Team chat apps play a pivotal role in organizing, securing, and making workplace communications accessible.
Blink’s audience often includes remote, frontline, and hybrid teams that rely on dependable messaging to stay aligned.
For small and medium businesses, Blink suggests choosing a team chat app that's easy to use, well-organized, and available on all devices, particularly if the business doesn't have an IT team.
In this Blink guide to the best team chat apps, we review eight leading options for hybrid teams and affordable choices for startups and SMBs. We evaluate each team chat platform based on ease of setup, support levels, and total cost.
If your business is a remote startup, operates a small office, or needs to keep hybrid employees connected, this Blink overview will help you choose a team chat app that fits your needs.
Why team chat apps matter for SMBs and agile teams
Team chat apps play a pivotal role in organizing, securing, and making workplace communications accessible.
Blink’s audience often includes remote, frontline, and hybrid teams that rely on dependable messaging to stay aligned.
For small and medium businesses, Blink suggests choosing a team chat app that's easy to use, well-organized, and available on all devices, particularly if the business doesn't have an IT team.
In this Blink guide to the best team chat apps, we review eight leading options for hybrid teams and affordable choices for startups and SMBs. We evaluate each team chat platform based on ease of setup, support levels, and total cost.
If your business is a remote startup, operates a small office, or needs to keep hybrid employees connected, this Blink overview will help you choose a team chat app that fits your needs.
Highlights
- The best team chat apps organize, secure, and make workplace communications accessible in frontline, remote, hybrid, and work environments.
- Top chat apps for 2025 include Blink, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zulip, Discord, WhatsApp, Google Chat, and Element, each designed for different business needs, from affordable team chat apps for startups and SMBs to work chat platforms that are easy to set up without IT support.
- Key team chat app features to consider include instant text or group messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing/storage, chat history and search, workflow automation, analytics, and insights, language and accessibility support, and security.
- To find the best team chat apps for a small business and easy team chat apps for hybrid teams without IT support, test a free trial period, and assess how it improves your team’s connectivity and productivity.
{{mobile-chat="/image"}}
What is a team chat app?
A team chat app is a digital platform that enables quick, real-time communication between employees across locations and departments. These apps are essential for maintaining coordination, sharing updates, and ensuring accountability, especially in remote, hybrid, and frontline work environments.
Blink, a leading employee communication platform, defines team chat apps as:
“Tools that combine instant messaging, collaboration, and productivity features into a single accessible workspace. Allowing teams to connect without the delays of email or the complexity of multiple disconnected systems.”
Choosing the right team chat app for your business depends on how your team communicates, your company size, the tools you already use, and the level of IT support available.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Blink offers an all-in-one solution that simplifies communication, integrates with existing workflows, and keeps teams connected wherever they work.
How to choose the best team chat app
Most team chat apps focus on real-time communication, collaboration, and organization, along with a host of extras, some you'll need, others you won't.
But some features are crucial for every business, such as:
1. Real-time messaging
- One-to-one and group chats so team members can communicate
- Typing indicators, read receipts, and message reactions to increase engagement
- Threaded and channel conversations for organized discussions
2. File sharing and storage
- Uploading and sharing documents, images, videos, or links in chat is essential
- Preview and version control for shared files and tracking updates
3. Channels and topics
- Public channels for open chat and private channels for specific teams or projects
- Topic-or hashtag-based organization for easy navigation and search
4. Voice and video calls
- One-click voice or video calls for meetings or quick check-ins
- Screen sharing and virtual whiteboards
5. Notifications and mentions
- Customizable alerts for separating communications
- @Mentions and tagging to alert people and groups
6. Integrations
- Integration with tools like Google Drive, Trello, Asana, Slack, Zoom, and GitHub
- Automation to handle repetitive tasks like reminders and updates
7. Search and history
- Full-text search for files, messages, and channels
- Search filters for searching by user, date, or keyword
8. User management
- Admin roles, moderation controls, and security access levels for protecting sensitive data
- Team invite, guest access, and user status alerts (online/offline/away)
9. Cross-platform availability
- Desktop, web, and mobile apps to ensure accessibility everywhere
- Synchronization across devices so users can seamlessly continue conversations.left off
{{mobile-voice-video="/image"}}
The 8 best team chat apps
Blink
Startups and SMBs often need affordable team chat apps that are easy to set up without IT support.
