Updated April 14, 2023
Difference Between Basecamp vs Slack
Basecamp is purely based on project management, the paths, and the software used in managing any type of project and the tools needed for each project in the system. It tries to avoid the traditional approach for project management and handles the communication between the teammates, and makes them be in touch always. Slack is purely used for communication, and no project management is involved here. It does not depend on the location of the team and just makes them communicate wherever they are. It is written in C++ and Java language. Its first version was released in 2013. In this topic, we are going to learn about Basecamp vs Slack.
Head to Head Comparison Between Basecamp vs Slack (Infographics)
Below are the top differences between Basecamp and Slack
Key Differences Between Basecamp vs Slack
Below are the key differences between Basecamp and Slack:
- The role of Basecamp is to help in project management and manage the communication between the teammates. The layout is vertical with all the options such as home screen and projects as icons in the software. While considering Slack, it is important to note that it was invented to manage communication and the layout is always horizontal. Hence, it is difficult to figure out the working of Slack while starting it.
- Basecamp’s vertical layout helps to communicate with teammates in an orderly manner without creating any confusion. There are different features for communication, and a calendar is synchronized to arrange the schedule. User-oriented themes can be selected so that it helps them to work by relating the project tasks. In Slack, the communications are not managed well due to its layout, which creates confusion among the teammates. But the user can set priorities so that communication of more important comes first. Panes check the teams, projects, and HQ in Basecamp while it checks the contact and chats history in Slack. The home screens of both tools are different in this way.
- The appearance of the projects can be customized according to the user in Basecamp, while in Slack, users cannot do the same. Slack is programmed to handle the conversations to make the project working. Basecamp handles the projects, making it a common tool among the project management tools, and Slack handles all the communication parts very well.
- File sharing provision is present in both the tools, but Basecamp is good at sharing the files at a faster pace. The changes or updates in the tasks are commented on, and users can share files to check their updates. This helps to handle the project in a better manner. File sharing is not good at Slack as Basecamp. I hope the updates of the software helps to overcome this.
- In Basecamp, all the items have to be checked individually in their row to know whether the work is done or anything is pending in the section, while in Slack, all the updates are checked with the help of pop-ups in the chatting pane of the screen.
- The pricing strategy in both the tools varies. Basecamp charges per team and Slack charges per individual member who uses it. Basecamp offers a free trial for a month and charges $99 per team afterwards for each month. It has a single-tier while Slack has 2 tiers, and the price is around $10 per user per month.
Comparison Table
Let’s see some more differences between Basecamp and Slack through a comparison table for clear understanding:
| Basecamp | Slack |
| Communication in the tool is made in two ways to help in better communication. They are public or private messaging. | Communication is done in three ways so that the progress of the projects can always be checked. They are public group messaging, private group messaging, and private chats between individuals in the team. |
| The tool helps in scheduling meetings and tracking all the project’s progress, working with team members, and meetings held between team members. But it does not help to store messages. | The tool does not have the facility to schedule meetings or track the progress of the project. But it helps to store messages so that the team can look into previous messages and recollect the things team members said or did regarding the project. However, there is a limit to the user to access the number of messages. |
| Integration is not done with any other tools, and the Basecamp itself has facilities for project management and checks the details and schedules of the teammates. | Integration with any other tools is made easily, which helps to collaborate the work and check team members’ progress. This acts as a collaboration tool in this case. |
| There is no video calling facility in the tool, which does not make the tool appear less applicable due to its other provisions. | Video calling and screen sharing help to know the team members work very well and improve others’ work. |
| The features in the tool can be customized based on user preference and working style. | The features cannot be customized as this tool handles only the communication side of the project. |
| Basecamp concentrates more on the tasks and arranges people to do those tasks, and checks for communication among the people. | Slack concentrates more on people and the communication they make with each other. Tasks are not considered as an option at all. |
| The tool is fast, which makes the user comfortable with the tool as it has a track of all the projects, and it works according to the user’s will. | The tool is not faster when compared with Basecamp but helps in creating open channels to collaborate with any member of the team. |
| Basecamp is used in Windows and Mac systems and is preferred by most of the employees though not upto the mark of Slack. | This is used in all the operating systems, and users prefer to Slack over Basecamp. |
| More application-oriented, the tool is. This makes the tool appear traditional, and users find it complicated while using its applications. | The tool is the modern type compared with Basecamp, and the tool’s customer support is good. |
Conclusion
It is better to use both the tools as their applications are different, and both help in their ways to manage the project and handle the communication. They work well together as Slack is good at collaborating with any tools and handling the customer side well.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to Basecamp vs Slack. Here we discuss the Basecamp and Slack Key differences, head to head comparison with infographics and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
