How to Install Slack on Ubuntu 20.04 [Step by Step Guide]

What is Slack?

Slack is basically a messaging app on steroids, “a single place for messaging, tools and files.”

It’s meant for teams and workplaces can be used across multiple devices and platforms, and is equipped with robust features that allow you to not only chat one-on-one with associates but also in groups.

Slack is an instant messaging system with lots of add-ins for other workplace tools. The add-ins aren’t necessary to use Slack, though, because the main functionality is all about talking to other people.

You’re able to upload and share files with them too, as well as integrate with other apps and services and you can granularly control almost every setting, including the ability to create custom emoji.

Conversations in Slack are organized in channels.

You can create channels for your teams, projects, topics, or any other purpose. You can search through everything that’s been posted in channels or your messages.

Slack also allows you to talk with your teammates over audio or video calls and share documents, images, videos, and other files.

There are two methods of chat in Slack: channels (group chat), and direct message or DM (person-to-person chat).

Slack Features In Depth:

• Real-time messaging
• Team channels
• Drag-and-drop file sharing
• Indexing and archiving
• Powerful search capabilities (Contextual search)
• Custom shortcuts and slash commands
• Voice and Video calls
• Security
• Easy, automated reminders
• Useful bots
• Task list management
• Easy note-taking
• Collaborate with posts

As per the official blog post of Slack, this messenger application reached nearby 10+ million daily active users as on January 2019.

We have collected some useful informations from Internet:

• The number of people using Slack daily exceeds 10 million.
• 43% of Fortune 100 businesses pay to use Slack.
• Valued at $13.2 billion as of September 2019.
• 9 hours is the time period an average user of Slack is signed in for.
• 3 million people pay to use Slack.
• Slack’s total revenue was over $630 million in 2020.

Graphical Representation.

Let’s take a quick look at the user interface.

This guide shows two ways of installing Slack on Ubuntu 20.04.

So let’s get started.

How to Install Slack as a Snap Package

Slack snap package is distributed and maintained by Microsoft Corporation

A snap package is a type of universal Linux package that you can enjoy irrespective of the distro. Its an self-contained software packages that include the binary all dependencies needed to run the application.

All you need is the snap service pre-configured, In the case of Ubuntu 20.04, it comes with snap pre-installed.

If snapd package is not already installed then you can install it by running following command.

$ sudo apt install snapd

Snap packages are easy to upgrade and secure. Unlike the standard deb packages, snaps have a larger disk footprint and longer application startup time.

You can install Snap packages from either the command-line or via the Ubuntu Software application.

First of all to get all of the available updates.

Open your terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type the following command.

$ apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

Then to install the Slack snap, run the following command.

$ sudo snap install slack --classic

Slack has been successfully installed on your Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop.

Note: The best part of Slack is, whenever a new version is released, the Slack snap package will be automatically updated.

You can also install the Slack graphically. To do so, open Ubuntu Software, search for “Slack” and install the application.

It’s that simple!

How to Install Slack as a Deb Package

Visit Official Website (Download Page) and download the latest Slack .deb package.

Once the download is complete, double-click on the .deb file and click on the “Install” button to start the installation process.

Note: You may be prompted to enter Superuser Password.

During the installation process, the official Skype repository will be added to your system.

When a new version is released, you can update the Skype package through your desktop standard Software Update tool.

How to start Slack Application

In the Activities search bar type “Slack” and click on the icon to launch the application.

Even you can also start Slack application from the command line by typing slack.

Conclusion

I hope that now you have a good understanding of How to Install Slack on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa.

If anyone does have any questions about what we covered in this guide then feel free to ask in the comment section below and I will do my best to answer those.