in a separate process labeled 'Slack Helper' on macOS. This isolation allows for restarting individual teams without affecting the rest of the application and provides protection from GPU driver issues. Slack has also utilized Redux for centralized state management across multiple workspaces to enhance efficiency and minimize memory and CPU overhead.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Slack boasts a rich and expanding ecosystem of plugins, extensions, and integrations, serving as a central hub for connecting people, information, and applications. The Slack App Directory features over 2,600 apps, offering solutions for productivity, automation, customer service, file sharing, and more. Developers can build custom integrations using Slack's robust APIs and Bolt SDKs, creating tailored apps and workflow steps that integrate directly into the platform. Integrations with popular tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, GitHub, Zendesk, and Salesforce enhance its utility by allowing users to share documents, manage projects, and automate tasks directly within Slack. The platform also offers no-code solutions like Workflow Builder, enabling users to automate routine tasks and streamline processes by combining native actions and third-party integrations.
Future Development
Recent updates in late 2025 and early 2026 highlight Slack's continued focus on AI integration and user experience enhancements. In February 2026, Slack redesigned Slackbot into a full AI agent with capabilities such as intelligent workspace search, document analysis, and content creation. The same update introduced a long-awaited split view for desktop users and granular AI exclusion controls. October 2025 saw updates allowing Org Owners and Admins to add Dropbox as an enterprise search data source and the introduction of a new underline option in the formatting toolbar. Slack also made it easier to star and manage notifications for channels and direct messages. Future directions include the Slack Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for external AI assistant access, a real-time search API for third-party apps, and an updated Activity hub for a consolidated notification experience.
Key Features
Channel-Based Communication
At the heart of Slack is its channel system, which organizes conversations into dedicated spaces for projects, teams, departments, or topics. This structure ensures that discussions are focused, searchable, and easily accessible to all relevant members, preventing information silos. Users can create public channels for open discussions within the company or private channels for sensitive information. In 2026, features like the 'sidebar sweeper' help declutter workspaces by automatically hiding inactive channels, maintaining a clean and manageable interface. This fundamental organization allows new team members to quickly get up to speed by reviewing past conversations and shared context.
Advanced Workflow Automation
Slack's Workflow Builder empowers users to create custom, no-code automations to streamline repetitive tasks and processes. In 2026, Workflow Builder has become significantly more advanced, supporting sophisticated multi-step actions, custom forms, and conditional logic. This allows teams to automate notifications for key events like sales wins or system issues, create auto-responses, and even trigger actions in integrated apps based on specific keywords in channels. Recent updates also include AI recommendations to help users build workflows more quickly and efficiently, making it an indispensable tool for boosting productivity.
Slackbot AI Assistant
The redesigned Slackbot in 2026 transcends its traditional role as a notification helper, now functioning as a full-fledged personal AI agent. Available on Business+ and Enterprise+ plans, this native AI assistant offers intelligent workspace search, summarizing conversations and documents instantly, and drafting content based on existing context. It can analyze files, check calendar availability, and create structured content like meeting notes or project updates. Crucially, Slackbot AI operates within Slack's secure environment, respecting user permissions and never using customer data to train large language models, ensuring privacy and trust.
Extensive App Integrations
Slack boasts an ecosystem of over 2,600 third-party integrations, making it a central hub for various business applications. From project management tools like Asana and ClickUp to communication platforms like Zoom and file-sharing services like Google Drive, Slack seamlessly connects to tools teams already use. This allows for real-time updates, task creation, and data synchronization directly within Slack channels, minimizing context switching and enhancing overall workflow efficiency. The Salesforce integration, for instance, has deepened, allowing users to view and edit Salesforce records without leaving Slack.
Huddles and Video Calls
Slack provides integrated audio and video calling features, enabling quick synchronous communication. Huddles, designed for informal, spontaneous audio conversations, have been re-engineered in 2026 to open in a separate mini-window, preventing them from blocking the main sidebar. This allows users to participate in calls while simultaneously navigating their channels and working. For more formal meetings, Slack supports group video calls with screen sharing. While its video capabilities are robust, some alternatives like Discord prioritize voice-first communication with more extensive free options.
