Inbox chaos? Missed a critical Slack update? Trying to track down that one message with the important file you swore you saw last week? If your digital work life feels like shouting across a crowded airport terminal—messages flying everywhere—you probably need better Slack-email integration.

But with hundreds of apps promising "seamless communication," how do you find the ones that actually deliver? The best fit depends on way more than just whether they can forward a message or sync a thread. 

To help you find the best Slack-email integration solution, I’ve done my research, reviewed, and put together a list.

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The 7 Best Slack-Email Integration Apps

1. ClearFeed – Bidirectional Email-Slack syncing with AI assistance
2. Freshchat (Freshworks) – Customer support inbox with Slack two-way messaging
3. Front – Team Email inbox with rich Slack collaboration features
4. Zoho Mail – Business email service with Slack forwarding and slash commands
5. SignalZen – Lightweight live chat + email inbox tool for Slack-first teams
6. Slack for Gmail – Official Gmail add-on to forward emails into Slack
7. Hiver – Gmail-based helpdesk with Slack notification integration

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What to Look for in Slack-Email Integration App

Not all Slack-Email integration apps are created equal. You need to find the one that actually makes it easier to work with Emails inside Slack — not just read them. Because if the whole point is to cut down tool-switching and make collaboration smoother, the solution needs to be way smarter than "you got a new email."

So, here’s what makes a Slack-Email integration app the best:

1. Two-way communication: Must allow replies, assignments, and actions directly from Slack — not just notifications.
2. Full context transfer: Email content, attachments, and sender info should be visible in Slack, not just subject lines.
3. Routing control: Ability to route specific emails to channels or teammates
4. Ticketing Functionality: Most teams need Status, Priority and Assignee fields for every customer Email thread to make sure every customer issue is closed out.
5. Simple setup: Quick to install with minimal configuration — no complex workflows or coding required.
6. Collaboration-ready: Support for internal notes, assignments, and integrations with tools like Jira, Zendesk, Salesforce, ClickUp, Asana etc..
7. Security-first: End-to-end encryption, admin controls, and compliance with standards like GDPR.
8. SLA Alerting: Responsiveness to customers is important and an ideal Email integration App should alert service teams when responses are overdue.

Finally, you need to think about scalability and cost. Could the tool handle a small team’s needs without breaking the bank? Would it still work well as the team grew? If you say yes to these, you've got the best solution.

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The Best Slack-Email Integration App at a Glance

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1. ClearFeed

ClearFeed is a Slack Helpdesk that enables seamless Email collaboration directly inside Slack. It provides a bidirectional sync between email and Slack, allowing users to receive emails in Slack and reply to them from Slack without needing to open their email client.

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Key Features of ClearFeed

• Real-time Email ↔️ Slack Sync: Every incoming email to your designated support email address is instantly posted in a Slack channel (or “triage” channel), complete with the email content and any attachments. Team members can read the email in Slack and respond to it as if they were sending a Slack message – ClearFeed converts the Slack reply into an email back to the sender, including CC recipients.
• Slack Triage Channels: ClearFeed can route emails into Slack triage channels where the support team can discuss and coordinate internally (using thread replies or private notes) before responding. This ensures internal collaboration on email threads without the customer seeing the back-and-forth.
• Tracking and Reminders: Each email thread becomes a trackable object in ClearFeed. You can set statuses (open, pending, closed) and ClearFeed will send reminders in Slack for pending customer replies. This helps teams stay on top of unanswered emails and maintain SLAs.
• AI-Powered Assistance: A standout feature is ClearFeed’s GPT-based virtual assistant which suggests draft replies for common queries. The AI’s suggestion is only visible to the team in Slack – a team member can choose to use or edit the suggestion before sending. This can speed up responding to frequent questions.
• Analytics and Metrics: It provides analytics on your Slack-email interactions – for example, how many emails were handled via Slack, response times, and any SLA breaches. Managers get insight into support performance across channels.

