Comparison of Slack and Lark - Which platform is better for teams

1. Overview of Lark and Slack Applications:

In simple terms, Slack is for communication, while Lark is for collaboration. Both communication and collaboration are essential for your team, so don’t rush to judge which platform is better! Let’s delve deeper into each software with BENOCODE:

1.1 What is Slack?

Launched in 2013, Slack quickly became an icon among enterprise chat tools. Designed as a team communication platform, Slack revolves around connecting people through text-based conversations, group chats, and sometimes with the help of features like Slack Bot.

Slack stands out with its well-organized channels, making it easy for members to categorize and track discussions. Its robust search function allows you to "resurrect" any conversation, even after thousands of messages.

However, Slack focuses purely on communication. Features beyond this scope—such as meeting scheduling, task management, or document handling—require third-party integrations.

1.2 What is Lark?

Debuting after Slack, Lark has quickly established itself as an all-in-one tool for businesses. While Slack excels in organizing conversations, Lark offers a unified experience combining communication, task management, and everyday productivity tools.

Lark’s strength lies in integrating functions to deliver a seamless collaboration experience. For instance, a group chat message can easily be turned into a task, or a private conversation can expand into a team meeting with synchronized chat history.

2. Comparing Slack and Lark - Which Platform is Better for Your Team?

2.1 Organization and Information Management:

When it comes to organization and information management, both platforms are formidable competitors, but their approaches differ significantly:

Slack:
Slack shines with its tightly structured organization, staying true to its roots as a professional team communication tool. All conversations in Slack are organized into channels, allowing businesses to divide information based on departments, projects, or specific topics. Additionally, Slack provides customizable permissions for each channel, ensuring that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

One impressive aspect of Slack is its requirement for team members to remember and access the correct workspace link, enhancing security despite being a minor inconvenience for those prone to forgetfulness.

Lark:

Lark goes beyond organizing information by integrating built-in tools like documents, tasks, and schedules, creating a seamless ecosystem. Instead of breaking down information into separate channels like Slack, Lark allows you to link content and conversations. For example, an important document can be attached directly to a conversation, or a task can be assigned within the group chat without needing another app.

2.2 User Interface:

Lark: Modern and Sleek
Lark’s interface is designed with a modern, refined aesthetic, ideal for those who prefer a minimalist yet intuitive experience. Key features are neatly arranged on the left navigation bar, giving users quick access to tools like chat, calendar, documents, or email.

Lark’s color scheme is easy on the eyes, ensuring comfort during long working hours. Notably, its mobile interface is even more praised than the desktop version for its optimized and user-friendly design, enabling smooth usage on the go.

Slack: Flexible and Customizable
Slack, on the other hand, offers a simpler interface, appealing to those who favor straightforward designs. It provides more customization options than Lark, such as choosing colors and enabling dark mode.

Slack’s search bar, prominently placed at the top, is a powerful tool for quickly accessing needed content or files. Additionally, the left sidebar in Slack can be customized to display frequently used tools or channels, optimizing the user experience.

2.3 Security:

2.3.1 Data Encryption:

Both platforms utilize robust encryption technologies to ensure secure data transmission and storage:

• Lark employs HTTPS and WSS protocols to safeguard data during transmission.
• Slack enhances security with TLS 1.2 encryption for transmission and FIPS 140-2 encryption for storage, meeting high industry security standards.

2.3.2 Access Control:

• Lark provides a detailed permission system, enabling businesses to control access for each team member.
• Slack offers advanced features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) for added security in large organizations.

In summary, Slack offers premium features like Enterprise Key Management (EKM) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP), making it more suitable for large enterprises. Lark, however, integrates security within its collaborative ecosystem, catering well to small and medium-sized organizations.

2.4 Pricing

When it comes to cost, Lark shines with its free plan, which includes premium features like calendar, document, and task management—features that Slack only offers through paid plans or third-party integrations.

Lark’s paid plans remain cost-effective by including tools like online meetings, project management, and documents, eliminating the need for additional purchases. Conversely, Slack often requires supplementary tools like Zoom or Google Workspace, significantly raising overall costs.

For instance, a team of 50 needing tools for online meetings, file sharing, and project management would face these costs:

• Slack: $7.25/user/month (Slack Standard) + $14.99/month (Zoom) + $12/user/month (Google Workspace), totaling around $1,700/month.
• Lark: ~$8/user/month, totaling about $400/month.

Summary:
Lark is the cost-effective choice, especially for small and medium-sized businesses seeking an all-in-one solution. Slack, however, caters to larger organizations that prioritize customization and are willing to invest in a dedicated tool ecosystem.

3. When to Use Lark vs. Slack

Choose Lark if you need an all-in-one tool that integrates online meetings, task management, and document sharing on a single platform. Lark is ideal for startups or small businesses looking to save costs and streamline workflows. For example, remote teams can manage their entire workflow with Lark.

Choose Slack when communication is your top priority, especially for large teams needing well-organized chat channels and detailed access controls. Slack is suitable for companies or organizations requiring deep integration with third-party tools like Salesforce or Trello.

4. Conclusion

We hope this article has clarified the differences between Lark and Slack, helping you choose the right platform for your team! Which tool do you use for work? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!