Slack FAQ

if only some people pay for slack and others use free accounts, how does that work for the features on a given channel?

Can you have paid and free users on the same channel?

• Slack is less of accounts, and more of Billable Active Users on a Workspace.  So the license needed is dictated by the Workspace.  If you have a paid Workspace, then any user that is interacting in a channel within that workspace would need to have a license for that.  If they are on a Free Workspace, nothing is needed.  There is an option to invite a User in as a Guest using Slack Connect, if they are only going to collaborate for a short time period.  See this link for details: -- https://slack.com/resources/slack-for-admins/guests-vs-channels-in-slack-connect

If we want to have channels that combine Berkeley Lab staff and non-Lab staff, can we have the users on free accounts, joining channels with staff?

• The same rules apply with needing a license for any workspace you join that is on a Paid plan.  If an outside user is on a paid plan at their own institution, they can collaborate in any channel you invite them into.  Licenses are also tied to a workspace, not a lifetime to an individual user.  

Can I reclaim licenses of decommissioned users?

• Yes, you can provision and decommission accounts.  The decommissioned license can be assigned to another user.

Will the data of a decommissioned user disappear?

• No, the historical data of a decommissioned user will still remain available in the channel. 

Let me know if that answers everything, or if you need some additional details.

Comparison of Free, Pro, and Business+

The Free, Pro, and Business+ plans include a single Slack workspace for small and medium-sized companies. You can use the free version of Slack with some limitations, or upgrade to a paid plan to access more features.

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