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Best Use Cases

ClearFeed is best for teams that live in Slack and handle a high volume of external emails. Common use cases include:

• Customer Support: Teams that offer support via Email can use ClearFeed to resolve tickets in Slack without needing a separate helpdesk interface. It’s especially useful if your support team already collaborates in Slack – they can triage and answer customer emails faster from a single workspace.
• Client Services and Account Management: If your company communicates with clients or partners over Email, ClearFeed lets your internal team coordinate on responses in Slack. Everyone in the Slack channel sees the latest client email and can contribute to the reply, ensuring a unified response.
• Internal Support Desks: In many companies - helpdesks have moved to Slack - but there is still a need to support an occasional Email. This is particularly true - for example - if not every employee is on Slack or if non-employees (for example a future-joinee) needs to file tickets over Email. ClearFeed can bridge that gap by pulling the email conversation into your Slack, so your team can discuss internally and reply, while the other side continues over email.

Pros: ClearFeed offers real-time, two-way integration – a major step up from simple Email-to-Slack forwarding. Team members can stay in Slack to handle external queries, which saves time and keeps workflows focused. The inclusion of AI suggestions and automated reminders adds to productivity by reducing manual effort on routine tasks. It’s also relatively easy to set up and use, since it behaves like a familiar Slack app with added web dashboard for configuration.

Limitations: Teams with only a light trickle of emails might find it more power than they need. Also, because ClearFeed is focused on Slack, organizations must be Slack-centric in their workflow to get full value. Finally, while it excels at Slack-Email sync, it’s primarily geared towards email-based tickets; it may not natively handle other channels like social media (those would require separate integrations).

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2. Freshchat (Freshworks)

Freshchat (by Freshworks) is a customer messaging platform that provides a unified inbox for support conversations – including live chat, messengers, and even emails – under Freshworks’ customer service suite.

Image Source: Freshchat

Key Features of Freshchat’s Slack Integration

• Freshchat’s Slack integration enables two-way communication, letting agents receive customer alerts and reply directly from Slack using a custom slash command like /reply.
• You can configure which Slack channel Freshchat conversations appear in, either using the default #freshchat-messages channel or routing specific queries to specific channels.
• Non-Freshchat users in Slack, such as engineers or product managers, can be looped into conversations without needing Freshchat accounts, and agents do not have to be channel members to reply.
• Freshchat also integrates email into its inbox, allowing support emails to be forwarded into Freshchat and handled through Slack just like chat messages.

Pros:

• Enables real-time, interactive support directly from Slack, reducing the need to switch between apps.
• Official integration by Freshworks, ensuring compatibility and dedicated support.
• Helps lower response times with instant Slack push notifications and mobile/desktop access.
• Keeps conversation context visible to the whole team for better collaboration.
• Offers a free Freshchat plan (with limited features), allowing teams to try it out with minimal upfront investment.
• Scales with higher-tier Freshworks plans for advanced capabilities.

Limitations:

• Only useful if you're already using Freshchat or Freshdesk; not a standalone Slack tool.
• Adopting Freshchat just for Slack integration could be a big commitment for new teams.
• Requires setup effort to configure Slack reply commands and proper channel routing.
• Agents must use specific slash commands or workflows to respond, which isn’t as simple as typing a message directly.
• Some features, including Slack integration, may only be available on higher-tier (paid) Freshworks plans, leading to potential additional costs.

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3. Front

Front is a popular team inbox and email management platform that brings emails (and other channels like SMS, Twitter, etc.) into a collaborative workspace. Think of it as a shared email client where teams can collectively manage and respond to messages. Front’s Slack integration focuses on bridging conversations between Front and Slack. 

Image Source: Front

Key Features of Front’s Slack Integration

• Front can automatically push specific messages to Slack based on rules, such as escalating urgent customer emails to designated channels.
• Team members can manually share an email to Slack to get input from colleagues who may not use Front, keeping the context intact for easy collaboration.
• Front can send Slack notifications for key events like email assignments or @mentions in internal comments.
• Since Front aggregates multiple channels like SMS and Facebook messages, its Slack integration can surface more than just emails for broader visibility.

