Slack Huddles is a convenient option for quick, integrated audio chats within Slack, especially for teams already using the platform. Meta Horizon Workrooms offers a more immersive, VR-focused experience with spatial audio and hand tracking, suitable for teams looking for a virtual collaboration space.
| Attribute | Slack Huddles | Meta Horizon Workrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Collaboration Features | Designed for quick, real-time audio-based chats within Slack. Allow spontaneous discussions and replicate informal office chats. Features include instant audio chats, live captions, screen sharing, and the ability to drop notes and links in the Slack thread. | Immersive virtual spaces for meetings, brainstorming, presentations, and collaboration with spatial audio, hand tracking, and virtual whiteboards. |
| Virtual Meeting Capacity | Up to 50 participants on paid plans. The free version of Slack limits Huddles to two participants. | Up to 50 participants, with a maximum of 16 in VR. |
| Screen Sharing Capabilities | Support screen sharing, allowing users to present documents, slides, or apps. Up to two people can share their screens simultaneously. Annotation tools, such as drawing or live cursors, are available for shared screens. | Users can share computer screens within the virtual environment using Meta Quest Remote Desktop. |
| Integration with Existing Workflows | Integrated into the Slack ecosystem and can be started in any channel or direct message. Integrations with project management tools can allow teams to jump into a Huddle directly from a task or project board. | Integrates with Outlook, Google Calendar, and Zoom. Offers a web app for meeting notes, file sharing, and chat. |
| Audio Quality and Clarity | Powered in collaboration with Amazon and the AWS cloud environment, which provides excellent reliability and uptime for audio meetings. Live captions are available to help ensure people from different locations can still understand each other. | High-quality, low-latency spatial audio to simulate realistic conversations. |
| Video Conferencing Quality | Start as audio-only by default, but users can switch on video. Video huddles can be opened in a separate window, and users have the option to blur their backgrounds. | Participants can join via video call, appearing on a video screen within the virtual room. |
| File Sharing and Management | Files can be shared during a Huddle, and all files and notes shared are saved for future reference. | The Workrooms web app allows users to share files and links. |
| Whiteboarding and Annotation Tools | Offer annotation tools, such as drawing or live cursors, on shared screens. Integration with Kumospace enables access to virtual whiteboards. | Infinite whiteboard space for real-time sketching and collaboration. Users can pin images and mark them up. |
| User Interface and Experience | Designed to be unobtrusive, with a minimal interface. They are easy to start with one-click access from any DM or channel. | Meta is updating the app's interface to match the current Quest system design. |
| Security and Privacy Features | All traffic is encrypted in transit, and media traffic is encrypted with SRTP using a DTLS-SRTP key exchange. Huddles fall under the same security program as the rest of Slack. | Audio contents are processed on Facebook servers but not stored unless recorded. Passthrough processes images and videos of your physical environment locally. |
| Accessibility Options | Support live captions, making it easier for everyone to follow along. Slack also offers keyboard navigation options and screen reader compatibility. | Users can join meetings in VR or via video call from their computers. |
| Pricing and Subscription Model | Available on both free and paid versions of Slack. The free version limits Huddles to two participants, while paid plans allow up to 50 participants. | Free to download. Zoom One Pro or higher account needed to host Zoom meetings within Workrooms. |
| Price | Available on free and paid versions of Slack | Not available |
| Ratings | Overall: Not available, Performance: Excellent reliability and uptime for audio meetings due to AWS cloud environment | Not available |
| Pros | Instant audio chats, Live captions, Screen sharing, Integration with Slack ecosystem, Annotation tools, Encryption for security, Accessibility options like live captions and screen reader compatibility | Facilitates real-time collaboration through spatial audio, Shared whiteboards, Hand tracking, Screen sharing, Integrates with Outlook, Google Calendar, and Zoom, Offers a web app for meeting notes, file sharing, and chat |
| Cons | Free version limited to two participants, Video starts as audio-only | Not available |