Loom is a video messaging and screen recording tool designed for asynchronous communication, while Slack is a comprehensive team chat and collaboration platform with real-time messaging as its core feature. They serve different primary purposes but can complement each other in workflows.
Loom vs Slack — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Loom if your team works asynchronously, needs quick video explanations without scheduling meetings, or wants to reduce meeting fatigue through recorded walkthroughs. Choose Slack if you need a central hub for real-time team communication, file sharing, and day-to-day collaboration, though Slack can integrate Loom videos within conversations for enhanced communication.
Cloud-based async video messaging platform for screen recording, instant feedback, and team collaboration.
Cloud-based team messaging platform with deep enterprise integrations and 21 million daily active users.
Structured comparison data for Loom vs Slack with 203 attributes.
Free Tier Monthly Recording/Creation Limit
Average Setup Time for New Recording/Meeting
AI Transcription Support (Standard Tier)
Paid Workspaces/Users (Enterprise Adoption)
Annual Subscription Cost (Pro, 100 users)
Maximum video call participants (free tier)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Pro/Standard)
Maximum Video Conference Participants (Free)
Cost Per User (Annual, Lowest Paid Tier)
Loom vs Slack — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Loom vs Slack.
Yes, Loom integrates natively with Slack. You can record a Loom video and share it directly to any Slack channel or direct message using the Loom app or the /loom slash command. Slack will display a preview with the video thumbnail and transcript excerpt, making it easy for team members to watch without leaving Slack. This combination is particularly effective for reducing meeting fatigue while maintaining team alignment.
Both serve different aspects of remote work. Slack is better for day-to-day real-time communication, quick questions, and coordination. Loom is better for asynchronous communication across time zones, reducing meeting fatigue, and creating reusable documentation. The most effective remote teams typically use both: Slack for immediate conversations and Loom for substantive updates and explanations that don't require synchronous discussion.
What are the privacy and security differences?
Slack offers enterprise-grade security with SAML 2.0 SSO, FedRAMP compliance, and SOC 2 Type II certification suitable for regulated industries. Loom also provides SOC 2 Type II compliance and allows password protection on individual videos, but its primary focus is simplicity over enterprise security. For teams handling sensitive data (healthcare, finance, government), Slack's more granular permission model is superior, though both can be used together with appropriate restrictions.
What happens to my free plan messages on Slack after 90 days?
On Slack's free tier, messages older than 90 days become inaccessible and are not searchable, but they are not permanently deleted from Slack's servers. If you upgrade to a paid plan, you regain access to your full message history. This differs from Loom, which keeps all free videos indefinitely and searchable.
Slack offers 24/7 support for paid Enterprise plans and business hours support for Standard/Pro plans. Loom provides email support on free and pro tiers, with faster response times on paid plans. For critical business needs, Slack's enterprise support is more robust. However, both platforms have active community forums and extensive documentation that often address common questions quickly.