Pros: 

• Extends email collaboration to team members outside Front via Slack.
• Unique ability to create Front conversations directly from Slack messages.
• Customize which messages sync between Front and Slack.
• Helps turn Slack discussions into actionable tasks, avoiding lost information.
• Improves visibility with Slack notifications for key Front events (e.g., assignments, mentions).
• Supports mobile responsiveness with both Front’s app and Slack’s mobile app.

Limitations: 

• Requires some training to properly escalate or create items from Slack.
• Not a true two-way email client in Slack; comments stay internal, and actual email replies happen via Front.
• Slack acts more as a discussion mirror rather than a direct email sender.
• Setup and maintenance are needed to manage rules, integrations, and Slack channel configurations.

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4. Zoho Mail

Zoho Mail is a business email service similar to Gmail or Outlook 365, and it offers a native Slack integration to unite your email with Slack. The Slack integration for Zoho Mail is particularly useful if your organization runs on Zoho Mail. With this setup, Slack essentially becomes an extension of your Zoho Mail inbox – you can quickly search and share emails in Slack.

Image Source: Zoho Mail

Key Features of Zoho Mail’s Slack Integration

• You can configure filters in Zoho Mail to automatically forward specific emails to designated Slack channels based on criteria like recipient address or subject keywords.
• Within Slack, users can use Zoho Mail’s slash commands, such as /zohomail, to search for emails by folder, sender, or subject keywords, with results visible only to the requester.
• Zoho’s integration allows users to draft and send emails directly from Slack using commands like /zohomail send, without opening the Zoho Mail interface.
• Emails forwarded to Slack include content previews, and attachments are handled through links, maintaining privacy and accessibility.
• Slash commands and forwarding features work across Slack’s web and mobile apps, enabling email access and actions on the go.

Pros:

• Official, secure integration by Zoho ensures a smooth experience within its ecosystem.
• Allows you to search, read, and send emails directly from Slack.
• Real-time Slack notifications improve visibility for important emails.
• Offered at no extra cost with Zoho Mail accounts (including free tiers).
• A cost-effective alternative to third-party Slack email tools.
• Email filters help control which messages appear in Slack, preventing notification overload.

Limitations: 

• Only available for Zoho Mail users; not compatible with Gmail or Outlook.
• Requires setup effort to configure email forwarding and Slack authentication.
• Email content in Slack may appear as text-only or simplified, with possible formatting issues.
• Slash command interface is limited; complex email tasks still require Zoho Mail.
• Sending emails via Slack lacks full drafting or preview tools.
• Security caution: auto-posted emails should be restricted to private Slack channels to protect sensitive information.

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5. SignalZen

SignalZen is primarily a live chat tool for websites that integrates closely with Slack, but it also offers a Slack Email Inbox feature. With SignalZen’s email functionality, you can receive customer emails inside Slack and reply to them directly — similar to a simple shared inbox. It's a lightweight way to manage customer communication channels (live chat + email) from within Slack, making it useful for support and sales teams that want everything centralized.

Image Source: SignalZen G2 Reviews

Key Features of SignalZen’s Slack Integration

• Emails sent to your connected address are delivered to a designated Slack channel, where you can reply directly via threads.
• Manage live chat conversations and emails side-by-side in Slack, without needing a separate CRM.
• Connecting your Email inbox (custom domain or Gmail/Outlook) is straightforward and guided through SignalZen’s web dashboard.
• View customer info and conversation history inside Slack alongside the email message.

Pros: 

• Seamless Slack-first experience for both chat and email.
• Affordable compared to enterprise helpdesks.
• Easy to set up and operate — minimal learning curve.
• Supports mobile workflows (Slack mobile app notifications).

Limitations: 

• Basic email functionality — no advanced features like ticket routing, SLA tracking, or automation rules.
• Best for lower email volumes — not designed for enterprise-level support teams.
• Limited integrations outside of Slack and website chat (compared to broader CRMs/helpdesks).

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6. Slack for Gmail

Slack for Gmail is an official add-on by Slack that you can install in your Gmail account (via Google Workspace Marketplace). It’s a simple yet handy integration that allows you to forward emails from Gmail into Slack with minimal effort. Unlike the other apps on this list, Slack for Gmail is not a full-fledged external app or service – it’s essentially a connector within the Gmail interface.

