Slack has revolutionized team communication, but its true power lies in the vast ecosystem of app integrations. By connecting your favorite tools to Slack, you can supercharge your productivity, streamline workflows, and even automate repetitive tasks.
But with thousands of Slack apps available, which ones are worth your time? As a blogger who has tested countless integrations, I‘ve handpicked 15 game-changers that can transform the way you work. Let‘s explore these must-have Slack apps and uncover practical tips to implement them effectively.
1. Asana
Asana is a leading project management tool that integrates seamlessly with Slack. By connecting the two, you can turn your Slack conversations into actionable tasks, complete with assignees, due dates, and project details.
Key features:
- Create tasks directly from Slack messages
- Get notified in Slack when tasks are assigned, completed, or commented on
- View your Asana projects and tasks without leaving Slack
Best practices:
- Set up dedicated Slack channels for each Asana project to keep discussions organized
- Use Asana‘s Slack shortcuts to quickly create tasks and search for project information
- Configure Asana notifications in Slack to stay on top of important updates
2. Google Drive
Google Drive is a go-to for document collaboration, and its Slack integration makes sharing files a breeze. Once connected, you can share Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly in Slack channels or DMs, and even set access permissions.
Key features:
- Preview Google Drive files directly in Slack
- Create new Google Drive files from Slack using the /drive command
- Get notified in Slack when files are shared, edited, or commented on
Best practices:
- Establish naming conventions for files shared in Slack to keep everything organized
- Use threads to keep file-related discussions contained and easily referenceable
- Set up alerts for important files to ensure timely review and collaboration
3. Zoom
In the era of remote work, Zoom has become an essential tool for video conferencing. Its Slack app allows you to start or join Zoom meetings without ever leaving Slack, making it incredibly convenient for impromptu discussions.
Key features:
- Start instant Zoom meetings from any Slack channel or DM
- Get reminded of upcoming Zoom meetings via Slack
- See who has joined the meeting and who is running late
Best practices:
- Create a dedicated Slack channel for Zoom meeting links and agendas
- Integrate Zoom with your calendar app to automatically post upcoming meetings to Slack
- Use Zoom‘s recording feature and share the recordings in Slack for easy reference
4. Trello
Trello is a versatile project management app that uses Kanban-style boards to organize tasks. Its Slack integration allows you to create, assign, and update Trello cards without disrupting your workflow.
Key features:
- Create new Trello cards from Slack messages
- Get notified in Slack when cards are moved, assigned, or due soon
- Join Trello card conversations directly from Slack
Best practices:
- Set up Trello board templates for common project types to maintain consistency
- Use labels and due dates religiously to keep your Trello cards organized
- Integrate Trello‘s calendar view with your team‘s main calendar to visualize deadlines
5. Polly
Polly is a powerful survey and polling app that helps you gather insights from your team right within Slack. Whether you need quick feedback or want to run a comprehensive employee engagement survey, Polly has you covered.
Key features:
- Create multi-question surveys and polls directly in Slack
- Get real-time results and analytics as team members respond
- Schedule recurring polls to track metrics over time
Best practices:
- Keep surveys short and focused to increase response rates
- Use Polly‘s templates for common use cases like sprint retrospectives and employee onboarding
- Share survey results in relevant Slack channels to keep everyone informed
According to a study by Polly, teams that use their Slack integration see a 75% increase in survey response rates compared to traditional methods like email.
6. Giphy
While not strictly a productivity tool, Giphy is a beloved Slack app that brings some fun and personality to your team‘s conversations. With its massive library of GIFs, you can easily find the perfect reaction or meme to express yourself.
Key features:
- Search for GIFs directly in Slack using the /giphy command
- Preview and post GIFs in chat without disrupting the conversation flow
- Create custom GIF collections to share with your team
Best practices:
- Set clear guidelines around appropriate GIF usage to keep things professional
- Use GIFs sparingly to avoid overwhelming the conversation
- Create team-specific GIF collections for inside jokes and company culture references
Did you know? According to Giphy, over 500 million GIFs are shared on Slack every day, making it one of the most popular Slack apps.
7. Donut
Donut is an app designed to foster connections and build camaraderie within remote teams. It uses an algorithm to randomly pair team members for virtual coffee chats, helping break down silos and create a more cohesive culture.
Key features:
- Automatically schedule 1:1 coffee chats between team members
- Customizable pairing frequencies and group sizes
- Conversation starters and icebreakers to facilitate meaningful discussions
Best practices:
- Encourage participation from leadership to demonstrate the importance of building connections
- Create themed pairing rounds (e.g., cross-functional, new hires) to mix things up
- Gather feedback regularly to refine your Donut settings and improve the experience
8. Zapier
Zapier is the ultimate automation tool, allowing you to connect Slack with over 2,000 other apps and services. By creating "Zaps" (automated workflows), you can eliminate manual tasks and streamline your processes.
Key features:
- Automate repetitive tasks like adding leads to your CRM or sharing social media mentions
- Set up custom Slack notifications for important events or milestones
- Create multi-step workflows that span multiple apps
Best practices:
- Start with simple, high-impact automations to build momentum
- Document your Zaps and share them with your team for transparency
- Regularly review and optimize your automations to ensure they‘re still relevant
Fun fact: According to Zapier, the average Slack user saves 40 minutes per week by automating tasks with their app.
