TL;DR
Slack is built for enterprise with compliance certifications, SSO, and data governance features. Discord is designed for communities with less enterprise security focus. Slack offers SOC 2, HIPAA eligibility, and enterprise controls. Discord lacks equivalent compliance certifications. For professional teams handling sensitive data, Slack is the secure choice; Discord works for open communities.
Slack and Discord both enable team communication, but they're designed for different audiences. Slack targets enterprise teams with security and compliance needs. Discord targets gaming and community communication. Understanding their security differences helps you choose the right platform for your team's needs.
Security Feature Comparison
| Security Feature | Slack | Discord |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 Type II | Yes | No |
| HIPAA Eligible | Enterprise Grid | No |
| SSO/SAML | Business+ plans | No |
| Data Retention Controls | Yes | Limited |
| eDiscovery | Enterprise | No |
| Admin Controls | Comprehensive | Basic |
| Encryption at Rest | Yes | Yes |
| 2FA | Yes | Yes |
Enterprise Security
Slack Enterprise Features
Slack Enterprise Grid provides advanced security controls: SAML SSO, custom data retention policies, eDiscovery and legal holds, DLP integrations, and compliance certifications. Organizations can control who can install apps, manage external sharing, and audit user activity. These features make Slack suitable for regulated industries.
Discord Enterprise Gaps
Discord lacks enterprise security features. No SSO means you can't enforce company authentication. No data retention controls means you can't meet compliance requirements. No eDiscovery means legal holds are difficult. Discord is built for communities, not enterprise governance.
Data Privacy
Slack Data Handling
Slack provides data residency options (US, EU, etc.), customer-managed encryption keys (Enterprise), and clear data processing agreements. Enterprise customers control their data lifecycle. Slack supports GDPR compliance with appropriate contracts and tools.
Discord Data Handling
Discord's privacy policy is consumer-focused. Data is stored in the US with no residency options. There's no customer control over encryption keys. For professional teams, Discord's data handling may not meet compliance requirements. It's designed for gaming communities, not enterprise data governance.
Choose Slack When: You need enterprise security features, compliance certifications, or handle sensitive data. Slack's security controls, SSO integration, and audit capabilities make it suitable for professional teams. Best for companies with security requirements, regulated industries, or enterprise environments.
Choose Discord When: You're building an open community or need free voice chat for casual team communication. Discord works for open source projects, gaming communities, or informal teams without compliance needs. Best when cost is a concern and enterprise security isn't required.
Bot and Integration Security
Slack App Security
Slack's app directory has reviewed apps with clear permission scopes. Admins can restrict which apps users install. OAuth scopes limit what apps can access. Enterprise Grid provides additional controls over app deployment and data access.
Discord Bot Security
Discord bots can be added by anyone with permissions. Bots have broad access to server data. There's less control over what bots can do. For teams handling sensitive information, Discord's bot model poses risks that Slack's controlled app ecosystem mitigates.
Best Practices
- Enable 2FA for all team members
- Use SSO when available (Slack)
- Audit installed apps and bots regularly
- Configure appropriate data retention policies
- Don't share sensitive data in public channels
- Review user permissions and access regularly
Can Discord be used for work?
Discord can work for informal teams or open communities. However, it lacks enterprise security features. For professional teams handling proprietary or sensitive information, Slack or similar enterprise tools are more appropriate.
Is Slack worth the cost over Discord?
For teams with security or compliance requirements, yes. Slack's enterprise features, SSO, compliance certifications, and admin controls justify the cost. For casual communities or open source projects, Discord's free tier may suffice.
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