Blink, an off-the-shelf, all-in-one solution, is designed with simplicity in mind, making it a perfect fit for mobile-first or frontline teams. It's customizable to fit your team perfectly, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience.
Described as an "employee experience platform" that combines chat, news feeds, and workplace tools into one app. Blink enables direct and group messaging, file sharing, and voice or video calls, without a complex setup.
Digital Project Manager described Blink`s interface as intuitive:
- Blink’s interface is intuitive and built for teams that “aren’t particularly tech-savvy.” Perfect for easy team chat apps for hybrid teams without IT support
Best suited for:
- Startups and SMBs that want an affordable chat tool that does more than messaging, like polls, shift management, and document sharing
- Small businesses seeking a lightweight internal hub (chat + company news) instead of an entire enterprise stack
- Frontline and distributed teams that need quick, mobile-friendly communication
Blink pros:
- It offers more than chat, with features like absence tracking and polls, making it a complete communication platform rather than just a chat app
- Setup is minimal and user-friendly; you can be up and running within hours
- Blink supports images, GIFs, videos, PDFs, and spreadsheets within chat
- A value-for-money team chat app for startups and SMBs
Blink cons:
- Pricing and scalability details aren't as transparent as some other platforms
- It doesn't support advanced chat features (such as bots or extensive APIs)
- Fewer integration and automation options compared to Slack or Teams
Blink pricing: Blink's Business plan starts at $4.50 per user/month for up to 1,000 users.
Slack
Described as "where work happens," Slack is the most used app in the workplace (Source: Mio). It combines chat, channels, integrations, and file sharing into one streamlined workspace.
Slack serves a wide range of businesses, from small startups to global organizations, and offers thousands of third-party integrations, smooth onboarding, and real-time communication features.
Best suited for:
- Hybrid and remote teams that need synchronous and asynchronous collaboration
- Startups and SMBs that want a flexible, easy-to-adopt chat platform
- Teams that rely on integrations and automation
Slack pros:
- The free tier provides what many startups need, keeping costs low during those expensive first few years
- According to Social Intents, Slack works best for small, flexible teams because it prioritizes chat
- Slack integrates with over 2,600 apps, including Google Drive, Notion, Asana, and Zoom
Slack cons:
- Without guidance, channels can become noisy and unstructured, something Wired notes as a common growing pain.
- Pricing can surge when you add users or need advanced features such as security and compliance controls
- Teams already using Microsoft 365 may find Slack less seamless in comparison
Slack pricing: Free tier available. The Pro plan is $7.25 per user/month (billed annually).
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams gives you file sharing, video meetings, chat, and collaboration under one roof, fully integrated with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Microsoft built Teams for hybrid work, combining chat and productivity tools into a single, secure space.
Best suited for:
- Teams that need chat, meetings, and document collaboration in one platform
- Businesses with compliance or governance requirements
- Organizations already using Microsoft 365 or Office
- Small businesses that want scalability built in
Microsoft Teams pros:
- Microsoft positions Teams to "empower employees to meet, chat, call, and collaborate from anywhere"
- Sharing files and working together on documents is easy because it works well with OneDrive and SharePoint
- Microsoft`s Teams Essentials plan was designed for small businesses
Microsoft Teams cons:
- Setup is more complex than other chat tools, especially if you're not already in the Microsoft ecosystem
- If you're not a Microsoft user, licensing and configuration can be frustrating
- For some startups, the complete feature set might be overkill
Microsoft Teams pricing: The Essentials plan is $4 per user/month (annual). Microsoft 365 Business Basic is $6 per user/month (annual). Microsoft 365 Business Standard is $12.50 per user/month (annual).
Zulip
Zulip takes a different approach to chat by blending the immediacy of real-time messaging with the organization of threaded conversations.
