What To Know
- Their initial goal was to create a game called Glitch, but during the development process, they realized the need for a more robust communication tool for their team.
- In 2015, Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy, two former Skype employees, founded Discord with a specific focus on providing voice and text chat services for gamers.
- It has gained a strong foothold in the gaming community and is increasingly used by non-gaming organizations for communication and community building.
The world of business communication has witnessed a fierce rivalry between two major players: Slack and Discord. While both platforms offer impressive features for team collaboration, a common misconception often arises: is Slack made by Discord? To provide clarity, this comprehensive blog post will embark on a detailed exploration of the origins and ownership of these two industry giants.
The Genesis of Slack: A Journey from Glitch to Global Reach
Slack’s inception can be traced back to 2013 when Stewart Butterfield, Cal Henderson, and Eric Costello founded the company known as Tiny Speck. Their initial goal was to create a game called Glitch, but during the development process, they realized the need for a more robust communication tool for their team. This realization gave birth to Slack, which was officially launched in 2014.
Discord’s Ascent: From Gaming Niche to Communication Hub
Discord, on the other hand, emerged from the gaming community. In 2015, Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy, two former Skype employees, founded Discord with a specific focus on providing voice and text chat services for gamers. However, over time, Discord expanded its reach beyond gaming, attracting users from various industries and becoming a versatile communication platform.
Ownership and Funding: Independent Paths
To answer the central question, Slack and Discord are two separate entities with distinct ownership structures. Slack is owned by Salesforce, which acquired the company in 2021 for a staggering $27.7 billion. Discord, meanwhile, remains a privately held company, with its majority ownership stake held by its founders and employees.
Feature Comparison: Similarities and Distinctions
While Slack and Discord share some similarities, such as their focus on team communication and collaboration, they also have notable differences:
- Target Audience: Slack primarily caters to businesses and organizations, while Discord’s user base is more diverse, including gamers, communities, and individuals.
- Communication Channels: Slack offers a wider range of communication channels, including direct messages, group chats, and channels, while Discord emphasizes voice and video conferencing.
- Integrations: Slack boasts a vast ecosystem of third-party integrations, allowing users to connect with other tools and services, while Discord’s integration options are more limited.
Market Share and Industry Impact
Both Slack and Discord have made significant strides in the market:
- Slack: As of 2023, Slack has an estimated market share of 46% in the team collaboration software market. It is particularly popular among large enterprises and Fortune 500 companies.
- Discord: Discord’s market share is estimated at around 31%. It has gained a strong foothold in the gaming community and is increasingly used by non-gaming organizations for communication and community building.
Competition and Collaboration: A Dynamic Landscape
The competition between Slack and Discord has fostered innovation and driven the advancement of team communication tools. However, there have also been instances of collaboration, such as Discord’s integration with Slack’s video conferencing service, Zoom.
The Future of Team Communication: Evolution and Convergence
As the world of work continues to evolve, the demand for efficient and effective communication tools will only increase. Both Slack and Discord are well-positioned to meet this demand, with Slack’s focus on business productivity and Discord’s strength in community engagement. It is likely that we will see further convergence between these two platforms as they strive to provide comprehensive solutions for team collaboration.
Beyond the Binary: Alternative Options for Team Communication
While Slack and Discord are dominant players in the team communication market, there are other notable options to consider:
- Microsoft Teams: A comprehensive platform from Microsoft that integrates with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and SharePoint.
- Google Workspace: Google’s suite of collaboration tools, including Gmail, Google Meet, and Google Drive.
- Asana: A project management tool that offers team communication features, such as task tracking and messaging.
Frequently Discussed Topics
Q: Is Slack owned by Discord?
A: No, Slack is owned by Salesforce, while Discord remains a privately held company.
Q: Which platform is better for businesses?
A: Slack is generally considered more suitable for businesses due to its wider range of features and integrations.
Q: Can I use Slack and Discord together?
A: Yes, it is possible to integrate Slack and Discord using third-party tools or custom integrations.
Q: Which platform has more users?
A: Slack has a larger user base, particularly among businesses, while Discord has a strong following in the gaming community.
Q: Is Slack free to use?
A: Slack offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans provide access to additional features and storage space.