Robust Search and Knowledge Retention
True to its name, Slack offers a powerful and searchable log of all conversations and shared knowledge. Its advanced search filters allow users to effortlessly find past messages, files, and conversations, even in busy channels. This feature is critical for knowledge management and onboarding new team members who can access historical context. In 2026, enterprise search in Slack is further enhanced by AI, leveraging Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology to deliver highly relevant, personalized results across connected apps and data sources, respecting existing permissions.
Shared Channels and External Collaboration
Shared Channels in Slack facilitate seamless collaboration with external partners, clients, and vendors. These dedicated channels allow organizations to communicate and share files securely with outside parties, maintaining a single, organized thread of communication. This eliminates the need for endless email chains or switching between different platforms for external projects, integrating external stakeholders directly into internal workflows while maintaining control over data access and permissions. This feature is vital for agencies and companies working closely with external teams.
Canvases for Structured Content
Slack Canvases provide a flexible, persistent space within Slack for teams to create, organize, and share structured content. These act like living documents where teams can draft project briefs, consolidate resources, take meeting notes, or centralize important information. Canvases are integrated directly into channels or DMs, ensuring that critical context and actionable items are easily accessible and don't get lost in message threads. This feature is particularly useful for asynchronous collaboration and maintaining a single source of truth for key projects and initiatives.
Who Should Use Slack?
1Software Development Team
An engineering team uses Slack channels for each project and feature branch. They integrate GitHub to receive real-time updates on pull requests and code pushes directly in their 'dev-alerts' channel. Automated workflows trigger Jira ticket creation when specific keywords like 'bug:' are posted, ensuring immediate action and reducing manual triage, keeping everyone aligned on progress and issues.
2Marketing Agency
A marketing agency manages multiple client accounts using Slack. Each client has a dedicated private channel, often a Shared Channel, where agency members and client stakeholders collaborate. HubSpot integration allows sales teams to share deal updates instantly. Campaign managers use Workflow Builder to automate reporting notifications and creative approvals, ensuring projects stay on track and clients are always informed.
3Remote-First Startup
A fully remote startup leverages Slack as its digital headquarters. They use public channels for transparency across departments (e.g., #announcements, #watercooler) and private channels for sensitive discussions. Daily stand-ups are conducted asynchronously through threads or quick Huddles. The Slackbot AI summarizes missed conversations, helping team members in different time zones stay updated without constant scrolling.
4Customer Support Department
A customer support team integrates their ticketing system (e.g., Zendesk, Salesforce Service Cloud) with Slack. When a high-priority ticket comes in, a Slack workflow automatically notifies the relevant support channel, pulling in customer details. Support agents can discuss solutions, escalate issues, or even create follow-up tasks directly from Slack messages, leading to faster resolution times.
5Project Manager
A project manager oversees cross-functional initiatives, using Slack to centralize all communication. They create channels for each project, inviting relevant stakeholders from engineering, design, and product. Integrations with Asana or ClickUp allow them to create tasks from Slack messages, receive real-time progress updates, and track deadlines. The PM uses Slackbot AI to get quick summaries of lengthy discussions before important meetings, ensuring they're always prepared.
How to Install Slack on Mac
Installing Slack on your Mac is a straightforward process, ensuring you can quickly integrate this powerful communication tool into your daily workflow. For optimal performance and ease of updates, we recommend using Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS.
1
Install Homebrew (if not already installed)
Open your Terminal application (you can find it in Applications/Utilities or by searching with Spotlight). Paste the following command and press Enter: `/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"` Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. You may need to enter your macOS password.
2
Install Slack using Homebrew Cask
Once Homebrew is installed, you can easily install Slack. In your Terminal, enter the following command and press Enter: `brew install --cask slack` Homebrew Cask will download and install the official Slack application to your Applications folder.
3
Launch Slack and Sign In
After the installation is complete, you can find Slack in your Applications folder or launch it directly from Spotlight. Open the application, and you will be prompted to sign in to your existing Slack workspace or create a new one. Enter your workspace URL and then your email and password.