By grouping messages into streams and topics instead of endless chat scrolls (🥱), Zulip makes it easier to catch up without losing context.
Best suited for:
- Businesses seeking an open-source or self-hosted solution
- Organizations that rely on asynchronous communication
- Teams with multiple ongoing discussions
Zulip pros:
- According to Wikipedia, Zulip's threading system reduces noise and makes conversations easier to navigate
- Like Slack, this interface offers integrations and notifications, but in a more organized way
- It's open source, giving you complete control over hosting, data, and customization
Zulip cons:
- Zulip protects your data while it's being sent and stored, but the messages themselves aren't fully end-to-end encrypted (only push notifications are)
- Fewer plugins and integration options in comparison to heavier commercial apps
- Reports are that the UI can feel less intuitive for non-technical users
- For simple chat needs, the format is pretty complex
Zulip pricing: Open-source self-hosted version remains free. The Cloud plan is $6.67 per user/month (annual) or $8 monthly.
Discord
Created for gaming, Discord has evolved into a powerful communication tool for creative and hybrid business teams by combining text channels, voice chat, video calls, and community-style engagement on a single platform.
Best suited for:
- Budget-conscious organizations that need robust features at low or no cost
- Startups and creative teams that love informal, real-time collaboration
- An easy team chat app for hybrid teams without IT support
- Hybrid teams that frequently use voice and video
- Team chat apps for small businesses
Discord pros:
- Zapier said its flexibility and community-style setup make it appealing for small, fast-moving teams
- Discord offers always-on voice channels, thread-based chat, and strong media sharing
- Its free tier is generous and can handle most small business communication needs
Discord cons:
- Employee engagement platform, HubEngage said, "Discord lacks the enterprise-grade governance and compliance features in tools like Teams or Slack"
- Productivity tool integrations are improving, but they're not as good as those in popular work chat apps
- The platform's laid-back vibe and game-like design might not suit every workplace
Discord pricing: Nitro Basic costs $2.99/month. Full Nitro costs $9.99/month (US).
Besides the 2 billion WhatsApp users, many small businesses also use WhatsApp Business for staff chats, GPS location, file sharing, and quick customer interactions.
Best suited for:
- Businesses that need to combine internal chat with customer communication
- Small teams or micro-businesses with minimal onboarding needs
- Teams that rely on mobile messaging for quick coordination
WhatsApp pros:
- WhatsApp Business offers quick replies, automated greetings, and product catalogs
- Setup is pretty easy: verify your phone number, and start messaging! 🥳
- Most of us know the interface, so adoption's a breeze
WhatsApp cons:
- AI-powered customer service provider, Cuedesk, advises that using WhatsApp for internal business chat could lead to problems with data control
- The app doesn't suit large-scale internal communication
- It lacks channels, user roles, and admin controls
WhatsApp pricing: The Business App is Free. The Business Platform (API) uses a per-message pricing model.
Google Chat
Google Chat is a perfect match for Google Workspace users, as it integrates with Gmail, Drive, and Docs, making it easy for Google users to chat and collaborate.
Best suited for:
- Small businesses that need minimal IT setup or training
- Teams already using Google Workspace
Google Chat pros:
- Google says Chat is a secure, integrated way to “collaborate in the flow of work”
- You can organize topics, assign tasks, and share files in one place
- Easy setup for businesses already using Gmail and Drive
Google Chat cons:
- Fewer features than Slack or Teams in terms of integrations and automation
- Anyone outside the Google ecosystem may find limited value in using it
Google Chat pricing: Business Starter is $7/user/month (annual), Business Standard is $14/user/month (annual), Business Plus is $22/user/month (annual)
Element
Element built its open-source, enterprise-grade chat platform on the Matrix protocol.
It's secure, private, and supports self-hosting, making it unique among popular chat apps.
