Lark vs Slack: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Lark and Slack side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Lark leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Lark
The all-in-one productivity superapp for chat, meetings, docs, and projects.
Best for you if:
- • You want all-in-one workspace
Slack
Central hub for workplace communication and collaboration
Best for you if:
- • You want intuitive interface with low learning curve, most teams adopt it within days
| At a Glance | Lark | Slack |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $12/user/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | Free plan, paid from $8.75/user/mo, billed yearly Pro plan |
Category | Productivity Communication | Communication Team Chat |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.6 · SourceForge 4.3 262 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.7 · TrustRadius 4.5 64,990 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Potential for user minimums on Pro tier | 90-day message history on Free: after 90 days, old messages become invisible (not deleted, they return if you upgrade). This is the most common upgrade trigger and feels coercive for teams that relied on older unlimited history |
Choose Lark or Slack?
Choose Lark if
- You want all-in-one workspace
- You want good collaboration
- You work in productivity, not communication
Choose Slack if
- You want intuitive interface with low learning curve, most teams adopt it within days
- You want deepest third-party integration ecosystem of any team chat tool (2,600+ apps)
- You work in communication, not productivity
In-Depth Analysis
Lark
The all-in-one productivity superapp for chat, meetings, docs, and projects.
Lark's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free Starter tier for up to 50 users, which is rare for such a comprehensive suite.
Watch out
Potential for user minimums on Pro tier
Strengths
- Pro: All-in-one workspace
- Pro: Good collaboration
- Pro: Free tier generous
- Pro: Docs and sheets
- Pro: ByteDance quality
Weaknesses
- Con: Chinese company
- Con: Less adoption in West
- Con: Migration effort
- Con: App ecosystem limited
- Con: Privacy concerns
Key features
Slack
Central hub for workplace communication and collaboration
Slack is the default team messaging tool, and its pricing reflects that dominance.
Watch out
90-day message history on Free: after 90 days, old messages become invisible (not deleted, they return if you upgrade). This is the most common upgrade trigger and feels coercive for teams that relied on older unlimited history
Strengths
- Pro: Intuitive interface with low learning curve, most teams adopt it within days
- Pro: Deepest third-party integration ecosystem of any team chat tool (2,600+ apps)
- Pro: Slack Connect eliminates email chains with external partners via shared channels
- Pro: Powerful search across all messages, files, and connected apps from one bar
- Pro: Workflow Builder lets non-technical users automate routine processes
Weaknesses
- Con: Free plan limits message history and allows only a limited number of app integrations
- Con: Notification overload in large workspaces, channels can become noisy without discipline
- Con: Pricing adds up quickly for large teams
- Con: No built-in project management, still requires separate tools like Asana or Jira
- Con: Slack AI features require higher-tier plans, not available on all plans
Key features
Plans and prices: Lark vs Slack
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lark |
| larksuite.com/pricing read Sep 29, 2026 |
| Slack |
| slack.com/pricing read Oct 11, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Lark pricing and Slack pricing.
Key Takeaways
Lark
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5
Slack
- Choose if you want central hub for workplace communication and collaboration
What the data shows
On the data below, Lark leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Lark has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 262 reviews for Lark, 4.2/5 from 64,990 reviews for Slack).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Lark $12/user/mo, billed monthly; Slack $8.75/user/mo, billed yearly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Lark and Slack compare in 2026?
On the data below, Lark leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Lark has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 262 reviews for Lark, 4.2/5 from 64,990 reviews for Slack). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Lark $12/user/mo, billed monthly; Slack $8.75/user/mo, billed yearly. Both have a free plan.
What are Lark and Slack used for?
Lark: The all-in-one productivity superapp for chat, meetings, docs, and projects. Slack: Central hub for workplace communication and collaboration.
What does Lark cost vs Slack?
Lark's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $12/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Slack's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $8.75/user/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 11, 2026.
What's the main difference between Lark and Slack?
Lark's main strength: all-in-one workspace. Slack's main strength: intuitive interface with low learning curve, most teams adopt it within days.