Quick Summary

Slack

Slack app with Block Kit and threads

  • Socket Mode (no public URL needed)
  • Block Kit formatting
  • Thread support
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Matrix

Decentralized Matrix protocol support

  • Decentralized/federated
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Thread support
View Full Guide

Capability Comparison

Capability Slack Matrix
Direct Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Group Chats ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Media Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Voice Messages — No — No
Reactions ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Thread Support ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Native Commands ✓ Yes — No
Text Limit 4000 chars 4096 chars
Protocol @slack/bolt matrix-bot-sdk

Access Control Policies

Slack

DM Policies

  • allowlist
  • pairing
  • open

Group Policies

  • allowlist
  • open

Matrix

DM Policies

  • allowlist
  • pairing
  • open

Group Policies

  • allowlist
  • open

Best Use Cases

Choose Slack for:

  • Workplace AI assistant
  • Team productivity
  • DevOps automation
  • Customer support

Choose Matrix for:

  • Privacy-focused teams
  • Open source communities
  • Self-hosted environments

Use with AI Providers

Both channels work with all OpenClaw AI providers:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for AI assistants, Slack or Matrix?
Both work well with OpenClaw. Slack is better for workplace ai assistant, while Matrix excels at privacy-focused teams. Consider your audience and feature requirements.
Can I use both Slack and Matrix with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple channels simultaneously. You can connect the same AI assistant to both Slack and Matrix, allowing users to interact through their preferred platform.
Which has better group chat support?
Both support group chats. Slack uses allowlist, open policies, while Matrix uses allowlist, open.