Element suits:
- Businesses with the technical capability to manage setup and maintenance
- Teams that require secure, end-to-end encrypted communication
- Organizations that prioritize data control and self-hosting
Element pros:
- Element's system is decentralized and shared, so no single server stores your data
- You can self-host, use the cloud, or integrate Element into existing infrastructure
- It's both mobile-friendly and compliant with strict security standards
- Offers full end-to-end encryption (E2EE)
Element cons:
- Self-hosting or advanced deployment may be too complex for teams without IT resources
- For quick, non-technical adoption, it's less plug-and-play than tools like Blink or WhatsApp
- The integration ecosystem is smaller than mainstream options
Element pricing: $5–$10 per user/month, depending on the hosting plan.
Quick recap of our best team chat apps
- Blink and WhatsApp are budget-friendly team chat apps for startups and SMBs with mobile-first teams that want simplicity and affordability
- Slack offers the best mix of ease, integrations, and scalability for growing SMBs
- Microsoft Teams delivers collaboration for businesses already using Microsoft 365
- Zulip and Element provide teams with security, privacy, and self-hosting options
- Discord shines as a platform for creative, hybrid teams that value flexibility and real-time communication
- Google Chat is ideal for Google Workspace users who prefer work chat platforms that are easy to set up without IT support
Which team chat app should you choose?
When choosing a team chat app, test a free plan or trial period while assessing your team’s connectivity, sense of community, and productivity.
If you need additional functionality, consider a paid plan, as saving a few dollars on a free option is rarely worth the loss of your team’s time and efficiency.
The best team chat app connects, focuses, and engages your workforce, avoiding unnecessary technical complexity or friction.
Blink meets 95% of workforces where they are by providing fast, innovative solutions to modern-day communication requirements.
Ready to collaborate on a whole new level?
Blink. And connect with your team today.
Best team chat app FAQs for hybrid teams & SMBs
What is the best team chat app for small businesses in 2025?
Small businesses like Blink and Slack for team chats because they are easy to use, offer teamwork features, and have scalable pricing options.
Which team chat app is easiest to set up without IT support?
Blink, Discord, and WhatsApp are easy team chat apps for hybrid teams without IT support. You can start using them right away.
Are there free team chat apps for startups?
Absolutely. Discord, Zulip, Element, and Slack's free plan (and Blink’s free trial period) give startups a solid mix of chat, file sharing, and integrations.
What's the most affordable team chat app for growing SMBs?
Blink and Google Chat hit the sweet spot for budget-conscious businesses as they`re affordable team chat apps for startups and SMBs that are easy to manage and scalable.
Which chat platforms work best for hybrid or remote teams?
Easy team chat apps for hybrid teams without IT support include Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Blink, as each offers mobile access, cross-device syncing, and integrations that keep everyone connected.
How do Blink and Slack compare for small business communication?
Blink built its chat app for frontline and deskless teams who need mobile-first communication. Slack, meanwhile, suits office-based or hybrid teams that want deeper integrations and structured channels.
Can you use WhatsApp as a team chat app?
Yes, many small teams use WhatsApp for fast coordination or informal updates. It's not a full-scale workspace tool, but it's perfect for simple, instant messaging.
Which team chat apps support voice and video calls?
Blink, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, and Google Chat (via Meet) all support voice and video calls.
What's the best open-source team chat app?
Zulip and Element are great open-source options because they let you control your data, customize it to fit your needs, and offer strong security, which is perfect if you want to run them yourself and keep your information safe.
Which chat platform integrates best with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
Google Chat integrates with Google Workspace, or Microsoft Teams if your tools live inside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Are there secure team chat apps for privacy-focused teams?
Element and Zulip stand out for end-to-end encryption and self-hosting. The difference is that Zulip self-host encrypts in transit and at rest; unlike Element, it does not provide E2EE for messages.
What features should a small business look for in a team chat app?
Make sure it's easy to sign up, offers mobile access, has clear group chats and file sharing, and integrates with your existing tools.
Can team chat apps replace email for internal communication?
Many small businesses use Blink or Slack to reduce internal emails and speed up communication.
What's the best team chat app for startups on a budget?
If you're bootstrapping, Blink, Discord, and Zulip offer the best value team chat apps for small businesses. They're free or low-cost, easy to launch, and built to grow with you.