Image Source: Gmail

Key Features of Slack for Gmail

• Once installed, the Slack for Gmail add-on places a Slack icon in your Gmail sidebar, allowing you to select an email thread and send it to a Slack workspace, channel, or person.
• The integration forwards the full email content along with attachments like images or PDFs into Slack as linked files.
• When forwarding an email, you can add a custom note to provide context for your teammates, which appears above the email content in Slack.
• The add-on uses your Slack authentication, respecting channel permissions and showing who shared the email for transparency.

Pros:

• Free and very easy to install and set up through the Google Marketplace.
• Supports attachments and preserves full email thread content when shared.
• Saves time compared to manually copying and pasting email content into Slack.
• Keeps context intact, helping teammates collaborate with the full email view.
• Per-email sharing gives users control over what is sent to Slack.
• Ideal for occasional needs, providing a quick, no-cost collaboration boost for Gmail users.

Limitations:

• Only forwards emails to Slack; no way to reply to emails from Slack.
• Requires manual sharing for each email; no bulk automation or forwarding rules.
• Doesn’t replace your email client — you must return to Gmail to reply.
• Email formatting in Slack may be simplified compared to Gmail.
• Only works with Gmail accounts; not applicable for non-Gmail users (Outlook has a separate add-on).
• Mobile experience is functional but more limited and clunky compared to desktop.

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7. Hiver

Hiver is an email collaboration tool that layers on top of Gmail. It transforms Gmail into a kind of helpdesk by adding features like shared inboxes, email assignment, status tracking, and internal notes – all within the familiar Gmail interface. Hiver is popular with teams that want to manage support or info@ emails right from Gmail without using a separate ticketing system.

Image Source: Hiver

Key Features of Hiver’s Slack Integration

• Once Slack is connected to Hiver, team members receive real-time Slack notifications for key Gmail-based events, improving visibility and accountability.
• Notifications include new emails arriving in shared inboxes, email assignments to specific team members, and internal notes or @mentions on conversations.
• You can configure whether notifications are sent to a Slack channel (e.g., #hiver-updates) or as direct messages, depending on your team size and workflow.
• The Slack integration features a simple, one-click setup from Hiver’s settings without the need for complex workflows.
• The integration encourages working where you prefer, using Slack to stay updated without constantly checking Gmail.
• Since notifications come through Slack, mobile users can stay informed via the Slack mobile app, ensuring important updates aren’t missed.

Pros:

• Provides real-time Slack notifications for email assignments and updates, improving response times.
• Complements Gmail’s asynchronous nature by adding instant visibility to tasks.
• Official, reliable integration designed specifically for Gmail + Hiver workflows.
• Doesn’t require users to learn a new interface — just adds Slack as a notification layer.
• Offers a free  and a free plan, allowing teams to test it risk-free.

Limitations:

• Only works with Hiver; not a general email-to-Slack tool.
• Triggers only on Hiver-specific (Gmail-based) events.
• No ability to reply or act on emails from Slack — it’s notification-only.
• Requires switching back to Gmail/Hiver for any actual email actions.
• May cause notification overload if not properly configured, especially in high-volume inboxes.
• Potential redundancy if teams already rely on Gmail notifications.

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So, Which One Should You Choose?

When choosing a Slack email integration, start with your current tools: if you’re already using a platform like Zoho, pick their Slack integrations. If you’re adding a new system, decide between a shared inbox (like Front or Hiver) or a Slack-first tool (like ClearFeed) based on whether you prefer working in Slack or an email client. For tight budgets, free options like Slack’s native email forwarding can cover a lot.

Team size matters too: small teams may do fine with Slack for Gmail; larger teams might need scalable solutions like ClearFeed. The right integration reduces context-switching, surfaces important emails in Slack, and improves response speed — ultimately boosting productivity and collaboration.

And if you would like to know more about how ClearFeed can help you with Slack and email integration, book a demo today!