How to Cancel Slack (2026)

Cancelling Slack isn't quite as straightforward as most SaaS tools. Only workspace owners can change billing, the free tier has real limitations you should understand first, and there's a difference between downgrading to free and deleting the workspace outright. This guide covers both.

Before you cancel: export your data

Free Slack only keeps 90 days of message history. Everything older gets permanently deleted on a rolling basis. If your workspace has years of conversations you might need, export them first.

1. Go to Settings & administration > Workspace settings
2. Click Import/Export Data
3. Select Export and choose your date range
4. Slack will email you a download link when the export is ready

This exports public channel messages. Private channels and DMs require a Corporate Export (paid plans only, with admin approval).

How to downgrade to the free plan

This is the right option if your team still uses Slack but doesn't need paid features. Your workspace stays intact.

1. Only Workspace Owners can do this. Check your role under Settings & administration > Manage members
2. Go to slack.com/admin/billing (or click your workspace name > Settings & administration > Billing)
3. Click Change Plan
4. Select Free
5. Confirm the downgrade

The change takes effect at the end of your current billing period. You keep using paid features until then.

How to delete a workspace entirely

If nobody needs the workspace anymore and you want it gone:

1. Go to slack.com/admin/settings
2. Scroll to the bottom and click Delete Workspace
3. Confirm by typing the workspace name
4. Click Yes, permanently delete this workspace

This is irreversible. All messages, files, channels, and member data are permanently deleted.

What you lose on the free plan

The 90-day message limit is the big one. Slack used to keep all messages on free workspaces indefinitely (just hidden behind a paywall). Since August 2024, they permanently delete messages and files older than one year on free workspaces, and the visible window is 90 days. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Current pricing (USD)

Slack bills in USD. Prices shown are per user per month.

For a 10-person team on Pro (annual), that's $870 USD/year (~$1,390 AUD). It adds up quickly, especially when Salesforce (Slack's parent company) has been steadily raising prices since the acquisition.

Is the free plan enough?

For small teams (under 10 people) who mostly chat in real time and don't rely on searching old messages, the free plan works fine. You get unlimited channels, 1-on-1 huddles, and 10 app integrations.

You'll miss Pro if your team regularly searches for old conversations, relies on integrations with more than 10 tools, needs guest accounts for clients or contractors, or runs group video calls through Slack.

Alternatives

• Microsoft Teams (free tier) offers 60-minute group meetings, unlimited chat history, and integrates with Office apps. The strongest option for teams already using Microsoft 365.
• Discord (free) works well for small teams and communities. Unlimited message history, voice channels, and no per-user pricing. Less polished for business use, but functional.
• Google Chat (free with a Google account) is basic but covers messaging and integrates with Google Workspace. Best for teams already in the Google ecosystem.