4
Configure Notifications and Preferences
Once signed in, take a moment to customize your Slack preferences. Go to `Slack > Preferences` in the menu bar. Here, you can adjust notification settings, theme, sidebar options, and more, tailoring Slack to your specific communication style and minimizing distractions.
Pro Tips
- • Keep Slack updated: Homebrew makes updating easy. Just run `brew upgrade --cask slack` in Terminal periodically.
- • Check for Apple Silicon optimization: Ensure you're running the native Apple Silicon version for best performance by checking 'About Slack' (Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report > Applications).
- • Use keyboard shortcuts: Master Slack's keyboard shortcuts (`Cmd + ,` for preferences, `Cmd + K` for quick switcher) to navigate and act faster.
- • Integrate with macOS: Allow Slack to send notifications and display unread badge counts in the Dock for a cohesive experience.
Configuration Tips
Optimize Your Notifications
Slack's strength can also be its greatest distraction. Dive into `Preferences > Notifications` to customize your alerts. Set specific keywords that trigger notifications, mute channels during focused work, or configure different notification sounds for direct messages versus channel mentions. Consider setting up a 'Do Not Disturb' schedule to ensure uninterrupted focus, especially outside working hours. Mastering notification settings is key to leveraging Slack effectively without feeling overwhelmed by constant pings.
Organize Your Sidebar with Sections
For users juggling numerous channels and direct messages, organizing your sidebar into custom sections is invaluable. Right-click on your sidebar and select 'Create a new section' to group related channels, DMs, or apps. You might create sections for 'Current Projects,' 'Team Communications,' 'Client A,' or 'Social.' This visual organization helps prioritize conversations, reduces clutter, and allows for quicker navigation, ensuring you can quickly find the information pertinent to your immediate tasks.
Leverage Saved Items for Quick Access
Don't let important messages or files get lost in the scroll. Use the 'Save' feature (hover over a message and click the bookmark icon) to quickly store critical information for later reference. Saved items are accessible from your left sidebar, providing a personalized dashboard of key communications, documents, or links. This acts as a personal knowledge base, making it easy to revisit important context, project requirements, or shared resources without having to search through multiple channels.
Master the Quick Switcher (Cmd + K)
The Quick Switcher (`Cmd + K` on Mac) is Slack's most powerful navigation tool. It allows you to rapidly jump between channels, direct messages, files, and even specific sections of your workspace by typing a few characters. Get into the habit of using it instead of clicking around. This significantly speeds up your workflow, reduces mouse reliance, and keeps you focused on your work by minimizing visual distractions when switching contexts, making your Slack experience much more fluid and efficient.
Alternatives to Slack
While Slack remains a dominant force, the market for team communication and collaboration platforms is diverse in 2026, offering robust alternatives. The best choice often depends on your organization's specific needs, existing software ecosystem, and budget.
M
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is Slack's primary competitor, offering a comprehensive suite of tools tightly integrated within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Teams excels for organizations heavily invested in Microsoft products (Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive), providing seamless document collaboration and a unified platform for chat, video conferencing, and project management. While Slack offers broader third-party integrations, Teams provides unmatched cohesion within the Microsoft stack. Its pricing can be more cost-effective if already bundled with a Microsoft 365 license, making it attractive for larger enterprises.
G
Google Chat
Google Chat (part of Google Workspace) is ideal for teams that predominantly use Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar. It offers native integration with these Google services, providing a simple and cost-effective communication layer without requiring an additional subscription if you're already paying for Workspace. While it has improved with features like inline threading, Slack generally offers more scalable structure, advanced workflow automation, and a wider range of third-party integrations, making Chat better for straightforward collaboration within the Google ecosystem rather than as a central hub for a mixed tech stack.
D
Discord
Initially known for gaming communities, Discord has gained traction with tech startups and creative teams seeking a voice-first, casual communication platform. It shines with persistent voice channels and a more generous free tier compared to Slack, including unlimited message history. Discord is excellent for community building and real-time hangouts. However, Slack is better suited for professional, structured business communication, offering enterprise-grade security, more extensive business integrations, and advanced workflow automation. Discord's UI can also feel less professional for traditional business environments.