9. Bonusly
Bonusly is a recognition and rewards platform that integrates with Slack to make peer-to-peer appreciation seamless. By allowing team members to publicly recognize each other‘s contributions, Bonusly helps foster a culture of gratitude and motivation.
Key features:
- Give and receive micro-bonuses directly in Slack
- Customize recognition hashtags and reward values
- Redeem bonuses for gift cards, donations, or company swag
Best practices:
- Set clear guidelines around recognition criteria and frequency
- Encourage specific, timely, and values-aligned recognition
- Celebrate top recognitions in a dedicated Slack channel to amplify their impact
10. Miro
Miro is a collaborative whiteboarding tool that integrates with Slack to facilitate visual communication and ideation. Whether you‘re brainstorming, wireframing, or mind mapping, Miro makes it easy to collaborate with your team in real-time.
Key features:
- Create and share Miro boards directly in Slack
- Get notified when teammates comment or make changes to boards
- Use Miro‘s built-in templates for common use cases like retrospectives and user story mapping
Best practices:
- Set up Miro boards for each project or initiative to keep things organized
- Use Miro‘s Slack app to quickly capture ideas and feedback during meetings
- Establish conventions around board organization and labeling to ensure clarity
According to Miro, teams that use their Slack integration see a 25% increase in engagement and participation during virtual whiteboarding sessions.
11. GitHub
GitHub is a must-have for development teams, and its Slack app makes collaboration even smoother. By integrating GitHub with Slack, you can stay on top of code changes, pull requests, and deployments without constantly switching context.
Key features:
- Get notified in Slack when code is pushed, pull requests are opened, or issues are created
- Link GitHub issues and pull requests directly in Slack for easy reference
- Use slash commands to search for and share GitHub content in Slack
Best practices:
- Create dedicated Slack channels for each repository or project
- Use GitHub‘s threaded discussions for code reviews and issue triage
- Set up custom notifications for critical events like failed builds or security alerts
12. Loom
Loom is a video messaging tool that helps you communicate more effectively by sharing quick screen recordings. Its Slack app allows you to create and share Loom videos directly in channels or DMs, making it perfect for demos, walkthroughs, and asynchronous collaboration.
Key features:
- Record your screen, voice, and face with just a few clicks
- Trim, edit, and enhance your videos before sharing
- Get view notifications and reactions to your Loom videos in Slack
Best practices:
- Keep videos short and focused, aiming for 2-3 minutes max
- Use Loom to provide context and clarity around complex topics or decisions
- Organize videos in Loom folders and share links in relevant Slack channels
Fun fact: According to Loom, users who share videos via their Slack app see a 3x increase in views compared to traditional sharing methods.
13. Tettra
Tettra is a knowledge management platform that integrates with Slack to help your team document and access important information. By centralizing your company‘s knowledge in Tettra and making it easily searchable in Slack, you can reduce silos and improve transparency.
Key features:
- Create, edit, and share Tettra pages directly from Slack
- Search for and preview Tettra content in Slack using slash commands
- Get notified in Slack when pages are updated or commented on
Best practices:
- Establish a clear hierarchy and naming convention for your Tettra pages
- Encourage everyone to contribute to documentation, not just leadership or subject matter experts
- Set up regular reminders in Slack to review and update outdated content
14. Lever
Lever is an applicant tracking system that streamlines your recruiting process and keeps your hiring team aligned. Its Slack integration allows you to manage candidates, interviews, and feedback without leaving your chat workspace.
Key features:
- Get notified in Slack when candidates apply or move through stages
- Discuss and provide feedback on candidates directly in Slack
- Schedule interviews and send reminders via Slack
Best practices:
- Create a dedicated Slack channel for each open role to keep discussions organized
- Use Lever‘s Slack shortcuts to quickly update candidate statuses and notes
- Set up reminders for interviewers to submit feedback promptly
15. Salesforce
Salesforce is a powerful CRM that helps sales teams manage their pipelines, close deals, and analyze performance. By integrating Salesforce with Slack, you can bring key account information and insights into your team‘s everyday conversations.
Key features:
- Get notified in Slack when deals are won, lost, or require attention
- Search for and share Salesforce records directly in Slack
- Update Salesforce fields and activities from Slack using slash commands
Best practices:
- Set up alerts for high-value opportunities or at-risk accounts
- Use Salesforce‘s Slack app to celebrate wins and share learnings with the team
- Create custom notifications for handoffs between sales and customer success
According to Salesforce, sales teams that use their Slack integration see a 15% increase in productivity and a 20% faster response time to leads.
Conclusion
Slack app integrations have the power to transform your team‘s workflow, boost productivity, and even make work more fun. By implementing these 15 game-changing apps and following best practices, you can unlock the full potential of Slack and take your team‘s collaboration to new heights.
Remember, the key to success with Slack apps is to start small, iterate often, and listen to your team‘s feedback. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with new integrations and customize them to fit your unique needs and culture.
So what are you waiting for? Start exploring these powerful Slack apps and see how they can revolutionize the way you work. With the right tools and a little bit of creativity, there‘s no limit to what your team can achieve.
