What changes when you downgrade Slack to free
The free Slack plan keeps your workspace, channels, and members intact. The main limits: you can only access the most recent 90 days of message history (older messages are retained but hidden until you upgrade), integrations are capped at 10, and group huddles and some admin features are removed. For small teams with light usage, the free plan is workable.
Team chat alternatives
- Discord - Free for most use cases, popular for communities and informal teams.
- Microsoft Teams - Free tier available, included with Microsoft 365 if you already pay for it.
- Google Chat - Included with Google Workspace; free Google accounts have basic chat.
Frequently asked questions
- Does canceling Slack delete my workspace?
- No. Downgrading to the free plan keeps your workspace, channels, and members. You lose access to full message history and some features.
- Can I get a refund when I cancel Slack?
- Slack offers prorated credit for unused time on annual plans in some cases. Check your billing page or contact Slack support.
- What happens to old messages when I downgrade Slack?
- They are retained but hidden - the free plan only shows the most recent 90 days. Upgrading again restores full access.