Z
Zenzap
Zenzap has emerged as a popular Slack alternative in 2026, specifically targeting Slack's pain points: rising costs, complexity, and mobile usability. It aims to deliver core team communication features without the premium price tag or overwhelming interface. Zenzap focuses on being mobile-first, which is a significant advantage for frontline workers or teams where most employees operate from their phones. While it may not have Slack's vast integration ecosystem or deeply entrenched enterprise features, Zenzap offers a compelling, affordable, and simpler solution for growing businesses prioritizing ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
Pricing
Freemium
Slack operates on a freemium model, offering a free tier with limited features and several paid plans. The Free plan includes access to 90 days of message history, 10 app integrations, and 1:1 voice and video calls. Paid plans, such as Pro ($7.25/user/month annually) and Business+ ($12.50/user/month annually), unlock unlimited message history, unlimited integrations, group calls, and advanced administrative controls. Enterprise Grid offers custom pricing for large organizations requiring extensive scalability, enhanced security, and dedicated support across multiple workspaces.
Pros
- ✓Organized, channel-based communication reduces email overload and provides clear context.
- ✓Extensive third-party app integrations streamline workflows and centralize tools.
- ✓Powerful AI capabilities (Slackbot AI, summaries, search) enhance productivity and information retrieval.
- ✓Robust search functionality makes all conversations and files easily discoverable.
- ✓Advanced workflow automation simplifies repetitive tasks with a no-code builder.
- ✓Seamless external collaboration with Shared Channels for clients and partners.
- ✓Native macOS and Apple Silicon optimization ensures smooth performance.
- ✓Intuitive and user-friendly interface with deep customization options.
Cons
- ✗Can become expensive for larger teams on paid tiers, especially compared to bundled solutions.
- ✗Notification overload can lead to distractions if not properly configured.
- ✗Free plan's 90-day message history limit can be restrictive for long-term knowledge retention.
Community & Ecosystem
Slack fosters a vibrant and extensive community, supported by its vast integration ecosystem. Its open API allows developers to create and share custom apps, extending Slack's functionality to almost any business need. The platform benefits from an active user base that frequently shares tips, tricks, and best practices, enhancing its collective utility. Salesforce's acquisition of Slack in 2020 further integrated it into a broader enterprise software ecosystem, creating deeper connections with CRM and other business tools. This robust community and ecosystem ensure Slack remains adaptable, innovative, and deeply embedded in modern digital workplaces.
Video Tutorials
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Frequently Asked Questions about Slack
Absolutely. Slack remains highly relevant for Mac users in 2026. The application is fully optimized for macOS, including native support for Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 chips), ensuring excellent performance and energy efficiency. Its interface is designed to feel native to the Mac environment, integrating well with system notifications and multitasking features. With continuous updates focusing on AI enhancements, workflow automation, and a vast integration library, Slack provides a comprehensive and efficient communication and collaboration hub that caters specifically to the needs of Mac-centric professional workflows. Its commitment to a polished user experience on Apple hardware ensures its continued relevance.
Our Verdict
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified
Related Technologies & Concepts
Apple SiliconSalesforceWorkflow BuilderSlackbot AIHomebrewMicrosoft TeamsGoogle ChatChannels
Apple Silicon (Ensures native optimization and performance for Slack on Mac.), Salesforce (Parent company of Slack, driving deeper enterprise integrations.), Workflow Builder (Slack's no-code automation tool for streamlining processes.), Slackbot AI (Intelligent AI assistant for search, summarization, and content generation within Slack.), Homebrew (Recommended package manager for installing and managing Slack on macOS.), Microsoft Teams (Primary competitor, strong for Microsoft 365 integrated environments.), Google Chat (Alternative for teams within the Google Workspace ecosystem.), Channels (Core organizational structure for conversations in Slack.)
Related Topics
Sources & References
Key Verified Facts
- Slack — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026 is available for macOS with Homebrew installation support[cite-1]
- Slack — Complete Guide for Mac Users in 2026 supports Apple Silicon Macs natively[cite-40]
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